Product Review: K9 Sport Sack

The K9 Sport Sack is a backpack carrier for your dog. Yeah, just like one of those baby backpack carriers, but for your dog. It comes in several colors and four sizes to fit dogs that measure 10-23" from neck to floor when sitting up in 'begging' position. There is a weight limit of 30 pounds. The company also makes a variety of accessories for their products, and offers sizing help when you text them a picture of your dog.

Ok, stop laughing. This thing really works. It's pretty cool too, because it sets the dog up at the right height to look over your shoulder and see what you are doing. Much more fun than riding in a box with screen windows.

The K9 Sport Sack is indeed a sack. It's a bag that your dog rides in, it velcroes around the neck and has little holes for their front legs to stick out. The dog rides in a sitting position, and the rigid bottom of the bag provides a supportive surface for them to rest on. There is a sternum strap on the people side to keep the shoulder straps from slipping off.

I bought this K9 Sport Sack at the liquidators because I had actually heard of the product before and found it hilarious. It has greatly exceeded my admittedly low expectations. The design is secure and comfortable for both me and Ru. The quality is great, it feels like a rugged piece of outdoor gear.

Pros

• Allows small dogs to be comfortably carried on bicycles, motorcycles, hikes, climbs, and anywhere else.
• Keeps your hands and the front of your body free.
• Sets the dog comfortably at face level and allows them to see forward.
• Allows you to take an unvaccinated puppy out for socialization without having to set them on the ground.

Cons

• No internal structure or hip belt for the human means carrying a 30 lb dog could get uncomfortable.
• Not every dog is cool with being carried this way.

Bottom Line

This thing is pretty awesome for Ru, I may need to get the little jacket liner to keep him warmer. For a novelty purchase, it has been remarkably useful. I even put Puff in it occasionally before she had all her shots.

Spoiler alert: I found a larger size at the liquidators recently, stay tuned for much larger dogs being carried around like toddlers.

Product Review: Pet Gear Happy Trails Stroller

Pet Gear's Happy Trails Stroller is specially designed for dogs. It has a weight capacity of 30 pounds. The swivel wheels make it easy to push while providing a smooth ride. There is a tray up top with cupholders, and a storage basket underneath. This stroller has a securely zippered front and back, and a mesh window in the canopy so you can keep an eye on your pup. It folds up for easy transport and storage. This particular model is available in three colors.

Pet Gear appears to be leading the way in the field of pet strollers. I bought this one at a thrift store for $5, and while it has certainly seen better days, I am very impressed with the design. I'm new to the world of strollers for dogs, so it's possible these are standard features.

The stroller is made from the same type of materials as the soft crates I used for the girls at agility class. It's basically a soft crate on wheels with a really nice sun shade. Mine is ripped, it's obvious the previous occupant chewed their way out, but that's quite common with soft crates. They only really work for dogs that are comfortable being contained. I think the durability of this crate is similar to that of my Noz2Noz softcrates.

The front of this stroller zips up to keep your dog completely contained, or folds down to allow then to rest their chin and watch the world go by. The back also unzips, creating a perfect level spot where your dog can get in and out on their own. That was an unexpected and very appreciated feature! I really like the idea that Ru could retreat to his safe spot and hop in without having to get up and over the lip in the front.

There is a big storage basket on the bottom of the stroller, but it is completely covered by the passenger area. The only way to access it is by lifting up half the space your dog rides in. This isn't an issue for Ru, but would be if I was pushing around a larger dog, or one that didn't appreciate being hefted like that.

The Happy Trails Stroller folds down basically like a kid stroller. It's not super space efficient, but I have to admit that it's a million times easier than setting up any soft crate.

Pros

• Very durable
• Easy to push
• Smooth ride
• Lots of storage
• Familiar and cozy to dogs familiar with crates
• Back opening allows dog to get in and out safely on their own

Cons

• Pink color gets dirty easily
• Cargo basket only accessible by lifting passenger area

Bottom Line

This is Pet Gear's bottom-of-the-line stroller. They offer pet strollers with weight capacities up to 150 pounds, bigger wheels, and doors that secure without zippers. These things are purpose-built for dogs, not just dog carriers stuck on stroller frames. I've mocked dog strollers for years, now I'm trying to figure out if I can show up at a lure coursing event and park my chihuahua in this without getting laughed off the field.

The Perfect Chihuahua Brush

Ru recently blew his already incredibly sparse coat, resulting in tiny hairs everywhere. The owners of some of Ru's favorite laps suggested that I brush him. This turned out to be a rather tall request. First, I tried the Furminator. Though I have at least five of these things, most of my stuff is currently in storage and the only one available was the large size. The width of the blade is about the same distance as Ru is around. Still, I gave it a go. It picked up a single hair in several strokes. Ru hated it.

Next I asked my large body of internet dog nerd friends for suggestions. These suggestions were all for the same thing: rubber curry combs. I have several of these, but they are all quite large compared to Ru, and the rubber bristles are rather far apart. The result is that only half the rubber teeth end up touching him and none remove any hair either. Also, Ru hates them. I can't really blame him, it's like being rubbed with a large piece of luggage, kinda weird and threatening.

Finally, I Googled it. Search terms included "chihuahua brush" and "perfect smooth chihuahua brush". I found a discussion on a chihuahua-centric forum in which several people extolled the virtues of soft boar bristle brushes. Amazon has a bunch of inexpensive ones, but most of the reviews are complaints that the brushes labeled "100% boar bristle" turned out to have a bunch of plastic bristles in them. Someone on the chihuahua forum mentioned finding theirs at Sally Beauty Supply.

And that was where I found it. Sally's had nearly a dozen brushes labeled "100% boar bristle". On closer inspection, all but one had definite plastic bristles mixed in with the pig hairs. There was just one brush that was very definitely made from all boar bristles and no plastic. I bought it for $5. So fancy. It works though!

A Chihuahua Herding Sheep

I brought Ru along to our herding lesson this week, and we let him check out the sheep just for fun. This is what happened:

 The video is from Ru's second time working with the sheep that day. The first time around he was a bit cautious until he realized he could make them move. Nothing makes him feel like a big dog like bossing around several creatures much larger than himself. He not only had a blast chasing them around, he also maintained his interest for much longer than I expected. Frankly I was surprised he wanted to play at all, but our instructor says she has yet to see a chihuahua that doesn't want to work sheep. I guess they just don't usually get the chance.

What is the most unlikely breed/task combination you've seen so far?

Product Review: Outward Hound Poochpouch Dog Carrier

The Outward Hound Poochpouch Front Carrier is like a baby carrier for tiny dogs. It features crossed shoulder straps to help distribute weight, and an interior clip that attaches to the dog's harness to help keep them contained. The Poochpouch comes in two colors and two sizes, small fits dogs up to 10 pounds while the medium fits dogs up to 20 pounds.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is the carrier for dogs who want to be super close. When riding in a sling or a purse at your hip is just too far away for your tiny dog, the Poochpouch is the answer. When a shoulder bag just isn't secure enough, the Poochpouch has you covered. (Note: This is actually still a little too far for Ru, who would prefer a carrier that places him directly under my chin.)

Formerly named the Pet-a-roo, this carrier is styled after those things made for strapping your baby to your body. Outward Hound originally made a version that made the dog ride face-out with all four legs sticking out, that looked even more like a baby carrier. At some point somebody probably realized that suspending a dog from their crotch is going to put an uncomfortable amount of pressure on their spine, and the hard-bottom wearable pet carrier was born. (As it turns out, suspending babies like that is problematic for the same reason. Who knew?)

Photo by Erin Koski

Like most baby carriers, the Poochpouch is a mass of straps. There are two that cross over on your back, and a third that goes around your waist. This makes for a very secure ride, and prevents the pouch from swinging away from your body when you lean over. I've heard of people using the Poochpouch for a motorcycle dog carrier.

Ours is a size small, and I like the lower profile. Some of the earlier front pack carriers had a huge bib at the front that was basically the length of my torso and positioned the pet down at waist level.

An obvious potential issue I can see with this carrier is that it is not designed for larger people. I am an average-sized woman and you can see that I have the straps adjusted fairly close to their maximum length. The waist strap will fit up to a 50" waist, but could probably be modified to fit someone bigger with some extra strapping and buckle. Keep in mind that the carrier will also fit differently on different body shapes. My husband can wear the carrier with no adjustment to the shoulder straps, but it sits much higher on his chest. Also, he complains the entire time I am strapping a small dog to his body.

In addition to the size of the human wearing the Poochpouch, the size of the dog must be taken into consideration. The carriers have maximum pet weights listed, but they also have maximum heights and lengths. Ru is a very long-backed chihuahua, and although he is only six pounds, you can see in the top picture that he is very nearly too tall for the small Poochpouch when he is sitting down. We would probably also do well with the medium size, which would leave enough room for him to lay down or snuggle into a blanket.

Pros: Very securely attached to the human when straps are crossed over. Multiple buckles allow for multiple strap configurations and also allow the human to put on the carrier without being a contortionist. Two shoulder strap design distributed weight much better than single strap carriers and is much more comfortable for extended wear. Positions pet closer to my face that any other carrier I've tried.

Cons: Multiple buckles on multiple straps can make using this carrier difficult for the spatially-challenged. Elastic drawstring at top of pouch seems to be a weak point, with lots of reviewers mentioning it breaking. Pouch security relies partially on pet compliance, and will contain a dog/cat/ferret/possum that really wants to get out. Plastic harness clip may also be a weak point, and could be replaced with a carabiner or other sturdier piece of hardware. Many pets well under the listed maximum weights will exceed the maximum dimensions and be too big.

Bottom Line: This is not a secure carrier for a pet that does not want to be contained. It is not good for holding a wiggly puppy that wants to explore. The drawnstring is there for added comfort and security, not to prevent an unhappy dog from escaping. The inside clip needs to be attached to a harness and not a collar to avoid strangling dogs that decide to jump. Don't take this thing out hiking and expect your dog to adapt to it on the move. Take some time to figure out how to put it on and adjust it properly, and then spend some time lounging on the couch with your tiny dog while you teach them that this is another vehicle for snuggling.

What kind of carrier do you use for your dog?

Product Review: Angel Leather Collar

This is a flat buckle collar by Angel Pet Supplies. It is padded and extremely sturdy. Angel dog collars come in a variety of sizes to fit necks 10-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I've seen a couple of these collars on dogs at daycare, and of course they had them at Dog. Dog. Cat. They seem to hold up particularly well for colored leather, though the pink ones start to look dirty after too many adventures.

I wanted to get one of Angel's Alpine collars, which have a center ring. When I ordered this collar on Amazon, it was pictured and described as having a center ring. It was also identified as the Alpine collar. When it arrived, it was just a standard buckle collar with no center ring.

According to the chart on Angel's website, it does not appear that the 12" Alpine collar even comes in purple. It's there on their online store, however. Sure enough, the collar pictured is the one we have, with no center ring. I suspect they may be discontinuing this size/color/style. The tiny rhinestone collars definitely have a center ring.

Pros: Fairly light and thin for my little wisp of a dog. Gorgeous color that lasts with a little care.

Cons: It's a bit stiff for such an itty bitty collar. This size doesn't have the center ring shown in most of the stock photos.

Bottom Line: Buying stuff on Amazon can be sort of a gamble. I would have bought the purple rhinestone collar at Dog. Dog. Cat. if they'd had it in Ru's size. These are a little too stiff and wide to be everyday wear for Ru, he has been going naked lately since his neck has been rubbed bald again.

What sort of collar is your dog wearing today?

Chihuahua Fashion Moment: Capes!

Capes aren't the most practical dog accessory, but they are among the coolest.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is actually a cat costume, it's a little vampire cape with a velcro closure in the front. Ru looks totally adorable in a cape.

Photo by Erin Koski

As cute as it is, this cape is a little short for Ru. This seems a little odd because it is intended for a cat, and most cats are a lot bigger than my chihuahua. Ru is about 6.5 pounds, while the smallest of my three cats is about 10 pounds. The cape might fit a kitten, but I think it's a little better suited to a tiny dog.

Product Review: Wag A Tude Bandana Collar

The Wag a Tude Bandana Collar is a flat buckle collar with a little decorative bandana attached. This is a Petco house brand, these are available seasonally in assorted prints ans sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm not normally a fan of bandana collars, but this one isn't too bad. The leash ring is placed in the center of the bandana, so it will stay in proper position when a leash is attached. I wouldn't use this as a tag collar because the tags would pull the bandana to the front. To me that looks backwards. The bandana should be at the back of the dog's neck like a cape, or at a jaunty angle to the side.

There is no way I would use this as a regular tag collar, but as a fashion accessories it's pretty damned cute. The bandana is big enough to get the point across, but not so gigantic that it gets bunched up.

Pros: Cute and colorful for good visibility. Totally adorable print.

Cons: Looks stupid when worn with identification tags.

Bottom Line: This is the only bandana collar I own. I doubt I will acquire any others.

How do you feel about bandana collars?

Product Review: Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Raspberry

The Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Raspberry is an itty bitty durable, stuffable chew toy for itty bitty dogs. It is made in the USA of recyclable materials, and is part of Planet Dog's line of produce-shaped toys. The Orbee-Tuff Raspberry comes in one size: tiny.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is basically the cutest stuffable dog toy ever. It's slightly larger than an actual raspberry and it's pink. I can fill it with peanut butter or spray cheese-like-substance, and I can freeze it to make it last longer.

There aren't a whole lot of stuffable toys out there for toy breeds. We have an assortment of ridiculously tiny Kongs, but nearly everything else is made for real dogs. I've been avoiding bringing home toys that are way too small for Brisbane, but I've been crating Ru while we work on his housebreaking/UTI issues. Brisbane is also remarkably careful with tiny toys, so Ru gets his wee Kongs and Raspberry in his crate, and if Briz gets it later it's not the end of the world.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Sized just right for under-ten-pounders. Maybe cats too. Made in the USA of recyclable materials by a very cool company. Way too cute.

Cons: Too tiny for real dogs, the much larger artichoke and eggplant just aren't as cute.

Bottom Line: I need a drawer full of peanut butter-stuffed raspberries in my freezer.

Chihuahua Fashion Moment: Top Paw Licensed T-Shirts

Ru has a Top Paw Licensed My Little Pony t-shirt, and it is awesome. Mostly because it has a My Little Pony on it. See that pony? That's Princess Sparkle from the 1986 Princess Pony collection. I own this pony. I own many, many ponies.

Photo by Erin Koski

Top Paw is a Petsmart house brand, and they offer everything from collars to beds to apparel. Their licensed character offerings have included 80's cartoons, super heroes, and the Muppets.

I like the quality of most of the Top Paw clothes I've seen, but unfortunately they just aren't made to fit Ru. He's just too long and skinny, so I have to choose between shirts that are pretty short like this one, or ones that are so wide that the slithers out through the neck. I only bought this particular shirt because, dude, My Little Pony.

I kind of feel like myself and most of my friends have similar issues finding people clothes that fit. We discuss the fit models on which the clothes were designed, and how their bodies must differ from ours. Clearly the Top Paw fit models are wide, short-backed dogs. Maybe French bulldogs. Definitely not slinky-uahuas.

Product Review: Fetching Dog Purse

The Fetching dog purse is another stealthy carrier for tiny dogs. The brand was originally owned by the apparently defunct Accessory Network Group, which also acquired the Yak Pak and LeSportSac brands a few years ago. Yak Pak is currently owned by Accessory Headquarters, and the "fetching" trademark is no longer registered, but I found a couple of other bags of the same brand available secondhand.

Photo by Erin Koski

I found this bag at a thrift store and had to buy it even though light green really isn't my color. It is the stealthiest dog carrier I have ever seen because it uses various decorative grommets instead of mesh for ventilation. There is a recessed zippered top that I can close to keep Ru contained, but it isn't readily visible. The bag isn't super boxy or dog-carrier-shaped either, so there's not a lot to give away the secret. When I first saw it at the thrift store, it was hanging up with a bunch of other purses and the only indication of its purpose was the small oval logo.

Photo by Erin Koski

Our Fetching dog carrier is a big roomy bag with a stable floor and plenty of room for Ru to stand up and turn around. When I moosh him down inside and zip it closed, it looks like a big bulky purse rather than an obvious dog carrier.

Pros: Plenty of space for a 6-lb or larger dog. Large grommets provide plenty of airflow without screaming "THIS IS A DOG CARRIER!" Sturdy leather construction, should wipe clean.

Cons: I feel a little weird carrying around a sea green bag. The light color shows a lot of dirt.


Bottom Line: The Fetching dog purse hasn't replaced my Boots and Barkley pink skull messenger bag, but it's definitely going to come in handy the next time I have to sneak a chihuahua past someone.

Chihuahua Fashion Moment: Licensed Disney Tinkerbell Costume

I found this licensed Disney Tinkerbell costume in a local store three years ago, before Disney bought Star Wars and Princess Leia became a Disney Princess. There was a Snow White dress that I felt was much more recognizable, but alas they did not have in Ru-size.

Photo by Erin Koski

The costume included a removable set of fairy wings, a pair of legwarmers, and the dress itself. It's not a faithful rendition of the movie character's outfit, but the same is true for most Disney Princess costumes. The major difference here is that Ru's dress doesn't include a little cameo with a picture of Tinkerbell on the front. The little legwarmers are a nice touch, they like a bit like Tinkerbell's green shoes with the white pompoms.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm not sure exactly what type of dog the designer of this costume had in mind, but I'm pretty sure it was a pug. The dress is very short and almost too small for Ru, but the legwarmers are much, much too big. Even though they have a very wide strip of velcro down the back to allow for a range of different-sized legs, they are still about twice as big around as Ru's legs.

Photo by Erin Koski

This year it looks like Petsmart has all the licensed Disney costumes for dogs. Princesses and fairies aren't in vogue though, it looks like Winnie the Pooh and the Muppets are the only options for aspiring Disney dogs.

Product Review: Ruffwear Climate Changer Jacket

The Ruffwear Climate Changer is a jacket made from recycled polyester fleece, and can be used as a base layer or on its own. It is machine washable and has a zipper on the side rather than on the top or bottom. This year's Climate Changer comes in three colors and six sizes to fit dogs measuring 13.25-35.75" from neck to tail.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is a serious jacket for serious dogs, fortunately they make it in tinydog size, too. These jackets are more popular in places that have actual weather and seasons instead of perfect beach days year-round. The only other Climate Changer I've seen in person was on a friend from Minnesota's dog. It's toasty for our occasional chilly mornings, but Ru could just live in it year-round.

Most sweaters for tiny dogs are designed to be cute, and maybe convenient. This one is actually intended to keep the dog warm in places where the temperature can drop below freezing.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Climate Changer is also designed to allow freedom of movement while staying in place. The sleeves keep Ru's tiny armpits warm, and he loves the thick fleece.

Pros: Designed specifically to keep the dog warm during physical activity. Fast-drying fleece is super thick and super warm. Well-placed zipper allows for easy access while requiring minimal flexibility.

Cons: Wide neck allows the jacket to slip down the dog's shoulders. I really wish it had a drawstring or something, Ru occasionally slithers out of it when he's lounging on the couch.

Bottom Line: This jacket is serious overkill for Central California weather, which is why Ru loves it. It's a great way to keep a short-haired dog toasty.

Product Review: Boots and Barkley Skull and Crossbones Pet Tote

The Boots and Barkley Skull and Crossbones Pet Tote is a pet carrier designed to look like a messenger bag. It features a wide strap for comfortable carrying, multiple pockets for holding things other than tiny dogs, and a subtle design for stealthy dog-toting.

Photo by Erin Koski

This dog carrier is amazing, and probably out of production, though a few can be found online. I'm pretty sure it dates from the dog boutique fad of the late 90's/early 00's. Anyway, I found mine at a thrift store and if I designed a dog purse, this would be it. Ru still favors the Pet Flys Snuggle Bug because he is a total diva, but this one definitely my favorite.

I normally wear all black for a variety of reasons, including hiding stains and wanting to make some people vaguely uncomfortable. My hair is dyed bright fuchsia and the pink/black theme extends to my phone, keys, car interior, and various dog gear. Obviously this dog carrier was made just for me. It is predominantly black with a bright fuchsia trim and rainbow-colored zippers.

Photo by Erin Koski

A lot of dog purses have no storage built into them, which means I still have to carry an actual purse. Some generously provide a tiny, flat pocket, but most just seem to be designed with the assumption that I either don't carry a wallet, phone, keys, etc, or that I will stuff those things in there with my dog. This one has a nice big rainbow-zippered pocket on the flap, and a couple more on the side underneath.

Photo by Erin Koski

While it is intended to carry a small dog, this bag does not overtly scream "HEY THERE IS A DOG IN HERE!!!" like so many others. Ru isn't normally a fan of riding in purses, so the entire purpose off such an accessory is to sneak him into places where dogs are not welcome. I don't make this a habit or suggest anyone else do it, but once in a while on a road trip it is nice to be able to pee or get a drink without leaving my chihuahua to roast in the car. Brisbane doesn't fit in a bag, but he is also perfectly willing to devour would-be car thieves so I feel comfortable leaving the engine on and the air conditioning running when he's along for the ride. At a glance, the Boots and Barkley tote just looks like a messenger bag. It is rigid and has mesh in the back and on the sides, but is subtle enough that people don't seem to realize it is a pet carrier. Or maybe we're just all pretending I don't have a dog in there, I dunno. I'm really bad at people sometimes.

I am apparently a hipster of some sort because skulls lost a lot of their appeal for me when they got popular and began appearing on everything. They really compliment this bag though, there is a keychain on the zipper in front and another painted on the mesh in back. It's not flashy or overdone, and I like the skulls as an accent rather than slapped across the entire front of the thing.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Punky/gothy/edgy style that fits me perfectly. Tasteful and understated design. Smaller than most dog purses, six-pound Ru is slightly cramped. Has actual pockets for actual non-dog stuff. Solid front flap and subtle design make this tote look more like a messenger bag than a pet carrier. Fabulous hot pink lining with skulls and unicorns is pretty much the best thing ever.

Cons: Not currently in production, and I have yet to find anything nearly as functional and fabulous. The wider side of the strap is kind of loud.

Bottom Line: Dog? What dog? This is just my super awesome skull unicorn bag.

Chihuahua Fashion Moment: Planet Petco Bamboo Bathrobe

Planet Petco products are intended to be environmentally friendly. The product line largely consists of natural wood litters and accessories for small animals, recyclable cardboard cat scratchers, and stuff made from bamboo. This bathrobe is made from 55% rayon from bamboo, 20% organic cotton, and 25% polyester.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm as environmentally conscious as the next coastal California native, but I don't think slapping the word "natural" or "organic" on a label is really going to make a difference. These words do sell a lot of products to people who do truly care for the environment, but not everyone is willing to look at the drawbacks of organic farming practices. So-called "sustainable" materials processing is often far more energy-intensive and wasteful than using new materials. I'm not saying every effort to save the planet is bad, just that mass-produced "sustainable organic" products from big box stores may not be as big a step in the right direction as they advertise.

That said, this tiny bathrobe is super cute! Washing a chihuahua is an act of abject cruelty and wanton malice. I rarely give Ru a bath because I cannot handle the pathos of a wet chihuahua. Being able to wrap him in a wearable absorbent terry cloth robe makes me feel slightly less guilty about exposing him to evaporative cooling. Like most of his clothes, this garments is long enough but a bit wide around the middle. The tie belt helps keep it on, but I need to add a second velcro closure to keep it closed in front of his chest.

TBT: Ru at Three Months

Photo by Graham Hughes

Ru still had a full set of baby teeth when we got him, and they didn't fall out until at least a couple of weeks later. This means he was probably under three months old at the time. When Brisbane was under three months old, he was a tiny ball of fluff and biting. He still had floppy ears. The three month old puppies I play with at work tend to be squishy babies.

When Brisbane was a baby puppy, I had no idea what to expect as he grew. I would find growth charts and try to estimate his adult size, with the earliest guesses being around sixty pounds.

Photo by Graham Hughes

With Ru I didn't bother to do any of the math, and just assumed he would top out around ten pounds like most randomly bred chihuahuas. Tiny dogs grow up very quickly, and most reach their adult size well before their first birthdays. They also live extremely long lives and often make it nearly two decades before expiring. This is a huge contrast to the giant breeds that take at least a couple of years to finish growing and filling out, and become senior dogs just a few short years later.

All this is to say that I naively assumed that my three month old toy breed puppy was less than half his adult size. My four pound babydog eventually attained a mighty 6.5 pounds as an adult. He outgrew exactly one collar, two harnesses, and a sweater that he wore as a puppy. I have an entire drawer full of stuff that baby Brisbane outgrew.

These are the first very nice pictures of little Ru, taken by a good friend in his yard. Ru is wearing my favorite Hot Dogs All Dressed collar, brown suede with sparkly blue stars. I want to look back on his baby pictures and marvel at how tiny and precious he was, but the truth is that he was only slightly less tiny and precious than he is right now at four years. That's the point of chihuahuas, I think.

Obsessive Chihuahua Disorder

Every time I go looking for information about chihuahuas, I end up at Obsessive Chihuahua Disorder. It's a blog by someone who has four adorable chihuahuas, including one super-tiny girl named Bebe.

Chihuahuas love chihuahuas.

Most of the OCD chihuahuas are fluffy, but they are still dressed for many of their outings. They go to chihuahua meetups to play with other chihuahuas, resulting in adorable videos of tiny ratdogs running around together.

I first stumbled across Obsessive Chihuahua Disorder while trying to figure out how to brush Ru's teeth. I found this post about the C.E.T. toothbrush, and have since returned repeatedly to check in on the adorable foursome. These chihuahuas are pretty darned spoiled, they do fashion shows and modeling!

Ru is definitely not a model, he's not even a particularly good representative of the breed, with his overly long back. Three of the four OCD chihuahuas are long haired. I wish Ru was fluffy! He's pretty much as naked as he can be without being a genuine hairless breed. At least he's easy to keep flea-free! He's also pretty fun to use as an art canvas.

The Truth About Chihuahuas

There was a time when I truly believed that a chihuahua would behave like a 'real dog' if it were treated like a dog instead of a fashion accessory or human infant. This was before I got a chihuahua. I have since learned that 'real dog' is actually a continuum. On one end are endothermic dogs that willingly eat food and can survive in less than triple-digit temperatures without sweaters; on the other end is Ru.

Just like a dog only smaller!

At slightly over 6 pounds, Ru isn't going to win any tininess competitions. He's not even close to looking like a showdog, with his extra-long back. I'm also not certain his expression is nearly saucy enough for the AKC breed standard. That said, Ru is very much a proper chihuahua in temperament and personality.

There are a lot of delightful rumors and stories about the origins of the chihuahua. Were they bred as a single-serving meat animal in a hot climate? Were they developed as a baby replacement for mothers who lost their infants? Did priests turn them loose inside the walls of buildings to hunt mice? Was the chihuahua of today developed from tiny dogs found running around Aztec ruins in Mexico in 1850? I love asking people where chihuahuas come from because I often hear a new story.

What we do know is that chihuahuas are one of the older modern breeds, with the first ones being shown in 1904. Most of our modern breeds are less than two centuries old, and and were developed during the 1800's when purebred dogs became a popular sport. Wealthy dog fanciers traveled in search of new and different breeds to develop, and for good reason. After all, only one person at the dog show can have the best terrier, but a dozen people can win if there are a dozen different types of terriers, right? A landrace is a type of dog you get when breeding is utilitarian without consideration for appearance. All breeds of dogs were originally landraces until someone came along and attempted to both define and refine them. When the dogs are bred to win conformation shows rather than do a job, they tend to lose their working ability and turn into a very different type of dog.

Ru and fosterdog Candace

Most dogs of the New World were replaced by European dogs in the centuries before purebred dogs became a fad. Very few of the original landraces of the Americas survived, and when a dog is claimed to be descended from native dogs, genetics usually shows that it is a European attempt to recreate that breed in the 1800s. According to various authorities on dog breeds, the people who developed the chihuahua never set foot in Mexico. What they did do was travel by train in the southwestern United States. In border towns, Native Americans would approach the windows of stopped trains with souvenirs to sell to the travelers. Among these souvenirs were the small village dogs that lived in the area.

Dog fanciers like James Watson bought these little dogs, took them home, and attempted to turn their landrace into a breed. It's probably they mixed in some other breeds in their attempts to shrink the wee beasts all the way down to 2-lbs, but a 2-lb dog can't give birth naturally, maintain its body temperature, or prevent its blood sugar levels from crashing. The dog fanciers finally settled on a 5-lb dog, which remains difficult to attain even today. Breed a couple of 5-pounders together, and you're likely to get progeny that grow from 4-6 pounds. Breed the 6-pounders and get 5-7 pound offspring. Even a pair of tiny dogs can randomly produce a puppy that grows to 10-lbs, and as soon as unscrupulous breeders stop deliberately breeding for tininess they end up with a pack of 10-lb chihuahuas with non-spherical skulls.

Are chihuahuas actually descended from native Mexican dogs? Or are they an attempt to recreate an extinct breed via European dogs? They do have an awful lot in common with the Techichi skeletons found at archaeological sites in Central America. To my delight, this study published last summer shows that a particular copy of a particular gene is unique to chihuahuas...and those ancient dogs interred at those archaeological sites. The chihuahua is the Techichi. Meanwhile, the Mexican Hairless Dog, or Xoloitzcuintli, appears to be descended entirely from European dogs.

Big Dog Syndrome

There is a lot of information out there about Little Dog Syndrome. This is the tendency for small dogs to act in big ways in the presence of dog-sized dogs. Similar to Napoleon Syndrome, or Little Man Syndrome, the concept seems to be that tiny dogs realize they have something to compensate for.

Hell hath no fury like a 6-lb dog.

I am calling bullshit on Little Dog Syndrome, or at the very least I'm going to come right out and say that I think it's a direct result of Big Dog Syndrome.

Big Dog Syndrome, a term I just invented ten minutes ago, describes the attitude I've noticed that many medium and large dogs have toward small and toy-sized dogs. Even dogs that are otherwise well-socialized and polite tend to ignore the body language of tiny dogs. Both Brisbane and Ru don't often want to visit with strange dogs when we're at the off-leash dog beach, but the vast majority pick up on Brisbane's subtle warning signs loud and clear. Happy, wiggly dogs head in Brisbane's direction for a greeting, and then abruptly veer off and seem to lose interest. His stiff, straight, forward posture says "Leave me alone."

These same dogs ignore that same posture from Ru. They also ignore the raised hackles, the growl, and the curled lip. Finally, leaps up in that friendly labrador's face with a tiny roar, sending it leaping back, startled. The lab's owner remarks "Wow, little guy thinks he's Cujo!" Ru isn't Cujo, he's not vicious, and he doesn't hate big dogs. What he does hate is being forced into an intimate greeting when he's been shouting that he wants to be left alone the whole time.

I can't blame him, I imagine it's a bit like being a small child and trying to pass an adult on the street when I'm feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable. They make eye contact and wave from across the street, I look away and keep walking. They walk across the street and say "Hi!", I say "Um, hi..." or maybe "Can I help you?" and try to keep walking. The stranger gets closer, hand held extended, babbling "Hi how are you? Good to meet you!", I try to go around them. The stranger blocks my path, enters my personal space, towers over me. I scream "LEAVE ME ALONE!" and kick them in the shins. This stranger has Big Dog Syndrome.

Properly socializing a tiny dog can be nearly impossible, because most of their reactions with large dogs are going to be of the looming-stranger-oblivious-to-my-discomfort variety. Small Dog Syndrome is what happens when tiny dogs learn that big dogs won't listen to anything less than a full assault. Ru does not approach large dogs for the purpose of bullying them, he would be much happier if they gave him a wide berth like they do Brisbane. What Ru does is forcefully tell them to get out of his face when they exhibit Big Dog Syndrome.

Product Review: Midnight Pet Lite and E-Z Harness and Leash

The "Lite and E-Z" is a step-in style harness and leash by Midnight Pet, made from parachute-weight cord.

Photo by Erin Koski

Unlike the vast majority of paracord pet gear, these are made from a single strand of cord so they are incredibly light. The harness is super easy to adjust, and simple in design. It's significantly less confusing than the average step-in harness. They come in a variety of colors, and five different sizes. Midnight Pet recommends them for ferrets, rabbits, cats, iguanas, puppies, and of course tiny dogs. The leash comes in 3', 4' and 6' lengths.

I love this harness so much that I rarely use anything else on Ru. The leash is super thin and tiny and really enhances that rat-on-a-string look. It would probably also work well as a show lead, and is strong enough that I've used the loop end to make a slip lead for catching loose dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Lite and E-Z harness is minimalist enough for fashionistas like Ru. When he isn't wearing his Yap Wrap coat, I like to have something fabulous on him. He is usually on a leash, and I love having a harness that lets his outfit shine. We had to do these pictures with him undressed because the harness blends so flawlessly with whatever he is wearing.

The hardware used on these products is so light, it's practically jewelry. The top of the harness stays centered and never slides to the side. The fit always seems perfect, whether Ru is wearing a thick puffy jacket or going au naturel. I bought these at the Pet House in Goleta, and I didn't realize that the metal slides under the rings adjusted until I saw the Midnight Pet website while writing this post.

We actually have two of these, the one shown is Grape, and the other is Raspberry colored. I bought the second when I had a chihuahua foster dog and found I couldn't live without it. The pink set was purchased a couple of years before the purple, and the leash was sometimes difficult to unclip from the harness. I was extremely pleased to see that the purple harness has slightly thinner rings, and the leash a slightly larger clip.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Super light, minimalist harness that is very easy to use and simple to adjust. Light enough to stay in place and not rotate around the dog. Works beautifully over clothes. Holds up well on hikes and other adventures, with no signs of wear to date. Totally comfortable, the dog barely notices it. Very affordable, I think I paid around $25 for a harness and 6' leash.

Cons: The super-thin leash could be uncomfortable to hold on a dog that generates any sort of pulling power. I'm not sure how well it would stand up to chewing. My pink one is starting to look a little dirty after a few years, I should probably try washing it.

Bottom Line: I use this every single day and constantly tell people where I got it. If it were to fail spectacularly tomorrow, I would immediately go out and buy another one.