The Right Home For A Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are wonderful little dogs. But they aren't right for everyone, and it's important to be sure of your suitability as a chihuahua owner before getting one - there are already too many of these sweet dogs in the shelter because they were misunderstood.

The chihuahua is a little Mexican dog, named after the city of Chihuahua. They were created to serve as house-pets to the wealthier Mexican native families. To fit into breed standard, they must weigh between 1 and 6 pounds, but frequently pet Chihuahuas are bigger. The show type has an apple-shaped head, a stocky body and relatively thick legs. Some pets are a type called 'deer' Chihuahuas, which are taller and thinner. They come in a short and long-haired version, and can be any color.

The most important thing to know about Chihuahuas is that they think they are big dogs. In their minds, they are sure that they are a hundred pound Mastiff, and will behave as such. This makes them fearless little creatures that adapt well to living with gentle kids, and also good watchdogs, but it must be tempered by proper training and understanding.

The personality of a well-bred Chihuahua is bold. However, with the popularity of the breed comes breeders who are doing it only for the money. These poorly-bred dogs can be genetically prone to shyness, or under-socialized as puppies and be shy because of that. A very fearful Chihuahua can be a fear biter, and should only be taken into the most experienced homes.

Gentle children and Chihuahuas get along wonderfully. These little dogs are rough and tumble playmates who must have someone else watch out for their safety, though, because they don't know they could get hurt. Small children are not recommended, because a Chihuahua is small enough to be fragile, and can't withstand the enthusiastic overtures of many youngsters.

Unfortunately, Chihuahuas can be barkers. This tendency seems to come from their desire to guard the home, and can be problematic in apartment buildings and other places where people come and go a lot. A few of these dogs suffer from separation anxiety and can be loud because of that. Their stubbornness sometimes makes behavior problems hard to deal with.

In order for your Chihuahua to fit seamlessly into your family, you need to treat it like a bigger dog. Because they can easily be picked up and moved or carried, many people don't bother training their Chihuahuas. This is a big mistake, as these dogs are bold and confident naturally, and can show behavior problems if they don't respect your leadership. Obedience training is recommended in order to teach your dog the 'pack' structure in a safe and caring way.

If you do feel that you are the right home for a Chihuahua, please check your local animal shelter and rescue agencies. People who were unprepared for the needs of these little dogs have turned in many unfortunate pups, and they languish waiting for a home. Small, young, sweet dogs are available to caring people at most animal shelters.

Article by Nancy Cope a proud owner of 4 rescue dogs and owner of Pampered Dog Gifts an online pampered-dog-gifts.com dog boutique that specializes in special gifts for pampered pooches. Please visit Pampered-Dog-Gifts.com to shop for pampered-dog-gifts.com/page/622020 custom leather dog collars, gourmet treats, gift baskets and more for your spoiled pooch.