Posted by MurdersheWrote:
The Character of Chihuahuas
The Chihuahua is an excellent companion for singles and the elderly. They are very spry and can leap as high as cats; theyre also great at avoiding being stepped on! Not daunted by size, they are bold and brave watchdogs that send a threatening, surprisingly deep bark when strangers enter their range. Of course, because they are small, their bark is much worse than their bite!
Chihuahuas tend to act nervous in the company of anybody except their primary owner, but theyre also fun-loving and full of bravado when left to their own devices. Some Chihuahuas are they hard to train, and require newspaper training to become housebroken. They are also very gentle creatures that learn quickly and respond well to positive reinforcement.
Chihuahuas enjoy chewing on toys, and you would be surprised at how sharp their little teeth are. Although they are small, they require large, soft chew toys if you want to keep them from chewing on your prized possessions.
The Chihuahuas Ideal Environment
Chihuahuas are small creatures that dont require a lot of space; they fit in perfectly with an apartment environment. Because of their size, they are especially sensitive to cold and actually NEED the doggie sweaters you can buy at your local
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Also, because of their tiny size, Chihuahuas usually require a body harness rather than a leash and require several walks a day. They tire quickly and really only need to walk a block or so; but if you want to continue walking, you can always carry them around with you.
The Chihuahuas Companions
Chihuahuas tend to be a one-person-dog and become very attached to their primary owner. They tend to get jealous of visitors and act suspicious and skittish around strangers. They tend to follow their owner all over the house and get nervous when you leave their field of vision.
Chihuahuas and children are not a good combination; because of their size, they are easily intimidated by loud noise and sudden movement. Their only defense when faced with a teasing child may be to snap and bite. They are fragile animals and should not be allowed to sleep with their owners because you can accidentally roll over and injure them.
Chihuahuas, like other dog breeds, need gradual socialization to keep them from picking fights with larger dogs and strangers. They dont get along with other dogs because any other dog breed will attempt to dominate them, and cats are intimidating for them, too. The only animal companion that is safe for a Chihuahua is another Chihuahua. Even if you live in an apartment, there will probably be enough room and enough love to go around if you choose to adopt two of this breed!
Just received this from staff writer, Johnny Johnson:
