Do you think i would be responsible enough to take care of a Chihuahua puppy? It's not long..?

Taking care of any breed of dog is a big responsibility. It sounds like you've done some research, but do you just want any chihuahua puppy or have you looked into breeders? Not every dog is exactly true to their breed, especially if the breeder is not responsible. Some are bred for appearance, some are bred for temperament and some are bred over and over merely to produce puppies with no regard to anything else.

Once that has been resolved, puppies are like babies. They need a lot of care on a constant basis. While you may be willing to clean up after them when accidents occur, they will continue to have accidents in the house unless someone is there to watch after them on a constant basis and get them into a routine. They are not toys you can leave on your bed or on a shelf when you leave home and then play with and try to train as the whim might hit you. As with children, it takes consistency, security, discipline, love and regular health care.

$80 a year is not even going to keep your dog fed. A well-pet check-up at the vet which should be done every year will run you about $100 a year. This includes all tests, updates on vaccinations, etc. Unless you plan on having your dog poo and pee in the house and never take them on a walk, this also includes flea/tick preventative medicine.

Grooming is also an expense. Whether you do it yourself or someone else does it, your dog will need baths, ear cleanings, nails clipped, regular dental care.

The fun part is buying the toys and the bed, but those cost, too.

I'm only telling you these things because I want you to be a responsible pet-owner. Most people don't understand these things and that's why there are so many dogs in shelters and foster homes waiting for adoption.

Last of all, everyone has to be on board with this. Dogs are pack animals. Some get more attached to one person, but only because they see that person as their leader. If your parents are not supportive of this, the dog will take over the whole house and your parents will blame you. Because humans and dogs have developed a mutual relationship with each other over thousands of years, we tend to think of dogs as "fur people." In truth, dogs see us as other dogs and if there is any friction between you and your parents in this regard, the dog will pick up on that. You have to be the alpha dog in your dog's pack.

Having a dog can completely change the dynamic of a family. If the dog is getting mixed signals, its going to be a problem. That's why everyone has to be agreeable to basically adding another member to the family and everyone has to participate.

A big part of being responsible is being able to pay for whatever comes up with your dog. $80 is just a drop in a very large bucket sweetie.

Neutering can cost anywhere from $70 up to several hundred dollars; shots will run you several hundred the first year- puppies require 3 rounds of puppy shots, worming, etc. There are yearly heartworm tests, monthly heartworm preventative, monthly flea preventative... those 2 alone will be at least $30 A MONTH.

Food...treats...toys...a COLLAR (harnesses do nothing to train the dog and encourage pulling... that collars are 'bad for "there" (it's THEIR, sweetie) neck' is RIDICULOUS. I have 2 little Papillons & a Rat Terrier that wear collars & walk nicely on a leash.

What if your little dog gets hurt? Or, like one of my Paps, develops a heart condition? It's common in the smaller breeds. Who pays then? Cricket's heart medicine runs about $25 a month. It would scare you senseless if I wrote out in detail what I spend each and every month on my dogs.

But you know what? I can do it, because I am an adult, working a job, and I don't ask anyone for a dime to provide for my canine family.

If your parents are on board with buying and supporting a puppy, great. You can contribute by doing the daily care, training etc. Just keep in mind that a dog isn't something that can be pushed aside if something more fun comes along. You will have to realize that you won't be able to take part in all the school activities you might like to because the dog needs walked and fed. You won't be able to go to slumber parties because the dog needs walked and fed. In many ways, having a dog is like having a baby that never grows up.

Are you responsible enough for this responsibility for the next 10-15 years?

How old are you? Do you have a job? If you intend to pay for the dog yourself, you will need one, or you will need financial help from your parents.

Dogs can be very expensive. You do not want to get your pet from a pet store (puppy mills), so if you go to a responsible breeder, expect to pay a couple hundred dollars for a puppy. If you get your pet from an animal shelter or rescue, you may pay $50 or more. Spaying/neutering will cost a few hundred dollars; at a low cost spay/neuter clinic it will still be about $60 or $70. Vaccinations: about $50. Pet food will be affordable, as Chi's don't eat much, but you will want to feed your pet good food, so expect to pay about $20 for a 15 lb bag. You could probably get away with a 5 lb bag for a Chi, and it shouldn't cost more than about $8. It should last a while. Then there are incidentals such as toys, obedience training, vet bills for injuries and illness (luxating patella is common in toy breeds, and needs surgery to repair), If you go on vacation and have to board the dog, that will cost.

And that's assuming you have a healthy dog. I had a German Shepherd with numerous health problems, and his medication was about $200 a month. We currently have a dog with thyroid problems, and her medication is about $20 per month (that is real cheap medication for a dog). Our other dog costs about $50 a month in anti-inflammatory medication.

$80 will not even come close to covering the dog's basic food and care supplies for the year, let alone the routine vet bills each year, and unanticipated expenses. And unless your parents are in the habit of handing out $50s left and right for doing your chores (which I doubt since you seem to think $80 is a ton of money), you certainly won't earn enough to care for a dog that way. What will happen when you drop it and it breaks its leg and requires a $3000 surgery to fix it? Or it eats something it shouldn't and has to be taken to the emergency vet? What will happen when you head off to college and your parents don't want a dog?

Unless your parents want a dog and are prepared to pay for its care, don't get one. It would be selfish, and the dog is the one that will suffer. Instead, consider volunteering at your local shelter if you are old enough to do so.

Add: Nothing you have said provides us with any idea whether you are responsible enough to physically care for a dog. The fact that you do not yet grasp the realities of costs and seem to think you can care for an animal with holiday gifts and chore money would tend to indicate that perhaps you are nowhere near that level of maturity. All children say they will care for the dog. That usually lasts less than a month until the novelty wears off, and the parents end up doing most of the care.

You have a good heart and it's in the right place, but you just don't have enough money to start out, by the time you buy the food, clothes, dog bed, harness and leash you'll be broke. Office visits can be $40-60, that's not counting the shots which could be $45-60 more for the 1st round, the follow up shots are extra. Cleaning materials for poop and peeing, paper towels, pee pads. Keep your fingers crossed that your dog stays healthy

Well it sounds like you will be a very responsible Chihuahua owner. Keep reading about the breed, it's one of the best ways to get to know them. Just remember, every dog is different and may not be exactly what you read about. A harness is a good idea for such a small dog, so good job on that. And you seem to know a lot about what they will need as far as shots and getting fixed, good job on that as well. There's just one problem... it is a lot more expensive than you think. At my vet, a routine check up (including all vaccines and tests) is about $100, give or take. This will need to be done once a year. You will also need to get a license for your dog, the pricing on this may differ in your area but I just paid $11 for mine... keep in mind though it was half off for the month of July. It can reach up to $40. Getting your dog fixed is a very good option, and I am very glad to hear that you are considering this. However, it will be one of the most expensive vet bills ranging anywhere from $180 to $300 depending on the vet. You can find cheaper places but please do your research to make sure it's safe. You can find a reasonably priced dog food, do your research on this too and make your own decision, but I feed my Pomeranian Iams Dog Food for Small Breeds. A small-ish bag is about $10-$12 dollars, and a Chihuahua will probably need a new bag every month or two. Or you can spend about $15-$17 dollars on a huge bag and it should last several months. It sounds like you are doing good so far, but you will need to find a way to make more money. If you get a puppy, the first vet bill will likely be about $100 for the first shots and check up. I don't personally know much about this breed but I know they are very fragile... so no rough-housing please! Hope this helps :)

EDIT: Okay... I take back saying that you are responsible. Part of being a responsible pet owner is having the MONEY to CARE for it PROPERLY.

Okay, this chart lays out approximately how much it will cost to have a dog, as taken from the Calgary Humane Society website. It does not include emergency medical care, initial vaccinations, obedience classes, the cost of fencing, dog house or bed.

Minimum Cost Per Year (Approximate)

Food and Treats

12 bags of dog food(18kg) $540.00

2 boxes biscuit treats per month $95.76

8 cans dog food (397g) per month $191.04

4 rawhide chews per month $288.00

Veterinary Care

Yearly visit - exam and vaccinations $120.00

Grooming

Spring bath and brush out $40.00

License

City Of Calgary license fee $28.50

Vacation

2 weeks dog care $140.00

Subtotal

$1,484.30

GST

$74.22

TOTAL

$1558.52

One Time Costs

Spaying (female) and tattoo $250.00

Food and water dishes $8.50

Collar and leash $17.00

Brush and comb $15.00

Toys - balls, frisbees, etc $20.00

Subtotal

$310.50

GST

$15.53

TOTAL

$326.02

So the FINAL total comes out to: $1884.54. You're going to need a LOT more than $80 to cover that, and I'm sure it's going to take you ages to earn enough money by doing chores around the house.

The fact that you didn't even know that a dog would cost more than $80 makes me question your ability to be responsible.

So, in answer, No. You are not responsible enough to take care of a chihuahua.

Um all the things you said you'd pay for adds up to already over 1000 dollars.. with only 80 dollars a year will take forever to earn. I hope you have a lot saved up. But you sound pretty responsible

I stopped reading at "Well I've been asking my parents," (sic). If we are talking about gifts and parents, then you are not responsible enough to care for a dog. Period.

Focus on school, hobbies, and being a kid. Move out, get on your own, get settled in life post college, and then reevaluate where you are and if your lifestyle is conducive to a Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas are mean...Do you have other dogs? :O

If you do... do not get one...Since Chihuahua's are tiny like dachshunds...You prob be best to have a dachshund if you have other dogs....

If you can find a GOOD vet that doesn't cost alot for shots and stuff...Then make a list of what to do on busy days with da dog :3....

EX:

Go feed dog...

Wait a couple of hours....Goto Vet for shots and check up...

Feed her dinner....

TIPS: ALWAYS HAVE FOOD AND FRESH WATER!

Get small chew toys and snacks.