Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #606838 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

From the Back Cover
With generously proportioned ears and an animated expression, it's hard for the pint-sized Chihuahua not to capture attention wherever he goes. But don't let his small size fool you - inside that darling appearance lies the heart of a strong and confident dog whose intelligence is matched only by his bravado. Once this saucy portable pet captures your heart, you'll find a loyal and lively companion. This total care guide contains colourful sidebars, boxes and photographs that illustrate key topics essential to Chihuahua owners. An excellent source of accurate, in-depth information, The Chihuahua will help you and your family raise a healthy and well-behaved canine companion

About the Author
Tammy Gagne is a freelance writer who specialises in the health and behaviour of companion animals. She is a regular contributor to several national pet care magazines and has owned purebred dogs for more than 25 years. In addition to being an avid dog lover, she is also an experienced aviculturist. She resides in northern New England with her husband, son, dogs and parrots.

Wayne Hunthausen, DVM, consulting veterinary editor and pet behaviour consultant, is the director of Animal Behavior Consultations in the Kansas City area and currently serves on the Practitioner Board for Veterinary Medicine and the Behavior Advisory Board for Veterinary Forum.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The history of all dogs may be traced to one common ancestor - the wolf. Even the smallest breeds are directly linked to these larger canines. Although no true wolves inhabit South America, a small, dark subspecies called the Mexican grey wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) still exists in Mexico today. Sometimes referred to as el lobo, this is the animal from which many experts believe Chihuahuas descend. For some reason - probably his diminutive size - the Chihuahua (pronounced Chih-WAH-waah) is often considered by the uninitiated to be somewhat less of a "real" dog than other canines. This is ironic, for when proper research is done, what is learned is that the Chihuahua is the oldest dog breed on the American continent, and in this sense, one of the most authentic of all dogs. Those who know the Chihuahua best, though, hardly need to be convinced of the breed's indisputable right to his place among the most remarkable of all canines, past and present.