Gypsy is a nine year old smooth-coated Chihuahua born on October 12, 1998. She was born at MacBeth Kennels in Troutville, Virginia.

She is AKC registered as a red color with red nose leather which is fairly unique. Most red Chihuahuas have black nose leather. Her coat is very short, tight and slick with almost no hair at all on her undersides. She weighs five pounds, six ounces.

Gypsy's body type is slender and fine-boned and is sometimes called "deer type Chihuahuas". This body type was the original style of the Chihuahuas in show rings for many years and is still shown and acceptable. Many Chihuahua breeders have bred for a more cobby body type in recent years, but it is just a matter of personal preference. I like Gypsy's delicate elegant look, but I think all Chihuahua dogs are beautiful.

Many people have inquired about how I get Gypsy to pose for photos. I have even had a few negative comments suggesting that I am "torturing the poor dog" by dressing her up. Let me assure you nothing could be farther from the truth and is actually amusing if you knew me and knew how Gypsy is doted on.

The sessions to photograph Gypsy are very short and never more than about five minutes in duration, usually less. I started photographing Gypsy when she was very young and always made sure the sessions were pleasurable and she was rewarded even if I did not get a good photo. She NEVER wears any of the costumes shown on the site except during these very brief photo sessions. The rest of her day-to-day life is spent in undressed bliss without so much as even a collar. So Gypsy is now accustomed to dressing up briefly and having her picture made because she knows it will only take a moment or so and there will be wonderful treats at the end.

I prefer not to divulge any of the technical trade secrets which I have developed to photograph Gypsy, but if you work with your own pet on a regular basis, use patience, kindness and reward, and always keep the sessions brief you will have positive results, too. Each pet has to be handled differently and with tenderness, love and respect. Once you earn their trust it is very easy.

Gypsy is very smart even by Chihuahua standards. I have had other breeds which were bright and precocious, but never as intelligent as Gypsy. We do not train her to do "tricks" preferring to enjoy her sensational personality which never ceases to amaze us. She rules our household like a queen whose royal treatment is her birthright. Because she is so very intelligent she can be strong-willed and high-strung at times like any thoroughbred.

Gypsy is paper trained and stays very clean because she does not go outside like most dogs. She was extremely easy to housebreak and it only took a few days. It was almost as if she trained herself!

Gypsy has the run of our home except for the area near our back entrance when we are home. She has a special gated area in one end of a hallway for times when we are not home, we have company or if she is tired or not feeling well. I recommend having a "safe area" like this for all indoor pets. Gypsy loves this space which is all hers and sometimes will even go to her bed on her own when she is tired. This area has her own comfortable bed and fresh water. We do not leave food out for Gypsy at all times. She is fed on a daily schedule without snacks in-between to help her maintain a healthy weight. See our Editorial about Chubby Chihuahua dogs.

When we are home she spends most of her time very close to me or my husband Bruce or my daughter Barbara. She loves to watch TV or sit with me while I am at the computer. She has a heating pad on top of a bed pillow with her own special blanket which is her favorite spot on the sofa for watching TV and snoozing during the day. Chihuahuas love to be warm!

Gypsy sleeps with me every night no matter what. She tells me when she is tired and ready for bed. This is a very special nightly ritual to me and it is when I feel the closest to her. She leads a very privileged life indeed. We would not have it any other way because she returns our love ten-fold and is an integral part of our lives.

I hope this page has answered a few questions about Gypsy. If you have any Chihuahua-related questions you may post them on our message board listed in our directory. We have many nice visitors who can also answer your questions and offer different perspectives or help concerning Chihuahuas and other pets.