New addition to family...

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Our family just added a Toy miniture smooth chihuahua female. She's 3 years old and my 6-year old has adopted her. :o)

She's tri colored (black-white-brown). Any experience with this breed? So far she hasn't barked is that normal?

Were taking her today to get a 7-in-1 shot, rabies shot and annual worming today.

Our cats seem to think shes a puppy. So far there getting along.

Will let you know what happens as things develop.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), February 06, 2001

Answers

Be carefull sometimes small dogs are affraid and will fear bite .Was she raised with children ? If you think about it i would be affraid to if i where that big {or small} and a child acted like a child .Keep us posted and good luck

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), February 06, 2001.

Kenneth, i have no experience with that praticular breed. I do however have lots of experience with adopted and rescued animals. She is probably scared and more than alittle nervious. I would be very gentle and relaxed around her. Let her get a feel for your family and her new surroundings. I wouldn't be concerned with no barking, no eating or even hiding for the first few days.

I rescued a cat years ago that someone had left at my work. She jumped out of a dumpster and scared me half to death. After feeding her for a few days and wearing some very thick gloves, i captured her and took her home. No one claimed her so i kept her and she hid for three days. She would sneak out for food and the litter box after the first day or so. Well i was sitting on the couch on the fourth day and she jumped up by me. We were buds from that day on. Good luck to you! Oh and bravo for chosing adoption.

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), February 06, 2001.


Did you see the ad I put on your previous post for Mini Aussie pups? Have fun with your little pup!

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), February 06, 2001.

Hi Ken, I know little about Chihuahua's except that they're very small and can easily be injured.

It's probably too late, but if not, please consider getting the vaccinations and worming spread out over a greater period of time. Eight vaccines at one time is quite a "whammy" for a little critter like that. Also, I recommend that you get a fecal sample analyzed to see if she has any parasites, and if she does, which ones. The wormer can be more specific for any parasites present. If she doesn't have any, well, you save the cost of worming and the dog escapes another dose of some chemical. Of course, discuss with the vet what is the best course of treatment. My vets have gone to fewer vaccines at a time because it is easier on the animal.

Possibly of general interest: The Taco Bell chihuahua is actually a female (the dubbed-in male voice notwithstanding), and her name is Gidget.

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), February 06, 2001.


Had one while I was growing up, and despite the small size, he thought he was pretty tough! Very smart, loyal dog. Used to chase German Shepherds and such down the road in front of our house, until they looked back and saw the dog making all the noise was so small, then they would do an abrupt stop, and saunter on, as if hoping no one saw them running from him. Promptly at 7pm every night, give or take a minute, he would sit in front of my father and whine. (That was the cue for my father to get him a piece of candy.) We spoiled him, and he lived to a ripe old age despite it. Once disappeared, and we searched everywhere for him. About a week later, he showed up at the door, with the pads on his feet worn to bloody flesh. He was thinner and thirsty and tired. We assumed someone had taken him, and he walked home from where ever. They can be pretty good dogs, but like any dog, training is the key. Good luck! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 06, 2001.


We just rescued a little pomeranian puppy(I should say my big tough husband did, but he won't admit it!) from the kennel. It had never been out of a cage. The woman had tried to give it away several times and it would wet all over itself in fear! She was afraid that it was permanently neurotic. Nope! My 10 yr. old daughter cuddled it up and the dog is her shadow now. Ladybug curls around my daughter's head on her pillow at night and you don't dare go in there unannounced. ladybug would protect her with her life!!!! She is very loyal! It is great for a child to have a pet that is all their own. It teaches them to nurture and give of themselves. Hope you enjoy your tiny new baby!!! btw I have a darling coat pattern for them if you want it. I made Ladybug and my daughter matchies!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 06, 2001.

I hear that you can make cheese out of chihuahua milk. Other than that I know nothing, NOTHING! I swear. (JOKE! See above posting on chihuahua cheese!)

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), February 06, 2001.

I just wrote the longest letter and mailed to it off to cyperspace. I have had my little guy for almost two years. He is a "country" chihuahua and weighs in at about 15 pounds, even though both parents are under 5 pounds. (Meeting them is what made me want one for my own. A client's parents had the little guys). These little guys live to be held, cuddled, pampered and babied and they wiggle so deep into your heart you can't image not having them. I read alot when I got my guy because I had always had BIG dogs (a newfie mix, a shepard mix, an Irsh setter-big mistake- hounds, etc) and did not know what to expect. They tend to be one family or one person dogs so I set out to socialize mine from the beginning. We took him everywhere but school, work, church and the grocery store. My teenage son discovered that a little tiny dog attracts girls, his friends loved it as well (my dog loves teenagers now) and I discovered that they are easily picked up when larger dogs think they would make a great mouthful. They do tend to carry grudges and have been known to decide who they don't like without any rhyme or reason. My daughter housesat for her housemate's family often, and their little dog HATED her. Even looked for her when her housemate came to see his family and walked around behind him growling! (My daughter is an animal lover and knows how to care and work with many types-though she likes cats more than dogs and doesn't care for my dogs much even though they love her). You will enjoy your little lap warmer. Mine thinks any lap at any time is meant for him, any bed at any time is his, and the furniture in the living room-his as well. Fortunately he is easy to keep clean-a quick bath in the kitchen sink-I love it. The only problem I can see is that when they are so little they are easily overlooked, caught in doors, stepped on--you get the idea. And-she could make a great little stock dog. My folks had a 5pound poodle that used to try to help them move the bull from pasture to pasture. It was a funny sight to be sure! Have fun! betty

-- betty modin (betty_m9@yahoo.com), February 06, 2001.

When I was in 7th grade we adopted a three year old male chihuahua. A tough little guy - would go on long rambles with me. Would bark like crazy at the doorbell, and growled when he heard strange voices of visiting friends. He'd sleep in a crate/cage and would only go to sleep when I had given him MY worn sock from that day. Sad thing is, he was killed by a crazy Irish setter one day while we were out hiking together. Most traumatic thing that ever happened me. Watch out for hawks, coyotes, and bobcats, as these will make a meal out of Chihuahua - it has happened even in suburban areas not too far from where I live.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), February 07, 2001.

Nan My wife would love the coat pattern. Can you email it or do you need my snail mail address?

Well (Sweet Pea) (my wife named her) is fitting in already. She has claimed my pillow for her bed, the kitchen is her play area and the cats are her playmates. She visited my Miniture Pincher and they get along, However our Rotweilder/Boxer Female would eat her in 1 bite if she wasn't on a run.

Yes she seems to have adopted the whole family. She was up early this morning and decided the whole family needed to get up. After a rousing barking and licking we got up...she then claimed the bed and went off to sleep. As you can probably tell we hope to keep her a long, long time.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), February 07, 2001.



Sweat Pea has now adopted our daughter. She sleeps at the foot of the bed. When we go in to check on her the dog will raise up and growl a warning. I have no doubt that the little tyke would give her all for my daughter. She has become so entangled in our lives we can't see how we got by without her.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), February 12, 2001.

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