About
Hello, I'm Doris.
My foster mum calls me her "little weirdo" and, to be honest, I think she's probably right.
I'm a happy, funny little dog who approaches life with enthusiasm. I skip, spin, pounce, chase squirrels, play with my toys and generally like to be involved in whatever is going on. If something exciting is happening, chances are I want to know about it.
I came into rescue alongside a Chihuahua, but I suspect there may be a few surprises hidden somewhere in my family tree. I have the curiosity and determination of a terrier, the athleticism of a little working dog and, rather unusually, I even point at things that catch my interest on walks. Whatever mix I am, I'm 100% Doris.
One of my favourite things in the world is going for walks. I'm wonderful company outdoors and love exploring with my person. I walk beautifully on the lead, regularly check in, have excellent recall and genuinely seem to enjoy every minute of being out and about. Foster Mum says walking me feels less like walking a dog and more like heading off on an adventure with a friend.
I've got a very clever little brain and I love using it. Scentwork is great fun, I enjoy scatter feeding, and I love games that make me think. I'm very food motivated and always keen to learn something new.
I've learned all sorts during my time in foster care, including some impressive impulse control. These days I can leave a dropped treat on the floor and wait patiently, despite being a bit of a foodie at heart.
Underneath all my enthusiasm, I'm actually quite a shy little soul. I love being part of things and I crave companionship, but I can find new relationships overwhelming and I take time to build trust. I'm very much a slow-burn kind of dog and I won't necessarily show you my true personality straight away.
Sometimes when I'm unsure, I make myself small or keep my distance while I work out whether everything is safe. I enjoy affection, but I prefer to choose when and how. I have a crate that I love to retreat to when I need some quiet time and I'd like my future family to respect that space.
Like many sensitive dogs, I can be reactive towards unfamiliar dogs and people. I can be vocal when I feel uncertain and I do like to announce the arrival of visitors or passing strangers with great enthusiasm. I will need understanding owners who are happy to continue building my confidence using positive, reward-based training. The good news is that I genuinely enjoy learning and working with my people.
I currently live happily with other similar sized dogs and previously had a canine friend before coming into rescue. However, I don't get on with every dog I meet and any introductions to resident dogs would need to be managed carefully. I could potentially live with a suitable canine companion or enjoy being someone's one and only. I cannot tolerate cats.
I thrive on routine. My perfect day would include a lovely walk, snacks, some training games, time to relax, another adventure later on, a tasty dinner and then curling up nearby while my people unwind. I'm an active little dog, but I'm also very good at switching off and taking myself away for a snooze when I've had enough excitement.
I have undergone bilateral patella surgery whilst in rescue and have now recovered beautifully. The surgery has allowed me to enjoy an active and fulfilling life. There is a small possibility that the implants that helped fix my patellas may need to be removed in the future if they were ever to cause a problem. The surgeon said this is considered unlikely to happen, but should this become necessary, British Chihuahua Rescue would cover the cost.
What I'm really looking for is someone who will see past my little quirks and recognise the wonderful dog underneath. Someone who will understand that friendships don't come quickly to me, but that they're worth waiting for.
I'm clever, funny, sensitive, affectionate, occasionally ridiculous and completely unique. Give me a chance and I think you'll discover I'm worth every bit of the effort.
If you're up for that journey, I'd love to meet you.
Love,
Doris x
