Owning a Chihuahua
I have owned
many a breed of dog through the years and I can honestly say the Chihuahua is
the most loyal, loveable, obedient dog you could come into contact with.
Before my
family took the plunge into getting a smaller dog, due to the fact our house
and garden were way to small to house the two jack Russell’s we had, I did get
warned off by a few people saying they were vicious and possessive. Thankfully
I didn't listen.. and I hope if you're looking into getting a Chihuahua this
Blog will aid you in making the right decision.
Overall
health
It is said
that small dogs are healthier than bigger dogs, but Chihuahua’s are prone to
get diabetes if they are overweight or fed a lot of sugar. You also need to
keep a check on their teeth as it is notable that in their breed they'll suffer
if neglected.
Chihuahua’s
have both long and smooth coats!
If i had a
pound for every person that questioned me on Toki being an actual Chihuahua I'd
be rich by now. Chihuahua’s come in various colours and hair lengths.
House
training from a puppy
I have read on-line that after a year it takes time to train a Chihuahua something new, I'm
yet to learn if this is true or not as Toki is still just under a year old. The
first week we had her she did mess in places she shouldn't, although that is
expected from any breed but in my experience she learnt where to go faster than
say a Jack Russell would
Training
Toki was so
easy to train! compared to a jack Russell it was a piece of cake. all you need
is treats and to be a little firm and your Chihuahua will be sitting and
rolling over in no time!
Chihuahua’s
are vicious
This couldn't
be further from the truth. Toki loves cuddles, she loves laying on peoples
laps, and she loves being around people she's familiar with... when an
unfamiliar person comes along all she does is bark until she realizes there’s
no danger and calms down.
Chihuahua’s
are possessive
yes and no,
we brought Toki up in a family environment, since 8 weeks she has been around
adults and children and is used to being picked up and fussed. Its only when
she's tired she becomes somewhat possessive. As she spends a lot more time with
me than any other person in the house she tends to prefer to cuddle up to me
while I'm watching TV etc. she will growl and warn the person who tries to take
her away but has never bitten or
attacked. If she is picked up she will wriggle free and return to my lap.
Chihuahua’s
take up a lot of time
This is true. Chihuahua’s are Lap dogs and will prefer to
cuddle up to you rather than in their bed. Toki loves her toys. She prefers
small soft squeakers and puppy sized pull toys. Own a Chihuahua and you'll
forever be buying toys and treats in the puppy section. One perk if you live a
hectic life that comes with owning a small dog is how little you need to walk
them 15 minutes is sufficient although there are some days when she walks for a
good hour or so with short breaks in which she gets carried.
Chihuahua’s cost!
It honestly depends on the type of Chihuahua you own and
your vets prices. Of course if you are buying a puppy you'll need to get
him/her checked by a vet and them vaccinated. I paid £55 for her full course of
injections, two check-ups and a puppy pack.
A long hair Chihuahua will need to be groomed. Toki gets
cut every 3 months with her nails maybe getting done in between. my advice for
you is seek somewhere other than your vets if they charge a set price no matter
how big the dog is! I knocked £15 off Toki's grooming, by going to a local pet
shop that catered for grooming too.
Dressing dogs
up is cruel.
Right this
isn't associated with only Chihuahua’s but I feel I need to add this from a
small dog owners perspective. Small dogs are small! They can't hold onto body
heat as well as other breeds of dog. Fur or fur-less they get cold quick! Put a
jumper or a coat around them it's actually cruel to take a small dog out for a
walk without something on during winter.
I do believe
that in some respects people go over the top with dressing dogs. Dress them to
keep them warm; don't pile the accessories on them. They are animals after all.
Aside from
that, my dog likes wearing a t-shirt around the house when it’s cold. If she
didn't why would she sit down with her tail wagging whenever she sees me with
one in my hand?
Last words
This is by
far the most important thing I could say. Buy your Chihuahua from a respected
breeder! It may cost more but it could just be worth it. I bought Toki from a
local family.. I noticed her because she was hiding in the corner while the
other puppies came forward. I instantly fell in love with her. The people who
bred her had been giving her Goats milk instead of water and letting her out on
the pavement outside their house. We took her to the vets to enquire and she
was riddled with and almost dying with worms. She also happened to be lactose
intolerant, and covered in fleas. The vet bills were more than we originally
paid for her but I refused to give up on her. A week or so later she was
getting better in herself and getting stronger. It looked as though she was
underweight as when we bought her she was plump but we got there. I wish I
could have bought the whole litter. So please look into who you're buying from.
Don’t put money into people’s pockets that are just in it for the money.
