Chihuahua my dog of choice!

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary Chihuahua is a very small roundheaded dog that come in both short and long hair varieties. They originate in Mexico.

I see them as a small and vivacious ball of energy with legs. They are loving and very protective of their masters. Chihuahua's tend to be 6 pounds and under and can be as small as 1.5 pounds. Tea Cup variety fall into this small weight category and are very precious indeed as well as expensive.

They are very intelligent dogs and can be taught an assortment of tricks. They live to please their owners however they are sometimes full of mischief and only the patient true dog lover should own a chihuahua. They can be very good with children but when you find one that is not they can be very mean. I have raised a chihuahua that liked only me and hated children and did not trust men. She was so loving to me and would never do anything to hurt me but she would nip at some men that came into the home and almost all children had to beware. I purchased her from a breeder in Oklahoma and I still wonder what kind of treatment she endured as all other chihuahua's I have owned have been extremely loving and playful.

Chi's do have distinct personalities and develop their personality traits from their parents. They tend to prefer hanging out and playing with other chi's rather than other breeds of dogs .... so you could say they tend to be a bit prejudice. You will know very soon when you bring home a puppy what their temperment is going to be as they show their true colors right away. I suggest you socialize your puppy a lot when small to get her or him used to people and children.

I have had some that never chewed on anything except what I gave them though I have one now that if left to her own devices she will chew anything and everything. She prefers small objects that she has stolen from my purse, off the top of my tables and stored in my closets. She is a darling girl and I always forgive her. I have found that I have to continue to keep toys around for her to chew on to discourage the chewing of my personal things. She knows she is not supposed to as when I catch her I don't have to say a word she sees the look on my face and is very sensitive to my moods. She puts her tail between her legs and bows down as if to say I am really sorry...really.

Chi's like to feel safe by crawling under things and sleeping. They like blankets in their beds or kennels and if they have a special owner they sleep in their beds burried deep at the foot of the bed under the covers. They do like to snuggle and tend to a bed hog if you let them. Because they are so close to the ground I do not let mine sleep with me as they tend to pick up fleas very easily and the little critters jump from your chi to you. Not a pleasant ordeal. I don't like to use the chemical collars or the drops on my chi's so I have my husband spray the yard and this just about takes care of the issue. I do like my sleep though and chi's tend to be up and down a lot in the night so I put mine in a spacious kennel with a princess pillow and they don't seem to mind at all.

I raised chihuahua's for awhile birthing quite a few litters. Each time it is such a miracle to see those beautiful little babies about two inches long wrapped in a safe bag of water come alive. Such a treasure to behold.

At this time I have only two chi's and it is nice for them to have a companion to play with but the chi will want you to themselves and tend to fight over who gets the lap of the owner. They are never satisfied with second best which can be a problem when you are trying to relax.

They are so small you can carry them in a purse like bag and many owners do this as it is easy to get attached to your chi and the temptation to take them with you wherever you go is great.

I have a chi right now that I adopted from a friend forced to move into an apartment where they wouldn't allow dogs and it broke his heart to give her up but he had no choice. This chi was very loving and easy to fall for. I still give him visitation of her which is hard for the x owner for he still loves her so much. The thing about dogs at least chihuahua's is they soon forget their previous owners and she doesn't remember him at all and that is painful for him when he sees her.