Chihuahuas

[ckay87]

Dashunds are great dogs. My mom had one for 17 years!

You beat me to it. They are great dogs, but I hear they can be a challenge to house train. We adopted ours at 2 years and he is exceptional. Has that class-clown personality that they are famous for. I also think doxies adore children as long as they are raised with them. Our guy prefers kids over adults. You just can't beat their personality - not one day passes that he doesn't crack us up!

 

[dawson5]

My mother had a dachsund when we were growing up. She hated kids, always nipped at us, even my older brother. I have a friend who had two mini wire-haired ones that were awesome. With any dog it's a crap shoot. Seriously. I don't know how many times I've heard great things about golden retrievers. Friends of ours, their son, was attacked by one. Spend time with the dog, if possible with the parents. We've had all kinds of dogs growing up, my mom picked up strays and found them homes. I can't say one breed is better than another, quite honestly I don't think you can go wrong with a mutt and they come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. If your heart is set on a specific breed, would it be possible you that you could contact the AKC for one of their rescues and maybe you could be the go between and possibly use it as a way to test if a certain breed is right for you?

 

[simba928]

Like someone else said, if you do go the Chi route, socialize the heck out of him. Take him EVERYWHERE. Contact a rescue and explain your family and have them reccomend one of their dogs that would fit in. Once you get the dog, take him to the pet store, to friend's houses, have people come to your house, take him in the car to go pick the kids up from school. Get him around as many different people as possible (old, young, people that talk/walk/act funny, men, women, etc.). Socializing is important with any breed, but especially important with breeds like chis that tend to not care for strangers.

Daschunds are great dogs. The only thing with them that I would be worried about with your kids are their backs. Because of their long backs, they are very delicate and can have a lot of back issues. You just have to make sure you teach your boys to be gentle with the dog and cannot throw them on the bed or wrestle with them or do whatever little boys may want to do with their best furry friend.

I personally don't like Bostons. They are the only breed I don't really like, but that is just my personal opinion. Just bad experiences with the ones I've handled. They are more sturdy than a chi, but they are a small dog so they still can't be wrestled/played with as tough as you would a bigger dog.

I really like the mutt suggestion as well. There are lots of awesome dogs that are mutts (I have a 45 pound lap mutt right now and all my dogs have been mixes). Don't let the fact that these dogs don't have fancy papers deter you. You really don't need any kind of fancy papers to have a great family pet. Also, about 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred (you just don't have the paper). In addition to the shelter dogs, there are also many breed rescues that you could look into. They would be able to tell you anything you wanted to know not only about the breed but about the specific dog your looking at.

 

[rparmfamily]

Dashunds are great dogs. My mom had one for 17 years!

I love my Doxie too!!! She's awesome with kids but I think it depends on socialization as well. Mine is a mini and a rescue.

I think a lot of it with small dogs is remembering they are DOGS and to treat them as DOGS and not as small children. I think once they think they are leaders of your pack (because you baby them) then it's all over.

 

[phragmipedium]

Chihuahuas are not little kid dogs, especially little boy dogs. They are very snippy and yappy. They have "their people" and if they don't know you they will get snippy. They think they are much bigger than they are. They are not dogs for kids and they are not dogs for people that have a very active house with a lot of people coming and going (friends, neighbors, relatives comng over, etc.). Small dogs want to be the babies. They demand attention. They don't take too kindly to kids being too noisy or active for them or to not getting attention from "their person".

Honestly, I would be more afraid of a small dog (Lhasa Apsos, Chihuahuas, Yorkies) biting than a larger dog. Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Mastiffs are big teddy bears compared to those toy breeds.

Now with that being said, there are always exceptions. That is just the breed in general (I had a husky when I was growing up that LOVED my cat and rabbit while the breed tendency is to chase and hunt small animals since they are prey dogs. She was a typical husky in that she ran at every chance she got, though). If you are still interested in a chihuahua, contact a rescue and talk to them. They may have a dog that would fit into your family. There very well may be a rough and tough chihuahua out there that would love a home with a couple little boys to play with. Just be aware that some small breed rescues will not adopt to homes with kids under 10 or 12 simply because those breeds are so delicate and they are not kid dogs.

BTW, please don't think I'm bashing the breed. They can be awesome dogs in the right home. (Just because you like a breed doesn't mean the dog will fit into your home. I love pit bulls, but I would probably never get one just because I know they are not a good breed for me). I would love to get a chihuahua/terrier mix eventually, so like I said, I am not bashing them.

And I am glad you are doing research beforehand. Too many people get a dog and don't do any research then the dog ends up in shelters because they are displaying typical breed behaviors (a border collie herding, a rottweiler being protective, a husky running off)

ITA with the whole post. They are fine dogs for the right people and the right homes. I personally wouldn't get them with children unless they were grown and I was very comfortable with their individual temperament. My GMIL has a long-haired chihuahua that has never been fully housebroken (goes on wee-pads) and is very nippy. She picks him up and he snarls like none other and she just says, "Oh, listen to him talk to me!" She's an adult and can take care of herself when he nips her (and he has)...but I wouldn't trust them around children or busy households with lots of guests for that reason.

My experiences with dachshunds have been the same, unfortunately...a recent study listed them as the most-biting dog, followed by the chihuahua. But I do know a very loving dachshund that is very trustworthy. Every dog is different, but there are breed trends. Doing your research in advance is a *great* thing. It can also be helpful to adopt a dog that's already grown so you have a better idea of its personality and behaviors than you would with a puppy.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

The bold red is my post lol...

I have a 3 1/2 pound female chihuahua named Abby. She is 10 years old now, but I got her when she was just 8 weeks old. I LOVE HER!!!! She is a great dog!!!

I also have had children during these 10 years and Abby has been wonderful dealing with my kids. I have many pictures of Abby with my kids. Abby loved to snuggle and lick their faces when they were babies. Now She plays with my children daily. My kids adore her too.

LOL, for the most part you could be describing our regular size chi Christian (2yrs old and 8lbs). Christian LOVES my children as well as other kids and women, she has NEVER bit anyone, her only issue is she is afraid of men but that isn't her fault IMO. We got her at 4mos old from a woman who was dying of cancer. The woman had named her Chemo but I thought that was a horrible name and renamed her Christian which was the womans name..as a kind of tribute. Anyway, apparently the woman's husband was having a hard time with her illness (completely understandable) but regretably started taking it out on the puppy. If a man comes over she hides behind us or in her kennel. If a man picks her up she just shakes but still won't bite or growl. She just acts very timid. When DH first moved in she would leave the room if he came into it, but after a year she will sit next to him on the couch or sometimes even let him hold her..though it is rare lol. I was at work a couple weeks ago and DH called all excited because Christian had let him take her outside and went potty for him then sat in his lap lol. BTW it hasn't happened since lol. I guess it will take TONS of time and constant love from him (aka bribes) for her to accept him as a part of the family.

Chihuahuas also suffer from luxating patellas (Kneecap slips out of place) which isn't that serious. Abby sometimes walks with a limp and then her knee slips back into place and she is fine.

We so far have not had this problem thank god. My aunt though has a teacup chi Roxie that this happens to. Roxie is also a "family/people" chi who loves people even men...lucky them lol.

I'm not going to sugar coat it...She is yappy. She barks at anyone who walks by the house. It doesn't help that our sofa is up against the window and she stands "guard" daily. She is such a funny sight that people do stop and stare/laugh at her which doesn't help.

I think it is a breed trait that they are protective aka yappy of what they see as their territory. Christian will stand guard on the back of the couch and watch to make sure that noone comes within a certain radius of our yard or she "sounds the alarm". Noone can sneak up on us and its funny to watch her since she practically bounces in place when she yaps lol.

She will not let stranger pick her up. However, if someone comes to the house, it will take about 20 minutes before she is sitting on their lap.

Christian is the same way (as long as you aren't male lol..though I notice she doesn't mind male children).

I think chihuahuas are great dogs, they are friendly, they LOVE their owners, they love to snuggle (to get warm) and they are good watch dogs in the sense that they will let you know when someone is there.

I agree!! Not all chis are mean, nippy, or yappy..my aunt's doesn't even bark much except if you jiggle your keys lol. Mine is a sweet, loving girl who may yap but not just for the heck of it...we have a lab that barks way louder if she sees people come to close as well. And I got to say I have never had a dog love me so completely. She loves to snuggle me and though she ADORES the girls will get jealous if Holly 6 sits in my lap...she crawls between us and uses her paws to push Hol off which cracks me up...I think she loves me best since as a PP said I feed her lol.

I hope this information helps.

ETA: sorry such a big font lol..didnt realize it was!!

 

[Mysteria]

I didn't elaborate in my first post becauase I didn't have time. MIL has 2 Chihua-zus (chihuahua/****zu mix). Full sister and brother but from 2 different litters. The oldest (female) is pretty mellow once she gets to know people. Takes a few hours, she still won't be all over you but she won't bark and run away. The youngest (male) just can't handle strangers and is partial to the female members of the family. Kids are out of the question for the most part.

Their mother didn't (I use didn't because she was hit by a car :-( ) mind most adults but was very nervous all the time, even more so around kids.

I just don't think percentage wise they are good family w/kids dog. Is your family super energetic? What about a jack russell?

eta: Sometimes the **** are a bit ridiculous. It's a dog name for goodness sakes. Let's try an improper spelling for the sake of knowing what I'm talking about. SHEET-zu

 

[pixiewings71]

I had a little dog once (min-pin), and if you buy one, it is most definitely from a puppy mill. Little dogs are yappy, not very kid friendly, and harder to housebreak. They can also be nervous. There are MANY to be found in shelters and rescue groups, because of the above reasons.

Not all bought dogs are from puppy mills. We bought our dog from a family who a mini Doxie and bred her with their neighbors long haired mini Doxie. Now Autumn's Mom (Abby) may have been from a puppy mill but Autumn is very healthy and she has a great disposition, she might bark at you but once you're in and she's checked you out she's fine with you. She is definitely not a puppy mill dog.

Dashunds are great dogs. My mom had one for 17 years!

Ours is 2, she's still a pup but she's definitely a part of our family, we've had her since she was 14 weeks old.

ITA with the whole post. They are fine dogs for the right people and the right homes. I personally wouldn't get them with children unless they were grown and I was very comfortable with their individual temperament. My GMIL has a long-haired chihuahua that has never been fully housebroken (goes on wee-pads) and is very nippy. She picks him up and he snarls like none other and she just says, "Oh, listen to him talk to me!" She's an adult and can take care of herself when he nips her (and he has)...but I wouldn't trust them around children or busy households with lots of guests for that reason.

My experiences with dachshunds have been the same, unfortunately...a recent study listed them as the most-biting dog, followed by the chihuahua. But I do know a very loving dachshund that is very trustworthy. Every dog is different, but there are breed trends. Doing your research in advance is a *great* thing. It can also be helpful to adopt a dog that's already grown so you have a better idea of its personality and behaviors than you would with a puppy.

I disagree with some of this post. One of my friends has a chi, her name is Chiquita, if we didn't already have 2 dogs we would have Quita, when my DD10 goes to this friends house Quita doesn't leave her side, she follows her everywhere, she sleeps with her and if it's been a while since DD has been to this friends Quita gets mopey and sad and DD has to go visit her dog. LOL We say that Quita is DD's dog that lives at Rhonda's house. LOL Quita is VERY attached to my DD and has been since they first met, unfortunately they got Quita right after we got Autumn for DD and we don't want more then 2 dogs so Quita has to stay at Rhonda's.

We also have had no biting problems at all with our mini Doxie, sure she barks but that's a breed trait and most dogs do it. Our other dog bark/howls, I know the neighbors love that. LOL Our Dox has never bitten and just last week we had a baby (my DGD) toddling around the house and Autumn just gave her loads of kisses, she wasn't aggressive with DGD at all, of course if she had been she'd have been outside while DGD was here.

And yes, I do agree with PP in saying that you have to do your research, had we researched Doxie's a little more we probably would not have gone with this breed, they do have back issues as they age and many times need expensive back surgery. But don't jump into any decision, check breeds online, look for traits you want and traits you don't and know that you can't train a trait out of a dog. Also contact rescues in your area, they may have the perfect pup for you but you just don't know it yet. Our older dog is a rescue mutt, we paid $250 for him and he's an awesome dog, no clue what exactly he is, our best guest is a GS/Dobie mix, he's black and tan but he looks like a Sheperd.

Good luck on your quest for your families perfect pup!

 

[mickeysaver]

I have to say that before my adult life kicked in and I became a Chihuahua Mama, in my youth, my favorite dog that we ever had, and we had many, was a Doxie. Her name was Pearl and "we were puppies together" as I used to say. I was 6 months old, she was 6 weeks old when we got her. We have super 8 film of us fighting over a banana and playing together as we both grew. She was very healthy and kept up with our Labs, except when we went to the creek and she refused to get wet. She would walk out on the trees that were laying across the creek to keep a watch on them, until one of them would push her in and then she would be so indignant. She watched over Sally's lab pups when Sally needed a break from them. It was so funny to see these HUGE pups snuggled up with her. She also loved to chase after rabbits in the woods that backed up to the house we lived in. One day, she actually caught one. It was screaming and she had it pinned under my Dad's truck. I was so mad at her. I called her the meanest name that I could think of right as my Dad opened the basement door to see what was going on. I called her a "shameless hussy" from the song "The Streak". My father laughed so hard at me. He understood that I was upset about Pearl killing the rabbit, but he explained to me that she had a right to be proud of herself, since it was in her nature to do that sort of hunting. She was indeed proud of herself. OMG, it was in hindsight really cute to see her in her element, but I was sooooo mad at her at the time, it was lost on me.

Pearl had a series of strokes starting at age 10. We got our first kitten shortly after that. The kitten was great physical therapy for her. She followed it all through the house making sure to keep it out of trouble, even though for a time, she had no use of her back legs. Eventually, she walked again, and eventually, she had another stroke. Enter yet another kitten and she was good as new for another year or so when the big one hit. Dad and I found her at the end of the driveway one very cold morning. She was trying to go off to the woods across the street to die. She died later that morning in my father's arms while I was at school. I am not quite sure who cried more and my father is not a cryer.

Pearl was a special dog. Everyone loved her. My friends all wanted to take her home with them because she was such a loving dog. If you want a Doxie, I won't tell you no. They are great little dogs.

I love that dog to this day. There will never be another Pearl.