| Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A five | | | | Arizona-Mexico border by settlers, ranchers and |
| hundred million dollar ad campaign featured a talking | | | | those passing through. This lead to the animals |
| Chihuahua which continually repeated the slogan, "Yo | | | | becoming originally-known as Arizona Dogs. Once it |
| quiero Taco Bell," which is Spanish for "I want Taco | | | | began obvious that these cute little dogs were |
| Bell." Then came the Legally Blond films and the | | | | actually coming out of the Chihuahua region of |
| unstoppable Bruiser. The topping on the cake was | | | | Mexico where they had been discovered in the early |
| when Paris Hilton appeared on the cover of | | | | 1800's, the regional name stuck. |
| Seventeen magazine and later tried living The Simple | | | | For the first time ever this past year, Chihuahuas |
| Life on Fox TV with Tinkerbell, her pet Chihuahua. | | | | have made the top ten list of most registered or |
| Celebrities have discovered what many pet owners | | | | licensed dogs in many areas of the USA. There can |
| already knew: Chihuahuas are the best dogs to own | | | | be no doubt that part of their popularity comes from |
| and care for. In the process, they've set off a | | | | the media exposure the breed has received and the |
| Chihuahua Craze that is reaching towering proportions. | | | | fact that big-name celebrities are favoring the breed. |
| When most people think of Celebrities and their toy | | | | But it also has to do with the fact that Chihuahuas |
| dogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Toy Poodles, Pekinese, | | | | are small, very easy to care for and live a long time. |
| Lhasas and Shih Tzus usually come to mind. That's | | | | Most Chihuahuas eat dry dog food and feed once |
| because famous folks like Audrey Hepburn, Zsa Zsa | | | | every couple of hours or as their hunger moves |
| Gabor and Mia Farrow were regularly photographed | | | | them. A small, full bowl of dry food and dish of |
| with their beloved pets. In Audrey's case, it was a | | | | water easily gets them through an entire day. |
| Yorkie. In her early days of fame, Mia Farrow was | | | | Chihuahuas are known for being healthy, hearty dogs |
| rarely seen out in public without her Lhasa. Zsa Zsa | | | | that do well in virtually any situation. They can easily |
| and Eva Gabor loved to walk through the hot spots | | | | deal with temperatures of forty to ninety degrees |
| of Beverly Hills and be photographed with a multitude | | | | Fahrenheit. When it gets a bit too chilly, doggie |
| of Toy Poodles, Pekinese and Shih Tzus. But times | | | | clothes solve the problem. When it gets too hot, |
| have changed! | | | | Chihuahuas are always happy to enjoy their owner's |
| The always innovative Madonna may have set the | | | | air conditioning. Most have few health issues and live |
| standard for change not long ago when she sported | | | | from fifteen to nineteen years of age, with an |
| her beloved Chihuahua, Chiquita, for a press photo op. | | | | average lifespan of sixteen years. |
| Noah Wyle, one of the hot stars of ER, was recently | | | | Those wanting to breed Chihuahuas are often |
| photographed with his Chihuahua while on holiday. | | | | surprised to find that they can give birth up to twice |
| Jennifer Lopez has also joined the exclusive club of | | | | a year, normally have from one to five puppies and |
| famous Chihuahua owners. Younger celebrities like | | | | take just sixty-five days to give birth. Few have |
| Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, Christina Ricci, | | | | problem births and the survival rate of pups is very |
| Jordon, Reese Witherspoon and members of Simple | | | | high compared to other toy breeds. Chihuahua |
| Plan have found themselves attracted to these | | | | puppies are ready to be adopted by eight weeks. |
| fabulous canines and brought a huge amount of | | | | Because celebrities are constantly exposed to new |
| attention to them. | | | | situations and always on the go, they can appreciate |
| Chihuahuas make great pets because they are very | | | | the fact that most Chihuahuas tend to attach |
| low maintenance, the world's smallest dogs and | | | | themselves emotionally to one person or family and |
| longest lived breed. Celebs love the fact that | | | | rarely bolt if given the opportunity. All Chihuahua |
| Chihuahuas prefer the company of humans more | | | | owners appreciate the intelligence of the breed. They |
| then they enjoy being with other animals and can | | | | are very easy to train and adjust well to change. In |
| easily accompany their owners everywhere. | | | | areas where it's legal, Chihuahuas walk obediently |
| Chihuahuas love to be held or carried around in their | | | | near their owners without a leash. |
| very own shoulder bag and that makes them | | | | Chihuahuas come from the same parent breed of |
| especially attractive to busy celebrities and people | | | | dogs that Chinese Cresteds, Mexican Hairless Dogs |
| who are always on the move. | | | | and Xolos do. These are known to be the most |
| Unlike most toy dog breeds, the Chihuahua is not a | | | | ancient of all dog breeds still existing today. Drawings |
| created one. The first widespread mention of | | | | of what appear to be Chihuahuas are found |
| Chihuahuas occurred during the mid to late 1800's in | | | | throughout the world, some being thousands of |
| weekly or monthly tabloids that specialized in tales of | | | | years old. This makes us wonder when and where |
| the American West. Highly fictionalized accounts of | | | | the Breed actually originated? Most Chihuahuas are |
| the small dogs spread by these publications claimed | | | | either shorthair or longhair, come in an amazing |
| they were actually a mix of rodent and canine or had | | | | variety of colors and purebreds tend to weigh from |
| been magically created by Medicine Men. In reality, | | | | under a pound to no more then six pounds fully |
| Chihuahuas were first noticed along the | | | | grown. |