Chis vs. Children

The trouble with Chihuahuas is that when it comes to children, they look an awful lot like something to play with. Although they are members of the Toy Group, Chihuahuas are not toys to amuse children. “I’m pretty leery about letting small children around Chihuahuas,” says Sharon Hermosillo of San Jose, Calif., a Chihuahua breeder and former rescue chairperson of the Chihuahua Club of America. “I have three grandchildren, but I knew I had to teach them how to handle the dogs, not train the dogs how to handle the kids.” Although children, especially older children, can be taught how to handle a small dog without injuring her or risking a nip, some children simply don’t have the patience. A toddler who is too young to control his or her behavior should never be trusted around a Chihuahua, and very highenergy kids may make a Chihuahua nervous, especially if your dog hasn’t been exposed to children. “I always keep a cautious eye on my Chihuahuas around children,” says Chi owner Nancy Robbins of Suwanee, Ga. “My Chihuahuas tend to be nervous out in public, and they aren’t used to children around the house, where they are most comfortable, except for my two daughters.” Even when she was younger, Robbins’ 8-year-old daughter sometimes pushed her Chis to the limit. “When she pushed them too far, they would snap at her,” Robbins explains. “They hadn’t been around younger children and didn’t like it when kids ran or got loud around them.” Of course, some Chis do very well around children, but much depends on the individual personality of your dog and, once again, whether she is exposed to children at a young age. “In my opinion, when it comes to Chihuahuas and children, there should always be close supervision,” Robbins says. If your family has small children, you may be better off waiting until they are older to bring home a Chihuahua. If you already own a Chihuahua when you have children, careful supervision is key at all times. Remember, Chihuahuas thrive on being the center of attention, so when a new baby joins the family, your Chi will need a lot of extra attention, support and love, so she will know you’ve got more than enough love for all the little creatures in your family