Pros/Cons of owning a tiny dog

[Spacemom]

We have an oppurtunity to get a very small dog. It's a chiuaua/dachshund mix and weighs less than 2 pounds fully grown. I've never owned a dog this small before and was wondering if anyone has any tips or pointers. I haven't decided if we're getting it yet.

[Wcross]

1. Save the little guy!

If he is in the shelter waiting on death row SAVE HIM! He will eat less, he won't be able to tip over your garbage can, you can dress him in silly outfits and he won't mind!
The only drawback is you might step on him if he takes to sleeping in high traffic areas.

All in all I see no reason to pass up a small dog. A dog is a dog.

[Spacemom]

8. She's not in a shelter

She belongs to a friend of the family who is now unable to keep her.

I'm already imagining the little sweaters. :D

[flvegan]

2. A mixed toybreed will likely be healthier

in that many, many of the toy breeds have undergone horrible breeding practices and their potential for health issues has been exacerbated by that.

[Spacemom]

9. She is a mix

Which I'm glad of. I know the purebreds have health problems. Also, I hope the dachshund will tame down some of the chiuaua. :D

[zonkers]

3. Small dogs are great. I have one now. She is 15. None of my big dogs ever lived

this long without medical problems. And she has as much heart and intelligence as any dog I have owned. Good thing about little dogs -- they travel easy. Funny thing about little dogs, they seem to need walks/exercise even more than big ones. Good luck.

[Spacemom]

10. We rarely ever go anywhere

But she would definately be easy to tote around. :D

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. If you get it, get used to this mantra:

"Look before you sit down."

:evilgrin:

[Spacemom]

11. That's something we'd have to remember!

If the little girl could even make it up onto the couch without assistance. :D

[philosophie_en_rose]

5. Save him!

2 pounds is a small, small dog. I have three tiny yorkies, but they're about four times the size of the puppy.

My advice is to give him a calm life. Get him a crate and leave the door open, so that he has a place to stay.

Walk lightly and look carefully before walking or sitting.

Never, never, never let little kids play with him - for his safety.

[Spacemom]

12. A crate is a great idea

I would definately want her to feel safe. She's so tiny, you just want to protect her completely.

[auburngrad82]

6. Con- A mouse could kick his ass

I have six dogs, all between 45 and 85 pounds. No mouse can kick their asses. My problem is how to afford to feed the oversized pigs.

[Spacemom]

13. Point taken

<note to self> Keep vicious mice away from the dog. :D

[Nikia]

7. I know a few people with tiny dogs who won't go outside in the winter

I don't know if these dogs are just hesitant and their owners let them get away with it or if they actually would freeze to death if they spent more than a couple minutes outside in the snow and cold.

[Spacemom]

14. I don't think it would be a problem

It rarely gets "that" cold in Central Texas, and the tinkles and poops are so small, it's really nothing to clean it up if there is an accident. :D

[China_cat]

20. There are litter boxes for small dogs

just like for cats.

http://dog-litter-box.dogs-central.com/

[NMDemDist2]

15. i miss my little dog. I'll never have another large or even medium dog

when this pack thins out.

little dogs need help to get on the bed (we built a ramp for ours hehehe) they will be easier to step on but learn fast to stay out of the way

i did buy sweaters for my little dog when we visited the snow. the one you are thinking of won't find anything 'off the rack' you'll have to tailor it down for that small a pup

i had to buy all her collars and such in the cat aisle, all the doggie stuff was too big. we took our girl with us everywhere, all you'd see was ears and bright eyes peeking out of hubby's coat. she rode in my purse well too, she'd just hang out and watch the world go by

here's my little girl, we miss her still very much (she's a chihuahua/yorkie mix)



edit to add, if you live in a rural area they will be possible prey for hawks, coyotes and foxes so if you have that sort of wildlife around, you'll want to keep a close eye on her

[geardaddy]

16. We have a chihuahua/pug mix.

She's fantastic. I didn't like small dogs before we got her, but she is just wonderful.

[DS1]

17. You can step on it.

That goes in both categories

[sakabatou]

30. LMAO

You took mine!

[texas1928]

18. When they need to go outside and take care of business...

You can just hold them out the window and squeeze.

[Wcross]

19. LOL!!!!!!!!!

Imagine how easy it would be on road trips! No need to stop to "walk" the dog, just hold him out the window! (just be sure his face is pointed into the breeze!)

[texas1928]

21. Yep the faster you go, the faster they go.

Creates a wind tunnel effect, and just blows it right out of them.

[Orsino]

22. A tiny dog is a little like a baby...

...even more so than a larger breed would be. When you go out into the big, wide world, the tiny dog depends on you for physical protection, rather than providing it. My little one is eternally a puppy, though she's 13 years old.

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. Put a bell on her collar, too avoid stepping on her. I had to do that with my yorkie

That way they can be heard, if not always seen.

[Javaman]

24. smaller poop. nt

[Deep13]

25. As someone who is not a dog person I have to say:

PROS: Since any dog is a pain in the ass, the smallest quantity of dog is the least pain.
CONS: It is still more than no dog. Also, small dogs live the longest.

[tandot]

26. my chug (chihuahua/pug mix) is 9 pounds and I've tripped over him

him several times. I didn't laugh when it happened to Paula Abdul...I know how fast that sh*t can happen.

Also, as soon as I get up from the couch to get something, he'll immediately lay down exactly at the same spot I was sitting at. I always have to check before I sit back down.

Chihuahuas also love to sleep under blankets and might be hard to spot.

Another thing they usually do is overestimating their size. Mine has no fear of bigger dogs and goes straight to them, ready to show him/her that he is the Alpha male. He doesn't bark, bite, or fight but has that overconfident strut.

If the dog really gets only 2 pounds, you have to be extra careful.

[Xithras]

27. I've been bit by 3 dogs in my life. All chihuahuas.

Horid, horrid little things. I won't even get into the yap, yap, yap, yap, yapping all day long. Argh.

I own a lab, and I'm happy with her. I don't think she's ever even barked at anyone in anger, and her most threatening moves all involve licking you until you collapse in a giggling fit. Little yip, yappy territorial rat-dogs just suck. Hey, you asked, so no getting mad at my cons.

You want a pro? Hmm...well, I'll echo one someone else posted. Small poop.

[tandot]

28. They probably sensed that you hate them.

We have lots of small dogs in the neighborhood and I never had problems with any of them.

My chihuahua/pug mix doesn't bark, bite, or fight.

Problem dogs are often the result of owners who do not train them or take care of them.

[seemunkee]

29. 2 lbs?

That is tiny. We have a below standard italian greyhound and she is 7 lbs. We also have an above standard IG at 17 lbs. The little one has to watch out for the big one because he is such a klutz and will land on her when he is jumping at us.
We love our little girl and would rather have gotten another small dog but the big guy needed a home.

[SmokingJacket]

31. Con = Yappy, annoying bark.

Con = won't attack intruders.

Pro = fits in purse.