Mary Allen
They are best known for “stars” such as Paris Hilton, and it often seems as if they are more of an accessory than an animal. However, small and dwarf dogs like the Chihuahua should be treated and treated like large dogs.
They are frightening pictures. They show a Chihuahua lady lying on her back, eyes closed, paws drawn up. A scar stretches down her abdomen. The animal suffered from an inflammation of the uterus and had to be operated on – after it had apparently been kept in a cage by its owner with a second Chihuahua for years. The “animal world” reported online about the blatant case of poor posture.
“A dog has four legs, and they’re there to be used,” says Tibbi Bracher, author of dog books and founder of the Chihuahua Academy. If a small dog is only carried, for example, this leads to the muscles disappearing, explains Bracher. A Chihuahua also has to go for long walks and can run up to 3 hours a day without any problems – even longer if he is properly trained. Even practicing a sport such as agility or dog dance is possible with small dogs.
Encourage Physically and Mentally
One should not forget that some small and dwarf dog breeds used to be used for hunting – such as the Chihuahua, which caught rats, says Dominique Amstutz, vice president, and breed warden at the Club of Small Dogs in Switzerland. Even the little ones should therefore be kept mentally busy in addition to physical exertion. “It’s not for nothing that people say ‘small, but mighty,” says Amstutz. She thinks it’s important that people know what characteristics a breed has. So-called lapdogs like Bolonka would also grow up. “There is a risk that the owners will pamper and mother the animal,” says Amstutz. Even small dogs should “lead a life in the real world, and not in a bag.” The more you tease a dog, the more often he cannot cope with a stressful situation because he is not used to it.
However, there are moments when a Chihuahua is better off in the arms of the owner or in a padded bag that serves as a nest, says Dominique Amstutz and Tibbi Bracher. “If you go to a restaurant or are out and about in the city with a lot of other people, it might be life-threatening to let the little dog run around,” says Bracher.
Another problem when keeping small dogs is poor nutrition, adds Bracher. “A lot of people want a dog that’s as small as possible, that weighs a kilo or less and looks even ‘cuter’,” she says. There are also owners who feed their small dogs’ leftovers from the table, which should not happen. “The Chihuahua needs species-appropriate food.” He has needs like any other dog.
Do Not Wrap the Animal in Cotton
Chihuahuas in particular are well-known actors, according to Bracher, who owns them. “You want your full attention. If they don’t receive this, they put on a paw, for example, so that they can be looked after again because they think something is wrong». It is all the more important to be consistent in education and not to wrap it in cotton wool.
The mistakes and false images that circulate about dwarf dogs in public are also caused by “role models” such as that of the American IT girl Paris Hilton, who prefers to transport her four-legged friends in handbags, explains Bracher. “I often hear from people whose two-year-old daughter wants a Chihuahua for her birthday. As soon as the initial euphoria is gone, the problems begin and the dog is deported.”
Therefore, as Bracher wishes, you should think twice about whether you want a four-legged friend – even with dwarf dogs. “Everyone in the family must agree and consider whether you have enough time and can give him a species-appropriate life”. She advises prospective buyers to do some research before making a purchase. “This would also avoid changes and you could save some dogs from ending up in a home.”