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In LA the only breed you will find more of in the shelter than the Put Bull is a Chihuahuas. And its becoming true of shelters from San Diego to San Francisco. The numbers in the shelters are becoming alarming and its most likely due to the Hollywood focus on this breed.
60% of the dogs awaiting adoption at the Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo are Chihuahuas, while East Bay SPCA 50% of the awaiting population are this small breed, and 30% of the San Francisco Animal and Care and Control Shelter are pure bred Chihuahuas.
Dog breeds do become popular through TV shows and movies. There has been a deluge of movies and personalities in Hollywood recently depicting the Chihuahua. The 2008 comedy “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”, Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua, Tinkerbell was a regular in all five seasons of "The Simple Life" and went on to publish a 2004 "memoir" called "The Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries" and Reese Witherspoon’s character dog Bruiser, a Chihuahua donned in pink outfits and hung out in the halls of Harvard.
People get caught up in these movies and forget that these dogs have had thousands of dollars of training and many hours of someone spending quality time to get them to appear to be the perfect companion. In fact these dogs can be the perfect pet, but just like large dogs they need training. Potty training is a huge deal with this breed, and the time a true companion spends together to develop that relationship depicted in the movies.
From Dec. 1, 2008, to Nov. 30, 2009, Los Angeles shelters took in 4,741 Chihuahuas, up from 3,779 the previous year. “Adoption rates are also up on Chihuahuas, but unfortunately not sufficiently enough to handle the huge intake.” --Maria L. La Ganga in San Francisco
As a professional dog trainer and coach I discourage giving a dog as a Holiday gift. However, if you have been planning on getting a dog as a companion already and are are looking for a small breed dog, you may want to consider rescuing a Chihuahua from one of the many California shelters. Time off during the Holidays is a great time to spend bonding with your new dog, companion, and best friend to be and a great time to get involved with professional dog training as soon as your new dog comes home.
©Jt Clough and K9 Coach Inc. 2009 www.SitK9Sit.com www.GoTrainYourDog.com
Comments
how do these dogs end up at the Humane Society? And how long until they are destroyed because no one will adopt them?
I agree. I want to punch anyone in the head when they buy a Chihuahua from a breeder! I just adopted one from an animal shelter and he's seven years old. Brought him home and he's incredibly smart and just wants me to be proud of him. Potty training him was simple. After the first time he messed up, I just talked to him in a stern slight angry voice, no yelling and you could tell he was extremely upset. Never did it again. I can't believe he was s shelter dog. People if you want one go to a shelter! stop being selfish, karma is a bitch and if you're selfish your dog will be too :) good luck and thanks for the article.. -js , san diego ca
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