Chihuahuas have a reputation for being clannish, unfriendly toward other dogs and suspicious of strangers. However, thanks to proper breeding, many of the more undesirable Chihuahua characteristics are a thing of the past. “The love and devotion that Chihuahuas express is so contrary to the stereotype that has been propagated over the years of Chihuahuas as ‘yappy, little-oldlady dogs,’” Balettie says. “Fortunately, most of the more respectable Chihuahua breeders have bred out the obnoxious traits, leaving the sweet-tempered, affectionate dog as the standard for the Chihuahua today.” Whether or not a Chi is friendly and tolerant of strangers largely depends on how well he’s been socialized. “People get a Chi and never take him anywhere, then wonder why he doesn’t like anyone,” Hermosillo says. “Chis are very sociable if you work with them.” Hermosillo suggests taking a mini chihuahua puppies with you everywhere and letting him meet a wide variety of people so he will become accustomed to people outside of his family. What about other breeds? “Chis normally prefer their own kind — they really do love other Chihuahuas — but my daughter had a Chi and a German Shepherd Dog for four years and they were best friends,” Hermosillo says. Surprisingly, most Chis enjoy cats. “Our Chis just love our cats,” she says. “Of course, when my Chis all get together, they suddenly get very brave and gang up on the cats; but if they’re playing one-onone, Chis and cats generally do very well together.” With other pets, as well as people, socialization prevents poor social skills and some behavioral problems. The more a Chihuahua is exposed to people and animals alike, the more comfortable and agreeable he will become. While it may take more time for your Chihuahua to warm up to other members of the family, their love and affection is well worth the wait. Chihuahuas certainly are not outdoor dogs. Some Chihuahuas enjoy a romp in the yard or the park, but they will be more than happy to come back inside and return to the comfort of a cozy couch cushion or, better yet, to snuggle beneath the quilts and pillows on your bed. If you’re in bed too, that’s even better. “They absolutely must live inside, and they prefer to be bed dogs,” Hermosillo says. Chihuahuas like nothing better than to be with you, by you or on you at all times. Nancy Robbins’ Chihuahuas, Ishi-Boo and Pooh, are rarely far from her side. “They are usually both right there next to me or on me,” says Robbins, from Suwanee, Ga. “Ninetynine percent of the time I have one curled up under my shirt and the other at my side.” Furthermore, Chihuahuas require what some might call “excessive indulgence;” others might call it “spoiled rotten.” That’s one way of putting it. But who can resist those perky ears and glittering eyes? After Robbins moved into a new house, her 2-year-old male Chihuahua, Ishi-Boo, lined up a few new chores for his obliging human. “Since we have lived here, you’ll find IshiBoo insisting on being lifted into the bed at night or being lifted into the tub to lick up any water droplets I leave behind every morning,” says Robbins, who admits she readily complies. Now that’s service! Balettie’s Chis demand treats from a gourmet dog bakery and use their human as a comfy perch for watching television. In fact, Balettie’s 2-year-old Chi, Nina, has a favorite place to spend her time: on her owner’s shoulder! “Whenever I sit down to watch television, Nina will race from where she happens to be at the time, fly from the ground onto my lap, and in one leap, land on my shoulder,” he says. “If I were a pirate, she’d be my parrot.” An interest in catering to the often eccentric whims of a little dog is a must for a smart Chi owner. Perhaps the most important characteristic of a smart Chihuahua owner — after a huge capacity for love — is a good sense of humor. Chihuahuas can be downright hilarious, and a good Chi owner appreciates, and even cherishes, their antics. Robbins’ Chi, Ishi-Boo, quickly mastered the art of humor as a great way to get what he wants. “Ishi-Boo is a dancer,” Robbins says. “He can walk the whole house on his hind legs with his front paws just swinging away, up and down as fast as he can paddle them. It gets him almost anything he wants from just about anybody.” Sometimes Chis are funny without intending to be. Balettie’s Chi, Bambi, has taken her role as watchdog to an extreme. “In January, my father and I were watching one of the football playoff games when Bambi, who had been sitting next to me in a chair in the den, started staring at my father and growling,” Balettie explains. “Now, you must understand, Bambi does not growl at anyone; she has a very calm disposition. Her growls, though, became louder and more insistent. Finally, my father and I both realized the object of her ire was not my father, but the timber wolf printed on his sweatshirt. From across the room, Bambi had seen this other ‘dog’ and wasn’t happy about its presence. My father covered the wolf on the shirt and Bambi seemed satisfied. If he uncovered the wolf, Bambi would start growling again.” Get ready for a life filled with humor with your new Chihuahua.
