Well I'll be darned, I never saw this post LOL. I have two chihuahuas. Both are smooth coats, Chopper is 2 (4.75-5 pounds) and Ryleigh is 9 months(4.5 pounds or so). My husband was the same way as your mom with thinking they were all nasty little yappers. After much persistance on my part I finally convinced him to get one and that I could prove him wrong. We got Chopper at 9 weeks. He is not a yapper, he does not nip. We take him everywhere. Anyone can pet him. We have had umteen compliments on how well behaved he is and have even had people ask what kind of dog he is and when told a chihuahua, they are like WOW really? My grandma had one of those, it was the nastiest dog I ever saw. Of course I come back with, it is all in how they are raised and trained. Needless to say hubby now loves the breed, hence our newest addition Ryleigh who behaves the she same. She is not a yapper, nor a nipper. They both mind well, Chopper is a little more head strong than Ryleigh. Both were very easy to train. Both my pups have actually changed the opinions of not only my husband, but my family and his, they all had the same idea about chihuahuas. My MIL actually got a chihuahua she, and my mother and sister now want one too. We also have a friend who thought the same thing, they also now own a chihuahua. Chopper and Ryleigh have been model spokes pups for their breed. I love when I can show people they are not all yappy and nasty, it brings a smile to my face. Chihuahuas need LOTS of socialization, I think more so than the average dog as they tend to get extremely nervous in new situations due to their tiny size, so the more socialization they have the more relaxed they are with new things and the more accepting they will be of strangers. Chihuahuas become clinging and one person dogs when that is all they know, if you keep them home all the time the do become very protective, sometimes to the point of agression or they become barkers of everything that they find unfamiliar. Socialization is the key to a well behaved and loving chihuahua.
This is Chopper

This is Ryleigh


Don't hesistate to PM me if you have any questions at all...I will be more than glad to answer them.