Chihuahuas glut California shelters; is @Bunnyphuphu to blame?

I honestly feel it is the celeb status symbol that is doing it to the dog! Paris lton with her shaky high strung dog. YIKES!

Bunnyphuphu is not to blame. Not this time. LOL!

I personally think that a dog that is that small and HAS TO wear clothing to keep warm is not a pet I want to own. I would be affraid my kids would snap it in half. I do not get the appeal of this dog at all.

I hope someone really can explain this phenomenon!

Oh @albanian, thank you for helping to shed light on this problem. Back when I was living in California, I was guilty for owning a Chihuahua and Great Dane. Now, this was long before there even was a Taco Bell Chihuahua on the air waves... let alone these movie stars.

I don't think, however, that I can be blamed for this tragic turn of events since I have always used a shelter or rescue organization and adopted rather than buy any dogs, or the two Chihuahuas I have owned. What is sad, is this behavior is nothing new. Americans are known to have the latest fad as a pet.

Remember the Dalmatians when the 101 remake movie came out? They flooded the shelters. This Hollywood/Dog problem has been going on for many years.

Maybe the problem with inbreeding and hip dysplasia with German Shepherds was made worse with the dogs popularity in the 1920's with Rin Tin Tin? And it doesn't stop with just dogs. I can't imagine how many Clown fish were flushed down the toilet after Finding Nemo came out and people soon after realized that a Clown and Gold fish are not the same.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Pooches-in-Pictures;-How-Hollywood-Influences-the-Dogs-We-Bring-Home&id=283993 I hate to see any animal abused by overbreeding, only to be left neglected and eventually euthanized. @albanian... I hate to say it, but I think you'd be a perfect match for adopting one of these small dogs that needs a home. As long as you treat your Chihuahua as a dog and not a toy, you are guaranteed to have a cool and well mannered little rodent.

I also say this since these dogs have the biggest brain compared to their size. http://chihuahua.rescueme.org/Louisiana *rather than carry a Chihuahua, why not teach them some great agility moves!

Ala many breeds that gain celebrity status - like 'Marley and Me' this is a sad sad truth. Some potential dog owners see and believe only part of the truth - only what they want to see. A dog to add to their fashion look or to improve their status somehow.

These particular little dogs are often treated like hand bags or toys - and can end up being discarded the same way other accessories are. (Not the one you picture above - s/he seems happy along with the other little pooch sitting pretty! ) When the pup gets older or bigger - and they behave poorly because they never were treated like a dog - given training - given a chance to succeed and learn to get along with all kinds of people and dogs etc.- the owners find it inconvenient to keep the 'item'.

Not all owners are like this - but a combination of puppy mill breeders - looking to take advantage of the opportunity and the breeds celebrity status make for a dangerous mix of overcrowding in animal shelters. P.S.- 'phu' is not to blame... :) @albanian - Thanks for a funny but important question...and one more thing for Mahaloians... If you are thinking about adopting a pet - consider waiting until AFTER the holidays when your household is back to a normal schedule and you can devote time and energy needed to a new member who will require some extra and deserved attention!Woof. Oh, one more thing...Let's all hope that our current president Obama's dog breed choice doesn't fall into a similar sad fate...

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.