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Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Chihuahua       12/22/05 08:28 PM Edit   Reply   Does anyone have a chihuahua? The little smooth haired ones, especially the fawn and white, sure are cute and my wife wants a house dog again. A nearby animal shelter had a young female come up for adoption yesterday, but there were 4 people wanting her so they had a drawing and we didn't win. I've heard conflicting stories about them perhaps being hard to house break and sometimes being bad tempered, although the couple I've seen lately were certainly friendly. What's others' experience with them? Post Extras:       MartyAnderson New Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 8 Loc: Gordonville, TX Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       12/23/05 11:14 AM Edit   Reply   Bird I have had several friends who have owned Chihuahuas. Their universal traits are yapping & lack of bladder control. Just about anything get's them excited & that's when they cut loose. Have you checked out Boston Terriers? They are very intelligent, easily trained, & know (+ let you know) when it's time to go outside. Marty Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: MartyAnderson]       12/23/05 11:39 AM Edit   Reply   Thanks for the information, Marty. I don't really know what we're going to do. Our last dog was a rat terrier we got from the animal shelter and couldn't have asked for a better dog than he was. However, if we get another dog, we'd prefer one even smaller. One of our daughters has a pair of maltese. They're good little dogs and she'd like to give us one when she has a litter, but I don't want a shaggy dog. A Boston Terrier would probably be a good one to consider. Post Extras:       egon Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 3031 Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       12/23/05 03:27 PM Edit   Reply   Consider a small poodle also. Egon Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: egon]       12/23/05 04:04 PM Edit   Reply   No, no, Egon. We (well, actually our youngest daughter) had a small poodle many years ago; never again. Unless I lose a battle with my wife, there won't be any dogs that have to be taken to the beauty shop for grooming. Post Extras:       Fred Silver Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 234 Loc: NW PA Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       12/24/05 02:08 PM Attachment Edit   Reply   Very smart of you considering the grooming factor, which you would need to do with the Maltese, too. Chihuahuas are know for their small bladders, but the ones I take care of all have pretty good potty skills. They are also all on the timid side and the one still hasn't warmed up entirely to her owner's husband I am told. You'll find this with a lot of lap dogs, though. They are primped and pampered and don't get "out" much and socialized. Most of the people I know that have them have them trained to go on puppy pads (or Depends actually, much cheaper). They live a long time, too. I'd go for it. Edited by Fred (12/24/05 02:08 PM) Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: Fred]       12/24/05 02:43 PM Edit   Reply   Thanks, Fred. I think we want a young (or fairly young adult), preferably female, chihuahua, but I'm leary of the ones advertised for sale by the puppy mills, besides the fact that I'd rather not pay $600 to $900 for a pet if I can find one in a shelter that we can save. I'm guessing though that those are the ones adopted the quickest, so the hardest to find. Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4904 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       12/24/05 03:37 PM Edit   Reply   BIrd, There is a lot more risk in getting a Chihuahua than in a rat terrier as regards "accidents" on the floor or your lap. One of the problems with them is the same problem there was with Dalmations... fadish popularity which triggers of a puppy boom from unethical back yard breeders and puppy mills. Millions of dollars worth of TV adds for Taco Bell and a few by GEICO fed a frenzy. If you go for the little c in place of the terrier I hope you get a good one. I'll drop the other shoe now. "101 Dalmations" reruns, the remake, and sequel sparked a frenzy of GOTTA HAVE A DALMATION mania. According to insurance actuary statistics gleaned from hospital emergency rooms the Dalmation is one of the worst biters out there. Bird with a "Rat on a rope" (tiny dog on a leash) takes a little getting used to... I could see a shepard or a golden retriever or... Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: Pat]       12/24/05 05:34 PM Edit   Reply   Yeah, Pat, I know what happened with the Dalmations. And I'm not the one who wants a dog; my wife wants one. The trouble is that after we get one, I get too attached to it, too. Post Extras:       BlueRidge Gold Member Reged: 05/07/05 Posts: 286 Loc: Virginia Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       12/26/05 07:54 AM Edit   Reply   I grew up with a Chihuahua as MY DOG, and when, as a grown man, I had to have him put down, I wept for hours. He was MY DOG, and I loved him. That said, I would never have one again. Looking back with the objectivity of time, I can say he was a miserable beast. Entertaining in many ways, but a miserable beast. A biter, a constant yapper at guests, and would turn on us in a nanosecond if we offended him. It's a wonder we didn't get sued! His hair, while short, got into everything. Very stiff, so it worked its way into fabrics. As for Boston Terriers, they can be VERY aggressive. Consider a Pomeranian. For a little dog, they seem to have good temperments - more like a big, laid back, dog. Post Extras:       DUMBDOG Gold Member Reged: 09/11/02 Posts: 286 Loc: North Dakota, Florida Re: Chihuahua [re: BlueRidge]       12/26/05 09:50 AM Attachment Edit   Reply   The only thing with a Pomeranian, they own the house. Good alarm dog, but once you are in, they are friendly. Independent, smart, quick learners, like to bark, obstinate. When they are young, they like to run, an open door for a second and they are gone, this gets a lot better once they are older. Ours acts more like a cat sometimes, up on back of couch, then lay there and look out the window. Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: BlueRidge]       12/26/05 12:31 PM Edit   Reply   Mark, that's kind of what I'm afraid of with a chihuahua. And of course I know both my wife and I would get attached to any dog we get and it'd be tough if or when something happened to it. I just don't want a long haired dog. If I did, we'd get a maltese. But I really thing that IF we get a dog, we'd be better off with a rat terrier, or at least we would if it were anything like the last one we had. Buster loved everyone and everything. He'd play with anyone or any animal that would play with him and didn't want to hurt any of them. Post Extras:       WyndChym New Member Reged: 12/07/03 Posts: 5 Loc: Ohio (for now) Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       12/26/05 01:55 PM Attachment Edit   Reply   Bird, My sister inherited an 11 wk old Chihuahua 4 months ago. We think she came from a puppy mill because she had fleas and worms. She is fine now. Litter box trained. Not “yappy”. Very social with a sweet disposition. Loves people. Gets along great with her “big brother”, a much larger 14 yr old mixed breed, and with her “cousin” a Boston Terrier puppy. DH has never been one for small breeds but Lola has won his heart. This first pic is Lola 4 months ago. Post Extras:       WyndChym New Member Reged: 12/07/03 Posts: 5 Loc: Ohio (for now) Re: Chihuahua [re: WyndChym]       12/26/05 01:57 PM Attachment Edit   Reply   This second pic is Lola at yesterday's Christmas celebration. Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4904 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: Chihuahua [re: WyndChym]       12/26/05 04:39 PM Edit   Reply   Welcome to one of the friendliest spots to visit with folks. About your pet rat... Cute but I keep expecting to hear it say, "Yo quiero Taco Bell!" Cute ads but too much after a few jillion repeats. Totally unfair but it primed many of us to have an entirely different attitude toward the cute lil things. Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       egon Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 3031 Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada Re: Chihuahua [re: Pat]       12/31/05 05:08 AM Edit   Reply   Bird: Just noticed this article. FREMONT, Calif. - A pack of angry Chihuahuas attacked a police officer who was escorting a teenager home after a traffic stop, authorities said. Egon Post Extras:       WyndChym New Member Reged: 12/07/03 Posts: 5 Loc: Ohio (for now) Re: Chihuahua [re: Pat]       01/02/06 06:06 PM Edit   Reply   Pat: Thank you for the "welcome". Been a quiet member for several years. It took a thread about man's best friend for me to finally speak up. DH and I really appreciate all the info everyone shares on CBN and TBN. Happy New Year to all. Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: WyndChym]       01/02/06 06:15 PM Edit   Reply   Lola looks like exactly what my wife would like to have. Post Extras:       JazzDad Veteran Member Reged: 10/29/02 Posts: 551 Loc: South Central Texas Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       01/03/06 11:24 AM Edit   Reply   Hey, Bird. My parents have been owned by one for about 15 years now. She has always been a "one-family" dog, meaning fine with us but if you are a stranger- don't come near! This dog is now blind, but can still find the food bowl. She weighs about 15 pounds, and we call her the watermelon on legs. With that much water in her, you'd think she was one to let go a lot. Nope. Good bladder on that one. All kids are gifted; some just open their packages earlier than others.-Michael Carr Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: JazzDad]       01/03/06 11:50 AM Edit   Reply   Yep, Bret, I've known some of those "one family" dogs and there are some advantages to that, but I'd prefer one that's friendly with everyone. Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: WyndChym]       01/28/06 06:33 PM Attachment Edit   Reply   Well, my wife finally got herself a 12 week old watchdog today. Post Extras:       egon Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 3031 Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       01/29/06 04:53 AM Edit   Reply   Cute little feller. Egon Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4904 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: Chihuahua [re: egon]       02/06/06 09:22 PM Edit   Reply   Yeah, cute but can he say Yo quiero Taco Bell? "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: Pat]       02/07/06 06:18 AM Attachment Edit   Reply   Nope, Pat, she has barely learned that she has a voice; doesn't use it much at all, but is definitely a soprano. Fred mentioned Chihuahuas being a bit timid at first; not this little scamp. She's just looking for anyone or anything that'll play with her. And DUMBDOG mentioned a Pomeranian that acts like a cat. Yep, some other folks have mentioned this Chihuahua acting like a cat. She wants to climb as high as she can, up on your shoulder, or on the back of chairs, and then when she gets tired . . . well, you can see for yourself. Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4904 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/07/06 09:15 AM Edit   Reply   Bird, That shot says it all. The "MIB" (Man In Blue) with his faithful companion. You know what they say about dogs looking like their masters or vice versa. I notice you both have the same haircut. Is a little blue suit in the offing for the lil cutie? Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       DUMBDOG Gold Member Reged: 09/11/02 Posts: 286 Loc: North Dakota, Florida Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/07/06 10:01 AM Edit   Reply   She sure looks like some watch dog. Looks like she is watching the inside of her eyelids. Cute little thing. Post Extras:       egon Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 3031 Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/07/06 10:15 AM Edit   Reply   Think I could fall asleep in that chair too! Egon Post Extras:       GaryM Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1212 Loc: Warrenton, MO Re: Chihuahua [re: egon]       02/07/06 02:04 PM Edit   Reply   Looks plenty comfey for sure! Gary ---------------------------------------------- Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working? Post Extras:       Fred Silver Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 234 Loc: NW PA Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/08/06 03:53 PM Edit   Reply   Very cute pic. Are you sure she's not part feline? I'm glad she is a very outgoing pup. What I meant by saying that they can be timid, is that some owners don't get the little guys out and about and being pet by strangers as often as bigger dogs, so they have a tendency to become timid yappers or fear snappers just by lack of socialization. Little dogs tend to lead a more pampered and sheltered life, which is obviously what a lot of them were developed for... Keep us updated with pics Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: Fred]       02/08/06 05:03 PM Edit   Reply   Yeah, I understand Fred. I know a lot of very small dogs don't get a chance to socialize with either other dogs or people other than their owners. But this one goes with us to the nursing home at least 3 or 4 days a week where both staff and residents want to play with her. And she goes frequently with us to our daughter's home where she plays not only with our daughter and grandson, but their pair of Maltese. And our next door neighbors, young couple with a one year old daughter, have already volunteered (without us asking) to look after her if we ever need to go anywhere without her. So I think from the very start she'll be accustomed to other people and animals. Post Extras:       WyndChym New Member Reged: 12/07/03 Posts: 5 Loc: Ohio (for now) Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/19/06 04:24 PM Edit   Reply   She looks very sweet, Bird. Congratulations! Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: WyndChym]       02/19/06 05:54 PM Edit   Reply   The little scamp is a real corker, always underfoot so we have to watch carefully to not step on her. When we got her she weighed one pound 10 ounces and the second day we had her she discovered she could fit through the chain link fence. But in 3 weeks, she's gained one pound, and I think (hope?) she's too big to fit through the chain link now. Housebreaking has gone very well. She very quickly learned that if she goes to the back door and looks back, someone will open it. When the sun's shining she wants to be outside anyway. But since the temperature hasn't gotten above the freeze mark the last two days, she takes care of business and comes running back in a hurry. She's either sound asleep, as in that picture, or going full speed ahead, ready to play with anyone and everyone; human or animal. Of course I go to the nursing home to see my mother every morning and now if I don't take her, everyone wants to know where she is 'cause they all want to play with her. The old ladies that are bed want her in bed with them and she just has a ball exploring. This morning we got ready to go about 7 a.m. and couldn't find her. I thought she had followed my wife into the bathroom and my wife thought she was in the living room with me. We spent 15 minutes searching the house for her, under beds, chairs, and sofa and in every room. Twice we heard her whine but not long enough to trace the sound. My wife was rapidly going into panic mode. And then I remembered I had earlier gotten a coat out of the little closet by the front door and hung it on a chair by the door out to the garage. I hadn't seen her slip into that closet and she was calmly sitting just inside the door wondering when I was going to open it again. Post Extras:       WyndChym New Member Reged: 12/07/03 Posts: 5 Loc: Ohio (for now) Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/19/06 07:01 PM Edit   Reply   Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/25/07 06:09 PM Edit   Reply   I see this thread is a year old. And I recently learned some new words. Our little Chihuahua occasionally runs around on 3 legs, holding the right rear foot off the ground. The vet says she has a "luxating patella". Now I'd never heard of such, but found on the Internet that apparently it's pretty common, and expensive, of course. I called three veterinary clinics for price estimates, and while they did vary considerably, I also learned that the same orthopedic vet does the job at all 3 clinics. He doesn't have his own place, and only does orthopedic surgeries by appointment at the different places. So tomorrow morning, Dee goes for the surgery on the right hind leg, and I feel sorry for her. While it may be awhile, the vets tell me that when a dog needs that surgery on one hind leg, they usually need it on the other hind leg, also, in the near future. Post Extras:       egon Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 3031 Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/26/07 05:11 AM Edit   Reply   Surely hope she does well. It's always an anxious time when a member of the family needs medical attention. Egon Post Extras:       JazzDad Veteran Member Reged: 10/29/02 Posts: 551 Loc: South Central Texas Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/26/07 08:23 AM Edit   Reply   Our prayers that all goes well. All kids are gifted; some just open their packages earlier than others.-Michael Carr Post Extras:       GaryM Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1212 Loc: Warrenton, MO Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/26/07 08:29 AM Edit   Reply   Also hope it goes well! My dog needed knee surgury on her right knee, and a year later almost to the day she messed up the left knee. Got a small discount on the second surgury. Why don't you see if you can negotiate a deal? Gary ---------------------------------------------- Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working? Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: GaryM]       02/26/07 08:50 AM Edit   Reply   Gary, I didn't think to ask about a discount if or when she needs the surgery on the other hind leg. The primary vet (not the specialist who will do the actual surgery) is a little blonde girl who looks like she should be in high school instead of out working for a living (another sign of old age, I guess) and her own Chihuahua has had the surgery on both hind legs. Post Extras:       GaryM Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1212 Loc: Warrenton, MO Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/27/07 01:16 PM Edit   Reply   Think of it as getting the multiple car discount from Allstate! Gary ---------------------------------------------- Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working? Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: GaryM]       02/27/07 02:32 PM Attachment Edit   Reply   Gary, I'm just glad I don't have to do business with Allstate or Geico. Dee was one puny puppy yesterday evening and even this morning, but she's doing better all the time. I caught her with her eyes nearly closed in the attached picture. Post Extras:       JazzDad Veteran Member Reged: 10/29/02 Posts: 551 Loc: South Central Texas Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/28/07 08:23 AM Edit   Reply   Bird, she's a Chihuahua. She can't be anything but puny, unless she's like my parents' Chihuahua. We used to call her the watermelon with legs. She's lost weight now; with liver problems. My folks will be devastated when she goes, and I'm afraid that may be soon. Now Dee will have a good battle scar to show off to all the neighborhood dogs! All kids are gifted; some just open their packages earlier than others.-Michael Carr Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: JazzDad]       02/28/07 09:43 AM Edit   Reply   Gary, I'm hoping Dee doesn't gain much, if any, more weight. She weighs 8 pounds now. And while she runs on 3 legs instead of 4, she acts like she's already recovered, and wants to run and play. Post Extras:       GaryM Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1212 Loc: Warrenton, MO Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       02/28/07 01:53 PM Edit   Reply   Looks like a smaller version of my dog after her surgury. Mine's not a Chihuahua, but the surgury looks familar. We had some Morphine Sulfate for pain, but only used two doses. We did have to keep one of those Elisabethian Collars on her to keep her from licking and tearing at the stitches. Also needed to support her rear end some when she went out for about a week. Maybe that's not as big an issue with a smaller dog? Hope she heals up really fast. Gary ---------------------------------------------- Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working? Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: GaryM]       02/28/07 04:06 PM Edit   Reply   Gary, we decided to go ahead and buy one of those collars ($10), just in case we needed it, but we haven't used it. The first evening (the day of the surgery), she was groggy and obviously hurting, didn't want anything to eat or drink and really didn't even want to take the pain pill (half a 25 mg Rimadyl), but we finally got her to take it. The next morning (yesterday) she still required some coaxing to get her to take that pill and the Cosequin DS pill. But by afternoon, she took her twice daily Rimadyl with no problem, then stood at the water bowl and drank longer than I've ever seen her drink. And today . . . she's acting like her old self, except for running around on 3 legs. If I open a door, she'll try to beat me through it. The vet said to give her these pain pills twice a day for 20 days, so I guess we'll do that, but she's not showing any signs of being in pain anymore. Everything I've read and been told is that the small dogs have a lot less trouble with this surgery than bigger dogs do, so it appears that's right. Post Extras:       GaryM Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1212 Loc: Warrenton, MO Re: Chihuahua [re: Bird]       03/02/07 07:16 AM Edit   Reply   Bird, Glad it seems to be going as well as you describe. You need to post a video of her running around on three legs. Gary ---------------------------------------------- Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working? Post Extras:       Bird Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1694 Loc: Corinth, TX, USA Re: Chihuahua [re: GaryM]       03/02/07 10:36 AM Edit   Reply   Gary, I got myself a GIN-U-WINE digital camera a few years ago, but I still don't have a digital video camera and I even sold my VHS video equipment a few years ago. Post Extras:       DUMBDOG Gold Member