Aww, look at a chihuahua with its beautiful, big eyes and disproportionately small body. These tiny, brave, and loyal dogs are the oldest breed in America. They were named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where they originated. Although they are small, they are very loud. This tiny breed of dog can be really good for pets when they are growing up in a good environment and being taken care of. However, many are seen in online videos, TV shows, movies, cartoons, and memes as aggressive dogs that bite, bark, and go crazy.
So what has created this hostile stereotype?
For a long time, I didn’t know much about chihuahuas, and all of my knowledge was based on this hostile stereotype - until last year, when a friend of mine was going to get a chihuahua as her pet. I was terrified of her getting bitten by an aggressive puppy. So I did some research and found out that chihuahuas need constant care and love; any level of ignorance or abuse will make them stressed. However, not many dog owners understand what makes this breed so hostile. Instead of learning how and why, they encourage bad behaviors by making videos or taking pictures. Some of them insist on touching an angry chihuahua just to get bitten. And this continues the stereotype.
It seems as though chihuahuas' feelings are never taken seriously because they are just too cute. They become enraged because they are scared, stressed, or constantly ignored. Their cuteness causes their rage to become futile. A chihuahua’s needs, suffering, and pain can remain unseen under their cute looks. Being born with a small body and a lovely appearance is not their choice. They are not lovely toys for our recreation; they are animals with feelings.
Puppies are not the only creatures that are mistreated. We, humans, mistreat children and women. Femininity is associated with being kind, caring, and gentle. And children are expected to behave. These expectations, along with the cuteness and the hostile stereotype of chihuahuas, made people blind to their true feelings and needs. Let’s listen to them. Listen to their feelings. Listen to their rage. Listen to the voiceless.
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