9 Fun Facts About the Chihuahua: Tiny Dog, Giant Personality.
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To become our contributor: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnimalsandFacts/wishlist As with most dog breeds, opinions are divided about the tiny Chihuahua. Some people find them noisy and bossy, while others are enchanted by their sassy expressions and terrier-like temperament. There’s some truth to both sides; there’s a lot of personality and attitude packed into that adorable, compact body. Here are nine things that every fan of the breed knows.
1. Chihuahuas are enormously loyal and loving.
They want nothing more than to be with you everywhere. Yours may follow you from room to room and be perfectly happy curled up in your lap all day. His tiny size makes him extremely portable, so it’s not unusual to see him tucked into a tote bag, traveling around town with his owner.
2. They tend to be mistrustful of strangers.
Chihuahuas have a big-dog attitude, intelligence, and alertness, as well. So, in spite of their size, they may be considered the world’s tiniest watchdogs.
3. Chihuahuas are extremely intelligent and quick learners.
They are eager to please and respond well to positive training methods. Make training fun and have plenty of treats on hand. They can successfully compete in dog sports, like agility and obedience trials.
4. These tiny dogs have giant personalities.
They will rule the house if you let them. It’s sometimes difficult to be firm with a Chihuahua because he’s so charming and entertaining. But he needs to be taught the ground rules, or you’ll find yourself being bossed around by a four-pound monarch.
5. They’re named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where the breed originated.
The modern Chihuahua is most likely a cross between the Techichi, an ancient breed from Central and South America, and small hairless dogs that originated in Asia. In spite of the fact that the breed is now thought of as Mexican, some version of the Chihuahua is found in artifacts of civilizations around the globe.
6. Chihuahuas don’t do well in the cold.
These dogs were bred for the warm temperatures of Mexico. But this gives owners the chance to buy them dog sweaters, coats, and an entire winter wardrobe. In the house, Chihuahuas are likely to seek out warm spots, even if that means burrowing under the blankets in bed with you at night.
9. Chihuahua lovers are famously devoted to this graceful and sassy breed.
They’re popular with celebrities, too. Marilyn Monroe had one named Choo-Choo; Jamie Lee Curtis not only acted with Chihuahuas in Beverly Hills Chihuahua, but also has one in real life; even Cesar Millan has a Chihuahua in his pack
7. Chihuahuas might not be the best choice for families with young children.
The breed is so small and delicate that they can’t withstand rough play. If you do have kids, you’ll have to teach them to be gentle and kind to the dog—not a bad thing for kids to learn, in general.
8. We might be pronouncing their name wrong.
While we Americans pronounce the breed name as something close to “Chuh-wow-wowa,” the true pronunciation is more like “Shee-wa-wa.”
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Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They’re known as smart, alert, and affectionate. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi!
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To become our contributor: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnimalsandFacts/wishlist While you would recognize this herding dog if you saw them, do you know their history? How about the difference between a Pembroke and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi? Well, you’re about to find out with these eight fun facts about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi ancestry dates back to the 10th century.
According to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, it is believed that Pembroke’s ancestry dates back to at least the 10th century. It is unknown, however, whether they are descended from the Swedish Vallhunds that were possibly brought to Pembrokeshire by the Vikings, or from the ancestors of the present-day Schipperkes and Pomeranians brought to Wales by Flemish weavers.
2. Legend has it, they are “enchanted” dogs.
Welsh legend says the fairies and elves of Wales used the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to pull fairy coaches, work fairy cattle, and serve as the steed for fairy warriors. If you look closely, even today you can see the marks of the “fairy saddle” over the shoulders in Pembroke’s coat.
3. They make world-class herding dogs.
Don’t let their size fool you, these dogs have been herding for decades! From the beginning, the Welsh used Pembroke Welsh Corgis as herding dogs, family companions, and guardians of the farm. Even today, these dogs are still expert herders. Many Pembrokes even compete in AKC Herding competitions.
4. They are very different from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
In 1934, the AKC recognized the Pembroke and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi as two distinct breeds. What is different about these two dogs? First, the Cardigan traces its origins to Cardiganshire and the Pembroke to Pembrokeshire. The dogs also have easily identifiable physical differences. The Cardigan has a longer tail, while the Pembroke’s is docked close to the body. The Pembroke has a shorter body, and the ears are pointed, while the Cardigans are more rounded at the tips.
5. A Pembroke Welsh Corgi will be your best friend and a great competitor.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known as one of the most agreeable small house dogs and is a loyal, loving pet for families. They also are known for their intelligence and enthusiasm for working. Many Pembrokes compete in dog sports, such as agility, herding, conformation, obedience, and more.
6. Your Pembroke engages in what is known as “frapping.”
Your dog may tire itself out running around in circles, dashing from room to room, also known as “frantic random acts of play” or more casually, “zoomies”.
7. Corgi means “dwarf dog.”
Or at least it might. The origin of the name “Corgi” is difficult to determine. Some say it combines the Welsh word “cor,” which means to watch over or gather, with “gi,” a form of the Welsh word for dog. Others have the interpretation that the word “cor” means dwarf, and combine that with “gi,” you have a dwarf dog. Either way, these certainly describe the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. And of course, the “Pembroke Welsh” part of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi name comes from the dog’s origins.
8. A Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Rufus was the mascot for Amazon.
In the early days of Amazon.com, a Pembroke named Rufus belonged to the editor-in-chief and principal engineer and came with them to work every day. Known for walking the halls, attending meetings, and snoozing, Rufus became the unofficial Amazon mascot. Rufus is also the dog Amazon employees have to thank for their dog-friendly culture.
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Interesting Facts About Shiba Inu. Learn more about this interesting breed.
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To become our contributor: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnimalsandFacts/wishlist Shiba Inus bear a startling resemblance to foxes, with their pointed ears, red coats, and black noses. They first came to the United States in the 1950s, but they’ve been gaining popularity in recent years. Learn more about this interesting breed.
1. This is an ancient breed.
The Shiba’s ancestors probably accompanied the earliest immigrants to Japan way back in 7000 B.C. Archeologists have found remains of dogs about the size of Shibas in sites that were inhabited by the Jomon-jin people, who lived in Japan from 14,500 B.C. to 300 A.D. The Shiba Inu is likely the result of breeding between the Jomon-jin’s dogs and dogs that came to Japan with a new group of immigrants in 300 B.C.
2. They were originally used as hunting dogs.
Shibas have been used for hunting both small and large game. Because they are small, they’re good at flushing birds and other small game out of the bushes. Shibas are rugged dogs that survived for thousands of years in the mountainous regions of Japan.
3. This is one of the most popular breeds in Japan.
Shibas are currently one of the most popular companion dogs in Japan, and they were declared a national treasure of the country. Many Shibas have become Instagram or YouTube sensations in Japan.
4. The origin of their name is a mystery.
We know the word “inu” means dog in Japanese, but we don’t know for certain where the name “Shiba” came from. Shiba means brushwood in Japanese, so it’s possible that the Shiba Inu was named for the terrain where it hunted. It’s also possible that the name came from the Shiba’s coat, which is the same color as the autumn brushwood. A third explanation is that the name came from the breed’s size; an obsolete meaning of the word Shiba is little.
5. There used to be three kinds of Shibas.
Before World War II, there were three types of Shibas — the Mino, the Sanin, and the Shinshu, named for the regions where they originated. Today’s Shiba Inu is most similar to the Shinshu, but all three contributed to the modern breed.
6. They almost became extinct.
World War II almost completely wiped out the Shiba Inu. Most died in bombing raids during the war, or from distemper, a highly contagious canine viral infection, after the war. Breeding programs that began after the war helped the breed bounce back. Most of the surviving Shibas were the Shinshu variety, though there were a few Mino and Sanin left.
7. One Shiba saved her family in an earthquake.
In 2004, an earthquake struck the village of Yamakoshi in Japan. When her family’s home collapsed, a Shiba Inu named Mari sprang into action to save her puppies and her elderly owner. She moved her puppies to a safe place and then found and woke up her owner, who had been trapped underneath a fallen cabinet. He managed to free himself and was eventually evacuated from the area by helicopter. He was forced to leave Mari and her pups behind, but when he returned two weeks later he found that they were all alive. Mari’s story was made into a Japanese movie called “A Tale of Mari and Her Three Puppies.”
8. Shibas have cat-like qualities.
In many ways, the Shiba Inu is more like a cat than a dog. They are independent and can be difficult to train. They also spend a lot of time grooming themselves and tend to be extremely clean.
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