I saw your last post about wanting a god and your checklist, and having a chi myself, would seriously advise against - they're yappy and can be aggressive to both strange people and strange dogs - you'll want to see both the mum and dad and see what temperament they've got if you're going to do it, and they're expensive as hell!
That said, my boy loves me to pieces and does listen to commands etc, but on,y from me, OH can't get him to do anything unless he wants to do it anyway, so they really are a one person dog, not a family pet.
We also have a chi x who has a much better temp and generally is that bit more like a real dog, Rudi (my boy) i don't actually see as a dot, he's something else all together lol!
Best of luck with your search, but for your wallet, and your families sake, I'd look at a crossbreed...
UnaB, we agree on this as you've highlighted - I stated that they can be, and whilst I completely understand a dog is what you make it - I've told same exact thing to my mum who bought her firs dog to replace the kids nweary younger brother has also moved out, and I wish someone like you would explain it to her as she doesn't listen properly to me, and her dog is awfully behaved - like you say, if they were big dogs or staffs etc they'd be facing putting down for bad behaviour that is seen as acceptable by many.
Don't worry, my dog doesn't get away with anything but coming from ahem, a less than ideal breeder (please don't jump on me for that, what's done is done and unfortunately they keep breeding the pups, poor bitch seems constantly pregnant) he inherited a not ideal natural temperament and hadn't been out of a house even into a garden at 13 weeks. Its been quite an uphill struggle to get him well behaved, and only recently have I been able to trust his obedience enough to let him off lead at 3 years old, he's still not great with strange men either, but I'm getting there.
What I was trying to say was that whilst I love mine to pieces, they're not the easiest of dogs for a first time owner. Because they're so intelligent they don't suffer fools gladly and will happily walk their little paws all over an owner if given half a chance
Your little white girl is absolutely stunning by the way, well done on getting her through a horrendously difficult first few weeks!
Ahh... Perhaps your first post was worded or read wrong and I misunderstood what you were trying to say. Definately breeding from dogs with a poor temperment is a big no-no, as with horses of course! Temperment definately can be inherited so its very important that aggressive dogs are never bred from, the unscrupulous breeders will have a litter from any two dogs they can though. I agree with your first point about viewing the parents, that is a must - any breeder who doesnt make the parents available I would definately walk away from.
They are certainly strong willed little dogs and I think they suffer from being the current fad thanks to celebrities. People buy them thinking they're toys or accessories and dont realise they are a DOG and need to be trained. Its so frustrating. Thats probably why I was very quick to jump to the defence of the breed when I thought you were saying they were aggressive lol!
And thank you, Evie is definately my pride and joy, spoiled rotten and deserves it entirely