Chihuahua Toy Breed

Some Toy dogs, such as the Toy Poodle, are downsized versions of their larger cousins. Others, like the Miniature Pinscher, have been around longer than the larger dogs that resemble them.

But the Chihuahua isn’t a scaled-down version of anything. It’s a true Toy breed: a breed created for the sole purpose of being companions to people.

What’s terrific about Toys – What do all the Toy breeds have in common? They’re living proof that great things really do come in small packages. Here’s the upside of a Toy dog:

• Toy dogs are small. They fit anywhere — sometimes even in your pocket — and can get enough exercise in a small apartment.
• Toy dogs are cuddly and love human attention. They form extremely strong bonds with their people, and many are content to warm a lap for hours.
• Toy dogs are portable. They’re ideal for people who travel a lot and like to take their dogs along with them.
• Toy dogs love to show off. Most of them enjoy learning new things from upbeat trainers.
• Toy dogs often are welcome where larger breeds are not. For example, some condo associations limit the size of pets.

Toys are real dogs. They’re intelligent and affectionate, with bold, fun-loving temperaments. Many of them make alert watchdogs. In the lingo of the dog fancier, the Chihuahua is considered a natural dog. That means his coat isn’t trimmed, shaved, stripped, or plucked, and his ears and tail are left the way nature made them — not trimmed or docked (in the style of the Miniature Pinscher, among others). In dog-fancier slang, that makes the Chihuahua a wash-and-wear breed.

Potential problems with portable pets Toy dogs need careful owners. Depending on your nature, that’s one potential downside of owning a Chihuahua. Although most Chihuahuas think they’re tough, they’re more vulnerable to injury (especially being stepped on or tripped over) than larger dogs. Here are some other concerns:

• When Toy dog owners overdo carrying and cuddling and skimp on the training, their pets become spoiled. And that turns them into tiny tyrants or nervous wimps.
• Toy breeds are social creatures. Developing that typical Toy spirit means they need plenty of social interactions with a variety of people from puppyhood on.
• Toy dogs that are neglected during puppyhood, or that come from inferior stock, may suffer myriad physical and/or mental problems at maturity.
• Some people dislike Toy dogs and may make rude remarks about your Chihuahua when you walk him.

Toy dogs are real dogs. Like every other breed, they need training and guidance. In other words, if you don’t train your Chihuahua, your Chihuahua will train you !

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