Thinking of getting a 2nd chihuahua

Question
I have a female chihuahua that is almost 7 months old, we would really like to get another one, i have found a little boy who is 8 weeks old that we all like but im worried about having a girl and a boy. Will the little boy try to mate with the older girl? (i mean right away) and if so do i keep my female away from him when she is in heat ect? and is their any other problems you know of about having a 7mo old girl and then getting a younger boy? our dog is very nice, great with my little girl and i would love another one but am worried.

Answer
Hi Stephanie!

I've been sent four questions this week concerning female Chihuahuas that became pregnant "by accident".  You're smart to be asking these questions and researching before getting a new Chi pup!

First off, an 8 week old Chi pup isn't old enough to be sexually mature and mate.  Sometimes you may see a display of what looks like mating behavior with stuffed animals or other dogs, but that's a display of dominance and not mating.

Having said that, 8 weeks turns into 16 weeks and then 20 weeks VERY fast.  It's possible that a male Chihuahua could be sexually mature to mate as young as five months old.  It really varies with each dog.  Personally, I would never bring in a new dog without my other dogs being spayed or neutered.  I'm wondering why you're waiting to spay your 7 month old female?  She could go into heat at any time and she's not going to be too happy with having a male pup around when she does and you're not going to be too happy with how she conducts herself when in heat around that pup. For every heat she has, you increase the chance of her developing mammary cancer substantially, so that's something to think about, too.

I personally prefer having a male and a female dog.  I have two males and a female and it's just the perfect combination as they all get along so well and there's no rivalry.  Every time I added a new Chi, the ones already living with me were neutered and spayed and the transition was really easy.  Sometimes, two females can become competitive for attention and even fight.  That's not written in stone, but it happens. Some of the worst stories I've heard had to do with breeders or people who had too many Chihuahuas and the females would fight horribly.

One thing that crossed my mind when you said how well your little Chi does with your daughter is how you would handle it if the new Chi didn't do as well with your daughter?  It has been my experience that the Chi that does well with small children is the exception. I've had many new Chi owners on a Yahoo group I run argue that they've heard that ALL Chis are great with kids who then come to the group looking for someone to take their 12 - 16 week old pup because it bit their child.  It's something to consider.  

I think you're very smart to be worried and wish more people were like you and checked things out before making a final decision.  I think you're a good role model for your daughter.  So, in summary, no the new pup will not mate with your 7 mo. old Chi right away, but I think that the adjustment would be better made if she were spayed and you'd be avoiding any potential "accidents" or the potential for mammary cancer.  Look at costs, too.  Don't go cheap when spaying your female or neutering your male.  You should use a gas anesthesia for safety and I always have blood work done prior to a spay or neuter surgery just to make sure that there are no congenital liver problems (common with this breed) or other serious medical problems that would make surgery difficult.  You'll have shots to do on the male puppy and then there are the unforeseen problems that we all have to be prepared for.  There's lots to consider.  If you do decide to get the male pup, see if the breeder will hold off until 12 weeks as an older puppy is better adjusted and socialized with his littermates and characteristically exhibits fewer behavior or training problems.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jo Ann