Bull Terriers—Today And Yesterday
Today, bull terriers are known for their playful temperament and protective tendencies. Yet, the history behind the creation and purpose of these dogs does not indicate that these dogs would even bee seen as a common household pet. A breed created purposefully for the cruel intentions of human beings, the bull terrier is known today for being energetic and a great companion. It is interesting to compare yesterday’s history of bull terriers to the realty of today.
A Twisted History
The bull terrier resulted from a cross between bulldogs and different types of terriers. The purpose of such a cross was to breed dogs for dog fighting. In 1835, traditional dog fighting was outlawed in England. Thus, to keep the sport under wraps, a smaller breed was needed so as to be more discreet. Thus, the bulldogs used in traditional dogfights were mixed with terriers to create a much lighter and agile dog.
Historically, the bull terrier is known for being even more aggressive and deadly than the bulldog alone. It became known as the “canine gladiator” that would fight to its death. It wasn’t until James Hinks bred the bull terrier with the White Terrier that the breed became standardized. Hinks did this to eliminate a few unattractive features in the dog and to achieve an all white dog. Today, this particular breed is known as the white bull terrier.
Ted Lyon was the first to introduce color into the breed in the early 20th century. He did so because genetic problems were occurring with the pure white ones, such as albinism. Now, any bull terrier that is not pure white is known as a colored bull terrier.
A Different Sort Of Dog
Over the years, many different dogs have been crossed with the bull terrier to achieve the look that we associated with the dogs today. It is thought that at some point throughout history, the Dalmatian, Spanish Pointer, Greyhound, Foxhound, Borzoi, and Collie were crossed to achieve the modern appearance.
Not only is the modern look of the bull terrier different than it once was, but the temperament of the dog is much more easy-going and playful. They are known for their athleticism and their clowning antics. Today, there is no trace of the fighting machine that these dogs once were.
A Positive Change
Bull terriers are just one example of something that can change drastically over a period of time. Given several centuries, it is easy to see how something can go from one exchange to the other.
Tips For Choosing A Chihuahua Puppy
When shopping around for a Chihuahua puppy, there are certain things to consider, just like with any other breed. The first thing you need to do is get familiar with the breed. Do your homework and know exactly what you are getting into before you buy. Once you feel comfortable with the possibility of owning a Chihuahua, you can then begin your search. Here are some tips for choosing a Chihuahua puppy.
Where To Find One
Obviously, the first thing you are going to have to decide is where to buy your puppy. Many people turn to the ease and convenience of pet stores. If you’re serious about getting a healthy and well-mannered dog, you should forget that idea right away. Even though the puppies available are cute and seem healthy enough, many times they are purchased from breeders who care nothing for the health and quality of the dog. They are in it for no other reason than to make a profit. You should buy you Chihuahua directly from a responsible and trusted breeder.
There are certain things that a good breeder will do to separate themselves from the pack. First of all, they will not breed unhealthy dogs with one another. They will also be able to show you health records to prove it. A good breeder will also be able to trace the family line of each parent for several generations. They will also let you spend time with the parents of the litter to give you an idea of the quality and mannerisms of the puppies. Most importantly, they will also be happy to provide you with references of previous customers. Take some time to contact these people and find out about their experiences with each particular breeder.
Choosing A Puppy
Once you’ve found a breeder that you are comfortable with, it’s time to choose your Chihuahua puppy. Each different breed has certain things you should be looking for and certain things you should avoid. It’s a little more involved than just picking up the first puppy you see and running out of there. Each individual dog has a different personality, and some will match yours better than others. Take into consideration what kind of personality you have. This will determine which Chihuahua personality will be easiest for you to train. If you’re kind of laid back, then you probably shouldn’t choose a puppy with an assertive personality. In most cases, you should try to choose a puppy that is somewhere in between assertive and submissive. This type of dog will suit most personalities. A good breeder will be able to help you determine which puppy best fits your personality.
The health of the dog is the next thing to consider. If you’ve chosen a good breeder, this should not be an issue. Any breeder that cares about the well-being of the dogs, as well as their reputation, would not willingly sell you an unhealthy puppy. There are, however, certain things to look for. The best indicator of a healthy Chihuahua puppy is whether or not the dog is clean. Obviously, a healthy dog will not be coughing, sneezing, or vomiting. Other things to look for include, clear eyes, moist nose, white teeth and pink gums, and clean ears. The dog should not appear to be overweight either.
If you follow these tips, you should have no trouble finding a Chihuahua puppy that is healthy and well-mannered.
Doggie Decisions—What Is So Great About Chihuahua Puppies?
Is your family looking to adopt a new puppy? A family dog can be a great experience. However, it can also be a nightmare if you don’t know what you are getting into. It is important to research the different breeds of dogs in order to determine which breed best fits the lifestyle and schedule of your family. There are many different aspects of owning Chihuahua puppies. Some are positive, while some are negative. Once you know about the pros and cons of owning a Chihuahua puppy, or any dog for that matter, you will be able to weigh them against each other and see if the dog is a perfect fit for your family.
Positive Pros—Why You Should Adopt
Chihuahuas are the smallest of all the dog breeds. They usually don’t grow to be taller than 10 inches, and they can weigh as little as four pounds. Many people see this as being a pro, because it means that the Chihuahua puppies are easy to transport and carry around. This makes family vacations extremely easy. The dog’s small size can also be seen as a positive aspect because it means that relatives and young children are less likely to be intimidated by your new pet.
Chihuahua puppies are also popular pets because they are extremely comical and entertaining to watch. They have funny personalities and tend to take themselves very seriously. This provides a lot of entertainment for any family. Additionally, Chihuahua puppies and dogs are known for being great watch dogs. Their temperament and natural protectiveness are other pros to owning a Chihuahua puppy.
Chihuahuas have a long life span. Therefore, if you adopt a Chihuahua when it is a puppy, it will be with your family for a long time. Chihuahuas are also fairly low maintenance in that they do not require very much exercise. This means that the owner is not required to take the dog for a daily walk, and a fenced-in backyard is most likely not necessary.
Counting The Cons
Though there are many positives to owning a Chihuahua puppy, there are also some cons that should be considered before you proceed to adopt a Chihuahua. Though their small size can be a plus, it can also make the dogs extremely fragile, and likely to encounter more medical problems. Most experts do not recommend adopting a Chihuahua under four pounds. Additionally, Chihuahuas can be high maintenance in that they are difficult to train and housebreak. Though they are known for being comical, Chihuahua puppies also have a reputation for being suspicious and neurotic.
Careful Considerations
Take into account the pros and cons of adopting a Chihuahua puppy before taking the plunge. It may be that you decide a Chihuahua is not the right dog for you—and that is fine. However, it is better that you make this decision before you adopt the puppy as opposed to after the deed has been done.