What is cute, comes in a variety of colors, weighs between 3-5 lbs. and can be found in fashion designer bags from time to time? A Chihuahua. As popular as these cute miniatures are, there are thousands in desperate trouble. Many people don’t have the budget to buy and maintain a purebred dog purchased from a breeder. Sadly, many of the people in California who did invest in them abandoned their little dogs, and 4,700 in Los Angeles alone ended up in shelters last year. Hundreds were put down for a variety of reasons including the poor economy or because they were a fad for a while and the fun wore off.

Colorado people seem to really enjoy their pets, and on any given day no matter what the temperature or weather, they can be seen walking dogs, playing with them and going shopping for them. So, when some dog lovers here found out that hundreds more of these tiny creatures were in danger of dying, they formed a task force to save the Chihuahuas.  On December 26th, 32 of the little pups arrived in Denver from California and then December 31st  they brought in 36. On January 7th more than 80 were brought in, then on the 8th of January another 70 were flown in. They will be ready for adoption by the weekend at the Quebec Street Shelter run by the Dumb Friends League and the Buddy Center in Castle Rock.

One of the main rescuers, Dr. Leslie Capin, is a dermatologist from Parker, CO who recently won a million-dollar “cutest dog” contest with her own Chihuahua. She generously used the winnings to contribute to the Denver Dumb Friends League and the MaxFund for animals in need. She will also be paying for three of the charter flights to bring in the little California dogs for adoption by Coloradoans. Two more of the flights were courtesy of a volunteer pilot group called Animal Airlift.

Where did Chihuahuas come from?

An ancestor of the present day Chihuahua was called the “Techichi.” Scholars and archeologists have been able to date the Techichi as far back as the Toltec’s occupation of Mexico in the 9th century A.D. The first modern day Chihuahua registered with the American Kennel Club was in 1905, and named Midget. People who want to own the Chihuahua have increased over the years until this has become one of the most consistently popular breeds. Chihuahuas can be found in two varieties, smooth coated and longhaired. Of the two, the smooth coated has been the most popular but in recent years, the longhaired variety is closing in. They are a dog that is compact, graceful, and alert, and live from 12 – 15 years.

Is this the Dog for me?

Chihuahuas are often feisty with a terrier like temperament and aren’t mindful of their actual size or the size of their opponent. They are protective of their owners, however they often bond to only one or two persons in a household. Chihuahuas may not be suitable for families with small children and can be somewhat high-strung. But because they’re so small, people who live in an apartment, or a single adult or couple may really enjoy giving one of these little pups a good and loving home. If you are interested in adopting one of the Chihuahuas, you may contact the Dumb Friends League online at ddfl.org or call 303-751-5772. If you travel with your animals, you may be interested in some helpful tips and ideas  to keep them safe.

Chihuahua Photo Gallery

Locating the Dumb Friends League