Dog Breed of the Week: Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are some of the world's tiniest dogs, but they have some of the biggest personalities. While lovable and loyal, Chihuahuas are also highly active and sassy dogs with major "tough dog" attitudes. One person I know told me that her Chihuahua even "sits with attitude" - and it's true! These are amazing dogs, but they are not for everyone.
The Chihuahua has gradually gained popularity over the years, especially since the famous Taco Bell mascot appeared on televisions everywhere. These little dogs are often seen being toted around in the designer bags of certain celebrities. The Chihuahua's popularity is bound to explode with the great success of Disney's Beverly Hills Chihuahua, currently ranked at number two in US box offices. Fortunately, the film's official site warns people to think long and hard before getting any type of dog. Also, the Chihuahua Club of America released a statement on this issue.
So, if you think you want a Chihuahua, make sure you do your research! These are wonderful dogs, but they belong in the right home. If you decide this breed is the right match for you - congratulations and have fun! Do you already have Chihuahuas in your life? Tell us all about them!
Photo © Brygida T.
Comments
I have one and they are a lot of work. Not only is she a sassy dog who orders are big dog around, but she constantly needs to be held, and loved on. She has special needs since i got her when she was abused and beaten. But she is totaly sassy, sit with attitude and barks with attitude. But she definitly can understand what I say to her. If i tell her she is a good dog or she is pretty and comments like that she will lick my face. But if you tell her she is naughty or she is bug eyed she honestly looks sad and puts her head down.
Hi Jenna! Anyways, it really warms my heart to see the Chihuahua as the Dog Breed of the Week. My wonderful deceased dog, Malty, was part Chihuahua. He looked Maltese, but had a Chihuahua attitude. I’m sure that his mother’s father is beaming with all of his Chihuahua pride. Thanks again!
I have 5 chihuahua’s. I love every one of them. They each have different personalities,attudes, and needs.
They are protective,vocal,bossy,and make you feel very much adored..Nothing brings a smile to my face like the happy greeting these dogs give when I get home from work..and they all like to snuggle under the covers at night to keep warm.
But you are right chihuahuas are not for everyone. They need alot of attention and love.They are harder to potty train.I paper and out door trained mine. They can’t hold their pee all day like a larger dog can.They do have their bad moments when they pee in the wrong place. But I love them anyway.
I have two Chihuahuas and have had a few others in the past 16 years. I don’t find them hard to potty train, mine was trained to papers and she’s 8 years old now. I think they do need a doggy door or to be let out hourly though. My 8yr old Chi has to have her anal glands expressed monthly now but not my 11 yr old Chi so I’m not sure what that’s all about. I love the breed! Too cute for their own good.
Would be nice if the breed in a featured article is spelled correctly: Chihuahua, not Chihauhua.
I have one, a mix between Dachshund and Chihuahua. Big personality. very alpha, very loving, needs lots of attention, hard to potty train – though flawless after he “got it”, he sleeps through the night now and we walk every 4 hrs. Sensitive to food, hates to fly because being in a crate is a no-no in his eyes, sleeps in my bed, needs lots of sweaters for cold weather, does not like to walk in the rain ….. and the list goes on. I love him to death, but this is NOT a dog for everybody, he is much more time consuming than my Rottweiler was
I am afraid that there will be a “Chihuahua-Craze” and after a few months many will end up in shelters abandoned because people did not do research before buying them or giving them to their little kids. It’s not a dog for a child, even they are tiny.
I have 5 dogs total, 3 of which are Chi’s. I have the long hair type. I love these quirky dogs. I love how they all get so excited when they see me and they rule the house. The big dogs run from them. I am a breeder of the Chi’s and they are the most adorable puppies I have ever seen. They are a challenge and hard to potty train. Very, very smart tho…
I have 2 chichihuahua’s. They are black and white. Bob weighes in at 10 pounds and Max weighes in at only 4 pounds. While Max is the smallest, he is the boss over everybody. I also have a 75 pound Lab, and she is scared to death of Max !!!
I didn’t have any touble training any of our dogs. Chichihuahua’s are my favorite dog,even tho they want to bark when they see a leaf blowing in the wind !!
Bob and Max are just wonderful !!!
I am owned by 2 of these wonderful little monsters. They are very protective and do not know their size. These dogs think they are the biggest and baddest on the block.
Both my two were rehomed to me and their previous owners still see them regularly.
My first was a 6 lb male who has a stage 5 heart murmur. He is just so wonderful that when he crosses the Rainbow Bridge I will be heartbroken. He doesn’t know how to give kisses and will sit with his paws on my chest and gaze intently into my eyes for hours. That is how he shows me how much I mean to him.
This past summer I got my 5 lb female who is prissy beyond belief. Chloe off of Beverly Hills Chihuahua and her could be sisters except I am not rich. She is emotionally high maintenance. She also has no idea she is a dog. She has to be next to me at all times. Most of the time she is inside my shirt as I watch tv or type on the computer. If I take a bath I cannot shut the door or she will whine endlessly. It is far easier to give into her than to try and not. She can pout about something for days! One of the funniest things about her is ; if I pretend cry she will run up and give me kisses. Then she will bark at whom ever else is in the house, even if they are in a different room.
She is mommy’s guard dog! I do dress both my little babies and they have full Spring, Summer , Fall and Winder wardrobes. They love anything that is soft and warm. I even have made them both snuggle blankets to cuddle inside. They go everywhere with me. As a special treat they like going to McDonalds for a hamburger pattie each. Everyone loves to meet them.
No Chihuahua should be in a house with small children. They are too tiny and fragile. A small child could play rough with them in unknowingly injure them. They are tiny dogs with big hearts so please research before deciding this breed is for you. These dogs become your small children and to the right person they will remain loyal and wonderful dogs.
I have one and he is a rough and tough little guy that is a big bad guy, but he also has a very loving side to him as well. It is really funny to see him go crazy barking at other dogs 10 times his size when were walking him.
Spanky is our Chi. She just turned 8 and is quite the diva around here. When she is in bed (our bed) she wants no one else to get in. Lets me in before my husband. The little brat. We love her so much anyway. Spanky is the only Chi but has two brothers. A Sheltie (Dasher) and a Yorkie (Rascal). A sister cat (Mischa). So we have a busy house hold. Love our Chihuahua’s to everyone that has one.
I HAVE TWO CHI’S ONE IS MIXED WITH A MALTESE AND HAS A REAL ATTITUDE. GROWLS AND KISSES AT THE SAME TIME. THE OTHER LITTLE GIRL IS A SWEET SPOILED BABY THAT HAS NEVER EVER HAD AN ATTITUDE.
WE HAVE 2 CHIHUAHUAS THEY ARE BOTH MALE AND VERY DIFFERENT. ONE IS A 10 Y/O TACO BELL TYPE AND THE OTHER IS DARK BROWN/BEIGE.ONE IS FEISTY AND THE OTHER IS A WOOSY. THEY BRING MUCH JOY TO US AND WE PUT THEM IN THE BEDROOM WHEN THE 12 GRANDKIDS COME!!
I have 2 of the little darlings. Bubba-lu and Lucy. Bubba-lu is Mr. Macho and Lucy is a real girlie girl. Add a BIG black cat to the mix and sit back and watch the show. These 3 run and jump and chase each other all over the place. My cat, Mootie, likes to play hide and seek. She jumps out at them and the comedy continues. We all sleep in the same bed and I’m thinking that it’s time to upgrade to a larger one.
i thought i preferred and we have seven bigger dogs but when we rescued the chihuahua i knew it would be different…she is the baby (even though no the youngest) and sleeps between or tucked under us and we cannot sleep without her…she thinks she’s human and is often smarter than we are…and she’s everything everyone has mentioned too!
I have a male Chihuahua and he has been very hard to housetrain. They don’t seem to be able to hold their pee as well as bigger dogs and he pees A LOT! Chis are very sensitive and tend to bond with just their family. Most are not good with kids because they are so small and tend to protect themselves. My Chi is very sassy and bossy with my 2 big dogs but he is very shy with people other than his family. He growls and barks a other people if they try to come near him. I socialized him with everyone and everyplace when he was a pup but the personality seems to be ingrained in his head. I love him, though. He is a sweetheart with me and my husband. But, Chihuahuas are definately NOT for everyone! Please don’t get one just because they are “trendy”. They are not designer objects. They are sensitive, living creatures.
I have 5 dogs, 2 of which are chihuahuas. I thought I would never have a small dog – I wasn’t interested. Then I adopted my first CHI when her owner died…and fell in love!! That first one is “Jazzy” and she is quite the grande dam in our home. She is my circus dog, as she jumps straight up and on to my lap where ever I am. Her son is “Topper” aka “Little Man” who plays nonstop with our large Lab and Husky.
Both were easily potty trained, and hold it all night without a problem.
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned, they are both EXCELLENT RETREIVERS!! And will rectreive as long as you will throw something!
I reinforce what others have said, these dogs are not for everyone!! They shiver when they are nervous, mine throw up in new situations, they get upset if people rough house around them, and they can be easily hurt by big feet or small children. They are also the best dogs EVER!!
I love Chihuahuas!!! I have two, a 16 year old female named Mitzi, and her 15 year old brother named Vinnamondo. They share their lives with my 5 year old Labrador Retriever, named Truman. As anyone with multiple dogs knows, they do know the order of their stance in the pack,and Mitzi is always “The Boss”. It is so funny to see here bawl the boys out! She really takes her place as a top dog! What to me is so endearing about these wonderful tiny companions, is their saucy attitudes and expressions, not to mention how WARM they are to cuddle with…sort of like having a personal hot water bottle! I do agree that this breed is not for everyone, and I do hope that in light of the popularity of the movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, that shelters across the country are not overflowing with another breed dog that was gotten on a whim..this happened when the movie 101 Dalmatians was released. I think it is especially important that people do some research before getting any kind of pet, and with the holiday season approaching, please remember that pets really aren’t the best gift at that time of year, especially with small children. Most important, DOGS LOVE YA…NO MATTER WHAT!!
I have 1 chihuahua/pom. She is adorable.She is quite rough, but can be very gentle as well. She hates me reading the paper in bed, & her latest antic is to lick my glasses, making it impossible to read. She also hates me knitting, & lays her paws across the knitting needles. My husband & I truely adore our little girl.
Dianne
We got our first Chi, Bell, last year to keep our miniature poodle, Sammy, company. They got along wonderfully! Sadly, Sammy died this June which left everyone upset, including Bell. So in September we adopted Tequila. Wow..we thought Bell was tiny but at 9 lbs. she is a giant compared to Tequila at only 3 lbs!! We absolutely adore our 2 baby girls and my husband and I can’t sleep without them snuggled under the covers with us.
We have a Chihuahua and she rules the roost. We have three other dogs, two min schnauzers, and an elderly MinPin. Our Chi, Abby, sleeps with us and will not let the other dogs into the bedroom without her permission! She growls when they get near the door, and they sit and wait for her “0kay”. Then they all come in and romp around. At dinner time, she puts two or three pieces of her food next to her bowl, and “dares” anyone to come near them. The other dogs sit and stare at them until she eats them last! What a diva! She is the one who most often starts the barking and gets the others in a tizzy. She is very lovable and will lick everyone’s face off if you let her. She doesnt know a stranger. She loves our 10 month old grandbaby, too. She will hold her urine forever until we take her out! She sleeps as late as we do, and never complains about needing to go out. Sometimes we have to make her go out when its raining, though. She hates getting her feet wet and will try to hold all of them up out of the wet grass and fall on her nose. And she loves to run and is very fast. Her only problem is she sheds like a maniac! Other than that she is the most loyal dog I have ever had!
Doesn’t anyone who owns a Chihuahua do anything with them besides spoil them? Every one of these comments reflects owners who treat their Chihuahuas like every little bossy thing they do is just too precious for words! Yes, they may have an attitude and yes, it might be tough to require a Chi to do something that he doesn’t want but I hate to see a dog spoiled and pampered and given in to all the time. Does anyone train their Chi to do something useful? — like obedience, agility, tracking, etc.?
I wound up with a chi almost by accident (long story) a little less than a year ago. I named him Taco which turned out to be fairly accurate – most people like him and about the only threat he poses is occassional indigestion from his antics (potty training has not been very successful and he loves to tear up paper). However, he is the most affectionate dog I that I have ever bonded with, he has a great personality, and he is always ready to wrestle around on the living room floor, go for a walk, or just curl up next to me on the couch.
Taco was a manic little demon around larger dogs when I first brought him home. I started watching “The Dog Whisperer” and thanks to some brilliant insights and techniques presented on that show Taco is now one of the most social dogs you can imagine. I think it is very important to socialize these little guys so they know how to act around larger dogs and don’t get themselve’s attacked by inappropriate behavior.
They probably aren’t for everyone, but I think they are fairly low maintenance compared to many breeds. The main thing is to remember that they are dogs, not dolls, not fashion statements, not little kids, they are dogs. Canis lupus familiaris, modern descendants of the wolf. They have the same instincts and basic behavior patterns as their larger cousins.
I have a Tri-Colored Chihuahau that I rescued from a very abusive home. When I got him home he bit everyone that came near him including me. It was a rough road, but it has now been 4 years and he still bites but not as hard. He has learned to bite gently. I love him and he loves me. He makes the rules and he lets you know with his ear positions.
He warns us first, so you can stop what we’re doing that he doesn’t like. I will never regret saving him, I do regret not saving him early enough, which I feel so sad about.
Now he has a loving family that loves him so much. Thank goodness I found him in time, he came with many medical problems that took a lot of work, because he won’t let you even look in his mouth, ears, or any other part of him. It’s been a challange, but I’m always up with a challange with rescued dogs, most of my dogs are rescued and I would do it again.
I also have two A very handsome 10lb male!
He was A rescue he was returned to his “breeder” she was going to put him down because of his size. Luckily he is now with me although in all honesty I did not want A Chi because of there rep I was just planing on rehabbing him as much as I could then re-homing him but I fell for him! He is A long hair and the sweetest little guy but he is still afraid of men but if I am holding him he will let my little brother pet him and some times my little Shy even gives him A little kisses him some times.
My other is A little girl she is 13 weeks old and is 4lbs! Her name is Hayle she is way to smart for her on good.
She also thinks that she is A hound dog because she loves to howl and bark at nothing!!
I also have A Shetland sheepdog/australian shepherd mix and two pomeranian pups that I am trying to find homes for there mom and dad were rescues and two cats one of which thinks hes A dog and two fish.
Though I have never lived with a Chi, I have really grown to love them over the years – even though many are not exactly fond of vets and vet techs!
Many of my friends have Chis and they are sassy little lovebugs with a knack for human manipulation – they won me over!
Its great hearing all about your Chi companions!
I had a Chihuahua when I was a six year old. Whitey was an older dog that came to our family after being part of a family with teenage boys that teased her and made her distrustful of all men. She loved me though and never left my side. Whitey was very sweet and was sensitive to my moods as well. When I was upset and cried she would come up to me and try to stop me by giving me kisses, if it didn’t work she would sit with me and cry too. I loved her til the day she died, and I still love her and think of her every time I see a Chihuahua.
OMG I lost my house and my life to my baby girl! I lost control of my life and love it! I can’t work without missing her! I don’t go anywhere that she can’t go! I have 13 dogs (with hired help) and my baby Runs them all! The one thing that kills me most of all is she won’t walk! Wants to be carried everywhere and her feet stay clean! This Is my first Cha and I am so happy to know her and love her! She has changed my life and I couldn’t live without her! I agree DO NOT get one unless you can spend a lot of time with them! My Cha is under 4 pounds and needs to eat small meals every 3 hours and I hear that most under 5 pounds needs feeding Q 2 to Q 3 hours
I’m hope so happy you love adorable little Long Haired Chihuahuas like me. Visit my website as I love making new Chihuahua and non-Chihuahua friends.
A little about me. I’m cute, tiny, and the apple of Mom and Dad’s eyes. I have two siblings which they adore, but I feel I’m their favorite. Maybe they make them feel the same.
Chihuahuas like me are tiny but very brave. You need to be careful bringing us around large unruly dogs.
Hugs to everyone from LulubelleChihuahua.
I have two of the most adorable dogs and one of them is a Chi her name is Pnut because she isn’t much bigger than a peanut. Pluss she loves pnut butter. My other is a Pomm her name is Prissy. Prissy was so spoiled everyone but I,thought that she would be too jealous of having another dog around the house. Prissy loves Pnut just as much as my husband and I do. They are very often caught licking each others faces and ears acting very affectionate towards each other. It is so cute. Pnut seems smarter than the other Cih’s I have been accustomed too. She does do tricks and plays so cute with her toys. I think Prissy is the one who taught her some of the things she knows how to do. Except I taught her that bed means to go to bed when I am tired of holding her. She usually stays long enough to get to sleep, but if she isn’t tired she will stay 10 to 15 minutes till she thinks she can get away with getting out. My husband, Prissy and I would miss her terribly if she wasn’t part of the family anymore, but seeing as she was only 7 months old when we got her, she will be with us for a very long time I think.
I have Chihuahuas and have had for twenty some years. I love the breed and wish I could have fifty or so. I use preemie diapers to potty train and find they work really good. If you get a very tiny one use hankies. I feel they are given a bad rap and wish everyone could spend some time with them and see for themselves! Thank you.
I am 53 and have always loved dogs and cats. Have had Chihuahuas now for 2 years, they are the perfect dog/animal for this time in my life (I seem to be very allergic to dogs and cats but I get away with these 2 little dog people!). They really are different than “dogs” I find. I also learned within the last few years that small dog breeds really are different than their larger counterparts and Chihuahuas even more so. I definitely do NOT recommend them for most dog lovers, they just are that different. But they ARE perfect for those of us at times in our lives where there are no kids around, we have more time to spend on them, things like that. They are also not popular with most of my friends or people that come around because they don’t warm up to others like those dog-lover people expect them to. But they are just right for the small circle of us that are owned by them
I really do find it uncomfortable for my dog-lover friends when these guys won’t warm up to them, they aren’t much of a “reward” for strangers trying to be nice to them. I’ve got a male and female, both fixed at 6 months, for pets. I hate it when people find themselves a male and a female of something cute and call themselves dog breeders; I figure it they were bank machines, they’d have different shaped holes in them.
As for Ruth who wondered why they “don’t do something useful” like obedience, agility, tracking… They ARE useful. They give a lot of us a reason to live, a reason to get through cancer, a smile when there is no where else to find one, something to love when we have nobody left. For the same reason that we people are not all singers, not all professors, not all policeman, it all works together and I am thrilled to have found this little breed to love and adore. Lots of us have love to give and no where else to give it; if you call that “spoiling”, then so be it. The world could do with more “spoiling” if that is the case. If people acted like dogs, the world would be a better place.
HELLO ALL,
I love my Chi, she is 3 yrs old and the light of my life. Before my daughter moved out she had 2 chi mixes. Honey ran the house and let the boy’s know if she was not in the mood to play. I will say Honey hates my two cats. She seems to know that the 19 yr old cat is very close to me and she seems to hate him for it. I have to watch her carefully if he passes her by and she sees fit she will try to attack him for no reason. She has gotten better with it but I see it’s pure jealously. Now that my daughter and her two chi boys have moved I have given thought to bringing a new little girl into our home, however I am very concerned about Honey. Will she except her or be blind jealous? Has anyone tried bringing in a new Chi when they one they have is Queen of the castle? Would appriciate some feedback. I would really hate to make a mistake.
I have a BEAUTIFUL 3 year old deer chi,named Precious.I got her when she was 6 weeksold.
I fell in love with chihuahuas when somebody I know got a chi and I fell in love with hers.
When I told her I want to get a chihuahua too,she gave me some books on chihuahuas for me to read.That was VERY helpful b/c those books gave me a better understanding of what kind of temperament they have&maintenance they require.I knew that a chihuahua was the right dog for me.Also,I have a chronic illness&having Precious is my life is very therapeutic for me.Precious is my best medicine.When I’m not feeling well she always sits by me or lays by me.There was a time when I was REALLY not feeling well&I was laying on my bed crying.Precious jumped up on my bed,came over to me&licked the tears off my face.She is also a WONDERFUL companion to my 85 year old grandmother,whom I live with. It is such a joy to have Precious in our lives!!
Hi Robin – this is a great question. Chi personalities vary so much it is hard to tell if it will work out. You might want to try finding a submissive Chi if such a thing exists, LOL.
I actually think you might get some answers if you post on the forum here – there are a lot of great dog people on there who might have insight:
http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-dogs
Good luck to you!
Jenna
Dogs Guide
Well I have 2 golden retrievers and a 3 yr. chihuahua. He is the only boy. He is such a sweet heart. The goldens have trained him right. He is not a yappy boy and loves everyone. I could not see life with out him . I have had issues with him peeing on things but he is a work in pogress…lol
I am now the owner of my second chihuahua. Or should I say caretaker? She thinks my sole purpose here is to cater to her every whim – and I love it – and her! ! ! She just turned three on Nov.1 and is full of vim and vigor. Our last chihuahua lived to be 16 which for a chihuahua is really old. We got her from the S.P.C.A, she had been beaten and abused but lived a life of luxury after we got her.This one we got from an ad at the Veterinarians. She loves to cuddle and be loved and we love to cuddle spoil her.
I inherited 2 abandoned puppies, one a chihuahua and one is a cross chihuahua. Both are loving, sweet dogs. I never liked chihuahua’s until finding Rex..he is so funny, he hops when he takes off running, he can’t itch his side unless he falls over then tries again, he has made me laugh over and over. The 2nd dog, Giggles, is sweet natured and gets along with other animals, as does Rex. I used to breed doxies, but they have nothing on these 2 dogs of mine!
ROBIN: I am responding to your wondering if anyone got another Chi, while one runs the roost. I did. It has worked out fine. In fact, both are fixed females, which I’ve been told is difficult in having 2 females. One is Casey, she is now 7 and I’ve raised her since 5 weeks. My other, Cookie, is about 2, and I rescued her. Both want my attention and are very loving. Both sleep in our bed. We have spent a year traveling in our RV and they are great travelers, and this also helped them to bond. So I feel if your new Chi is younger, the Queen Chi will remain the “ruler” of the roost and will not be threatened. The newer little one tries very hard to have this Queen as her best friend.
I have a 8 month old male long-haired Chihuahua named Jake. He just turned 8 months old yesterday (12/19/2008). I got him when he was 3 months old. He is my 2nd Chihuahua. Doodles was my first Chihuahua. I loved her soooo much!!!! To say that I love Jake is an understateement!He is the cutest dog! He loves my lap as most Chihuahuas do. I am however having a problem potty training him. I didn’t have this problem with Doodles. Jake licks excessively. My face, arms, toes, legs,etc. He will eat anything on the floor. When he is outside he will eat leaves. It’s like he things if anything falls on the floor, he is supposed to eat it. I really hate that. He is the most affectionate and loving puppy! He sleeps with me nightly and acts like the bed belongs to him. LOL I should have named him Jumper because he jumps and runs from every little thing or sound. It cracks me up!!! LOL My doctor had been telling me to get another puppy for my blood pressure and since I’ve gotten Jake my blood pressure has gone down tremendously. Everywhere I take him people just ooh and awww over him. LOL Then they ask what kind of puppy is it. I love my little Jake and he is my new baby. My 13yr old niece is actually jealous of him. She said she thought she was my baby. I told her she is………..but Jake is the new baby. LOL He is a joy in my life and I wouldn’t trade for anything in this world.
I HAVE A MIXED CHI AND MIN. PIN.HE IS NOW 5MONTHS OLD .POTTY TRAINING WAS FAIRLY EASY.HE IS VERY ACTIVE.HE BELIEVES HE IS BOSS.BUT ON THE OTHER HE’S MY BABY.WOULDN’T TRADE HIM FOR THE WORLD.
Yes I A wondful girl chihuahua mane Holly AHE IS 4LBS. AND IS SO PLAYFUL SHE NEVER DOODOO IN THE HOUSE GO OUT IN ANY KING OF WEATHER SHE IS MY LITTLE ANGEL.
hELLO ALLL
yES i HAVE a LITTLE GIRL CHIHUAHUA 4LBS. SHE IS SO WELL BEHAVED SHE IS SO PLAYFUL AND NEVER DOODOO INTHE HOUSE GO OUT ANY KIND OF WEATHER WITH HER COAT ON AND SHE SLEEP IN BED WITH MY HUBSAND RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN BOTH OF US SHE IS MY LITTLE ANGEL.
My chi is named Midget. For her size lol. She weighs in at a whopping 3 lbs. She is the most loving dog I have ever had. Although she if very jealous of my husbands dog (a 20 lbs Jack Russell) named Daisy Mae. If Daisy walks by Midget she sometimes will attack her for no apparent reason. I think it is pure jealousy. But I agree with other, chi are not for everyone. They are very loving, but take a LOT of attention and time. I wouldn’t give Midget up for the world! She is a great dog!
I have a 3-yr old Yorkie and recently adopted a beautiful, small tan/ivory LONG-haired Chihauhua. She was in a situation where the owner preferred a large dog and was keeping her in a rabbit cage! I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her. She was so thin and has gained 2 lbs since she moved in. I named her Lacee and she just loves to pal around with my Yorkie. It was a very good idea to bring her into our family as they are so sweet together–immediate companions. She is cautious but very loved by our grandchildren and she understands so many words/phrases. She also has NEVER gone on the floor. She is loving and her hair is much easier to maintain than my Yorkie. She was a year old when we got her an she is a treasure!
1-16-2009: I’m so glad I read all the comments. Now I know my two little boy Chihuahua’s are normal. They are 10 lbs-10 yrs; and 7 lbs-5 years; father and son. They pee too often, but lick our hand to go outside; Love newspaper; sleep on pillows; love to snuggle next to us & blankets; love jerky treats; Look like AKC visa card photo.