I'm lookin to adopt a Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix pup from someone who ended up with an unwanted litter. This would be a 5th dog in this household, and I like to do my research. Any common health problems I should be aware of? temperment? intelligence?
Other dogs currently in the household include:
1 year old chihuahua/rat terrier-male
2 year old Jack russel-female
8 year old miniature shelty(?) colley.-felale
9 year old grossly obese and somewhat retarded shih-tsu/minpin(hey we still love him)- male
all fixed.

Any help or info would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Smooth23

I'm lookin to adopt a Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix pup from someone who ended up with an unwanted litter. This would be a 5th dog in this household, and I like to do my research. Any common health problems I should be aware of? temperment? intelligence?
Other dogs currently in the household include:
1 year old chihuahua/rat terrier-male
2 year old Jack russel-female
8 year old miniature shelty(?) colley.-felale
9 year old grossly obese and somewhat retarded shih-tsu/minpin(hey we still love him)- male
all fixed.

Any help or info would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Have a book that gives Breed-Specific Health Problems (What each breed is prone to) There is a lot to print to you and I'm a one-fingered typer so am somewhat slow so---Will give you what it says for the Boston Terrier now and will give what it says for the Chihuahua at a little later time (maybe tomorrow) There happens to be 6 things that both breeds are prone to so will give them at end of this Boston Terrier list instead of typing them twice!

BOSTON TERRIER:
Allergies---Prone to all types of allergies.
Anarsaca---Newborn puppies have an accumulation of fluids in various tissues and body cavities.
Cancer---Prone to cancer of the neck, aorta, pituitary gland, and mast cells. The mast cell secretes histamine in response to allergens.
Cataract---In elderly dogs the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing a
partial or total loss of vision.
Cleft Palate and/or Lip---Both are birth defects. With cleft palate, the roof of the mouth does not grow properly, leaving a hole from the roof of the mouth into the nose. With cleft lip, the skin below the nose does not grow together.
Corneal Dystrophy---An inherited degenerative condition in which the cornea of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque.
Corneal Ulcer---A deterioration of the cornea.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy---Abnormally dense bones in the face and the jaw.
Cushing's Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism) A codition in which the adrenal glands secrete too much cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that regulates carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
Deafness---A partial or total loss of hearing.
Demodectic Mange---A skin disease in which canine mites are living in the skin, causing itching, loss of hair, and skin infections. Usually found on the face and front legs.
Dermatitis---An inflammation in the skin folds of the tail.
Dystocia---Complications giving birth.
Esophageal Disorder---Spasms of the muscles of the esophagus.
Eye Abnormalities---Prone to a rolling in of the eyelid(s), abnormally growing eyelashes, abnormal growth of the gland of the third eyelid(s), protruding third eyelid(s), and dry eye, a condition in which the eye(s) does not produce enough liquid.
Hernia---A rupture of the wall of an internal organ in the groin area.
Intussusception---A section of the intestinal tract slips into an adjoining section.
Pyometra---The uterus fills with pus, usually from a severe bacterial infection.
Sebaceous Gland Tumor---A skin tumor.
Stenotic Nares---A condition in which excess flesh causes the openings of the nose (nares) to be too small to breathe with ease.
Swimmer Puppies---A developmental condition caused by a weakness of the muscles puppies use to pull their legs together. Newborns are unable to put their feet under them to walk.

I am going to enter this now as I'd hate to lose all this. So will be right back with the 6 things that both the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua are prone to!

[Corky/Max]

Both breeds are prone to these 6 things;
Glaucoma---Pressure on the retina from excess fluid in the eyeball, which causes partial or total loss of vision.
Hydrocephalus---The accumulation of fluid in the brain.
Hypothyroidism---A common disease of thyroid hormone deficiency. The thyroid regulates your dog's metabolism. A large number of skin problems in dogs are caused by thyroid disease.
Patellar Luxation---The kneecap(s) slips out of place.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) A slow deterioration of the retina, leading to blindness.
Vertebra Malformation---A condition in which only half the vertabra is formed.

Will list the 'prones' for the Chihuahua here now as list is not so long after combining the prones that both breeds have in common. I missed two things that they are both prone to, so will list the 'problem' and then refer you back to the Boston Terrier for the info. I hope you have a printer and can copy all this info for reference so you know what to be on the look-out for --you could also look up the conditions mentioned and maybe add that to your 'saved informative pages'---You might find info on how to try to prevent some of these things from happening at all--like on the order of certain supplements, etc. Do you keep records on your dogs? I save a lot of info that pertain to my dogs. I also ask for copies of all the paperwork on my dogs when they go to the vet--good to look back on, keep records of all medications, antibiotics they have had--everything!! Getting back to it:

Chihuahua:
Blood-Clotting Disorder---The Chihuahua is prone to a blood-clotting disorder due to coagulation factor VIII deficiency.
*Cleft Palate-see back to Boston Terrier
Collapsed Trachea--Malformation of the trachea, causing it to collapse easily.
*Corneal Dystrophy---see back to Boston Terrier
Eye Abnormalities---Prone to a rolling in of the eyelid(s), a condition in which the lens in the eye slips out of place, and dry eye, a condition in which the eye(s) does not produce enough liquid.
Heart Disease---Prone to abnormal growth of the mitral valve and malfunctioning valves.
Iris Atrophy---A deterioration of the iris.
Liver Abnormality---Prone to an abnormal formation of blood vessels in the liver.
Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis---An accumulation of fatty pigments in the brain.
Osteochondritis Dissecans---Inflammation of the cartilage in the joints. A form of arthritis.
Osteochondrosis---An abnormal development of joint cartilage. Most commonly found in the shoulder, knee, and elbow.
Shoulder Dislocation---The shoulder joint slips out of place.


I hope you realize that these listings are what they could have/get easier than other breeds--BUT doesn't mean they will get them!!

Thanks! You really went above and beyond by listing me all of that . Its looking like this dog will be a new addition to the family, I dont see any overly worrisome things for the time being.

A hair more info on this pup, the family that has it takes care of the dogs they have the best they can. They ended up having this litter before they could fix one of the parents, so they are giving this adorable pooches away to good homes as soon as they ween. I always love knowing I can give a dog a much better life than what they would have otherwise, and especially the idea of rescuing them from going to a shelter.

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Smooth23

Thanks! You really went above and beyond by listing me all of that . Its looking like this dog will be a new addition to the family, I dont see any overly worrisome things for the time being.

A hair more info on this pup, the family that has it takes care of the dogs they have the best they can. They ended up having this litter before they could fix one of the parents, so they are giving this adorable pooches away to good homes as soon as they ween. I always love knowing I can give a dog a much better life than what they would have otherwise, and especially the idea of rescuing them from going to a shelter.

You are welcome! I love dogs so am always glad to help where I can. Lol, I was so absorbed in getting that stuff to you that I didn't even say Hi and welcome to this forum!