| The Mean Chihuahua Reputation I'm sure everyone of you that reads this can remember that horrible mean Chihuahua that you knew as a kid, or that your Aunt So & So used to Own. I'd like to try and put that into perspective and help those of you who would like to share your lives with a Chihuahua but you have those awful memories that still haunt you, or maybe your significant other is the one with the childhood horrors. The well-bred, well-socialized Chihuahua is a terrific little friend to love, but I must reiterate "WELL BRED, WELL SOCIALIZED!" I do not mean just because the breeder has said the dog is AKC, CKC, or whatever letters may be on its registration, but a dog that comes from a reputable breeder that asks questions of YOU, allows you into their home or kennel, and will let you meet their other dogs so you can see the temperaments that come from what they breed. If the majority of the breeders dogs act aggressively or are extremely shy, it can be one indicator of how your Chihuahua may act when it is older. I do want to say that even if you were to get the best bred dog in the world from the best breeder ever, then you took it home, never again walked it, played with it or did anything to socialize it, you may have one just like Aunt So & So. The ideal situation if you want an outgoing Chihuahua is to let people come over and play with it, walk it, and take it to places that allow dogs, such as stores that do not sell food in them. Now, I'm sure some will say that they never had to do anything to socialize their Chi's and if that's the case, I'm happy for them, but I can only tell you what has worked for us. Before becoming disabled I worked as a Veterinary Technician for a lot of years and I saw it first hand, not only with Chi's but with many breeds. So, if you are thinking of getting a Chihuahua, most of them can be the sweetest dogs in the world if you just remember...good breeding, socialization, and a lot of love can go a long way to making him/her a permanent part of your family. |
 |
