Chihuahuas - Info Please!

[JCarlson2004]

Ok I know this is a Yorkie forum, but there are lots of members who own Chi's. Could you all please tell me what it's like living with a Chi. I've done A LOT (and trust me, I mean A LOT lolol) of research on the breed. But I've never actually lived with one before. I know each dog is different and has his/her own personality. But maybe you could describe how fragile they are or how playful they are or how they get along with other dogs. Are they moody? Are they friendly with other people? What about hypoglycemia?

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

[browniesmom622]

Most chi's arnt people dogs
Austin actually dont like to go to anyone but me there are a few he'll say hello to there a one person dog (hes not snappy)
Austin can get very moody
Austin is good with other dogs ruff with dogs his size gentle with little ones
he plays with the guniea pig hes good with cats since chi's are alot like cats
the wash themselves like cats they sleep most of the day
me & shana were talking the other day tink & austin are the same lol lazy bums
he loves the beach but is Very nervous the way there hes scared of alot
hes always up my butt 100 times more then brownie (didnt think that was possible ) they want to be with you
house training was quick
i wanted another chi bad i still do but i cant take another austin he nervousness really bugs me im not use to that since brownie & kayko are really outgoing
hes VERY smart tho he learn things quicker than my other 2 he does things i was never able to teach them
Oh and remember they shed
you can come meet him if ya want let the babies play
hypoglycemia is the same with chi's as yorkies
oh do you want a longhaired or short ?

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

Most chi's arnt people dogs
Austin actually dont like to go to anyone but me there are a few he'll say hello to there a one person dog (hes not snappy)
Austin can get very moody
Austin is good with other dogs ruff with dogs his size gentle with little ones
he plays with the guniea pig hes good with cats since chi's are alot like cats
the wash themselves like cats they sleep most of the day
me & shana were talking the other day tink & austin are the same lol lazy bums
he loves the beach but is Very nervous the way there hes scared of alot
hes always up my butt 100 times more then brownie (didnt think that was possible ) they want to be with you
house training was quick
i wanted another chi bad i still do but i cant take another austin he nervousness really bugs me im not use to that since brownie & kayko are really outgoing
hes VERY smart tho he learn things quicker than my other 2 he does things i was never able to teach them
Oh and remember they shed
you can come meet him if ya want let the babies play
hypoglycemia is the same with chi's as yorkies
oh do you want a longhaired or short ?

Wow Lenora, thanks for all the awesome advice! And girl, we definitely have to have a play date for the pups! We should plan it soon before the summer is over!

I'm interested in a short hair Chi. Does Austin shed A LOT? And does he shed every day ... or is it more of a seasonal thing? I'm not really worried about shedding but I'm just curious.

[browniesmom622]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

Wow Lenora, thanks for all the awesome advice! And girl, we definitely have to have a play date for the pups! We should plan it soon before the summer is over!

I'm interested in a short hair Chi. Does Austin shed A LOT? And does he shed every day ... or is it more of a seasonal thing? I'm not really worried about shedding but I'm just curious.

yea that would be great !!
longhairs do shed less the short hair its deff a seasonal thing for longcoats (notsure about shorts) hes shedding like crazy right now getting rid of his winter coat but i got the shedender comb ! OMG i love it there barely any hair comming out now
i think short hairs shed all year around
got this from dogbreedinfo
" The smooth, short-haired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month, taking care not to get water in the ears. Check the ears regularly and keep the nails trimmed. This breed is an average shedder"

a couple weeks ago when he started looseing his winter coat i was vacuming everyday cause it look like i had 5 saint bernanrds living here
it kills my allergies

of and i forgot to say if austin knows you well he is the sweetest thing kisses all over the place for you lol

[hollywoodyorkie]

I have 3 chis in my house, and they are one of the most amazing breed of dogs ever. Like with any breed, yorkie, great dane, chihuahua, whatever, it depends on their enviroment from day one, how they were raised, and the people and dogs they were around. ALL of my chis are people and dog friendly. They love going to dog parks and love having guests over. People have such bad ideas about chihuahuas, that they are aggressive, mean to people and dogs, that they are "ankle biters", so on... I have never experienced this in my life. I have owned chihuahuas since I was 5 years old. YES, chihuahuas are VERY one person oriented, BUT, I would like to know of a dog of any breed that isnt. ALL animals click with one person on a deeper level, but it doesnt mean that they don't like other people too. I am very close to one of my male chi's. We have a very special bond, I hand raised him and litterally never put him down since he was a few weeks old. But, he loves everyone else in my family as well, and I have yet to meet a person and dog, that he doesnt like. It really just depends on the dog, and their owner as well. I really learned this from the DOG Whisperer, Cesar Milan. Did anyone else see the "crazy chihuahuas" on his show (yes, there was more than one!) Throughout most of his time with them, the reason these chihuahuas were so "crazy", was because of the owners, and the behavior that the owners ALLOWED them to get away with!! It was the owners who needed some coaching too, but not on how to deal with the dog, on how to stop their "behavior"!!

[JCarlson2004]

I've also heard that Chi's can have tear staining ... is this true? I would assume that only shows up on the light colored Chi's (white, fawn, tan, etc.).

[browniesmom622]

ive met a few chi's and none of them were snappy or mean your very right
Austin will allow someone to pet him even tho hes not happy about it
i met a lady at the dog show the other day he had a few chi's one was about 2 pounds grown and he was on the flooring jumping up to say hi to me kissing me
i was talking about austins nervousness she said never hold him in situations where he will be scared cause he'll just get worse
im taking her advice

Austin is light and his stains are TERRIBLE

[buddysalley]

I have never owned a chihuahua for a reason. Much of my family loves these dogs and I have grown up with them. Chihuahua's are mean. One of my earliest memories is my grandfather sitting in a recliner with one viscious dog on either side making it impossile to approach him. My Aunt has raised them for 35 years and every one of her dogs has been mean. She has met my new Yorkie and she has decided to switch to Yorkies because they are both tiny and small.

[browniesmom622]

Originally Posted by buddysalley

I have never owned a chihuahua for a reason. Much of my family loves these dogs and I have grown up with them. Chihuahua's are mean. One of my earliest memories is my grandfather sitting in a recliner with one viscious dog on either side making it impossile to approach him. My Aunt has raised them for 35 years and every one of her dogs has been mean. She has met my new Yorkie and she has decided to switch to Yorkies because they are both tiny and small.

like hollywoodyorkie said its all about how they were raised

[hollywoodyorkie]

Originally Posted by buddysalley

I have never owned a chihuahua for a reason. Much of my family loves these dogs and I have grown up with them. Chihuahua's are mean. One of my earliest memories is my grandfather sitting in a recliner with one viscious dog on either side making it impossile to approach him. My Aunt has raised them for 35 years and every one of her dogs has been mean. She has met my new Yorkie and she has decided to switch to Yorkies because they are both tiny and small.

Yes, chihuahuas do get tear stains. They are especially more noticable on lighter coats, and longer coats.

That is very unfortunate that that was your only experience with chihuahuas. What is even more unfortunate is the fact that your aunt knowingly raised and bred chihuahuas with aggressive behavior and bad temperaments, and continued to do it for 35 YEARS!! RESPONSIBLE breeders whos #1 priority is the DOG, breed not only for beauty, but for TEMPERAMENT! Their first priority is the dogs health and well being-This obviously was not the case here- as it took 35 YEARS to stop passing on these terrible genes to unknowing families!

[Dragonfly]

I'v had a chihuahua for 14 years got her when she was 6 weeks old, She does not like other dogs or small children, sometime she does like anyone BUT that is because is has got old, when she was younger she loved playing with kids and others dogs, she is a sweetheart she loves to sit with you,She crieds like a little baby when my son is gone for the night. she has to have someone to sleep with sometime when she gets scared and that is my son.She is short hair and her hair is black. I love my little Valetine as much as my yorkies. They are true to one person.

[Shanatink]

To sum it up in one sentance, chis are very loving and as far as thier temperment goes- they remind me of cats.

[buddysalley]

My aunt did not continue mean bloodlines and she is one of the kindest people I have ever known. She babies and loves her dogs from the day they were born. I do not think it is appropriate for you to assume that she is irresponsible. I am sure there are nice chichuahuas out there but generally they only like on or two people. Several other of my aunts I do not see as frequently have had them they they are nice to their owners but no one else. Really, my aunt is one of the biggest animal lovers I have ever known.

[MyTrixie143]

I would just like to say that with chi's socalization is the most important thing for them. You will hardly ever see a mean chi if it was correctly socialized. If you don't socialize them they have a tendency to be mean, so this is very important. Chi's are not mean, it is how they are raised and socialized that determines their temperment. They are really sweet dogs. So if you see a chi that is mean, it was either not socialized properly or it had a bad past such as neglect or abuse.

[hollywoodyorkie]

Originally Posted by buddysalley

My aunt did not continue mean bloodlines and she is one of the kindest people I have ever known. She babies and loves her dogs from the day they were born. I do not think it is appropriate for you to assume that she is irresponsible. I am sure there are nice chichuahuas out there but generally they only like on or two people. Several other of my aunts I do not see as frequently have had them they they are nice to their owners but no one else. Really, my aunt is one of the biggest animal lovers I have ever known.

Well its nice to know that your aunt stopped breeding these bad bloodlines. I wasn't being inappropriate when I said that, because, i'll quote you "My Aunt has raised them for 35 years and every one of her dogs has been mean." You said it yourself, she bred mean dogs for 35 years... what is one supposed to think. Thanks for clarifying I guess