Dog Breeds > Chihuahua

The Chihuahua

One of the most popular toy dogs of our time is the Chihuahua. This is a dog breed that you will frequently see in TV because many actresses of today like to bring their pets along. They are cute and are always eager to pose for the camera. Chihuahuas are not only pets; they have now become a lifestyle.

Energy Playfulness Intelligence Grooming Popularity

Fascinating Facts

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the whole world. The name Chihuahua actually came from the Mexican State where this breed actually is said to have come from. Chihuahuas have no clear history of descent; however some believe that they originated from Techichi, which is a companion dog of the Toltec tribe of Mexico.

Physical Appearance

There is no height standard for this dog breed. It can be as small as 6 inches and as high as 15 inches. Because of the varying height, weight may also vary. Some can be as light as two pounds and can be as heavy as seven pounds. This dog breed can come in various colors and various combinations. Some are solid-colored while others are tricolored.

Grooming

For a Chihuahua with long-hair, daily brushing is important; but for those with short-hair, it must be brushed weekly. You can also wipe his coat with a moist cloth. Monthly bath is recommended for both types.

Mood

Chihuahuas are very lively and are fun to be with. They are brave little ones with a taste for great adventure. Chihuahuas are very affectionate and like kissing their masters. However, this dog breed is a jealous type; it may snap at other people and other dogs once it senses that the attention of his master is on others.

People have the tendency take the actions of a Chihuahua lightly because it is small; making the dog think that whatever he does is alright. Also, the dog may lose his trust with human companions; hence it would consider humans as his subordinates.

With Children

This dog breed is actually not suggested for children. If you already have a Chihuahua, it is important that you teach your kids to be dominant around the Chihuahua else it may snap at them. They are, by instinct, territorial and tend to bite when frightened.

Training & Exercise

When training a Chihuahua, it is important that you treat him as if he is a large dog. If a Chihuahua does something cute but is considered as bad behavior for large dog types, the Chihuahua must be reprimanded. This dog breed is indeed small, but that doesn’t mean he gets enough exercise just by running around the house. It also needs to be walked regularly. Don’t carry him around every time, else he might develop anxiety.

Health & Life Expectancy

Young Chihuahuas have large heads during birth; hence the mother Chihuahua may have difficulty during the delivery. Furthermore, Chihuahuas are born with an incomplete skull, making them very vulnerable. This is the reason why cesarean operation is necessary when giving birth.

The early months of a Chihuahua is when it is most susceptible to sickness. Baby Chihuahuas are prone to hydrocephalus, which is why proper guidance from a veterinarian is important. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may also be a problem. If this is not detected early on, the dog may get comatose or may end up dying.

During the adulthood, be careful not to overfeed your Chihuahua else it might become obese. Take note that they like warm conditions so make sure you give them warm blankets during the winter months. This dog breed can live up to 15 years or more.

Remember, even though Chihuahuas are small doesn’t mean it is okay to confine them in your house. Playing with them doesn’t give them the exercise that they need, so make sure you spare some time for their daily walk. Teaching them how to socialize will make them less aggressive to other people and other dog types.

Dog Breeds by Grouping | Dog Breeds A - F | Dog Breeds G - N | Dog Breeds O - Z