Chihuahuas

[ahorseandadog]

I'm going to be getting a dog so expect a lot of posts about breeds...

What are people's thoughts on Chihuahuas? Are they as yappy as the stereotypes suggest? How are they being left alone? Are they good with horses and strangers?

Stories, like usual, are appreciated.

 

[RunToEarth]

My OHs mum has some.

They are very reserved little dogs. Like all small breeds, they need to be handled properly. I find that if you allow people to stick their (comparatively huge) hands in their faces, it makes them quite timid, wary and yappy around strangers. They are quite easily socialised but due to their size people make the mistake of picking them up in scary situations which doesn't help.

We don't mix them with horses. Whilst I'm sure they are sensible, they're just too small for me to expect my horses to see them and not stand on them.

 

[Tiarella]

I am very biased having one, but he is the most wonderful little dog.

He was a rescue, I had him just turned 1 and other than his litter mates he had never seen another dog or socialised with one, he had never been outside! I did lots of training classes, now has his kennel club gold, went to agility and did local competitions and was always the fastest! He is so easy to train.

He isn't at all yappy unless he sees a pigeon, or the door bell rings. They're very protective of their owners. He comes to the yard, but I do not have him round horses as its not worth the risk - one hoof and he would be dead. But comes to all comps with me and sits in the lorry

They make great dogs, as long as they're treated like dogs and not toys. He does wear many coats/jumpers when cold and has faux fur all over the house to lie on, but he loves snuggling.

 

[Morag4]

I have a cross one, he's small but all dog!
Will listen and learn, can be a tad independant if he sees a bunny, and has a huge voice for such a teeny dog, but only uses it when giving a warning about visitors etc. he does go in the coral when my Clydesdale comes in for grooming and is fairly sensible however we don't allow him to get to close just incase he gets smooshed. Treat them like any other sized dog,they need training just like any other dog and will respond well.

 

[Passionflower]

I have a chihuahua and hes amazing, he is a better guard dog than my lab! He is absolutely tiny but perfect around my horses and very well trained. Just whatever you do, don't baby them. Ive heard so many stories about people abandoning them and giving them up because they ended up being spoilt little brats which are obviously the owners faults. They forget they are still a dog and need proper training. If you get one we need pictures please!

 

[mirabela123]

I have a chihuahua

can you show me pics it?

 

[ahorseandadog]

I have a chihuahua and hes amazing, he is a better guard dog than my lab! He is absolutely tiny but perfect around my horses and very well trained. Just whatever you do, don't baby them. Ive heard so many stories about people abandoning them and giving them up because they ended up being spoilt little brats which are obviously the owners faults. They forget they are still a dog and need proper training. If you get one we need pictures please!

Of course.

 

[SecretAgentBilly]

My gran had a chihuahua and she is the sweetest little dog, barely ever barks or yaps as well as being super friendly! But yes they need treating like proper dogs, my gran has started taking her to obedience classes which she loves and is picking everything up quickly. They can be very intelligent so best not left to their own devices!

 

[Possum]

As an owner of a very small dog, I would just put a bit of a qualifier on the 'treat it like any other dog' advice - they are tiny, and breakable. Out on walks you will unfortunately meet dogs with no manners, and I've seen small dogs end up with fear aggression because they've been bowled over and stepped on. I don't think that picking them up is necessarily the worst option in some situations. Bit of a ramble, but the point I was trying to make is you need to think whether you're thinking of getting a second dog in the future because a chi does somewhat limit you somewhat, or if kids are potentially on the horizon you might be better off with something a bit more robust.

As a breed I really like them - the ones I've met have been quite reserved, well behaved and loyal. I don't think any dog is 'good' at being left, but I think that chis are such companion dogs I wouldn't want to leave one alone for any length of time.

 

[ktj1891]

We have 2 got them at the same time. The smoothcoat is very out going and playful and the long coat is very shy and timid. She is very nervous of new environments and isn't outwardly playful.

They are both very affectionate but the long coat LOVES to be cuddle but is also terrified of being picked up (she had a very bad start to life, almost died, so I think this factors in on how she is now).

Neither of them are yappy and are both very social with people and dogs, however, having had bad experiences with strange dogs, not just the chihuahuas but our other 2 dogs I am very wary of them meeting strange big dogs. Our chihuahuas are very small 1.9kg.

They are lovely, lovely dogs but definitely not yard dogs, far too small to be around horses.

 

[EricJ]

We have 2 got them at the same time. The smoothcoat is very out going and playful and the long coat is very shy and timid. She is very nervous of new environments and isn't outwardly playful.

They are both very affectionate but the long coat LOVES to be cuddle but is also terrified of being picked up (she had a very bad start to life, almost died, so I think this factors in on how she is now).

Neither of them are yappy and are both very social with people and dogs, however, having had bad experiences with strange dogs, not just the chihuahuas but our other 2 dogs I am very wary of them meeting strange big dogs. Our chihuahuas are very small 1.9kg.

They are lovely, lovely dogs but definitely not yard dogs, far too small to be around horses.

I had a chi for 13yrs and he was a brilliant house dog, and also very good with my horse (with care). He was very good to leave at home on his own and only yapped when people came to the door. I take issue about the 'not picking them up' - when one or more large dogs ran at him in the park, they could easily have snapped his legs or taken hold of him. Very important not to spoil them as they can get very snappy if they don't like something.

 

[sandi_84]

I have known 3 and overall they are nice little dogs

One is still a pup and while timid the first time I met her now she comes over for a fuss without me having to tempt her, she's still being toilet trained but is a lovely friendly little soul. The owner also has a Dalmation who is a very bouncy dog so they are never left unsupervised together but they get on brilliantly and will play (gently) together and enjoy curling up together for a snooze. While the breed isn't for me personally I think she is a nice little dog and will admit she is very cute!

The 2nd was an entire male who my friend bought for a very reduced price from her friend. Unfortunately he had a lot of bad habits from his previous home No matter what my friend tried he would do his business all over the house, she moved the bed one day to find he had deposited a couple of things under there too along with a collection of underwear he had stolen and stashed :/ He wanted constant attention and became a bit possessive over my friend, and finally when he nipped her older child (9YO who was admittedly unsupervised and had unintentionally provoked the dog when he just wanted left alone) she admitted defeat and rehomed him to a lady who had the time and experience to retrain him. He's had the snip and some consistent boundaries and I believe he has settled down to be a nice lad.

The third was an awesome older girl, she was pretty robust for a Chi and was a proper yard dog and would potter around keeping herself well away from any horse that happened to be about. She wasn't afraid of them but she obviously knew they could be a danger. She loved a cuddle and would take herself off to hunt the yard vermin when no one was handing out a fuss. She could often be found sleeping on a pile of saddlecloths She had nipped a child before but again I think it was a case of unsupervised child not knowing when to stop fussing a dog that just wants left alone :/ If I ever had a Chihuahua I'd have a carbon copy of her if I could ha ha!
So I suppose they could be a yard dog but tbh I'd worry about an accidental squishing with a dog that size.