It happened during the Taco Bell Chihuahua frenzy, and it could happen again—children begging their parents to own their own pint-size furry friend. The problem is, few children—or parents—know very much about the true nature and needs of these high-strung dogs.
True Temperament of Chihuahuas
According to the American Kennel Association, a Chihuahua is characterized as "a graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament." While each dog certainly has its own individual temperament, there are particular qualities which many Chihuahuas share.
Chihuahuas need a great deal of affection, attention, and petting. Chihuahuas are known to be fiercely loyal to their masters and consider their territory their own personal domain. They are often feisty and protective whenever a non-family member enters their home, giving them a reputation for being high-strung. They also bark easily and have difficulty adapting to changes in their environment.
Many animal authorities have cautioned against bringing a Chihuahua into a home with children under the age of 10. A Chihuahua is generally uninhibited about approaching young toddlers or babies and they nip easily when pestered by curious hands. It is possible to bring a Chihuahua into a home with older children, but great care must be taken to ease the dog into its new environment.
Before Purchasing A Chihuahua
Potential Chihuahua owners should ask themselves the following questions before deciding to purchase a Chihuahua:
- Are there young children in the home?
- Is there ample yard space for a Chihuahua to burn off energy?
- If there are children in the home, are they truly prepared to pick up after an animal?
- Is the owner financially capable of caring for an animal that often suffers from hip and knee problems?
- Is the owner buying this dog because their children have seen a movie or television show about them, or are they buying this dog because they want an addition to the family?
- Is the owner ready to care for a dog that is known for being fragile, temperamental, and needy?
- Does the owner have the time and patience to train a difficult breed?
- If there are children in the home, are they patient and gentle?
While new movies like Beverly Hills Chihuahua can glorify the breed and make children yearn for a fun and exciting animal, parents need to be clued into the true temperament of Chihuahuas and carefully consider whether or not a Chihuahua is the right addition for their home.
It is critical that parents are educated about Chihuahuas before dog shelters all over the nation are filled with an abundance of abandoned Chihuahuas after their owners decide they need too much care. This happened before during the height of the Taco Bell Chihuahua’s popularity, and resulted in catastrophe for many Chihuahuas. Parents can take care that it does not happen again after this popular movie, by doing the proper research about Chihuahuas before bringing them into the home.
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