Need a bit of advice.

My mum sent me and my sister an email last night asking if we know anyone who might be interested in a 12 year old Chihuahua for free.

I emailed back and told her she is a cruel woman, because now that I've seen that I know that there is a 12 year old Chihuahua somewhere that obviously needs a home and is being unloved or its owner has died or something otherwise she wouldn't be emailing me about a 12 year old Chihuahuah and now i'm going to have to have it or I will be forever worrying about the poor thing

So I've told my sister this morning that she's getting a Chihuahuah (muhahahahahahaaaa!) and she's rang my mum and turns out my mum's next door neighbour had two Chihuahua's he used to leave outside all day, and one of them has died so now there's just the other one.  He gets put out first thing in the morning and then let back in about 8pm at night.  I know dogs can live happily outside...but a little shivery Chihuahuah!

Now I am home all day and wanted another dog (although wouldn't have chosen a Chihuahua or a 12 year old dog) - so how can I say no?

However, have read up this morning and Chihuahua's don't always get on well with other dogs, and I'm also concerned that they weigh about 1-3kgs and I have a 12.5k Scottie at home.  I know people who have Yorkies and Rotties living happily together but Millie is a 2 year old boistorous terrier who loves dogs and spends most of her time jumping on their heads.  Obviously that can be trained out of her but I'm just wondering whether it would be a disasterous pairing.

Secretly, I have an urging to have a handbag dog that I can carry under my arm in little pink t-shirts :-D and my fat Scottie just doesn't fit the bill so I reckon I could grow to love a Chihuahua - I'm just not sure whether a Chihuahua could grow to love my Scottie!

So any info from Chihuahua owners with other dogs who can tell me what they think, and also general Chihuahua ownership advice would be great before I rush round there in the next hour in my Supergirl outfit declaring to save the day and rescue him!

Where abouts are you, why not contact chihuahua rescue?

all i know about chis is a blow to the head can kill them. im sure some chi owners will be along to advise soon- but dont get it yet!

That's a good point, and my Millie will try and lay on his head while fluttering her eyelashes.

That's probably made my mind up then, I'd be doing him more harm than good!

Well that will be something for the owner to consider, I don't even know him, he knows he doesn't want him now so is looking into getting him rehomed, firstly by asking around if anyone wants him (or so I understand it from my mum).  I'll pass on the number of Chihuahua Rescue though.  But me and my sister are suckers for doggy sob stories so are feeling the urge to dive in and rescue him before the owner sends him off to a dogs home where no one might want him because he's 12...

I am a chihuahua owner for 22 years now, but mine are all girls,you do have to be very careful with their size. I would only have chihuahuas together but i know other people who have other dogs and chihuahuas together, i would think at twelve years old he wants a quiet life,where are you in the country?

Kent.  They are in the Welling, Kent area in particular.  I'm inclined to agree with you, glad I posted on here first as I would have dived on in there just to 'save' him!

I would also have rushed in,i have rescued two girls in the past one of whom is still with us, its very hard when your heart rules your head, im so glad he isnt a girl,then i would have been in trouble,age is not a problem, I do love all chihuahuas just not possible for more at the moment.

First of all, that is very sad for a little Chi. All dogs need company, but Chihuahuas really, really need company as they get very attached to their owners. I can not imagine my Chihuahua outside.... not even for a minute, unless I'm there with him.
They look very delicate, but they are actually quite hardy. My friend has got 2 Chis and a Dogo Argentino and they coexist perfectly. I myself would not go as far. for my second dog I am considering a Tibetan Spaniel, which I think is just perfect.
If you decide to adopt that dog, you have to make sure he's comfortable with other dogs, so introduce them at first. You'll see it very soon whether they're fine or not......

A Tibetan Spaniel would be great with a Chi.

Back in Australia I had a rescue Chi, and a Rescue Tibetan Spaniel, Japanese Chin cross. They got along like a house on fire. The little Chi ruled the roost though :)

Like Chis usually do ;). Mine is always the boss and he's only 1,8kg!!

i own chihuahuas and have for many years they are dogs not something to put in a stupid handbag half the time they dont even like it they are just small dogs they love to run about like any dogs and yes i have 5 great danes all quite young one being 16 months old who is a hyper dog who's best friend is a chihuahua who is 2 and a half pounds you really have no idea apart from you want a little dogs to put in your handbag get a grip if you getting this 12 year olds look into the breed propley and ask people who own them and breeders

Sorry to butt in.....I think the handbag bit was a joke - thats the way I read it. The poster came on here asking for advice from owners/breeders.......no need to be stroppy:rolleyes:

Yes do chill! If you read the reference to handbags and pink t-shirts it's clearly tongue in cheek!!

Yes, and if he's a boy it would have to be a blue t-shirt anyway!! :-D (sorry, not being helpful here I know!) But that poor little thing, 12 years old and living outside. :-(

sarah123 I also think it was just a joke ;). But I agree that Chihuahuas are all dogs....my Billy runs 5km without a problem and after coming home, he's asking for more :rolleyes:. He likes walking and exploring and there's no way he'd let me carry him around if we're outside taking a walk......

Only time my Chi ever let me carry her was if it was raining out and she didnt want to walk in a deep puddle, and just before she passed away and she was feeling poorly.

Chis are big dogs in little bodys.

Firstly I can not believe that anyone would leave a Chihuahua outside in this weather. Chihuahuas need the heat. A little twelve year old boy will need much love and attention. Chihuahuas are very specialist, as they have many idiosyncracies that are not known to other breeds. One is the molera at the top of the head, which if it takes a blow can and will kill the dog. It is never safe to mix Chihuahuas with larger breeds, other than when they are raised together from youngsters. I would feel that it is unsafe for this Chihuahua to be with your other dog. You say it can be trained out of your dog not to jump on his head. My love you won't have the time to train your dog not to do this, just once and the Chihuahua will be dead. Also do you own cats? Cats claws are at the level of a Chihuahuas eyes. This little boy needs to go to the British Chihuahua Club Rescue. Now I am not sure if I am permitted to put a telephone number on here for them. Could someone please tell me if I am? If so I will post a contact number for you. He will then be rehomed with someone who is experienced in OLD Chihuahuas. If I am not permitted to post a telephone number, then please can you not take the time to look up their number.The Rescue Secretarys name is Mrs Pam Bungard. There are also five rescue cordinators who can be contacted. Failing this, if you go look in the breeders here in Champdogs, you will see my contact e-mail address in there, and I will sort something out for this poor little fella. You can see my name above. I have kept and bred Chihuahuas for over 26 years now, and I beg you to pass him on to where he will be safe. Yes I agree he will be far happier with you than freezing to death outside, but not with a larger boisterous dog.

Well done Gloria, very sensible message.

Hiya Sully long time no speak. You are in my group as a member, and not been around for a long time. I am known by my Dog affix name in there. Don't think I am allowed to mention the name I use there, in here. If you go look in the breeders in here, you will see who I am straight away. Hope all is well with you and your little people?
I wish the lady who first put this post on would come back in and look at the posts. I have been very worried about this poor little boy Chihuahua. Not knowing what is happening to him is excrutiating. I know the BCC rescue would home him safely.

could you not take on the dog and put in in to the reascue just to make sure it was not just given away to the first person who shows intrest

Will get Anne to let you have it Sully. Bek, if the lady comes back on here, I can arrange for one of the BCC co-ordinators nearest to her, to go and collect this dear little boy. It will be cared for, Vet checked, and then re-homed. I personally could not go and collect it as I am disabled myself, having a brain AVM and Aneurysm, housebound I am afraid. Had gamma knife radiation surgery at the Cromwell London last year, and that takes up to two years to eat at the AVM, and get rid of the aneurysm. Also I got my nine Chihuahuas to care for, and that includes a newborn week old puppy. So whereas in the past I would have just whizzed off to do the rescue myself, I now let others do this as I am unable. I do become involved in helping where I can. Indeed the local RSPCA rescue kennels actually ring me, on the rare occasion that they get a Chihuahua in, so that they can move it on quickly and not have to let it stay in Kennels. I do worry so about this darling little breed, and can't get the little boy off of my mind. So fingers crossed she will come back in, and then we can help home him properly.

sorry i didnt mean you i nent the op

Hi L,.....I didnt know it was you,lol.I see your piccys in Annes group, and more  recently the bitch with one pup,the mother is image of my Sully.Im on limited hours dial up and it takes too long to get reply board up on msn i give up waiting so just tend to read and not reply. Ive lost a lot of my old chi sites since i changed computers can you pm me the site addy again.I did suggest chi rescue in my first message to the lady!

Just to clarify, yes the handbag/pink t-shirt thing was tongue in cheek.

Of course it would be blue for a boy! ;-)

But seriously, although I may also have exaggerated my dog jumping on heads thing - my dog likes to lick other dogs faces you see and if they start jumping away/playing, she will get encouraged and do more, she also likes to lay her head on my sisters dog head (he can't stand her being near him you see which makes her all the more defiant, just like a young girl flirting with a boy, lolling all over him, lolling underneath him the more he growls, the closer she gets).  She also still does that 'puppy play' thing where they are all paws up at each other's faces.

But yes, even though she wouldn't actually 'jump on his head', it would also mean I couldn't go out and leave them alone together ever which would make me a bit housebound and although I don't usually need any encouragement to stay in the warm, it does put all kinds of limitations so I am going to pass on the Chihuahua Rescue number to him.

Thanks for all your help everyone!

Gloria, I have been on the website, but they don't put any telephone numbers, only Pam's address - could you please send me a message with the phone number in that I can pass on?

Thank you for your help

Jess

Jess what are the rules here in Champdogs as far as posting telephone numbers on the boards? Or e-mail address's? If an e-mail address is poss then put yours on and I will mail you the numbers you need. If not go into the Longcoat Chihuahua breeders section, here in Champ Dogs, and send me a message that way. You will see my name in the list. I will then answer you right away. Thanks!

You could PM each other your numbers or addresses. That way they stay private and secure. Good luck in sorting this out! :)

Oh Jess I am so relieved that you have popped back in. It was very kind of you to have offered to rescue this dear little boy in the first place, and very sensible of you to see the unsuitabiliy of you taking him on. Even gentle larger dogs can do major harm to a Chihuahuas head. It is always the main concern for us Chihuahua owners and breeders, and one of the reasons that all reputable breeders are very careful where they let their puppies go. Do you have the British Chihuahua Club Rescue contact number? If possible Jess could you keep us informed of what happens to him please? Thanks

I'm on the website but there's no number, but I have already emailed my mum with all the details to give to her neighbour as I don't want him to be scared off by thinking 'rescue people are coming to get him in trouble or anything', but so she can explain that they will find him a proper loved home and when I get the number I'll forward that on too.

Gloria, you can send a private message to Jess. Just click on her name on any of her posts here and it'll take you to her profile page, At the top left of the screen you'll see [Send Message]. Click on this and you can give all the info Jess needs without have to put it here on the forum :)

Hope the little Chi finds a new family soon :)

Sounds like it might be a good result all round, keep us in the know as to what happens.

will do!

Hi Jess I have mailed you Pam Bungards number, but also I have mailed you the British Chihuahua Club Rescue Co-ordinator for the area you live in. Let me know what happens please. Thanks for your understanding about  the real needs of this wonderful little breed.