What can I do to get a toy breed?

[Jess. Toy Breeds Are Best]

I'd really like to get a toy breed of dog, people might disagree with this but I love them REALLY small (obiously unless it is due to ill health or some sort of disability that is uncomfertable for the dog).
Obously me being only 15 i'm not earning enough money to buy a chihuahua pup (Sorry if it is spelt wrong) or a toy poodle and with all the rescue dog needing homes i think that would be alot better.
First of all I would really like to know if anyone can tell me if there are any chihuahua resuce centres anywhere around where i live (Linconlshire).
Also if i connot find a chihuahua what other small breeds can anyone recomend?
Jess xx
:)

[Jake2006]

Jess, first of all I'd like to say that its good that you are thinking out getting a dog. There is a poodle rescue in Lincolnshire - is called Poodles in Need. I'm sorry I lost the address but if you search the net you'll find the details.

You need to think about what will happen if you go away from home to university or college - who would look after your dog? Also you might want to think about how you are going to pay for insurance. Unless you've got some savings or your parents can help you out who will pay if you dog is ill or has an accident. I've just paid over £600 for a sprain to Jake's wrist (that included medication and Xrays.

So after all that, good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[vinya12]

I have a chihuahua. he was the first small dog I have ever had. I only used to have big dogs. it was a bit of an eye opener. he is very head strong and barks more than he breaths lol. he hates other dogs and I cant let him off the lead. yes he is cute and a mommys boy. but hard work for such a little dog. small dogs can be head work. and they don't know how small they are . mine will take on any dog the bigger the better in his eyes. I worry he will get hurt one day.
its something to think about. all my bigger dogs were easy compared to my chi. but I do love him to bits and would never be with out him. he's my little baby

[Melamaphine]

Be careful not to get one of the super-tiny ones, avoid anything called 'pocket' or 'teacup' or extra tiny. Chis are small enough already, to get the 'teacup' ones, irresponsible breeders breed the smallest, weakest examples of the breed together. A lot die, more than make it to market. You may also end up with an unhealthy dog with organ problems, skeletal problems as well as the added risk of temperament issues.

Good breeders only breed the strongest, healthiest and best tempered examples to further the breed, bad ones only care about money.

By all means get a small dog, just don't fall into the trap that a lot of people fall into. You don't need the financial burden of an unhealthy dog. Plus, watch out for temperament problems, many small dogs are among the nastiest as people don't seem to teach proper bite inhibition.

My family have had mini dachshunds for years, I've got a real soft spot for them. They're cute but feisty, they need exercise and stimulation, and proper discipline but IMO you couldn't ask for a funnier, more rewarding small dog.

[vinya12]

When I got my chi who is jack russel size, a friend had got a, so called tea cup one. and she was heart broken when she came home one day to find it dead. it had sufacated down the back of the sofa. it was so small it could not get out. it was very sad but made me glad I had a bigger pup who was to big to get stuck.,

[Melamaphine]

Vinya that is such a sad story. I don't understand the obsession with breeding these super tiny dogs, surely a normal chi is small enough? When my gran's current dachies were puppies, we were constantly aware that we had to be really careful with them around the house, they were so tiny when they came home. I can't imagine them being that small all the time.

I blame Paris Hilton!

[vinya12]

Jess, have you thought about a Papillon? they dont breed them to small yet they are very small dogs, they make good pets and are good show dogs
see link
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.papillondog.net/smallassets/Dancer.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.papillondog.net/papillonlegendpapillons.html&h=427&w=570&sz=57&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=Ce9QyRyqTUEJzM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpapillon%2Bdog%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26c lient%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26hs%3DoTu%26sa%3DX

[Jess. Toy Breeds Are Best]

Thanks for the reply !
My aunty Used to have one of them called barney, unfortunatly he was playing in one of her feilds and jumped up to catch a ball and broke his neck and died on the way to the vets :( I was soooo upset he was a lovely little dog.
I was considering one of these. Maby I could get a Barney 2

[Jess. Toy Breeds Are Best]

Oh and to evey one else thank you for all the replys and advice !!
Luckily (to the question who will look after the dog if i go away) I have alot sort of doggy conncetions my boss shows them, also my mum and grandparents are around i do have two other dogs who of which for short time holidays go in a very good kennels near to where we live, my aunty also has kennels on her yard and she would be happy to take care of one for my (she also loves toy breeds having Barney and she used to have a toy poodle.
Also I have had quite abit of experience with smaller dogs, we used to have westies and i have a terrier cross. (I know Chi's are still alot smaller)
I do agree that dogs that are claimed to be teacup size are aload of rubbish !! Poor little things ! It can't be easy for the poor little dog at all !! I will make sure taht what i choose will be healthy and completely vet checked (as i am going to look for one from a shelter).
Thanks again Jess
xx

[vinya12]

yes it would be good to get a breed that you already have some experienced with.and your aunty can help you .
Barney 2 sounds good

[Jess. Toy Breeds Are Best]

Lol thanks :) He was soo lovely !!