ˇAy Chi-hua-hua!

Little more than two weeks ago, Beverly Hills Chihuahua premiered as the No. 1 comedy and grossed an estimated $29 million in weekend box office sales. Even though chihuahua breeder and rescuer Kris Musgrove has yet to see the film, she knows how it ends—with a flurry calls from families anxious to get their paws on a petite pooch with a big screen personality.

Ever since Petey the pitbull joined Our Gang in the 1920s and Rin Tin Tin and Lassie emerged as the top dogs of early TV, Hollywood hounds have fetched quite a few family pet fads. In recent years, dalmatians, golden retrievers and St. Bernards and American Eskimo dogs have all had their day at Disney in flicks such as 101 Dalmatians, Air Bud, Beethoven and Snow Dogs.

Rescue groups and breeders sometimes reap the benefit from having their beloved breeds idealized on the silver screen. However, within a year of a pet film’s release, the tide of public interest usually turns and shelters overflow with poorly socialized and trained animals, whose starry-eyed owners suddenly realize reality bites, jumps, digs and needs to be housebroken.

Remarkably, Musgrove reports, chihuahuas have largely escaped the rescue rebound. “I guess it’s because people like small dogs,” she says. In fact, over the past decade, she’s fostered and rehomed only 16 dogs.

Still, stardom has strained the breed standard. In 1997, the ˇYo quiero Taco Bell! campaign left the public craving more than Mexican food. The demand rose for deer-type chihuahuas, that resembled “spokesdogs” Dinky and Gidget. Larger, lighter boned and leggier with an elongated snout, these chihuahuas stray significantly from the breed standard. “I had puppies from finished champions with nice, round heads,” recalls Musgrove with a laugh, “but people were looking for dog with the Taco Bell head.” And what quality breeders lacked, puppy mills provided.

Since 2001, Musgrove says productions such as Legally Blonde and Beverly Hills Chihuahua (from what she’s heard) have redeemed and revived the breed standard.

For its part, Disney has been around the dog park a few times and weathered allegations its pet portrayals contribute irresponsible ownership and overpopulation. So, its official Beverly Hills Chihuahua Web site cautions: “Owning a pet is a major responsibility. Dogs require daily care and constant attention. Before bringing a dog into your family, research the specific breed to make sure it is suitable for your particular situation. Learn about and be willing to undertake the serious responsibilities of dog care. Always consider adoption from a reputable shelter or rescue program.”

Musgrove also advises moviegoers interested in owning chihuahuas—the non-talking type—to bone up on these and other facts about her favorite breed:

• Since chihuahuas have few of the hereditary health flaws, their life spans are 15 to 20 years. “You can raise your children within one dog’s lifetime,” she says, “so be prepared for the long commitment.”

• In the 1950s, chihuahuas had the well deserved reputation of being, as Musgrove says, “snarling, ankle-biters, who were one-person dogs owned by old ladies.” Since then, breeders have made serious strides in improving not only the breed’s looks but its temperament as well.

• Recently, chihuahuas have gained popularity as dress-up dogs and purse pets—none of which allows the dogs to become well socialized. Owners who treat their dogs as accessories risk the wrath of snappy, aggressive beasts. (See above)

• Chihuahuas are both hearty and delicate dogs. With many full-grown dogs weighing less than a average-sized cat, even a toddler’s misstep can inflict serious injury. And while chihuahuas have the stamina to rip and run for hours, Musgrove says, “they burn up energy like hummingbirds.” Unless an owner remains vigilant, the dogs—and particularly puppies—have the potential to get hypoglycemic and go into seizures.

• Good, quality pet chihuahuas are affordable and available from rescue organizations and reputable local breeders. Avoid purchasing a puppy at retail stores, which regularly receive their animals from the inhumane and cramped puppy mills throughout the country.

To learn more about chihuahuas, click here. For more information on choosing a puppy, stay tuned to Unleashed.

Click here for this week’s Animal Bytes.

Click here for this week’s Creature Feature.

Click here for this week’s City Lynx.