New York, Jan. 12, 2005: Paris Hilton's habit of carrying around her pets like they were disposable fashion accessories has become a fashion in itself, spawning a new Chihuahua leather market.
After a Wisconsin designer came out with a black leather handbag called The Tinkerbell, in the shape of a dead, upside-down Chihuahua, demand for the canines leather suddenly soared. Chihuahua breeders across North America couldn't be more happy, the sudden rise in demand came at a time when the ‘dog ranchers' were searching for new ways to expand their market base.
"We've been trying to come up with some new marketing ideas to raise the popularity of our unique breed of canine. Ever since Taco Bell stopped using Chihuahua's in their television ads, sales have been pretty slow" says Hector Rodriguez, owner of the Rodriguez Chihuahua Ranch just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. "When Taco Bell was running those ads, the dogs were very popular and we really expanded our operation here, but once the commercials stopped, we got stuck with thousands of these little things and couldn't get rid of them. We've tried all sorts of different promotional campaigns, everything from Chihuahua Jerky to making ashtrays out of their skulls. We even tried making Chihuahua furs, but they don't have long hair and it takes 100 of them to make one coat"
Chihuahua leather is considered to be very strong and resistant to drying out. The new Paris Hilton Chihuahua bags are not only stylish, but also very durable. The designer of the bag is planning a whole new line of Chihuahua leather shoes, belts, hats, and gloves. Even the PGA is considering endorsing a new golf glove made from Chihuahua hide, according to PGA spokesman. "We play a lot of tournaments at golf courses carved out of the deserts in Arizona, we're excited about this new leather" he added.
Other by-products are expected to hit the market soon as the Chihuahua industry begins to experiment with left over parts of the small dogs after the skin has been removed. "Of course we expect to be able to reintroduce some of our previous products, like the jerky and ashtrays, but we also think there will be a market for Chihuahua sausage as the dogs become more popular. We also think a de-boned Chihuahua, much like a de-boned turkey or chicken, would make a perfect new hot dog, it's already about the right size for existing hot dog buns", says Archie Butterman, president of the American Association of Chihuahua Ranchers. "We're also looking at the different uses for Chihuahua bones. Currently, were grinding up the bones to be used in children's aspirin and toothpaste. We think we're on the brink of breakthrough in our attempts to invent a new Chihuahua based peanut-butter."
