Chihuahuas sometimes used to be, and sometimes even today are looked down upon by the unenlightened as being silly little lap dogs, and not real dogs at all. Nothing could be further from the truth, make no mistake a Chihuahua is ALL dog, live with one and you'll discover that fact for yourself!
Chihuahuas should be carefully supervised around small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Chihuahua who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Some Chihuahuas feel overwhelmed by loud voices and quick movements -- and stress and fearfulness (even defensive biting) may be the result.
They may be classified in the Toy Group, but they are certainly not toys. Chis are big dogs who happen to be wrapped in a small 'parcel', they genuinely have no idea of small size and are ready to stand up for themselves even if the opposition is far bigger. Sometimes they are too feisty for their own good, so must be carefully watched around bigger dogs in case they get injured.
Chihuahuas are naturally cautious and not completely spontaneous by nature. They like size up a situation before making friends, they will do that in their own good time and on their own terms. When the penny drops that a situation is not threatening to them, the Chi will relax and respond happily. Chihuahuas are usually strongly attached to their owners, and they are portable little dogs are often carried everywhere and rarely put on the ground. This elevates their status and puts them (in their eyes) in charge, making them extremely protective of their owner. This has given the Chihuahua the reputation of being yappy and snappy, whereas really they are just being defensive in what they percieve to be a threatening situation. Care must be taken to socialise them properly to avoid overprotective behaviour. Although tiny, the Chihuahua is still a dog, with all the behaviour patterns of a Great Dane, and must know their place in the pack pecking order. It is too easy to make them believe that they are Pack Leader by letting them get away with things like sleeping in the best place, being up high all the time, and being fed from their owners plate.
Chis are highly intelligent and quite nosy, they love to investigate. Their exercise area must be fenced securely. They do need a stimulating environment inside and outside, toys to play with, and company. When possible they like the companionship of another dog preferably of the same breed, as well as the company of its owner. To be shut in an empty house for hours on end with no companion is tortuous for any dog including a chihuahua. They are highly intelligent and have a high I.Q. (for a dog). With love and friendly discipline Chihuahuas are easily trainable. Taking time and trouble to train a Chi will be very rewarding. It should easily master a vocabulary of commands like no, down, sit, quiet, out, come, bedtime and of course good dog or bad dog as appropriate. Fetch might prove more of a problem, they are not natural retrievers. They are just as likely to regard you with an expression that plainly says "you threw it, so you fetch it", although this is not always the case as we have a 'fetcher' in our family. Chis do have a very independent streak and can sometimes be purposfully mischievous, just to keep you on your toes!!
The Toltecs (the people that conquered the Mayans) are believed to be the first to domesticate the Techichi and brought the canine into the home as pets and also used them for religious purposes. After the Aztecs became the ruling class of Mexico, they also used the dog as a companion and in religious ceremonies. This has been learned due to the writings in Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec writings in tombs, temples, and pyramids. Also, remains of the small dogs were found in graves in both Mexico and the United States so this could back up the religious theory.
