Chippie, LOVE BUG - Chihuahua Dog for Adoption in Toronto, Ontario

Chippie is 4 years old and weighs 6.5 lbs.
Chippie is one of 5 adult chihuahuas and 3 young puppies we rescued from a northern Quebec small town kitchen breeder. The municipality evicted the family from their dilapidated country house so they were forced to part with their dogs in order to move in with a family member. This was not a typical breeding situation as they bred their multiple pets to increase their social assistance income.
The dogs were family pets, allowed to sleep in bed, and roam freely in the house. They are all well socialized and do not behave like breeders dogs. Their appropriate weight for the breed attests to the fact that they were well fed (and were also given human food!) although veterinary care was out of reach financially.
Chippie arrived in our rescue at the beginning of her pregnancy. She is the mother of Coco, Chanelle and Dior.

Chippie is extremely affectionate towards her humans and bonds tightly to her caregivers within a few days. She has was fine with visitors until she gave birth to her puppies. She became very protective and would not let anyone near them except for her foster parents. She did not hesitate to grab the bottoms of someone trousers who ventured in the house. She did not display this behaviour until she gave birth so we trust that she will get over it once the pups are adopted out.

Chippie is pee pad trained and has also learned to relieve herself outdoors. The breeder never allowed her small dogs to go outside as the property was not fenced in and wild life and the road presented danger to them.

Chippie still has to learn to leash walk. Now that the pups are older, her foster mom leaves the leash on her to get her used to it. She is ok dragging the leash indoors but freezes when taken outdoors and still refuses to walk. It is a work in progress!

Although Chippie was raised with several other dogs from birth and she gets along well with other dogs, her main interest is her humans. She loves nothing more than to be close to her foster caregivers and is a true lap dog. So far, keeping in mind that she has been very busy caring for her little ones and has the company of 3 other small adult dogs, she has not displayed any signs of separation anxiety.

Applicants experienced with small dog breeds would be ideal adoptive candidates.

The Chihuahua is a small breed famous for its confidence, loyalty, and big personality, despite its tiny size. Originating from Mexico, these dogs are known for their large, expressive eyes and alert, curious nature. Chihuahuas make excellent companions, forming strong bonds with their owners and displaying a protective nature. They come in a variety of coat colors and patterns, with both long and short coats, making them a diverse and adorable addition to any family.