Hi all,
Yesterday we found a stray male chihuahua on our property. Actually, our dogs found him, and I rescued the poor guy. My first reaction was surprise, because I had to pull our 17-year-old, dog-aggressive ACD and 100 pound "playful" rott/husky off of him and pick him up, and he didn't so much as growl at me. I've worked around many breeds of dogs for many years, and I have to say that I have never found chihuahuas my kind of dog (sorry 'bout that...you can go ahead and throw stuff at me 
). I've always liked herding dogs and "true" terriers (jack russels, dandies, etc.) that still have the real terrier instinct and personality, with sight hounds a pretty close second.
In general, I've found chihuahuas to be more nervous than I like, and most of the ones I've encountered have been fear biters and at least a little agressive. They also tend to be very...er..."vocal"...if you know what I mean.
Now, maybe this is just happening in my area, because chihuahuas are extremely popular, and sometimes I wonder if every street has at least one litter for sale, but the ones I'm seeing today are even worse. Most have horrible structure and even worse temperaments.
This guy, though....he's everything I'd expect a ratter to be. He has never growled or bitten, even when terrified or chased by our 3-year-old. He's not sure about her, but he's not really afraid, either, and loves to play tug-of-war and fetch with her. He's extremely intelligent, and is eager to please. He's afraid of men, and I'm guessing that being on his own for awhile has maybe done that...I'm sure he's been chased, and he is very fearful of thrown objects (other than balls and stuffed toys ), long sticks, and fast, agressive movement. He is extremely loyal to me, though, and will not leave my side. I've been joking that I feel like I've got a hamster under my feet .
I would have to say that he is pretty much a cross between a jack russel and my ACD, minus her dog-aggressiveness. I hate to admit it, but I really like him . He isn't just a lap dog...he actually seems to have the ability to be useful, and even if my dogs are really just couch potatoes, that trait is very important to me. He even has warmed up to our rottie/husky, and tries to initiate play, even though the big dog is WAY too rough and I have to break it up. At least everyone knows to have manners in the house, and we've come to kind of a truce, especially with the old lady of the house...I think she's afraid he's there to take her place, and has been sulking. He's learned to just avoid her whenever possible, and look submissive when she walks by. That suits her fine.
He also is built very much like what I would expect a chihuahua to be built like...fine-boned, muscular, large round head, large eyes, but not buggy, strong, slightly long body compared to his legs. Though he is fine-boned, he is very sturdy. His coat is short and thick, and soft but not overly fine (I don't know if that is standard or not, but it certainly seems like a coat more suited to running through brush, hay, and dark, damp areas to catch vermin. I'd say he weighs in at 4-5 lbs, max, and is about 7 inches at the shoulder? I couldn't say this for sure...I'm guessing here at work. His head is about the size of a medium sized orange, and is a bit wider than his body. I'd say he's about 1/2 the size of our neighbors JR, and a quarter the size of my ACD, who is at the small end of the standard.
I'm just wondering...is this what chihuahuas are supposed to be like? How hard is it to find a decently put-together, smart, gentle, yet active dog who can be trusted with kids, and won't try to attack the neighbors for no reason (if it doesn't pee itself in fear at the sight of a stranger)? If only all chihuahuas were like him....I'm trying to talk hubby into keeping him for our daughter if we can't find his owners (we know he's been wandering the neighborhood for at least 2-3 weeks, but at one time must have had an owner...he came complete with a hoodie sweatshirt - in 80 degree heat - and a basic knowledge of obedience commands. If he was abandoned, the people who did it were idiots (in more ways than one), and if he is lost, I'm sure he is very very missed. This is one heck of a nice little dog.
I'm the first to admit that I have very specific likes when it comes to a dog I would own. I love all dogs for what they are, but some things I just would prefer not to have...just like anyone. And I also admit that my tastes are very different than many, so don't think I'm bashing the breed...I've always just thought they weren't for me, from what I have experienced both from afar and one-on-one with many individual dogs. I'm sure that many of you can't stand ACD's, border collies, and other working dogs that will tear up the house if you don't give them something to think about, or the nippiness and herding instinct or natural animal-aggressiveness and independence of an ACD. Just a difference in taste. This is what I always thought a chihuahua, considering his heritage, should be. If I could find more like him, I might just have to change my mind about them . He's just a plain old good DOG, regardless of breed, size, etc.
So, I guess after that long-winded post, my question is this: Is this really the type of dog that serious chihuahua breeders strive for? How close does he sound to an "ideal" temperament? I'm not trying to get talked into switching to chihuahuas...be honest. Obviously, you guys have found your breed...you love them, good traits and bad, just like I love "my" breeds. I'm just truly curious at this point as to whether this guy is an anomoly, or if I should consider one of these dogs in the future.
And please, I'm not trying to bash the breed, either. I'm just relating my experiences with chihuahuas, and why I haven't really cared to own one in the past.
Thanks,
Michelle
