Pets

Fear is a natural feeling, people can fear different things all the time and this fear can be a result of any circumstance. When this fear turns into something beyond a normal phase and takes a different, much severe form then it turns into a phobia. Phobias are defined as an abnormal fear that becomes hard to control. Psychologists have given different reasons of phobias that vary from a minute fear of insects to an intense phobia of circumstances and situations. It may be the result of what may have passed in a person’s life, a bad experience that leaves a permanent mark on the person’s personality.

Phobias are natural in humans and even in animals. People fear animals to a point of being ridiculous and we call such fears phobias because of their abnormality. Even pets themselves suffer from phobias. Now we can ponder over a few a few kinds of phobias to help understand them in a better way and this way people suffering from such phobias can be helped and they can help themselves when they understand that these fears are superficial and they can be easily overcome.

Cat phobia is a simple fear of cats, that they will jump out of somewhere and scratch someone’s face with their claws. This phobia is more commonly observed in women than in men and basically in children. They avoid going to houses that keep cats and dogs as pets. Besides this people also fear lizards or little insects and they over react if they visit a house where the people have snakes or tarantulas as pet.

Small children are more likely to suffer from such phobias. They tend to suffer from an unknown fear of dogs that they might jump over them and bite them. These fears may also be original because of a terrible experience that a person might have gone through in the past. An encounter with a dog or any other pet that might have attacked a person and after that experience a fear sets in the heart that becomes hard to overcome. Even pets that are treated badly or harshly start suffering from phobias. They become hesitant, meek and they start to whimper and hide under the sofas when any human tries to approach them. Pets like horses, cats, dogs too suffer from phobias like fearing fire, loud sounds, explosions etc. These phobias are curable with the help of psychiatrists. The best way however, to get rid of a phobia, like all other fears is to force yourself into a situation where you have to face it and be strong, keeping in mind that it will help you get over it.

Does your dog seem to spend an infinite amount of time licking himself? Why is he doing it? And how do you, as a dog owner, correct that annoying licking habit? Here are five of the most common reasons why your dog might be incessantly licking himself and the solutions to correcting the habit.

1. Your dog might have developed an unrelenting licking habit because he needs a bath.

If your dog spends alot of time outside, romping through the woods, tramping in the mud, rolling in the grass or wading in the nearest stream or pond, he is probably dirty. So, your dog may be constantly licking himself because the dirt is irritating him! Plus, all that outdoor activity may have gotten him infested with ticks, fleas, mites, or lice. Your dog’s incessant licking may be an attempt to rid himself of those nasty varmints!

Give him a bath with a veterinarian-approved flea and tick shampoo. Before bathing him, make sure you brush out all the mats and tangles from his coat or the bathing will make them worse.

2. Your dog might have developed a chronic licking habit because he has a skin disorder.

Some common skin disorders that a dog may develop are mange or dermatitis. Mange is a skin disease in dogs that is caused by various types of mites. The dermatitis could be caused by an allergic reaction to fleas, dust mites, mold or a certain brand of dog food. If you suspect that your dog has a case of mange or dermatitis, your veterinarian will be able to diagnose what the disorder is and prescribe a course of treatment.

3. Your dog might have developed a persistent licking habit because he is under stress.

The stress may be a result of a new adoption, physical abuse, separation anxiety, or even a reaction to a new food.

If you think separation anxiety might be the cause of his stress, there are several methods for solving the problem. Try exposing your dog to being alone for very short periods of time. When your dog has adjusted to being alone for that duration of time, gradually increase your departure period. If you must be away from your dog for a long period of time, while you are away at work, try to find a friend or neighbor who could come over and take him for a walk a couple of times during the day.

Perhaps a new dog in the family is causing the stress? It is very common to experience a period of stress and adjustment when a new dog is brought into a household that has an established pet. One way to help make the transition a little easier is to give your older dog alot of attention and love. It will let him know that he’s still a vital part of the family. Just remember that it will take time for your dogs to adjust to one another and be one happy dog family!

Changing your dog’s diet can also cause stress. If you’re thinking of feeding your dog a new brand of dry dog food, do it gradually and over a period of four days or longer. On the first day that you change the food, feed your dog one quarter of the new food with three quarters of the old food. Add in another quarter of the new food after a couple of days or so. After another two days, add in another quarter of the new dog food. Finally, after another couple of days or so, you will be able to leave out the old dog food entirely!

If you cannot determine the cause of your dog’s stress, talk to your veterinarian. He’ll be able to refer you to a dog behaviorist who will be able to determine the cause of your dogs stress. If your dog has severe separation anxiety, an anti-anxiety medication might be considered to alleviate the anxiety. Drugs are not a complete solution, however, and should be used along with a treatment program.

4. Your dog might have developed an incessant licking habit because he has an injury that has resulted in an open wound.

A dog that has developed an injury that has resulted in an open wound will lick himself incessantly in an attempt to clean the wound and keep it free from bacteria. Dog saliva has been proven to kill some germs and when your dog licks an open wound, it will aid in keeping the wound infection free.

Veterinarian treatment may be required if your dog appears to be in pain, the wound contains a foreign material and is deep enough to require stitches, is bleeding excessively or becomes infected.

5. Your dog might have developed a relentless licking habit because he has developed the bad habit of doing so.

Some dogs develop the habit of licking their paws incessantly despite them being clean, uninjured and parasite-free!

Your dog may develop the habit of constantly licking himself because he has alot of nervous energy and no way to alleviate the stress. He also may have learned this behavior because he is bored and this is a way to entertain himself!

Give your dog lots of time to play and run and work off any excess energy. If your dog is well-exercised and happy, he won’t feel the need to relentlessly lick himself to relieve stress or boredom!

The information detailed above will help you discover and correct your dog’s habit of chronic licking. With careful observation and a little attention to proper grooming, training, along with regular veterinarian visits, you can ‘lick’ your dog’s incessant licking habit!

Recently I was in a situation where I was going to be away from home for a few days. However, I did not have someone who could pet sit, nor did I want to pay a kennel to care for my dogs for just a few days. So I decided to bring my dogs with me. The person that I was visiting did not mind me bringing the dogs so it was set. Though many thoughts were going through my head, “Where will they sleep? What if they make a mess? How can I keep control?” The answer was soon very clear. Some time ago I had decided to crate train my two dogs. So I brought my dog’s crates with me, and once I arrived it was simple to just set up the crates and all my worries were over.

The key benefits of having my dogs already comfortable with the crate were:

- The crate was easy to transport. Most wire crates on the market today are simple to fold up and slip into your trunk.

- When the dog arrives in a strange home they will have a place that is familiar to them where they can be at home. To a dog, when properly crate trained, the crate is their little retreat. You should never half to force your dog to go into the crate. They should feel comfortable enough with it to go in on their own.

- When traveling, you are guaranteed a place to keep you pet incase the place you are visiting is not dog friendly. People who do not have dogs do not consider the common dangers that a curious pup may get into when not supervised.

- By having your dog with you in a secure safe place you have less worries and less expenses. You won’t need to leave them at the kennel.

One of the greatest things you can do for your pet when traveling is make them feel comfortable no matter where they go. By bringing a little piece of home with you, both you and your dog can have an enjoyable traveling experience.

One of the things you may, or may not, be prepared for when getting a new puppy is its desire to chew. Often this can be quite destructive depending on exactly how you handle this situation.

Instinctively puppies often chew because they need to- not because they want to destroy your personal items. As puppies begin to loose their �milk teeth� and get their 42 adult teeth they chew to help alleviate some of the discomfort they are experiencing. Overall, the best thing you can do is protect your puppy from potentially harmful situations and help set him up to be successful.

Below you�ll find several ideas to help your puppy from being �bad� and to help it through this stage of development.

Give plenty of exercise and attention to relieve boredom which often leads to chewing

Crate the puppy if you cannot watch it

Use commercial sprays to alleviate chewing of household items- Listerine is also good

Do not give the puppy old shoes or socks to chew on- it cannot differentiate old ones from your brand new ones

Give your puppy toys of its own to chew on- it is also good to give these to your pup when he begins to teeth on you

Give your puppy one of its toys when it acts as though it may chew something it should not

Move items you do not want the puppy to get out of its reach- cover all power cords, remove pens/ pencils, plants (many are poisonous), books, etc.

With a little bit of planning, patience and caring, you can help your puppy through this stage.

Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/

Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - “Your New Best Friend”

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

Two types of dog ticks are commonly found in the United States. These are the American dog tick and the brown dog tick. Their scientific names are Dermacentor variabilis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, respectively. The brown dog tick does not pose a threat to humans, as it rarely feeds on them.

American dog ticks are reddish-brown. The female has a silver spot, while the male has silver lines on the body. They are found in grasslands and woods. Larvae and nymphs feed on mice, squirrels, and other small animals, while adults feed on cattle, deer, raccoons, dogs, and humans. Adults are active between April and June. These ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia to humans.

Brown dog ticks are unique in the sense that they can live and grow indoors. They are found in kennels or in homes where dogs stay and can cause canine babesiosis, canine ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis. These ticks are also reddish-brown and their preferred host is a dog. To prevent brown dog tick bites, it is necessary to treat the dog, kennel, and home with tick-killing pesticide. Outdoor pesticide treatment is also crucial.

Dog ticks must be removed immediately if found attached to a host. Tweezers or commercial tick removal aids should be used for this purpose. Gloves must be worn during tick removal. Ticks should never be touched with bare hands because they can transmit infections. The correct method is to slowly pull the tick out from the point of attachment, ensuring that its mouth is not embedded in the skin of the host. The tick should not be crushed in the process. After removal, the bitten area and the tool used to remove the tick should be cleaned with antiseptic. Vaseline, alcohol, nail-polish, or glowing match should not be used for removing ticks.

To conclude, dog tick bites need to be prevented at all costs as they have the potential to infect people and animals with serious diseases. People living in tick-infested areas need to examine themselves and their pets regularly to rule out ticks.

Kitten bad breath is not a common problem for new kitten owners, but some people do find that their kittens breath smells bad. Not surprisingly, bad breath in cats and kittens can be caused by the same things that cause halitosis in humans - gum or dental problems, respiratory problems, or underlying disease. There are also a few things particular to cats that can cause an unpleasant odor on the breath.

Feline bad breath is often caused by tartar build up on the teeth. Just like in dogs and humans, tartar on the teeth fosters the growth of oral bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds, airborne molecules that smell very unpleasant. Although tartar has not generally had time to accumulate enough to cause kitten bad breath, you should check the condition of your kitten’s teeth and gums to be sure there is no tartar or inflammation there. If you see signs of trouble, a trip to the vet is probably in order.

Respiratory problems can also be a cause of kitten bad breath. This is usually easy to pinpoint because it will be accompanied by signs of respiratory illness. Again, like humans and dogs, cats can get viral or bacterial infections of the nasal passages, throat and lungs. In turn these infections can encourage the growth of bacteria and may cause feline bad breath. If your cat has a respiratory infection accompanied by bad breath, the breath problem should resolve as soon as the cat recovers.

Another unusual cause of feline bad breath can be underlying illness - some metabolic disorders and organ problems such as kidney disease can cause an unusual odor on the breath. In most cases, the odor will not the typical sulfur smell of classic halitosis, but may still be quite unpleasant. A kitten bad breath problem that can’t be attributed to any other common cause may be a sign that your kitten has a more serious problem that should immediately be assessed by a vet.

One cause of feline bad breath that is particular to cats is feline acne. If your cat has feline acne, you will see black specks or bumps on the cat’s chin. These black spots are a buildup of secretions from the animal’s glands, and the affected area can also be a site for the proliferation of colonizing bacteria. This unhealthy area can be the source of an unpleasant odor around the mouth, so part of your search for the cause of kitten bad breath should be an examination of your cat’s chin. Feline acne can be treated with disinfectants: consult your vet for professional advice.

For the last 10 years a generous part of my time has been associated with domestic elk, the furry, four-legged kind we raise on the farm not the two legged ones that hang out with their friends at the lodge on Main Street in town. While most men dream of associating with elk, especially that elusive world class bull, I would say that it’s not something that most women would find very appealing. However, my husband and I decided to get involved in raising domestic elk along with our friends who live five minutes away and own the elk ranch where we board our animals. It’s been quite a ride. I’ve learned a lot about elk, some things funny, some tragic and heartbreaking, and some just downright amazing. One thing is for sure, it’s never dull.

For the most part elk are pretty easy to get along with as long as you don’t corner them, you stay a safe distance from the bulls during the breeding season and as long as you never, never try to come between a cow and her calf unless you either are extremely quick at getting to and climbing an 8-foot fence, or armed with something to defend yourself when she comes after you, and she will! Cow elk are extremely good at hiding their offspring in the trees and tall grass, in fact there have been many times that we have searched and searched for babies in pens that we thought were sparsely vegetated and where they would be easy to find. Right. Lesson number one, never underestimate the protective instincts of a new mother. When you do eventually locate the little one, mama is also extremely good at defending him. She will come at you with both front feet striking at lightening speed making you think twice about trying to tag, weigh, vaccinate or ever touch her calf again.

There are several dogs that live on the farm. The old heeler cross learned years ago that if she ever thought about crossing the elk fence for any reason, it was a VERY BAD IDEA! She found herself on the wrong side of that 8-foot fence one day and barely escaped with her life by beating the cows (female elk) to the fence and climbing up and over as fast as her legs could carry her. She never did that again. The Border collie has been discouraged from the day she arrived on the farm not to go near the fence and she is smart enough to heed the warnings. But the new pup, a miniature Australian shepherd named Ace, was a different story. Ace being just a pup was very curious and loved to race up and down the fence “playing” with one of the bottle raised elk heifers who would run with him on her side of the fence. It was really entertaining to watch them and Ace thought this was great fun.

This Spring this heifer, along with the two other bottle raised cows, gave birth to a bouncing baby calf. She doted on her baby and for the first several days would not even bring him out of hiding. Early one morning, just about sunrise, the dogs had been let out as was the usual routine. They had only been outside a short time when their owners heard a terrible ruckus coming from the elk pen across the driveway. It seems Ace must have been chasing a rabbit or prairie dog and somehow gotten under the fence and in with the elk cows and their babies. Not a good scenario. Two of the cows spotted him and ran him down striking him with those deadly front feet with every intention of killing him. In the mean time his owner hearing all this from the house and realizing what was happening came running out yelling and trying to climb the fence to somehow chase the cows back and rescue the pup. His efforts startled the cows and gave Ace the chance to get to his feet and tear off down the fence trying desperately to find the hole in the fence where he had gotten in. He found the hole narrowly escaping being stomped to death by the cows who were once again in hot pursuit. Ace had escaped with his life but was badly beaten. His left hind leg had been severely damaged and would require surgery to pin together the left distal femoral bone which was fractured. Ace was very lucky not to have sustained any other internal injuries though and his prognosis was good. His owners were sent home with specific instructions for his recovery process and drugs (Rimadyl) for the pain.

This is where the amazing things I have learned about elk come in to play. Each year there would inevitably be one or more elk calves that would end up with broken legs, be it from stepping in a prairie dog hole or being stepped on by a cow, etc. Through experience in trying different methods to help them, and I might add without much success, we have discovered that if just left alone the legs would heal on their own. Lesson number two, elk have the incredible ability to heal their own broken bones, torn ligaments and damaged cartilage, etc. I would not have believed this had I not seen it time and time again with my own eyes. And not only do they heal but they heal so well that months later you would not even be able to tell which calves in the herd had broken their legs. The fact is that elk are the only animals whose bodies produce calcium. Not only that but their chemical makeup is so incredible that the bulls are able to produce huge antlers every year in a matter of just a few months. The antler is made up of 40 key compounds including glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, IGF-1, collagen, amino acids, Omega fatty acids, and much more. Research has shown that these compounds make an excellent supplement for joint problems, arthritis, performance enhancement, and overall general health maintenance. And when the antlers are in the soft or “velvet” stage is when they have the most nutrients. Eastern cultures have used velvet antler for centuries as a staple in their daily diets for all sorts of ailments and for overall energy and well being.

Ace, as well as all the other dogs on the ranch, has been taking freeze-dried elk velvet antler since he was little. His owners did not like giving him the Rimadyl since NSAIDs (non steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause serious side effects, even death in some cases. So Ace’s daily dose of velvet antler was increased instead. He never really showed any signs of being in pain and his recovery has been incredible, just two months after his surgery he is chasing balls again with the Border collie and his x-rays show that the joint is nearly completely healed. And he now stays a respectable distance from the elk fence. Ace’s story is just one of many where we have seen great results using elk velvet antler. Elk truly are amazing animals, if you don’t believe me just ask Ace.

For more information about elk velvet antler as an all natural joint, arthritis, and overall health supplement for dogs go to http://www.bonusvelvetantler.com

Housetraining a puppy is important for both the puppy and the owner. Problems with housetraining and similar issues are the main reason that dogs are surrendered to shelters. So proper housetraining can literally save its life and make it easier on both of you. It is important to establish proper toilet habits when the puppy is still young. After all, it will be very difficult to break once they are established. In most cases, true housetraining cannot begin until the puppy is 6 months old. Puppies younger than 6 months generally lack the bowel and bladder control that is needed for true housetraining.

The best housetraining program uses the dog�s own instincts to avoid soiling its bed and the places it shouldn�t do its �business�. That�s the basis behind crate training. Crate training is where the dog is confined to its crate in the owner�s absence. Den training is where the dog is confined to a small area in the home. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will try their best not to use the dens as toilets.

This type of training usually works well for puppies or older dogs. The common problems from this type of toilet training are usually stem from not understanding the signals the dog is sending, inconsistent feeding times or trying to rush the process.

Do not rush!

Some dogs cannot be rushed through the housetraining process and you should consistently praise your dog for eliminating at the right place. It�s always better to housetrain your dog properly the first time than having the trouble of retraining your dog.

If your dog continues to soil the den area after house training, this may be because the owner has left the dog in the den for too long and the dog has an �accident�. Another reason may be because the den area is too large. In this case, you can either make the den area smaller or take the dog to the toilet area more frequently. Another reason could be that the dog has yet to adopt the area as the bed.

Urinary tract infections and other medical conditions could also cause dogs to soil their beds. Please do a thorough check-up by a veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions.

Is your dog bored?

One problem many dog owners overlook during housetraining is boredom. Boredom is actually the root cause of many behavior problems. Boredom can also be the root cause of problems with housetraining. Dogs that are bored often consume large amounts of water during the day. This excess water consumption can lead to frequent urination, even in its den area. Since soiling the den area goes against the dog�s nature, it can quickly become confused and frightened, thereby setting the housetraining program back even further.

To prevent the dog from becoming bored when you are away, be sure to provide it with lots of different kinds of toys, as well as a safe and secure place to sleep. In addition, a vigorous period of play time can help the dog sleep while you are away. In addition, playing with the dog in its den area will help him bond with this area and recognize it as a safe, secure home.

Proper introduction

Other problems with house training can occur when the dog�s den is not properly introduced. In some cases, dogs may think of the den as a prison or a punishment. Those dogs may exhibit anxiety, such as whining, chewing and excessive barking. It is important for the dog to feel secure in its den.

The best way to housetrain a puppy or dog, or to re-house train a problem dog, is to know your dog�s habits and needs. Creating a healthy, safe sleeping, play area and well-defined toilet area is important for any housetraining program.

Puppy obedience training and older dog obedience training use a lot of common sense, some understanding of dog pack behavior, and a few simple techniques. I begin with a reminder to you all � one of the puppy training tips that I have found to help immensely. Be sure you walk for a few minutes with your dog on a proper heel. Starting him off in the follower position with you in the lead makes it a lot easier on you, and it gets you both in the mode to respect you as the Pack Leader.

With that done, here is a simple way to make your dog familiar with the commands “sit” and “down.” Tell the dog “Good sit” as he sits by you looking for affection, and “Good down” when he is lying at your feet after you have had a long day. If he does not seem to understand when you ask him to lie down, push his rear down and work his front paws down. (Obviously, he starts in the sit posture when you do this.)

Command an action from the dog with your hands (or simultaneously with hands and voice). It is easy for him to watch them, and using your hands for direction causes him to respect them. Also, take time to touch and handle all parts of your dog’s body often to avoid fear at the vet or any time he needs to be checked over.

To teach your dog to stay, bring him to one spot and tell him to sit. Then say “Stay” and step back a little. Go forward three steps, then five, then ten.

Mix up the amount of steps so the dog cannot predict what you are going to do. If the dog can guess what you will do, he may cheat.

Sit, move forward two steps, and sit again. If the dog cheats or does not stay when you say to, you must take him back to the original spot and start over. If you do not fix the mistakes immediately, you are likely to have a dog that will cheat way too often and not listen to you at all.

Dog training is really not hard. It simply is a matter of nailing down a few key points. Here are some more dog training and puppy training tips:

Your dog will not be unhappy with you for telling him what to do. On the contrary, he will be angry and frustrated if you don’t!

Always be consistent and follow through in the simplest of things. The little things go a long way. The little things are also remembered.

Do not take it out on your dog if you have had a bad day. It will not help, and it is not his fault. It is better to skip it if you are really ticked.

Always introduce a new command in stages — one step at a time. Let each step be understood and assimilated before adding more. You want to lead and instruct your pet, not confuse and frustrate him.

If you are having difficulty implementing these dog obedience training steps with any modicum of success, then there may be other dog behavior issues - physical or psychological - that underlie the problem. Ask a dog behaviorist for help. Not just any dog trainer will do. You need someone who will help you understand if it is you, the dog, or both. I know better than to buy the popular myth that “a bad dog is the sign of a bad owner.”

The Chihuahua is the world’s smallest dog and it has been an extremely popular dog breed in the United States and around the world. This long-lived breed has a life expectancy well into the mid-teens. Chihuahuas or Chis have grown in popularity over the past several decades from an American Kennel Club (AKC) registration ranking of 16th in the early 90’s to 10th in 2004 and 11th in 2005. The Taco Bell Chihuahua promotion introduced in 1997 fueled some of the popularity growth. The tiny Chihuahua can weigh from 2 to 6 pounds and can have a smooth coat or a long coat with feathered ears, neck, feet, legs and tail. Chis are adorable dogs with big eyes and ears but aren’t a dog for everyone. If you have young children or other pets then the Chihuahua isn’t a good fit for your situation. Chis are much too small to be safe around young children or toddlers and while they enjoy being around other Chihuahuas, they dislike all other breeds. Chihuahuas are the ultimate apartment dog and do really well with a single individual or elderly couple that likes to pamper these small toy dogs. Chis are completely devoted to their owners and love to be with them all the time. The tiny Chihuahua is graceful, lively, curious, intelligent, loyal and affectionate but has some terrier-like qualities. Chis are fearless, saucy, mischievous and bold and make good watchdogs. Additional information can be found in the Chihuahua dog breed article.

The Chihuahua is considered to be one of the few dog breeds indigenous or native to North America. Much of the Chis history is somewhat speculative but most experts think the breed descended from the Techichi. The Techichi was a small canine that existed in Mayan times around the 5th century AD. They think the Olmecs of Central America developed the Techichi breed. The Toltecs who succeeded the Olmecs in the 9th century AD carved small dogs with erect ears resembling plump Chihuahuas. These Techichis may have been raised as pets but they were definitely used as a food source for the nobility on special occasions. After the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs, they used the Techichi in religious ceremonies as food sources and sacrifices. The Aztecs also regularly burned these dogs along with the deceased in the belief that the sins of the humans would be transferred to the dogs and the dog would help guide the soul between this world and the next. Techichi remains have been found buried with human remains all across Mexico. When the Spanish conquered and destroyed the Aztec civilization from 1519 to 1521, they may have introduced a small terrier breed that was crossed with the Techichi. Some breed historians think that the Chihuahua is actually of European descent and originated in Malta. They offer as proof a 1482 painting by Botticelli which depicts a Chihuahua-like dog. They theorize that the Spanish conquerors brought these small dogs with them to the Americas. A third theory is that the Chinese, who were adept at developing miniature dogs, developed a Chihuahua-like breed which Spanish traders introduced into Mexico.

Whatever theory is correct, the resulting breeds were left to survive in the mountains of Mexico - maybe with help from the local population. Nothing much was heard from these small dogs for about 300 years until 1850 when several small dogs - some long haired, some short haired and some larger hairless were discovered in the Mexican border state of Chihuahua. The smooth coat and long coat varieties were eventually called Chihuahuas after the state in which they were found and the larger hairless variety was called the Mexican Hairless. The Chihuahua breed was first registered by the AKC in 1904 and it was relatively rare. The national Chihuahua breed club was formed in 1923 and the breed received wide exposure when Xavier Cugat, the rumba king, appeared with his Chihuahuas in performances and movies during the 1930’s and 40’s. The Chis’ popularity peaked in 1964 when it was the 3rd most popular dog breed in the US. The breed’s popularity resulted in unscrupulous breeders and dealers introducing a number of health and temperament problems into the bloodlines. Genetic problems ranged from patellar luxation (slipped kneecap), heart disease (pulmonic stenosis), hypoglycemia, and tracheal collapse to poor temperament. Recent breeding practices are resulting in much healthier and more amiable amigos. However any prospective buyer should check to make sure that the puppy’s breeding parents have been certified free of orthopedic and other genetic diseases.