ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus
Just to elaborate yet another crazy theory. Is it the really small size that make them so agressive? I mean, you could easily boot them into orbit. They have to know that [:D]
So they figured a defence mechanism out: make a lot of noise and also bite generously.
Is this crazy or possible?
I think this behavior in chihuahuas is only recently tolerated and is a case of 'owners finding dogs that they deserve'. Owners that accept this sort of behavior from dogs because it's 'cute' or 'funny' deserve the biter that they let their dogs become.
Biting humans is *never* good for a dog's long-term health. There are many places that have zero tolerance for any dog that bites a human. A biting dog that comes into contact with these regulations...well...ends badly. Small dogs that bite humans tend to-as you've pointed out-enter low-Earth orbit.
So, in a sense, owners that allow, tolerate or encourage this biting behavior are jeopardizing the dog's life. Unfortunately, many people don't care about the long-term consequences of their personal behavior in this or any other matter. It's a bit depressing, but animal treatment is a reflection of society.