Comments on: How to Select a Chihuahua

on 10/31/2008 Chihuahua's are great city dogs. They do not require as much time out doors as larger breeds do and enjoy being indoors, or wherever their care givers are. Very loyal pets but are prone to jealousy and suspicion of newcomers. They are quick to accept new guest as long as they are acknowledged and reassured. Slightly neurotic but so worth it with the love and joy they bring. Very charismatic dynamic personalities. I can't imagine life without one and don't want to!

on 3/7/2006 I have had my Chihuahua for 11 years and found the breed kind and cuddly. As a baby my Chihuahua was small enough to fit in my shirt pocket and fell into the water bowl once or twice. When we bought her she was very small and potty trained already. One tip: never let your Chihuahua sleep with you every night. Chihuahuas are the coolest kind of dog and are fun loving.

on 11/22/2005 Chihuahua's are like anything else. You get out of them what you put in. They are (as a breed) extremely smart dogs. I have taught my first Chihuahua sit, shake, sit pretty, roll over, play dead, high five, bark and quiet bark. My second one has learned shake and sit before he was two months old.

If you allow them to be mean and snappy dogs, that is what you will get. But if you stop the behavior when they are young, then you won't have a problem with them. It is also not exactly true that they are not good around other animals. Both of mine are fine with other dogs and cats, and actually just love to play with anything that comes over to the house.

on 11/22/2005 Don't buy chihuahuas just because your favorite celebrity has one or they look cute. Remember, when you buy them they become part of the family. Another thing is people buy chihuahuas just so that they can carry them around as a fashion accessory, but I think that is wrong. Its OK to carry them around sometimes, but some of them would prefer not to be handled like that. They still need walks on leads, a game of fetch and all the other things the other dogs need.
Please keep a chihuahua as part of your family, a companion and a pet, not as a fashion accessory!

on 11/22/2005 Because of their size, people often treat their Chihuahuas like children. They are dogs, and have the same basic psychological make up as any other dog. They can be trained just like any other dog and in exactly the same way. Although you cannot train away their breed personality, you can get an extremely well-behaved dog that will certainly buck the stereotype Chihuahua. However, spoil them as children and it so easy to end up with a little monster.

on 11/22/2005 Never buy a puppy from a puppy mill. The female dogs are treated horribly. I have recently rescued a 6 year old female from a puppy mill, and what a mess she is. She was kept in a cage for 6 years and bred over and over again! No love, no handling, just breeding. This is a sweet and gentle dog that needs so much attention and reassurance. Consider adopting from a rescue site, or a responsible breeder who really cares about the animals and not just making money off of them.

on 11/22/2005 As of right now, I own 2 chihuahuas. One's name is Baby and I have had her for 5 years. She doesn't like other dogs or cats and she hates people who wear hats. She is a noisy yet sweet little dog. The only problem I see with chihuahuas is that they have a hard time carrying pups. Most have to have c-sections. Please be a well-knowledged breeder before breeding chihuahuas because it can be heart breaking for you or the Mommy chihuahua when something goes wrong.

on 11/22/2005 I have a 2.5 year old, long-haired Chihuahua named Nellie. She only barks when there is a loud noise, or when someone comes to the door. I also have a Yorkshire Terrier. He is 4 months old and the 2 of them are great buddies. I think her best friend (other than me) is our Yellow Naped Parrot, named Wheezer. I had to put a towel on the arm and across the back of the couch so they can get together. Nellie sits on the arm of the couch, and Wheezer comes over to her and they play. Nellie brings small stuffed animals to Wheezer and holds them up to Wheezer until she can grab them. They are really buddies. We have a really quiet household. The animals all love each other. I guess there might be bad Chihuahuas out there, but I don't know if it's in their genes, or simply a lack of attention and love. I think it's the latter.

on 11/22/2005 I have bred Chihuahuas for 15 years. I never have any trouble with them getting along with other dogs or cats. I have four Persians that sleep with them. I have a Doberman who must be careful of them or they will bite her. And they get along with people.