I think their strong self confidence and fearless attitude towards other animals has a lot to do with it, plus the fact when a chi lowers itself to the ground and scurry's it can look like a rat to a larger dog. So their size is a perfect target too.
One time when I was walking the girls, we were passing a fenced yard where a small shih-tzu and a poodle/mix were fence aggressive. The one stopped barking and made gestures to play with Gigi, where the other only became more agitated as we got closer to the fence. Gigi pulled me toward the nasty one and mad gestures with her paw on the fence and wanted to be friends with him. She could have chosen the calm dog, but I have come to the conclusion that chis can't understand why another dog doesn't want to be friends, and be calm and as assertive as they are. Princess stayed her distant and at one point nudged Gigi to get away. Usually, Princess would chime in with the aggressive barking mode, if she is confronted, but this time she was out to protect Gigi, even though a fence separated all of them. When I first got Gigi I thought that Princess would be the alpha, because of her sometimes aggressive prey drive. I have to admit I was a bit nervous when I brought Gigi home. Boy was I wrong, lol! Up until this past month, all Gigi had to do was sit and stare at Princess, and Princess would give her anything she wanted, beds, toys, bones, including her dish filled with dinner. Then Princess would come to me and whine, begging me to get it back for her. For a long while I did that because I felt bad for Princess, since Gigi had claimed all the beds in the house and everything else. Gigi does it in such a calm manner too that I am in awe how such a tiny dog manages to always get her own way, just by sitting and staring. She never growls, or shows any aggression what so ever and yet she wins every time. About a month ago, I decided to stop interfering with them and told Princess she is going to have to work it out with her fur sister. A couple of times when Gigi went to steal Princess dinner, Princess gave her a low soft growl, and I didn't interfere. Another time, Gigi went to take a toy out of Princess mouth and in the past Princess would let her, this time she again gave Gigi a low soft growl. Both times I ignored it and Gigi got the message I had to crack up laughing because now it was Gigi who came whining to me. Too funny! Now yesterday and today, I noticed, that when Gigi wants the living room doggie chair and sits and stares at Princess, Princess is holding her ground and will just lift her head high enough and turn it sideways, saying to Gigi, I am ignoring your demands and your not getting the chair! Gigi, has actually given in and walked away! After almost two years, the role is changing and Princess is taking her place again. I love to watch and study them as they communicate with each other. It is so awesome! I noticed that when Gigi does that sit and stare routine, her stance is always the same.... ears are straight up and very alert, front legs are straight and stiff and out to the side a bit and she never bats an eye! -------Original Message------- From: Deanna Corey Date: 4/10/2012 6:09:17 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Sad day!! I wonder if its in their attitudes!!! No Chi I have ever had has been afraid of a thing...my Myrtle...as Diva as she is, can keep a 65 lb GSD pup in his place! She has totally taught him how to behave around small dogs!!! He even walks different around her...she puts up with nothing! I have had 7 Chis in my lifetime...all have been the same...fearless...smart...and no nonsense type of dogs! Maybe they just exude a challenge...and a dog that doesn’t know one...have a relationship with one...might just see it as a fight! That being said...you guys need to know I never mix my littles and my Bigguns unless I am RIGHT there and tuned in! Everyone loves each other but Im taking NO chances...Myrtle is 4lbs...Mouse is 5...it could happen in a second...even just rough play. SO...I am ALWAYS there!!! And...as much as I love Maxine our Pit??? I would NEVER let her be with the littles...even with me right there!! She has small prey aggression...not towards people...but towards dogs and cats or any other animal smaller than her! She is an amazing dog but I know her...and most pits have a high prey drive! And.. they are silent about it...never a warning...just an attack. She stays completely separated at all times!...in a different location and double fenced in my son’s part of the house. I am all for Pitts...don’t get me wrong...GREAT dogs!!! Just not with smaller dogs!!! In the dog park! Deanna From: Pam Dean Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 2:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Sad day!! Me either but they do love to savage our babies.. From: Peggy & The Girls <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:08 PM Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Sad day!! Oh this is just horrific! Can't imagine what she must be going through! My sympathies to your friend. If that was the AKC show here, the dog and owner and handler would be banned from ever showing that dog again, and they would be heavily fined as well. The dog would be banned because showing isn't just about good looks to the standard, but also of sound temperament for every breed. His name should be taken off of the AKC Breeding registry as well. I maybe wrong, but somehow I bet the handler knew that this dog had an aggression issue. It just doesn't pop up out of nowhere. And why is it that so many different large dog breeds always seem to want to attack a chi over other toy breeds?! I have heard of too many stories and it always seems to be that the chi is the victim more then any other small dog. I don't get that one! -------Original Message------- From: Deanna Corey Date: 4/9/2012 10:11:16 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Poodle Group; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Sad day!! Yesterday, the breeder, and my friend (Teresa West) that I got my Myrtle from had her little male Chi attacked and killed at a dog show he was entered in!! A Husky who was also being shown, broke loose and attacked Whiskey!!...killing him!! I'm just sick!!! I believe this was the Glendale, CA show. There are so many things wrong with this but we were just talking about shows and how poorly they were doing things nowadays...allowing bad tempered dogs in the ring!! Well...here is just another result of that kind of thing...we were talking about showing ill tempered dogs for the purpose of furthering the breed and how sad that was...and here something happens so horrible...another angle we didn't consider!! Things really do need to change!! Maybe this may be the catalyst for some of those changes if we all scream loud enough!!! I'm just sick...so many loved Whiskey...he was a fabulous little guy...such a great personality!!! I know Teresa is devastated and heart broken!!! Please pray for her and that this life will not be lost in vain!! Romping in the Dog Park! Deanna and the Dog Park Gang! The LITTLES: Mouse-chi 11-13-2004 Madison-yorkie 11-20-2010 Myrtle-chi 4-23-2010 The MIDDLES: Nugget- poodle 8-24-2004 Bella-Pom 1-15-2007 Mabel-Boston 7-14-2010 The BIGGUNS Logan-GSD 11-24-2011 Caleb-rott/chow/pitt mix 6-17-2006-RIP 2-22-2012 Maxine-Pitt 6-3-2008 Toby-ESS 12-12-2006 Stella and Stanley ( winged dog park members) And of course....the CAT (Miles) LIFE WITHOUT A DOG IS LIKE DANCING WITHOUT MUSIC. YOU CAN DO IT, BUT WHO WOULD WANT TO?? ...and I like all kinds of music!!
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