Chihuahua dog breed characteristics and facts

The Chihuahua is another breed with a large personality that comes in a tiny package. This small dog, weighing only 3 to 6 pounds, is brimming with attitude, loyalty, and a need to be the center of attention. Despite being small, Chihuahuas are exceptionally busy and pleasant to be around. They are ideal friends for persons of all ages and lifestyles. They’d rather be with you than someone else, even if this is you—you—a type of first-time pet owner. They are low-maintenance, requiring only simple grooming and exercise. Done! No issue; they love everybody! Done! Make them fantastic canine apartment contracts. The whole family will surely get along with them. Just make sure any children who come inside know how to handle a small dog softly.

Chihuahuas are known for their feisty and independent temperament. They are also quite loving and devoted to their owners. Chihuahuas are often great with kids, although they might be harmed by overly rough play. There are two coat types: smooth-haired and long headed. Chihuahuas with smooth fur have glossy close hair that does not dis worry and seldom needs grooming. The long-haired variation has a longer and flowing fur. These fluffy small dogs require more maintenance and need to be regularly brushed to avoid matting. Chihuahuas may also have dark, blonde, smooth, and rough colors. Some mixed Chihuahua breeds have both dark and smooth hair, while others have black and dark hair.

Chihuahua Facts

• Origin: Mexico
• Size: Small
• Breed Group: Toy breedv
• Lifespan: 12-18 years
• Coat: Short or longhaired
• Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and playful
• Exercise needs: Minimal
• Training: Easy to train
• Health: Generally healthy, but may be prone to some health conditions, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), luxating patellas and hypoglycemia.

Chihuahua Overview

The Chihuahua may be a saucy little hot tamale but not just because of his association with the fast-food Mexican restaurant. While he is known as the world’s smallest breed, his temperament may well be the largest breed on the planet. Simply put, this larger-than-life personality appeals to both sexes. Chihuahuas are fun-loving and have plenty of energy.

They go with them everywhere happy to be and on errand days or shopping days, ride along in tote bags. A Chihuahua may establish an overpowering fondness to one person in the household and become overly consumed with attention if they are pampered to with that person. Chihuahuas are not just loving housemates, but they are also clever pupils.

They can compete in agility and obedience trials with the same; enthusiasm and success as larger dogs. That said, they’re willful little dogs. You’ll be most; successful if you can persuade them that competing — or just doing as you ask — is fun. When; training your Chihuahua, use positive reinforcement in the form of praise and food rewards. He; won’t respond to harsh treatments. It is important to put attention on his small size while considering Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are curious and bold explorers.

They’ve gotten out of yards via tiny openings in the fence immediately preceding the gate. And they can climb into precarious positions where no other puppies and dogs would come indoors. More extensive dogs might accidentally damage them, like tall young people and toddlers. It is preferable for them to remain away from kids underneath six years old.

Regrettably, people sometimes replicate their Chihuahuas’ unwise behavior by failing to make them fully socialize to people and animals. Despite our family circumstances, we must recall the importance of socializing our Chihuahua to children, adults, and other animals. Chihuahuas are suspicious of strangers, making them good watchdogs; however, they must be taught to greet them in a friendly manner. Furthermore, due to the fact that Chihuahuas frequently forget how little they are and taunt a much more enormous aggressive dog, Chihuahua needs supervision in new situations, on your walks, and fresh outdoor regions. They are the most wonderful go-everywhere companion owing to their personality and unique size. Chihuahuas’ owners develop devoted to them, and many say one, you have one, you can never have another!

Chihuahua History

There are two theories regarding the origins of the Chihuahua, although like many breeds’ histories, there is uncertainty. The first is that the Chihuahua descended from a dog of Central or South American descent, the Techichi. When the Chihuahua is from Central or South America, the evidence would lead us long before that.

Toltec carvings evidencing to the 9th century C.E. reflect a small dog that our present-day belief of the breed resembles – particularly large ears and a round head. These pups were referred to as the Techichi, although there was no true evidence for what was the purpose of using the Techichi in the Toltec civilization. When the Aztecs captured the center of Mexico, the hopelessly declining Toltec civilization had no other option, and the Techichi reincarnated.

Most of the dogs lived in temples and were employed in Aztec rituals. According to the Aztecs, Techichi possessed magic abilities, including foresight, healing the sick, and safely leading the souls of the dead to the underworld. To do so, it was necessary to kill a red Techichi and cremate him with the body of the dead.

The second theory is that small pictures of hairless dogs from China were brought to Mexico by Spanish traders who then bred them with small matted dogs. The Aztecs, who often ate dogs and their animals as well as skins, also used Techichi’s food and skins. The Spanish conquered the Aztecs in the late 16th century and Techichi fell into disuse.

But no matter which theory is correct, the shorthaired Chihuahua we know today was found in the 1850s in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, from which he took his name. American visitors to Mexico brought the little dogs back home.

By 1890, some were being shown, and in 1904 a Chihuahua named Midget was the first of his breed registered with the American Kennel Club. The long-haired variety was probably produced through crosses with Papillons or Pomeranians. The breed’s popularity climbed in the 1930s and 1940s, when it was associated with dance king and Latin music bandleader Xavier Cugat. Since the 1960s, as per the AKC the Chihuahua has been one of the most well-liked breeds to register. Presently they rank 11th on the list of 155 breeds and varieties registered by AKC.

Chihuahua Size

Typical Chihuahua weighs 3 to 6 pounds. They can even be oversize there are some that reach 12 or more pounds.

Chihuahua Personality

The bold and confident Chihuahua is often described as terrier-like. Chihuahuas frequently become extremely attached to one person, though they’re typically willing to befriend new people if properly introduced.

Be prepared for them to hold a little back initially. Chihuahuas can be apprehensive when they aren’t introduced to a lot of people as puppies; in reality, that pretty much sums up before all. Early socialization, including being acquainted with various human beings, places, and situations, accompanied by regular practice, is required to ensure your Chihuahua puppy develops into a well-balanced dog.

Chihuahua Health

Chihuahua do not have the following major health problems, but they can be born with or acquire and they are all included: Not all of these diseases will affect Chihuahuas, but it is important that you are knowledgeable about them; you can discuss them with breeders you speak with. Additionally, you will know what to look for during your Chihuahua’s life.

To get the healthiest Chihuahua possible, purchase the pet from a responsible breeder. Requiring that all Chihuahuas be vaccinated and dewormed before you pick up your new pet is only the start. For their litters, responsible Chihuahua breeders employ only physically healthy, mature parents, ideally 2 years old or older, and test their breeding dogs for genetic diseases a pet Chihuahua might have, such as luxating patellas and heart disease.

For this breed, you should also have health clearances for the patellas from OFA, and for the heart by a specialist are recommended for the puppy’s parents. You can also see this health clearance by OFA.

Before the dog is 2 years old, it does not receive health clearances. This is due to the fact that some health problems in a full-grown dog may not be so in a younger one. Therefore, it is also not recommended to breed dogs of this breed until the age of 2 or 3 years. The most common Chihuahua diseases are:

• Patellar Luxation
• Hypoglycemia
• Heart Murmurs
• Pulmonic Stenosis
• Collapsed Trachea
• Hydrocephalus
• Open Fontanel
• Shivering
• Spinal Bifida
• Syringomyelia

Chihuahua Care

It may come as a surprise how much energy an adult Chihuahua has. A Chihuahua will keep chasing squirrels in your backyard, and he’ll keep playing as long as you’re up for it. Taking walks, playing with toys, romping around the yard with supervision, and fetch are all favorite activities. Make sure you don’t overexert them, notably on hot days. While they enjoy being outside, Chihuahuas should never be outside dogs. In addition to raptors such as hawks, coyotes, and other larger dogs that might come into your yard, other animals of prey include cats of prey. They have been bred, raised, and bred to be companions. Any living thing that can honestly be called a dog’s best buddy is us.

They excel in a variety of sports such as agility and obedience, but even a Chihuahua who is only a companion requires puppy kindergarten and basic obedience class. In class, for example, Your Chihuahua will interact with many other puppies and people, which will aid in his socialization. Most importantly, he will learn the essential dog catechism. Chihuahuas are just as simple to housetrain as any other breed if you take them out frequently and on a fairly regular schedule. Puppies must be taken out as soon as they wake up in the morning, after every meal, after their nap, after playtime, and just before bedtime. Use a crate to keep them confined when you can’t monitor them, and they’ll learn that they can control their bladder. They won’t have accidents in the house since they’keep from ever doing so. If they aren’t confined, plan to take them out every one to two hours and never leave them in their crate for more than two to four hours at a time, excluding overnight.

Crate training is also a kind approach to making sure your Chihuahua doesn’t mess about with The Stranger. Like every puppy, Chihuahuas can chew and destroy things, despite the fact that they are generally small dogs in comparison to a puppy lab. Puppy teeth are very sharp. Crate training can help your Chihuahua learn to accept being sealed off if he ever needs to be boarded or even sacked. However, do not let your Chihuahua stay in the crate the entire day. It is not a jail, and he should not be kept there for more than 60 minutes at a time unless he is sleeping at night or else resting. They are individuals, and they are intended to be spent much of their lives in a pen or a kennel. Chihuahuas are smart animals that are trained with favorable training strategies such as snacks, encouragement, and play; you will discover that they are exceptional training partners.

Chihuahua Grooming And Coat Color

Chihuahuas have two different coat types from which you can choose: smooth and long. The smooth-coated Chihuahua has a smooth, a shiny coat overall that fits close to the body with a trademark ruff of thick, long hair on the neck that creates a ruff around the neck and shorter hair on the head and ears and the tail is quite furry. The long-coated Chihuahua has a soft coat that is either completely flat or very slightly curly. The body is almost as smooth as the above but the ears have a fringe. The ears have alternative feathering, and the plumed tail that spreads like a fan over the back. Also, he has a ruff around the neck and feathering on the feet. The hind legs are also covered with long hair that appears like a man’s pants, so it’s called so.

A frill is longer hair on the stomach. Apart from the two coat types, Chihuahuas also come in an array of colors and markings. They can also be a solid color such as black, white, fawn, chocolate, gray, and silver or tricolor such as chocolate, black, or blue with tan and white, for example, brindle, spotted, merle and a combination of any of these. The variation can be very pale to very dark for all these colors.

The Chihuahua is a wash-and-go dog. Grooming your Chihuahua is a matter of minutes each week. The short hair chihuahua only desires a good brush using a rubber grooming mitt or a brush with short, natural bristles, And a longhair Chihuahua needs a soft-spined brush. Also, equip yourself with a fine-toothed flea comb to get rid of loose or dead hair for your pooch. Chihuahuas do minimal hair shedding but they lose small quantity of hair throughout the year. They may, however, loses slightly more hair, which is a relative concept given the size of this pet, in the autumn and spring. With other longhair chihuahua, the undercoat may come up as little clumps. Regular brushing can help this.

Since baths tend to dry out dog’s coat and skin, your Chihuahua will not need a bath more than every month to two if you brush regularly. Use a shampoo specially formulated for dogs to avoid that. Another area to pay attention to is your Chihuahua’s ears. You must clean your chihuahua’s inner ear if there’s an odor or is waxy by using a cleanser recommended by your vet and a cotton ball. Do not go beyond the sight.

Should the edge be dark, and the ears themselves dry, the skin can be rubbed with baby oil or coconut. Some chihuahuas have a problem with discharge from the eyes that leave tear stains. The eyes can be carefully wiped and stains removed with a special product. The Chihuahua’s nails grow incredibly quickly, they can be kept short if you hear a click on the floor – go trim. Start cutting your dog early, and it will experience the procedure without tension, and at the same time, inspect the pads for the presence of injuries or foreign bodies.

Chihuahuas, just like many small breeds, are prone to poor dental health. Brushing can help their mouths stay healthy Brush the teeth at least two or three times a week—daily is better to remove tartar and bacteria. Start when your puppy is young so he will be used to it As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness.

Chihuahua Children And Other Pets

Despite strong Chihuahuas, many love children. But a combination of a tiny dog and a tiny kid sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. The Chihuahua may lose control if he is not being cuddled properly and jump out of the child’s hands. He will retaliate if he is under attack. For fear of the child being hit, many breeders would not offer a puppy to a family with toddlers. Chihuahuas are suitable for quiet, older kids who know how to handle a dog. Younger kids should hold a Chihuahua solely while placed on the house until it has been trained. Children should be taught how to pet and approach a dog. Dogs must be under tight control and under no conditions allow a little one to irritate a dog irrespective of the victims.

Assure your child never to move towards any dog while he’s sleeping or eating or feed him or threaten to take the dog’s food away. Never allow any dog to be alone with a child. Even if you live without children, your Chihuahua should usually power a kid. This way, if he meets them later in life, he will not be afraid. Nonetheless, always be safe. Chihuahuas also do well in the company of any pets that grow up with us, including cats. They may or may not pose a challenge, as the tiny chihuahuas will scare away dogs that are much larger. Typically, the “small” dog will dictate.