I was wondering what other Chi owners have found with others attitudes to them? My dog is a Chi x but you wouldn't know by looking. She;s 1/4 JRT 3/4 chi. I walk her every day in the park. She doesn't get carried, doesn't wear 'bling' and only wears a subtle jumper if its really cold. I'm asking because the amount of comments I've been given is outstanding. Ranging from comments such as 'I'll have to eat my words - but I didn't realise chihuahua's could be trained like that', 'you've really changed my opinion on chi's, I feel really bad about what I thought before'. To the down right rude 'they're not real dogs- you've got a fashion accessory'. 'you know what they call them in France ..... lickers' . Any similar experiences out there?
I've only been out to see a few - but it has ranged from the extreme - the dog never leaves the house or garden on 4 legs, when I entered the house the Chi ruled it..... However - I am going out to see one at the weekend who is dog aggressive....she walks it on the beach off the lead every day and it has now decided it is going to take on the other dogs it sees.....will tell you more once I have seen it - but sounds very much as if it is treated as a 'normal' dog.
I must admit, I've never been a great admirer of toy dogs, but a couple of years ago I stewarded for Peter Jolley at an Open Show and he had an enormous entry of Chi's. Just watching him and chatting to him about his placings, I learnt a great deal about the breed and was really impressed by the character and attitude of the dogs. I wouldn't particularly want to own a Chi, but I definitely look at them very differently now. Mick
I don't see Chis very often at all, infact I can't remember the last one I saw in the flesh. Unfortunately I think they are a misunderstood breed, thanks to people like Paris Hilton et al, carrying them around in their handbags, putting clothes on them etc. I was just reading in this month's Your Dog magazine about a group of Chi owners who all meet up in Greenwich Park in London to walk their dogs together, discuss breed problems, misconceptions of the breed etc. I can post up the website details for this group if you are interested?
I get varying comments regarding my Chi babes, from "RATS" (yes also the "that's not a real dog") to "OMG I must have one, didn't realise they were so lovely." The good comments far outweigh the bad. It is usually men in their 20s I've noticed, that have a bad attitude to them. Younger men seem to love them (or is that because my teenage Daughter walks them with me ) and older men seem to love them. It's very strange! As regards my Chis' character, it varies in every one of them. Tiani is confident and outgoing but a Princess through and through. Rarely walks anywhere but loves people. Often gets petted by children (sometimes disabled) when out, as I can absolutely count on her to put up with allsorts. She hates the rain and has a peepad under a garden table, as she will hold her wee until fit to burst, if it meant she had to get rained on. Pebbles is terrified of other dogs. Has been attacked by several dogs and now barks at unknown dogs. However, when faced with them, she is submissive, so can't say she is dog aggressive, but does get loud. I think she's kinda saying keep away from me or I'll bite, but has no intention, she's just faking Couldn't care less about rain, snow or anything else. She's as mad as a hatter and is still like a puppy! Bambi is very shy. She's a lovely dog. Very clever (we call her Houdogi) as she can get out of anywhere you put her, if she sets her mind to it (usually to get to me). Very sweet and once she gets to know people, she is their fave (well shared with Pebbles really). She's very pretty and is pretty much perfect. Loves to walk, likes the rain and snow. Krystal. Another Princess (has very similar breeding to Tiani). Has been a fantastic Mother to her two pups (Frankie and Phoebe). Loves people but can be nervous in crowds. People tend to lunge at her and go gooey over her (don't know if it's because she is white:? ) but she is wary of strangers (in no way aggressive but does the well-known Chi shivering) but fine once she knows no harm is meant. Bailey. Typical boy. All he can think about is food and the girls (if they are in season). So long as he's fed and got someone to love him, he's happy. He loves the snow and rain and enjoys a walk and really enjoys rolling in bird poo given half a chance . His only problem is he makes a funny squeaky noise when walking (I think it's excitement) but it's embarrassing as he sounds like a girl! Fluffles is just the most beautiful (choc longcoat) girl ever. She is extremely well behaved, doesn't bark or yap, is loving and sweet and also knows when to go in her bed out of the way. She's perfect! She loves all people and dogs. She's a hippy through and through - peace and all that! Always waits until all of the others have finished eating to have her share, even if I try to encourage her to eat before the other piggies hog it all Frankie and Phoebe are still very young (11 weeks) but they are already showing signs that Frankie is a bundle of fun, ready for a roll around and a lark. Phoebe is her Mum again in every way. A little Princess who doesn't like the cold or wet and wants to be sat on my lap every waking hour. They all wear bling collars and harnesses and pretty/cute coats/jumpers/tees when needed for warmth. So really, I think I'm saying here, that they are all different in many ways and it depends who I have out with me as to what comments I get really. The smaller ones tend to get the rat comments. People are usually pretty gobsmacked by Fluffs (choc l/c) as most people have not seen the colour in a Chi before, so she does attract a lot of positive attention. Sorry to ramble on but if the subject gets to Chi, you have to plaster my mouth shut to stop me going on
Not a dog I own but I have no ill thoughts about them....however the owners who do not allow them to behave like dogs and treat them like accessories make me angry! The ones who giggle and think its cute when their little 'princess' goes into a frenzy trying to get at your dog because its never been socialised are the worst!
I can totally see your point but you might think that my Pebbles would be aggressive, as she does bark at dogs (all mouth and no bite). It has only been since she was attacked though. She has been bitten several times, sadly.
We had one when I was growing up, my lasting memories are of being chased round the table and having to jump up on a chair to escape him He was a dominant little man who would have done anything for my mum.
One of the senior members of the dog training club's chi (when Maddy was a pup) was actually the demo dog. A shortcoated black and tan. A lot of people were very impressed, he did it all, agility the works.
My boy isnt a chi...and he wears a bling collar and hes got a doggy leather jacket...that says bitch magnet! I think there nice dogs...I prefer big dogs and always have done, but my boy plays with 2 chiz now and a again on walks there great, they roll round with him and everything. I was abit scared he might roll on one and hurt them when we first met, but the owner said to me there all dogs an they have been brought up with big dogs all there lifes. She treats the a such..dogs! I think its when some people dont treat them like dogs, but like toys and they are always carried and have never got the chance to mix with other dog and be dogs, I think that is the problem. But its not the dogs fault its the moron owners!
The only ones I`ve met are the 2 in our local park who just run about like all the other dogs and are very sociable. They seem very happy. The owner doesn`t wear bling BTW!
I only have problems with those who think they are Pits and the owners think it funny for their 6" of furious dog to be attacking yours who has just sat because you told it too.
My childhood dogs were a chi and a poodle, so I love them. I had a chi bitch who was lovely. I do have problems, not just with chi's, but with any small dog that gets to rule the roost and bully other dogs when out, esp if people think it is ok or funny just because they are small. When I worked at the vets the most vicious dog we ever had in a was a chi. Boy was he trouble..... and spoiled rotten to boot.
no way? thats terrible. Owners need a slap. I - if my cards are on the table am a big dog person. I have enjoyed (and will continue to do so) owning a chi. Its been an eye opener. I had never encountered such K9 politics. I would never pass judgment on another persons dog just because its appearance didn't please me. Thanks for the comments.
I like any well behaived dog, who acts like a dog and is treated like a dog Unfort a lot of small dogs have agression issues because the owners dont bother trying to fix things as it is just a small dog That being said I love some of the feisty spirit in the wee dogs who seem to have no idea just how tiny they are Just so long as they can enjoy life as any dog should be able to and they are not just there to go with the outfit then I will respect any dog
I too like the feisty attitude of the Chi but feel that as with any terrier you teach it when young to control that desire to attach anything on 4 legs and sometimes 2. I know nothing of the Chi background but would not be surprised if at heart they are terriers.
Not all Chis are feisty though. I have a couple that are so laid back, they are almost falling over! A couple of real feisty creatures and the others somewhere inbetween. I think it's like every breed really, they can all have very different characters. I will say though, I really think Chis don't do 'size.' Mine are not frightened by any dogs, no matter what the size (well apart from Pebbs who is scared of any dog because of her unfortunate experiences). I'm not at all sure that they realise they are a toy breed
I dont own a chi, but i own a pom. People still give out comments on all toy breeds. My lad doesn't get carried around, he walks like the leo's, i don't dress him up or bling him out so to speak. He has a waterproof dog coat for the really bad weather, as he still goes out rain or shine with the leo's. He isn't scared of anything although i think this is partly growing up and living with the leo's which has influenced him. He would tell a strange dog to back off if needed a lot quicker than either of my leo's. So all in all i think alot of people hold the wrong impression of the toy breeds, not all of us treat them like babies he gets treated the same as our leo's and always will. So i think it is partly down to who owns them and partly down to others impressions of the smaller breeds.
Have to say mine are all babied as are my kids but they have manners too and to me that is what's important. A couple of them are the "princess" type and I let them be that way, so long as there is no aggression in them and they do as they are told. I'm quite happy to carry them on occasion when out, so long as they get their walks and all that on other days. So many people have a problem with little dogs dressing up too. I can't see a problem - really I can't. I'm not talking about cheerleader costumes and wedding outfits but pretty coats and tees/jumpers and nice colourful harnesses/collars. Why is this so abhorant to some people? Live and let live I say. I don't get all judgmental when I see a Staffie with a chunky leather harness with metal spikes all round it. Why do some people get all uppity if you put a pink jumper on your Chi?:? Each to their own, I suppose
It is each to their own, personally i don't see the need to put any clothing on a dog what ever it's size. Or big chunky harness on a staffie etc. I simply prefere my dogs to be more as nature intended them without the extra items you can purchase. The only time any clothing would be put on any of my dogs if it was to assist in stopping them getting to a wound etc.
