I am in the market to buy a Chihuahua. Any particular advice you could give?

I am in Perth, Western Australia. Just incase anyone in this region happens to have one for sale. Otherwise advice on average price or temperament of dog would be appreciated.I am in the market to buy a Chihuahua. Any particular advice you could give?
When searching for a puppy on-line, make sure you get lots of pictures. I am a breeder myself,


( http://RGVpups.spaces.live.com ) but i get lots of people from all over the world copying my pictures, and scamming people! from this website in particular:


http://www.epupz.co.uk/


the user with this email: chihuahuabitches2000@yahoo.co.uk


is scamming people LEFT AND RIGHT! I found out that he was copying my pictures, and i decided I would write to him pretending I was interested in a puppy.. As soon as I told him I was very interested in buying a chihuahua, but first I wanted to see more pictures, guess what he emailed me back??





';Send me a digital camera for that.I am not forcing you to have her ok.


Bill';





Lesson Learned.... Always ask for more pictures, and make sure to have something like a stick of gum, or a pen in the picture, so you can know that this person is not just some scammer that wants to take all your money! And in return you get no puppy :(I am in the market to buy a Chihuahua. Any particular advice you could give?
They are very agressive and protective - a high percent become ankle-biters or finger nippers - definatly NOT recommend for homes with small children. Some are difficult to housebreak and you have the frequest 'chocolate-cheetoes'.
NEVER buy on-line OR from a petstore!!





ONLY DIRECTLY from a REPUTABLE BREEDER!!





DON'T fall the ';teacup'; CRAP!!
Buy a real dog not a rug rat
they are only good for mopping the floors with stick a broom handle up its *** lol
I would advise going to a bookstore or library and reading ';Chihuahuas for Dummies.'; It's a wonderful book that will answer a lot of your questions. You can also check AKC.org under Breeds to find out more on Chihuahuas. Also, there are several ';Yahoo Groups'; Chihuahua groups with knowledgable people who can answer questions, and you can share info and photos. I live in the southeastern United States, and most Chihuahuas around here go for $150-$350. Try not to buy from a pet store if at all possible (sometimes a lot of their dogs come from puppy mills), instead try to find one that has been home raised and pad trained, and will offer a health guarantee. They should be at least 8-10 weeks old before leaving their mother, but some unscrupulous people like to sell them too soon. They are wonderful little dogs with great personalities, I wouldn't take anything for mine. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion and personality. Their alertness, intelligence and size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments, and they often live fifteen years or more. While Chihuahuas are often thought of as high-strung and fragile, correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal.





Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size and physical fragility. However, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. However, this can be mitigated by thorough socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a ';clannish'; nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs. On the other hand, Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size, and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury.





Many Chihuahuas are sensitive to the cold due to their small body size. Chihuahua owners often dress their dogs in sweaters or coats in cold weather.
If they were treated right then they are good dogs. My mom had one that we got from a good friend and she was well trained. She would follow us without a leash and she was a friendly dog. It depends where you buy the dog at and how the person is asking for the dog.
I actually own a chihuahua and she was free. The owner had been out of town and couldn't keep the male from the female and she ended up getting pregnant so she just gave the puppies away to get rid of them.





Chihuahua's are very protective though. When I got mine (she was 2 months) I lived in a house with 4 people, and she hated everyone in the house except me. She still to this day will not have anything to do with anyone except for me. They're very small, and sometimes have ';big-dog syndrome'; thinking that they are bigger than they really are. But they get scared really easily, and when small dogs get scared they do one of two things, hide, or bite. Make sure that you don't have small children around if you are looking to get a chihuahua. And also get it when it's small so that it knows nothing except the environment that it is in when you get it.





You have to train them to be social though. They are not naturally social animals. I have four dogs, the female chihuahua, 2 female boxer/lab mixes, and a male border collie and she loves them all to death. They all get along well, and play well to gether, but even though she's the second youngest, and the smallest, she rules them all. They all listen to her because they know she'll bite them in the butt if they don't! haha. They make excellent pets though. Just take them to training and they should be fine!
take the dog to an attiude class
try to find out where your nearest chihuahua club is, and they will tell you when their next show is. if you can go along to that, you can see for yourself whats involved and there wiil be no shortage of advice from friendly dog handlers!! you'll have fun too!!. they will be delighted to answer all your questions.... hope i've helped.. bye.......... and listen to GitEmGang he's right. !!
My wife and I have had the little dogs for over 35 years ( not the same one )and we love them. Each one of them is different.I had 8 stiches in my lip from a 3 lbs. chihuahua at the hospital they had a field day it had to be reported to the sheriffs office,and I just happen to know the officer that came to the hospital and he knew the dog.I steal have not lived that one down