New to the site!

[Ashlee]

Hi :high5: I'm Ashlee!

I live in Southern California with my husband, Brian, (who has applied for vet school for the fall ::crossing all my crossables for an acceptance:: ), and our 3 year old Mississippi Map Turtle, Pico, our 10 month old Tabby Cat, Amanita and our 6 month old Miniature Pincher, Entropy. We're looking at purchasing our first Chin and I'm so excited to have found this site.

Our first decision is whether we buy one or a pair? Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

[JBBinTex]

Welcome to the forum Ashlee. It is a great place to research and learn. Everyone is so helpful. Some things to keep in mind when purchasing one or a pair...if you purchase a pair, they are going to bond more with each other. You lose out on some of the bond with you. Chins can live perfectly fine alone, even though they are social animals. If you give them plenty of time and attention they are fine. I just think it is better starting out to get just one chin. It is so much fun having them bond to you...you get to enjoy the full chinnie experience. I have singles and pairs (my rescues), and the singles just seem to bond more with me...the pairs not so much. Once you have bonded and figured the basics out..then you could get another chin. There is no guarantee they will get along though.

[Chinmama]

Welcome!

I would find a reputable breeder or rescue in your area and start your search there. I think that getting one is fine, but getting two would be better. Chins are addictive...you can't have just one! I think if you can get two that are already housed together that would be great, then you don't have to worry about trying to introduce and all that. I got Marble a little over a year ago and was planning to get another young female to pair her up with, but never did. She is so spoiled now that I am not sure she could live with another chin. (She is the boss...) If I had it to do over again, I'd go ahead and get two at the same time. Just my two cents... :winkgrin:

[stacys_mommy]

Hi Ashlee,
Welcome to Chins & Quills... This is the place to be to learn about chins... We sure learned a lot when we got our first baby. The first place to look is in the FAQ'S section..

[keeja820]

:welcome8:
This forum is great place to meet people who know and generally care about chins and hedgies!!!
Good Luck!! :)

[kriskitty22]

I have to agree to disagree on the theory that they will bond with eachother and not you. True, they will grow to love one another, but they will love you, too! I started off with one male...when I got my 2nd, I found he became more social and more friendly. I suppose it varies depending on the chinnie, but if you are planning to spend lots of time playing and interacting with your pair, you won't have to worry about them being skittish around you. Plus, you have the added benefit of getting to see how they cuddle with and groom one another. Adorable! Just my 2 cents.

On a side note, I'm in so cali and have a few kits avaliable now and again. Currently, I have two due to be weaned in mid April. :-)

[Ashlee]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the advice on one vs/ two.

KrisKitty - You're fairly close to me! One of my co-workers lives in Moreno Valley (commutes 61 miles to work in Southern CA ... it takes her 3 hours and she takes the toll roads). I saw your kits, I just adore the female, she's so adorable!

[kriskitty22]

Thank you! I have a hard time not falling in love with the kits and wanting to keep them. LOL That's why I try to find buyers for them before they are weaned so I won't convince myself to keep them. Especially these two...they're so sweet. 3 hours is a loooong drive! Must be a really worthy job. LOL

Side note...if you're looking to do some research and buy later, I have another litter due in May. This pairing usually throws ebonies, pink whites and beiges, with a possibility of a mosaic (crosses fingers).