With the first annual Woofy Awards right around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the most common canine in dog-happy Santa Cruz, the fearless chihuahua. They’re “Tiny, but mighty,” as Chloe the Chihuahua described herself in the 2008 hit “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” and they’re just about everywhere. California has more chihuahuas than it knows what to do with, and has even begun exporting some of them out of state. In Santa Cruz County alone, animal shelters in Watsonville and Live Oaks took in more than 400 abandoned chihuahuas in 2008.
There are several reasons for this. Chihuahuas have gained a lot of attention recently as lap dogs, and are commonly seen being touted around in the purses of celebrities like Miley Cyrus. Judging by size alone, they seem like the perfect dog. They don’t take up much room, and too many people think that this means they don’t need much care either.
The problem is that while chihuahuas don’t necessarily grow up, they do have certain inbred characteristics that new owners hardly expect. They are fiercely territorial, and will attack easily if they feel that they are being provoked. This can be a particular problem for families with small children, who don’t know how to handle the dogs, and end up getting bitten. The dogs can also get very hyper, and need more attention than many other breeds.
The problem could be exacerbated this year because some people plan to give chihuahuas as Christmas gifts. While the dogs may seem like the perfect present—small and cuddly—all too often the new owners aren’t aware of the amount of care that they demand, not just for the holiday season, but for many years down the road. A chihuahua, or any pet, may fit in a gift box, but that does not make them the ideal gift. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
