Alpha!

[Bogertophis]

Yes, adopting is a roll of the dice but even if you buy from a breeder (which I'd personally never do, with all the dogs that need homes) there's no guarantee- & with purebreds, you can have more genetic predisposition to certain health problems, so it's a trade off.

Both of my dogs were owner turn-ins & both apparently knew loving owners that had little money- as both came with no health records & bad teeth. Fortunately, neither was heartworm positive.

I've had Misty since the beginning of 2023, & she's a senior Chihuahua (based only on teeth, they estimated she was 12 when I got her, so she's over 14 years now) but not one of the tiny ones- she's a nice size (12.5 lbs), very smart, sweet & very well-behaved...the easiest dog I've ever lived with. Actually her original owners passed away, & it was an interim "iffy" owner that took her to the shelter, & I'm so glad they did. The typical Chi stereotypes don't apply- she's not nippy, neurotic or noisy- she only barks when someone comes to my house, & then she thinks she's a Doberman. There's really nothing to "correct" & I couldn't have found a more perfect canine companion for me. I do love the big dogs, & I had some years ago, but now the smaller ones are much more suited to my needs.

Buttercup is the dog I just adopted, & she's a slim 11 lbs right now- she needs to gain a lb. or 2. The shelter called her a Chihuahua but I'm pretty sure she's a Chi-Pin, with her appearance being mostly Min-Pin. (I had a 20 lb. Min-Pin mix male for many years, & for the first couple years when I adopted Misty- they were great buddies, but he passed at 17.5 yrs. last summer.) Buttercup has a little separation anxiety right now (can't blame her) but that's manageable (Buster -the Min Pin male- had it bad, until I cured him after some time.) but she's otherwise sweet & very affectionate- also mellow & seems to get along just fine with Misty.

I have a vet apptmt this week for Buttercup- I'm anxious to see how old my vet thinks she is- the shelter put her as a 13 year old senior, but I think she's WAY younger than that, maybe 7 or 8? But without owner health records, they only guess based on teeth, & hers were awful, so? Either way, I didn't want a young dog to pair with my senior Misty. Her guessed age of 13 didn't deter me at all from adopting her- she just seemed like the right dog. And small, but not too small or delicate- I'm not a fan of "tea-cups"- except for drinking tea.

Your dog is much more of a challenge than either of mine are, & I suspect you knew that going in when you named her? Both of my dogs love to eat, they're not fussy, & picky-eaters are a pain! Much easier training, as you said, with tiny food treats for correct behavior. Done correctly, being a pet-parent is much like being the parent of human kids, setting & keeping some boundaries, while showing them love. And it does take time for their personality & all the clues to their past to show up- 3 months or so is typical in the "3-3-3" formula for rescues. (days-weeks-months)

I only brought Buttercup home on Wed. afternoon, so it's been not quite 4 days yet to have her here, but it helps having my other dog Misty to 'show her the ropes'. And it turns out she's housebroken, knows her name, comes when called, doesn't try to escape out the door when I go out (not that I ever let down my guard!), accepts being crated, & sleeps thru the night pretty well (in my bedroom, which is where I want them). She has decent manners, a great appetite (she needs to gain some), & she loves being brushed or petted, & shows affection without being too slobbery, just like my other dog does. They're both cute too- so I already know that Buttercup's a keeper.