Worlds Smallest Dog

Not even a match for a pop can in size, Heaven Sent Brandy is the world’s smallest dog — in length, that is. But we don’t care how this little gem made her claim to fame, the diminutive Chihuahua is just too cute not to cover.

The pint-sized pooch — a mere 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) in length from tail to nose — was awarded the record for world’s smallest dog in length by Guinness World Records on January 31 2005. Weighing only 2 pounds, Brandy still holds on to her crown, as she hasn’t grown a fraction since she won her title nearly 3 years ago.

With legs the size of lollipops, the 4 year old canine’s lungs are so small she can’t even bark.

Owner Paulette Keller Florida got Brandy when she was only 9 months old. “When I got Brandy, I had just lost my previous Chihuahua who was 14 years old.” she says.

“I spoke to a breeder who I had met at a dog show the year before and she told me about Brandy. She said that she was so tiny that she wouldn’t be bred but when I saw her, I just fell in love with her.”

“With a dog like this, you have to be very careful. She can’t jump on to or off anything because her legs are so tiny.” says Paulette. She doesn’t allow the dog on the furniture for fear she’d jump off and break a leg. And to keep the precious pooch warm, Paulette carries her around in a sheepskin-lined purse.

“Walking her is OK but when there are kids around, all they want to do is pick her up and she can get frightened.”

“I have even managed to take her on domestic flights without being noticed. I have a small bag that she can slip into and, because she doesn’t make a sound, no one notices her. I have taken her to Seattle, Chicago, New York, [and] Nevada. When we are on the plane, I just take her out and place her underneath my seat. No-one has any idea she is there.”

Brandy may have free reign of the house, but she also shares the abode with Tyson, a 1 year old boxer. “She has a kennel and a bed that she shares with Tyson, and they get on great.” says Paulette.

“She is so small, she can fit through the small gaps in a wire fence but she knows to stay where she is. She is really lively and she will run around the house. Sometimes I can’t find her and I get very scared but she will often just turn up hiding under the couch.”

Brandy is on strict diet of dry dog food because of her tiny size — the smallest Paulette can get — and mashed up scrambled egg because she can’t fit whole pieces in her mouth.

Bath time is also a sensitive procedure due to her fragile frame. “I have to wash her in the sink and I have to be very careful not to be too rough with her and her ears.” says Paulette.

“Brandy is very healthy — she came from a breeder who breeds show-quality animals. But Brandy was a fluke. She came from a litter of 5 and when she was born, she was just miniature. When she was only 1, she had a rabies shot and she nearly died because of the reaction she had to it.” adds Paulette.

Even though Brandy has made celebrity status appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show, Paulette maintains she had no idea Brandy would become so famous.

“When I first laid eyes on her, I thought ‘wow’ — I had never seen a dog so small.” she says.

“Nine months later, the breeder phoned me and said I should look at the Guinness Book Of Records because she thought Brandy was smaller than the world’s smallest dog. I got the application form and filled it out and then a few months later I got a call from the Guinness people who confirmed she was the smallest.

“Everything changed after that and Brandy and I went on Good Morning America, Oprah and The Jay Leno show. It was amazing but I would have never had picked Brandy to get famous — it was because she was so adorable.”

About Chihuahuas
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world — named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where it was discovered in 1850.

Boo Boo, a 4 inch (10.16 centimeter) tall long-haired female Chihuahua who weighs only 1.5 pounds (675 grams) was named the World’s Smallest Living Dog by the Guinness Book of World Records in May 2007. Records are determined by height from toe to shoulder. Boo Boo, who weighed only one ounce at birth, succeeded another Chihuahua named Ducky who stood 4.9 inches.

Their height varies more than within many other breeds, typically between 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) at the withers, though some grow as tall as 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters).

Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. They’re often stereotyped as high-strung, though it’s been proven that correct training and socialization can make them an outstanding companion animal.

These dogs aren’t well suited as small children’s pets because of their size, temperament, and tendency to bite when frightened — it’s recommended that children be school aged or older before bringing in a Chihuahua as a pet.

Many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person’s human relationships — however, it can be diminished through socialization. They have a ‘clannish’ nature, often preferring the companionship of Chihuahuas over other dogs.

Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury.

This breed requires expert veterinary attention in birthing and dental care. They’re also known for their moleras — a soft spot in their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first 6 months until the skull is fully formed.

Although figures often vary, the average lifespan for a Chihuahua is between 8 to 18 years.