Release of "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" raises concern among dog advocates


Posted on Sep 26, 2008
By Julia Szabo

The release of the new Disney movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"  has fans of this diminutive breed concerned that the popularity of Chihuahuas will skyrocket, with backyard breeders and puppy mills going into overdrive to supply anticipated demand for these tiny, tote-able dogs.

The small Chihuahua is already hugely popular with the Hollywood set, seen out and about on the arm of starlets such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. But when the inevitable happens and moviegoers purchase Chihuahuas on impulse after seeing this movie, without doing the necessary research that should precede the acquisition of any dog breed, it's feared that hundreds if not thousands of these little dogs will wind up abandoned at animal shelters by people who expected a perfectly-trained dog like the ones they saw onscreen. And that means more work for the Chihuahua rescuers who dedicate their time to pulling pets from shelters, fostering them, and finding them loving, responsible homes.

Of course, this being a G-rated film, many children will pressure their parents for a pet Chihuahua - then promptly lose interest in contributing to the dog's care. But even before the dog's novelty has a chance to wear off, Chihuahuas and children are not a great match, explains The Chihuahua Club of America's Bruce Shirky.

"Chihuahuas are very delicate as puppies, and can be inadvertently injured by being dropped, stepped on, or having a small item fall on them," Shirky explains. "For this reason, we recommend that families with very small children perhaps consider a larger breed. The Chihuahua Club of America hopes that anyone who becomes interested in owning a Chihuahua as a result of seeing this movie will educate themselves on responsible dog ownership and all that it entails."

One way to start learning about this or any dog breed, its needs, and whether it is indeed right for your family's lifestyle is to consult the FetchDog Breed Center. As for children who demand a real, live "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" of their own, the easiest, safest, and most humane solution is to buy them a Chihuahua toy instead.
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