Thinking of buying a chiuaua.....

[AFMarko99]

Hello all. I am new to the forums and have a question. My family and I currently have a one year old Rot named Bear. He is the best dog I have ever owned and should be named TeddyBear. I have two kids age 4 & 6 and they love him to death.

My six year old daughter had begged me for around a six months to get another dog. She wanted a tiny puppy that would stay small (as she calls it), but I never have liked small dogs. In the past we owned a Choco Lab, Boxer, and a rat terrier. Unfortunetly the Choco Lab and Boxer were lost. (They jumped my fence three times. The third time I couldn't find them.)

The rat terrier was in the back of my truck one day with the Lab and jumped out of the back. I didn't notice untill about five miles later. I wasn't able to find her needless to say. This was my second rat terrier and she was a biter just like the one I had as an 8 year old.

While on vacation my brother and his wife were given a chiuaua puppy. I became quite attached to it and thought how awesome it would be to get my daughter one. I have always hated chiuaua's in general even though I have never owned one. I guess you could say they have a bad rap just like Rott's.

So now that you have some background.....

I am currently researching to see how these two dogs would interact with each other. My research has given me not one discussion on this matter. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place but I have yet to find a post on this situation. I found one website that rated chiuaua's bad for getting along with other dogs.

What I need to know is would my 1 year old male Rott get along with a new very small puppy? A chiuaua at that. Should I get a female chiuaua if I get one? My dog really loves playing with other dogs, but would he have any fun with a 3lb squirt?

Thanks in advance all. Sorry for the long post. I felt I needed to explain it all.

[AngelBunny]

Your 6 year old daughter is far too young to talk you into getting another dog. Getting such a young child a dog isn't "awesome"--it's foolish.

Are you aware that no responsible breeder will sell you one of their carefully bred dogs or puppies, since you're getting the animal for a 6 year old? Sure, you can find any old breeder, cut from the cloth of a BYB, who will be delighted to sell you what you think you want, no questions asked, but you won't want a puppy from such a person. Furthermore, you already have a young dog--at a year old, Bear won't be mentally and physically mature for another two years. A good breeder will take a dim view of your adding another dog to your family.

Your best approach would be to do a stellar job raising, training, and socializing Bear before you think about adding another dog to your family.

If your 6 year old is so keen on dogs, sign her up as a junior volunteer at your local animal shelter.

[LavenderRott]

My mother has a chihuahua. It will not, I repeat - WILL NOT - come to the children. The youngest is 7 and even if she is sitting on the couch, when she tries to pick up the dog, her little bity fingers hurt his ribs. It isn't the child - she has been raised with dogs of all sizes and is very dog-smart.

Mikey shivers all the time, hates wet grass, and is very, very fragile. Not something I would want lose in my house with a young male rottweiler. While your dog may be very gentle and all - all it takes is one foot put down wrong and such a tiny dog is seriously hurt.

If you really must get a dog for your daughter (and I am not so sure that is really a good idea) you will find that your local shelter has lots of slightly older "used" dogs that would love to be her loyal companion!

[2rotties2luv]

When my daughter was about that age she wanted a pug in the worst way. We owned a large well-mannered weimaraner and had completed obedience training with him through the CDX level.

Needless to say, she didn't get the pug. She had pug stuffed animals, pug pictures, pug books, etc. I told her when she grew up, then she could choose the dog she wanted for herself.

She is now 28 and owns two great danes.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by AFMarko99

In the past we owned a Choco Lab, Boxer, and a rat terrier. Unfortunetly the Choco Lab and Boxer were lost. (They jumped my fence three times. The third time I couldn't find them.)
The rat terrier was in the back of my truck one day with the Lab and jumped out of the back. I didn't notice untill about five miles later. I wasn't able to find her needless to say.

I am at a loss here - what was the question again?

[StephanieandToby]

So...you've "lost" three dogs due to your irresponsibility and neglect...and you plan on getting another one?

Perhaps you should concentrate on the dog you have left...wouldn't want to "lose" it....

Most properly socialised dogs will get along regardless of size....however, Chihuahuas are not good dogs for children, for reasons already stated.

I also hope you've learned a lesson about the stupidity of allowing dogs to ride in the backs of trucks. I think this forum even has a "sticky" on the subject.

[MissMary]

"PLEASE" don't get a chihuahua! Sorry but I do not think you need a chihuahua just based on the dogs you have "lost". Chihuahuas are samll, fast, great jumpers and can be spooked easily. I also feel you have to little knowledge about the chihuahua breed to own one.

[RottyMom]

I totally agree with everyone else. There is no way as a parent I'm getting a dog for a child because they've begged me. As stated before no responsible breeder will sell you a dog under those circumstances. Also knowing your history of "losing" dogs I really doubt any breeder who cares about their dogs is going to find you a desirable owner for one of their pups.

Please focus on keeping the dog you have now...well start with just keeping it period.

[Kahlua's mom]

My friend who is scared to death of our rottie has a chihuahua. One day when my daughter was over there her chihuahua jumped at her on the couch with no provoking and bit her in the face giving her a black eye. I don't think they are good dogs for children. It also proved a point to my friend that her little yapper is more dangerous than my BIG SCARY rottweiler.

[MissMary]

Originally Posted by Kahlua's mom

My friend who is scared to death of our rottie has a chihuahua. One day when my daughter was over there her chihuahua jumped at her on the couch with no provoking and bit her in the face giving her a black eye. I don't think they are good dogs for children. It also proved a point to my friend that her little yapper is more dangerous than my BIG SCARY rottweiler.

Gee I hope you aren't saying all chihuahuas are yappy and dangerous.

[jenn8five]

BTW: When JB was in puppy kindergarten, the class eventually dwindled down to just her and a puppy Chihuahua.. they got along great. We just had to HEAVILY supervise their playtime to make sure JB didn't accidentally hurt her. The trainer would hold onto JB's collar the whole time.. unless the Chihuahua was being held by the owner. Then again, the Chihuahua is raised around large dogs at home so she's pretty used to them. According to the owner, all the big dogs know how to be gentle around her.

[observer]

No, she's not saying that all Chihuahuas are yappy and dangerous, but is saying that the yapper she spoke of is more prone to biting than her Rottie is.

The Chihuahuas I've known have not been the most kid-friendly dogs (although I'm sure there are some that are), but I don't think the OP should get ANY other dog just because a six year old is begging for one. And, I agree that reputable Chihuahua breeders would be very reluctant to place a puppy under all the circumstances of this situation.

[hokisteph5]

I just went out to dogbreedinfo.com (I don't think I can post the link b/c it has puppies for sale) and it has this to say about the Chihuahua breed:

This breed may snap at teasing children, after all it is too tiny to get away. The Chihuahua must resort to his sharp teeth in self defense. It is not recommended for children.

Be sure to socialize your Chihuahua as a pup to avoid excessive aggressiveness with other dogs as well as reserve with strangers. They tend to be fairly dog-aggressive. Chihuahuas generally recognize their own breed, but sometimes disapprove of other breeds. However, a "very" well-socialized Chihuahua can be friendly with strangers and other dogs.

Also, when it comes to health problems it includes these statements:

They are vulnerable to fractures and other accidents in puppyhood. Some of the breed have a molera, an unclosed section of the skull which can remain open throughout life. This makes the dog prone to injury.

[MissMary]

I meant no disrespect by my question. I agree that a chihuahua is not for everyone, the same as a rotti isn't. Some people should not own any breed. I have a chihuahua who lives with a 3 year old and they get along great but they are all ways supervised. But my feelings for the most part is that kids and chihuahuas are not a good mix, it can be very dangerous for both dog and child.

[GypsysMom]

My Dh aunt had many chihuahuas and they were not by any means nice dogs, they were raised with lots of people including kids and also other dogs, I could not and my kids could not pet them as they would snap.. My youngest is almost 6 and I would NEVER get her a puppy becuase she begged me, in the long run you, not your 6yr old will take care of that puppy, also I agree you have your handsful with your 1yr old rotty, I myself have 3 dogs one being almost 3 one shih/tzu mix that is 8 and Gypsy 5 months, I have alot to handle with just Gypsy, also in my puppy class there was a pug/chih mix we had to keep Gypsy away from her since she would always go after Gypsy and we didnt want the lil dog hurt.

Just becasue the dog is little does not mean its good to have for a child Im lucky my shih/tzu mix is awesome with my girls agaes 9,5 and has been for 3 yrs, if your daughter wants a pet get her a hamster or a rabbit something she can handle taking care of I have 3 rabbits and my girls are responsible for taking care of them, but a dog is a big NO-NO for such a young child