Celebrity Dog Trainer

Chihuahuas - The Celebrity Choice Dog

By Melissa Turner

They've been spotted everywhere-the streets of Hollywood, the beaches of Miami, and the hotels of New York and London. Have you noticed the global spurt of celebrities' fascination (or possibly obsession?) with Chihuahuas? At first it was thought to simply be a phase; either it's a short, or the Chihuahuadom in Hollywood has begun for the long haul.

Who owns these dogs? The list is endless, but here are some of the celebrity biggies: Paris Hilton's Chihuahua, Tinkerbell; Britney Spear's Bit Bit and Lucky; Hilary' Duff's Lola; Scarlett Johansson's Maggie; Sandra Bullock's Chihuahua mix Poppy; and Demi Moore's Yorkie-Chihuahua mix, Louie.

Why do Chihuahuas appeal to celebrities? First, Chihuahuas are normally 6-9 inches in height and 2-6 lbs in weight. This equals a teeny tiny full grown pup. Because celebrities are always on the move, they have a perfectly portable pet in a Chihuahua-they can easily be taken nearly anywhere; the spa, the film set, a private airplane, a shopping spree, a sporting event...you name it. Also, celebrities seem to love buying accessories and items for their precious pooches: carrying bags, jeweled (yes, jeweled) personal collars, doggie sweaters and outfits, custom made leashes, etc. Celebrities have money to spend; why not diffuse cash on their puppy companion?

These dogs have not only grown in popularity because they are owned by celebrities; they now stand on their own four feet. Consider Paris Hilton's Tinkerbell, who seemed to have been the groundbreaking pup which was first in the Chihuahua trend. Tinkerbell even has her own doggie diary, titled, The Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries: My Life Tailing Paris Hilton, by Tinkerbell Hilton. A doggie author? This book is 112 pages full of Tinkerbell's first-person (or is it first-canine?) thoughts as she trails Paris around the world.

Are these celebrity pooches only as popular as their owners, or can they exceed the fame of their mommies? Britney Spear's pup, Bit Bit, is only popular because of the struggle between Britney and Kevin; Kevin thought the Britney's Bit Bit might be harmful to their children. Britney agreed to get rid of Lucky after she snapped at Kevin one day in May, but Bit Bit remained. Are Chihuahuas aggressive pups?

Chihuahua's are known for their extreme loyalty to their owners. They are loving pets who demand attention from their owners, yet they freely give it as well. They are wary of dogs other than Chihuahuas, primarily because they are tiny and sometimes are easily scared. If a Chihuahua is well-socialized, they are happy to be dotted upon and passed around from person to person. They are not recommended for children because Chihuahuas are naturally nervous and edgy dogs, and the teasing actions of a child may cause them to become afraid and nip with their sharp teeth. Chihuahuas are energetic, dotting, and saucy pets; they know what they want, and they plan to get it. Compare their temperament to that of a celebrity; there seem to be a few similarities. Is the primary appeal to a celebrity of owning a Chihuahua because they can keep up with the fast and famous lifestyle? Quite possibly.