Thinking of buying a chiuaua.....

[MissMary]

Originally Posted by RottyMom

Also you have to realize that your story seems so outrageous...I've lost 3 dogs by being a irresponsible dog owner...can you people help me get another one? that it crossed more than a couple of people's minds that you were a troll just trying to cause trouble. That's how bad it sounds.

Yeah I feel the same way, lost 3 dogs and now want another??? Also did say it was for a 6 year old child, which is not a good idea. It sure did sound bad.

[GypsysMom]

Originally Posted by AFMarko99

From the comments I will look into another breed for a second dog. I had a feeling a chiuaua wouldn't be the best dog anyway.

By the way all of the dogs we had before were outside dogs. Our Rot is the first dog I have ever owned that we allowed to live inside. It has worked out very well so far.

Thanks for all the advice about chiuauas.

As for small dogs and rotts I have 3 dogs a rott puppy and an american bulldog, and then my 11 pound shihtzu oh and a cat that my puppy chases, I do think large and small dogs can live together and also other pets, You may want to do alot of research on breeds to determine whats best for your lifestyle, I will say my shih/tzu mix is my daughters dog, I am of course the main caregiver of her, but she sleeps with my daughter, my daughter feeds her and cleans up her messes.

I think that other people on here like to be honest and upfront with their comments they do not want to seem rude just honest... I also think its dangerous to put the dogs in the
back of the truck regardless of size, I would never do that..

And you being in the military has nothing to do with being a good or a bad dog owner!

[AFMarko99]

Originally Posted by GypsysMom

I am of course the main caregiver of her, but she sleeps with my daughter, my daughter feeds her and cleans up her messes.

This scenario is what I meant by the dog being for my daughter.

[LavenderRott]

Take your daughter to a shelter and let her rescue a dog that would otherwise be killed. Shelters near military instillations are very often filled with lots of dogs given up by families PCS'ing overseas.

[GypsysMom]

Originally Posted by LavenderRott

Take your daughter to a shelter and let her rescue a dog that would otherwise be killed. Shelters near military instillations are very often filled with lots of dogs given up by families PCS'ing overseas.

Great Idea! If you are insistent on getting another dog, Lady was a rescue she was originaly my moms dog but she knew she worked too much to take care of her and now I have her, something I really regret but my kids love her so she is with me until she goes to the bridge.. but be warned that some shelters are leary about adopting small dogs out to people with kids, if you look at petfinder.com they have alot of small dogs and the NO KIDS sign so maybe a medium size dog something not to small to get harmed but not as large as your rott, maybe a beagle mix, or a sheltie Im not familar with these breeds but someone else may be

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by AFMarko99

I am taking most of your responses as insults to my character (AngleBunny and others).

There was nothing in my post that was insulting to you or your character.

You will find out for yourself what a dim view COE breeders take of you and your situation when you start speaking to them. Forewarned is forearmed.

Sometimes the truth is a painful thing, alas.

[TeddyBear]

I had a 5 yr. old Rottweiler TeddyBear when I rescued Mia my Lil' 5 lb Chihuahua. TeddyBear took to her the second I brought her in but I never left them unsupervised due to the fact that TeddyBear could be a klutz and Mia was so small. Until the day Bear passed away they were perfect together without ever having a problem. Now that I have Ruger and he is 8 months old I see there is a big difference in how they get along. Ruger is still too bouncy and playful to be around Mia for any length of time. Also Mia is now 11 yrs old and not the bouncy silly girl she once was. Chihuahua's require a lot of attention and are very delicate dogs. We have worked out a system at our house. Mia stays in the main part of the house and Ruger is in the addition. We have put up baby gates everywhere. It is a very big job to do it correctly between a large breed dog and a tiny dog. Actually Chihuahua's are not good to be with kids. Kids can overwhelm or hurt a dog of that size by playing too rough with them. I would give this a good second thought before you go out and buy or rescue a Chihuahua for your kids.

[rottielover2004]

you do realize that with your rottweiler, you will have the most testing months to years coming up. Adolecence. What he is like now may change by more attitude. If I were you, I would concentrate on making your boy a valued member of society, then bring a new dog in.
Your daughter will be living with you for many more years to come, no hurry to get another dog. Help her train your rot. Let her become more interactive with him. I know my daughter ( 2 1/2 ) is very keen on helping out, it also teaches them responsability. That way when you are ready for another dog you can allow her to do most of the training. Making her feel like it is her dog.

[RottieMom51503]

I am responding to this as a Rottweiler and Chihuahua owner. I have two Rottweilers a 3 year old female and a 2 year old male. I also have 2 Chihuahua's male and female that will turn 1 this month (My female is about 3 weeks older). In addition to my four my, my group also spends time frequently with what I call their step sister, My Boyfriends 3 year female Rottweiler.

These breeds can reside together but it is alot of work and is not for a family of children. These aren't two breeds that can run through the house unsupervised together. When these breeds interact they need your full attention to watch what is going on. It is extremely hard to find a good breeder that will trusty a puppy to a family that has either a large dog or a child under the age of 12. I was lucky that my Male Chihuahuas breeder trusted me but she wanted and got references from trainers and the Vet whom were working with my Rottweilers constantly. I am in constant contact with her even today. My Female Chihuahua was a dog I was baby sitting for that turned permenant. The chance of an accident happening is very likely. My Male Rottweiler accidently kicked my female Chihuahua and that resulted in a trip to the emergency room for the Chihuahua and the doctor wasn't even sure if she was going to survive, Luckily she pulled through. A friend of mine lost her yorkie puppy when her 10 year old Daughter was carring the dog and accidently dropped the dog. Another friend of mine from a Chihuahua board is dealing with her Chihuahuas front foot being broke as her husband accidently stepped on it's foot while wearing shoes.

Now with putting accidents aside are you aware of how high maintenance a chihuahua is? Alot of Chihuahuas take alot of socialization because alot of them only like their owners. I have one of these Chihuahuas. I personally think they harder to obedience train that a dog like a Rottweiler. My guys don't have the desire to please that a Rottweiler does. They also require every three hour feeding including in the middle of the night to help reduce the chance of them developing hypoglucemia (Low Blood Sugar). In doing this they are hard to house train (they are eating all the time so they are going all the time). They are also extremely sensitive to the weather and even the temputure in the house. You have to be real careful about the vaccinations they recieve and can't rely on the Vet to know the correct vaccinations for the dogs as I have had several Vets try to give my Chihuahuas Lepto which has been know to cause serious illnesses including death in toy dogs. They also easily get eye infections from just running around on your carpet as they are close to the ground and are kicking up dust and such from the carpet. Objects such as toys are also important to watch out on as if they get something caught in their throat it's not as easily to get your fingers down their to remove the object as it is on a Rottweiler. My Chihuahuas will not go outside when it too cold, rainy or snowing either. you also need to make sure you have room in the car for a car seat harness as if you had to stop quickly with a Chihuahua in the car it will be enough force for the dog to go slamming into the dashboard and can cause serious injuries.

For me I will never own a toy dog again while I have large dogs. I also didn't realize just how high maintnance a Chihuahua is or how cautious you have to be in owning one. I wouldn't give mine up but I know better the next time.

I don't think a Chihuahua would make a good match for you because of your Children. I have several nieces and Nephews and I don't allow them around the Chihuahuas when they are over because I am too paranoid about accidents. Kids are kids and don't think about how easily a dog like a Chihuahua can be hurt. The Chihuahas get locked up in a room or get crated.

I also agree with everyone else that you should focus more on your Rottweiler right now instead of trying to take on another dog. He is far from matured and hasn't begun to get to the wondeful toddler years. My Male will be three in December and He is still a hand full all by himself. He still has his hard headed days. I couldn't imagine him, a 6 year old Child and a Chihuahua together.

[AFMarko99]

Originally Posted by RottieMom51503

I am responding to this as a Rottweiler and Chihuahua owner..

I definetly don't want one now. Thank you for your input.

[cuppacoffee]

In case you weren't able to read it between the lines before.....

WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

Stick around. Lots of us made mistakes with earlier dogs, and are learning as we go. This forum is very no-nonsense when it comes to animal care, but if you can handle that, it's a great group of folks.

[MissMary]

cuppacoffee is so right. I can't even count my mistakes, way to many. I sure have been let know a thing or two but for me that is a good thing, I need people who aren't afraid to tell me the truth on how they feel Also I respect honesty I have had many dogs in my life but I still need to learn "A LOT" and this is the place to start You will find that these people are very helpfull and very careing

[Jenny K]

I can respond to this as I have always had chihuahua's (grown up around them) but also have had bigger dogs at the same time. Right now I have a 16 yr old chi, and a 8yr old rottie.

I would recommend that you do not get a chi. They can be very good dogs, all of mine have been, but they require a lot of socializing to make sure they don't grow up nervous, and tons of supervision just in their day to day activites even indoors - more than a sturdier dog might. If you do get one though, be sure that you get one with a good even temperment, from parents that are the same. I have always done that, and found that with good training has always made for wonderful dogs, even in situations where other chi's might not do so well.

As far as my dogs go - well they get along great, however they are supervised at all times! If I can not supervise them then my chi goes into her x pen (which is quite large for her small size and she doesn't mind at all, its her place). My chi's have always been well socialized and liked other dogs and children (I was a child who grew up with chi's, and my much younger brother who is only 10 yrs has always spend time with the chi's I've had as an adult). Any large dog that will be expected to live with a small dog also needs be taught how to act around small dogs. They need to be taught to watch where they step and that they can't play together (too easy to get hurt with the size difference) and even after they are pro's at interacting with small dogs will need to be supervised.

Children also need to be taught how to interact safely with a small dog and supervised with the dog always! I have always had a rule that any child holding my chi in thier lap must do it only when I am watching and must be sitting on the floor. If I can't watch the chi stays in the x-pen. The sitting on the floor is really important - I am a vet tech and I see many broken legs needing sx because someone has dropped the dog.

If you are still considering a chi do some research of the breed. Too many people get them because they are cute and then turn them into little monsters who are insecure and bite because they owner didn't realize that they have a mind like any other dog and still need training and socializing the chance to walk on their own sometimes too! Without this you likely will end up with an insecure dog who can only be carried and fear bite (just like many small dogs I see). They are not an accessory!

I honestly hope you spend some time letting your daughter grow up and learn responsibility with the dog you already have, as well as you concentrating on the dog you already have before adding another to your household. It sounds like you need to spend time doing that first. Not to be offensive, just honest, but from your previous history I would insist on this if I was the breeder of the dog you wanted to buy. Dogs are just such a huge commitment, and have the right to live a life with certain standards. I think all the extra effort that is needed when mixing a large dog, small dog and child in the same household is a bit more than you are ready for yet.

[lovemypuppies]

Tip toeing in here...I have found (and I was warned ahead of time) that having a second dog really can really complicate your home life. I am madly in love with both of my dogs but you do have to take into account the relationship between the two dogs. I am in constant contact with them so I know what could start a scrap. (which is why they don't scrap!) I am not sure a child could handle the situation if the second dog (no matter what breed) annoyed or challenged the first dog. As for your daughter wanting her own puppy? I am the last person to say NO to a kid's desire for just about anything--except for something that could be harmful. Now don't get mad...on top of all this no one mentioned that most Weimaraners need incredible amounts of exercise. Sorry! Perhaps a second dog will find YOU someday and it will be meant to be.

[luvmybts]

wiems are NOT small dogs, weight ranging from 65-100 pounds. And are VERY high strung. These are powerful working dogs with great stamina, The need plenty of opportunity to run free and with lots of regular exercise. Not to be trusted off-leash.