Protecting Your Dog From Theft

Dogs are stolen for a variety of reasons and most of them are guaranteed to break your heart. Some are resold to use a breeding stock to puppy mills and professional breeders. Chihuahuas are often sold as “bait” in fighting arenas. Others are sold to labs for experiments and research. The most unfortunate simply end up in hands of sadists who just want to torture and kill animals.

Unfortunately very few of the hundreds of thousands of dogs that go missing every year are returned to their owners. You can increase your chances of having your Chihuahua returned to you by employing the following methods.

Veterinarians, individual tattoo artists and companies specialize in tattooing animals with an identification number. Usually after the tattoo is placed, the identification number is registered with a service such as the National Dog Service. This may make it easier for him to be found. Different tattoo artists are associated with different registries so be sure to inquire first about which registry you will need to contact in order to complete the process.

Before entrusting your pup to the care a boarding or training kennel, thoroughly check out the reputation and references of the company. Avoid any establishment that has a history of missing dogs or runaway dogs. Make sure that they agree to show you the body if your puppy passes while you are gone. This way your pet’s death cannot be faked so it can be resold.

Don’t get your dog’s ear tattooed. You are better off to have the inside of his thigh tattooed as thieves have been known to sever a dog’s ears off to prevent it from being identified.

Microchipping is usually done at the vet. Otherwise, a vet can refer you to a microchipping service. A microchip is inserted under your dog’s skin, typically at the back of the neck or behind the ear. If you dog is lost and then found, then a scanner is used to read the read the information embedded in the microchip.

If your chihuahua disappears and is found, a special scanner can read the information on the microchip, and your dog can be traced to you. Again, call your vet for referrals in your area for Microchipping services.

Keep an eye on your dog a and be aware of his whereabouts at all times. Don’t leave him unattended outside in your yard, even for a few minutes. If you live in California he could be stolen by a coyote! Never leave him outside when you are not at home. Lock him in the house along with the rest of your valuable possessions.

Keep an eye on your chihuahua and be aware of his whereabouts at all times. Don’t leave him unattended outside in your yard, even for a few minutes. If you live in California he could be stolen by a coyote! Never leave him outside when you are not at home. Lock him in the house along with the rest of your valuable possessions.

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Teacup and Toy Dog Issues

In 1923, the American Kennel Organization sorted all dog breeds into five basic categories: Sporting Dogs (including hounds), Working Dogs, Toy Breeds, Terriers and Non-sporting Dogs. The Chihuahua is classified as a ToyDog.

Toy dog are often called lap dogs are essentially smaller or miniature versions of larger breeds. They were originally bred to be the companions of royalty in the Orient and in Europe. Of course sometimes they were also bred to be sacrifices or meals. Most toy dogs are less than a foot tall and weigh less than twelve pounds, perfect for settling in a lap.

Unfortunately, their tiny size does not mean a tiny temperament. Many toy dogs can be as savage or tough as their larger counterparts. In fact this noble, yet stupid bravery is very characteristic of most toy dogs. When it comes to the inbreeding of dominant or aggressive traits, in this case, size does not matter.

Toy dogs relate best to adults as they find the swift and unpredictable movements of children to be very irritating. They also tend to only be loyal to one person, thus demonstrating characteristics of aggression, territorialism and possessiveness. Toy dogs are also more likely to suffer from separation anxiety than other breeds. These typical behavioral problems and how to deal with them are discussed in later chapters of this book.

The fact that toy dogs are small doesn’t mean that they prefer small spaces. In fact, many are so active, almost hyperactive, that they need even more exercise than a larger dog.

. The terms “teacup” or (“tea cup”) and “tiny toy,” have increasingly come to be used to describe smaller adult dogs and especially Chihuahuas. Any kennel club, however, does not use the terms, officially. Since the terms are unofficial, there is Chihuahua that can be described as a “teacup.”

Many professional breeders argue that the whole concept of the “teacup” is nothing more than a marketing tactic to charge high prices for dogs that are frequently runts or that may have health problems due to dwarfing.

For instance, Chihuahuas that are exceedingly small, particularly those that are two pounds or less fully grown, often have shortened life spans and require special care. If you are dealing with someone who is trying to sell you a teacup dog ask him or her how the dog deserved that name.

The AKC says a chi chi can be up to 6 pounds. Over 6 pounds is undesirable as a show dog (but probably just as desirable to have as a pet.)

Along with “mini” and “tiny toy”, “teacup” is sometimes used to describe runts or unhealthy dogs. Always remember that these and other terms are not officially used by any kennel club or reputable breeder. Some teacups may have shortened life spans and other health problems due to extreme dwarfing.

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