Product Description

With their apple heads, big round eyes, large pointy ears, saucy expressions, and feisty dispositions, Chihuahuas are one of the most beloved breeds of toy dogs in the world. But these frisky little dogs aren’t for everyone. Consummate lap dogs, they thrive on attention and constant contact with their owners, and are miserable when left alone. As pups they’re extremely fragile, although they do outlive bigger breeds by many years. Housebreaking can be a problem with Chihuahuas, but on the other hand, they’re very smart, love performing tricks and they never forget what they learn. Some have a tendency to shyness, but a well–socialized Chihuahua can be every bit as bold as a pit bull.

Is this plucky little pooch the right dog for you and your family? Chihuahuas For Dummies provides the answer to this and all your questions about getting, caring for and living with this loveable breed. Award–winning breeder, trainer, author and long–time Chihuahua lover, Jacqueline O’Neil Beauchamp gets you up and running with what you need to know to:

• Find and communicate with reputable breeders
• Choose the right Chihuahua for you
• Housebreak and socialize your new puppy
• Educate yourself and your dog
• Handle behavioral problems
• Participate in competitions

In friendly, down–to–earth language, Jacqueline provides insights into the Chihuahua temperament and loads of sensible, easy–to–follow advice, along with fun facts and Chihuahua trivia. Discover how to:

• Decide on whether a male or female is right for you
• Find and choose your new friend and bring him or her home
• Understand how to communicate with your Chihuahua
• Train your little peanut
• Find a good trainer and attend classes
• Deal with emotional conflicts
• Feed and exercise your little amigo
• Recognize, prevent and treat common health problems
• Have loyal friend for life

The indispensable guide for you and your Chihuahua, Chihuahuas For Dummies is the only book you’ll need to help you have the best possible experience with this saucy and affectionate breed of dog.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #198979 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
"a guide to help you know what to expect from these loveable creatures" (I Want It Now, June 2006)

From the Back Cover
Find out about your Chihuahua′s special needs

Get the lowdown on keeping your Chihuahua healthy and content Easily recognized by its diminutive stature and saucy expression, the Chihuahua is an affectionate, long–lived family pet. This fun and friendly book provides insights into this popular dog′s temperament, sensible advice on taking care of and training your Chihuahua, tips on participating in a variety of dog competitions, and much more.

Discover how to:

• Choose the right Chihuahua for you
• Socialize your new puppy
• Educate yourself and your dog
• Maintain good health through proper exercise and diet
• Handle behavioral problems

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear–out cheat sheet Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! www.dummies.com

Attention pet owners!

• Get free Dummies Daily e–mail newsletters
• Sign up for tips on dogs, cats, or birds
• Keep your pet healthy and content — the Dummies Way

About the Author
Jacqueline O′Neil is a renowned dog breeder, exhibitor, and trainer. An award–winning author, she has written more than a dozen books on pet care and training and is a columnist for the AKC Gazette.

Customer Reviews

Good guide for any owner/or potential Chi owner...
This book is comprehensive and written in an easy to follow format. The book guides you through how to keep and care for a Chihuahua - follow the referenced chapters for guidance. There are some great highlighted tips and facts in every chapter. It is written in a witty style and has lots of great photos. There are lots of 'Americanisms' and references to Amercian Chihuahua breeders. The UK audience will get the gist, but there is is a good deal of information that won't be relevent. I would have liked to have read a more detailed Chapter on Housebreaking, (toilet training). This area was skipped over and as a Chihuahua owner, any further help or guidance would have been appreciated!! However, there is also a lot of detailed information about your pet's health, diet and well-being that some books don't touch on.

In summary: this book has some great information and facts about the history of the dog. It is an easy to follow guide and good value for money at 241 pages.

Very detailed
This is a great book for anyone with a new chihuahua, as it's very detailed and covers every possible subject. My only complaint is the text-book format, with very little pictures and diagrams used to demonstrate the advice. It makes the book seem quite tedious. But that said, this problem can easily be averted by highlighting/bookmarking the sectios most useful.

A must-buy for any chi-lover

Very complete, fun and down to earth
I bought this book a week after having decided that we wanted to have a Chihuahua join our familly. My parents have always had large dogs at home but this is the first time I will be having a dog of my own. I wanted to make sure that upon having our puppy coming home, we would be fully trained for the job ;o)

This book is absolutely great and complete. It start off by a small chapter presenting the breed and the plus and minus of choosing for a chi in order to make sure that both the dog and the owner will be happy partners for ever after. It tells you a bit about the Chi history and where it comes from. It gives you advice on subjects like what type of food to chose for your puppy and later on adult or senior dog, how to care for her, how to train her, chirobics (fun activities with your chi), health issues and lots more.

The author has a good sense of humor and manages to portait the breed in a very loving yet realistic manner.

Truly a must have for first time Chi owners or for already lucky chi owners who may find in this book some very usefull tips.

A five stars for me !!!!