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Origin: Mexico
Height: Average of 6-10 inches at the shoulder,
though there is no height restriction for the
breed
Weight: Less than 6 pounds
Exercise Needs: Medium
Grooming Needs: Low for the shorthaired variety,
medium for longhaired
Life Expectancy: 8-18 years
Good With Kids: No
Trainability: Low
Like many breeds of dog, the true origins of
the Chihuahua are buried beneath the sands of
time. One common theory is that he is a
descendant of an ancient breed of dog, known as
the Techichi, that was raised by the Toltec
people as far back as the 9th
century, A.D. Some even suggest that the
foundation breed dates even further back,
perhaps into the times when the ancient Mayans
first settled into Central America, where the
Techichi was indigenous. While the Techichi was
larger and more heavily-boned than the
Chihuahua, the similarity between the two dogs
is unmistakable. Perhaps, when people traveled
across the land bridge that is now the Bering
Strait, smaller breeds of Asian dogs, quite
possibly the Chinese Crested, were brought into
Alaska, where they were then able to cross with
the Techichi. This is a common theory on how the
Chihuahua came to be. Others speculate that he
is the result of extensive inbreeding.
Regardless how he came about, however, this tiny
hero of a dog is determined to remain a popular
favorite, even with the passing of time.
The Chihuahua is named for the Mexican city
where the earliest record of this unique little
breed has been found, and he has enjoyed his
status as a favored house pet for centuries.
Believed to have been brought to Europe by
Christopher Columbus and other explorers of that
day and age, this tiny dog quickly gained
popularity, and interest in the Chihuahua spread
worldwide. The American Kennel Club (A.K.C.)
acknowledges the Chihuahua as one of the oldest
breeds to be registered, the first dogs being
recognized and entered into the stud book back
in 1904.
The Chihuahua comes in two different
varieties; the long haired Chihuahua (sometimes
known as the long coat Chihuahua) and the smooth
coated Chihuahua. The smooth coat Chihuahua has
a coat that is slick, glossy, and of a soft
texture. A slight ruff over the neck area is
ideal and dogs with a slightly heavier coat are
permissible, according to the breed standard.
The long hair Chihuahua possesses a longer coat,
which may either lay flat against the dog or may
be somewhat curly; in both styles of long haired
Chihuahua, the ears should be fringed and the
tail should be plume-like, with feathering at
the chest, along the belly and flanks, and down
the dog’s legs. A large ruff is also desired
around the neck area. Also interesting to note
is that the Chihuahua can be found in any color
and can be either solid patterned, marked or
splashed, regardless of coat.
The Chihuahua breed standard does not specify
a height limit, for registration but, instead,
specifies that they can weigh no more than 6
pounds. Because of this, the breed’s height
varies more than many other known breeds. Most
show dogs will be an average of 6-10 inches tall
at the top of the shoulder, though it is not
uncommon for dogs to grow larger than this,
particularly those who are kept as pets. Quite
often, smaller specimens of the breed are sold
as expensive pets, known as teacup Chihuahuas.
While these dwarfs are highly sought after, one
should be very wary of any breeder that
advertises teacup Chihuahuas; quite often, these
miniature toy Chihuahuas exhibit a large number
of health problems and often live a much shorter
lifespan than the standard Chihuahua‘s life span
of anywhere between 8 and 18 years of age.
Recognized as the smallest breed of dog in
the world, the Chihuahua is a favorite pet for
many who enjoy tiny dogs, as well as those who
live in apartments or areas where they cannot
have a larger breed of dog. A well-balanced
little canine, the Chihuahua weighs less than 6
pounds when fully grown and is easily recognized
by his unique apple-shaped head and upright
ears. Even if you’re not a fan of small dogs,
the tiny teacup Chihuahua is sure to surprise
you with his active, courageous personality.
Very few who have had the honor of meeting one
of these pint-sized spitfires, can honestly say
that the Chihuahua did not instantly worm his
way right into their hearts.
Caring for your pet Chihuahua also
encompasses other things, such as his nutrition
and level of exercise. While the Chihuahua is
quite often a picky eater and prefers to lounge
on a lap, rather than run outside, care should
be taken that your Chihuahua not be allowed to
gain excess weight - doing so can lead to health
problems such as heart failure or tracheal
collapse. The Chihuahua is also prone to having
sugar problems and many tend to suffer from
problems, such as hypo-glycemia. When in doubt,
speak with your veterinarian or a reputable
breeder, regarding feeding concerns for your
particular dog.
General Chihuahua care is relatively easy for
a healthy dog. Regular veterinary checkups and
keeping your Chihuahua up to date on his
vaccinations will do wonders for keeping your
pet happy and healthy, but there are other
little things that you can do, to help keep him
feeling good in-between vet visits. One of these
is grooming your Chihuahua on a regular basis.
While some believe that this is only important
for long coated Chihuahuas, grooming your smooth
Chihuahua will also help him by removing dead
hair and dander, same as in a long haired
Chihuahua. Keeping his toenails properly clipped
will also prevent your toy Chihuahua from
getting injured, catching a nail on carpeting or
furniture and, should your Chihuahua’s eyes ear
and run excessively, you can also gently wipe
these with a cloth dipped in saline solution, in
order to help cut down the risk of infection.
Should you notice, while cleaning your
Chihuahua’s eyes, that they are abnormally
bloodshot or that there is a white discharge, an
appointment should be made with your
veterinarian, to have him checked for an eye
infection.
How to train your Chihuahua depends on what
you intend to teach him to do, your degree of
patience, and your own individual dog. Important
to remember in Chihuahua training, is that these
little dogs do best with a gentle hand, a lot of
patience, and regular routine. Taking the time
to repeat commands with a patient tone, and
having the same person train the basics, will
help your Chihuahua to learn more quickly. The
Chihuahua is a quick and enthusiastic learner,
who loves to please and a wonderful addition to
any home. If he is treated with love and
kindness, like other dogs, he will give it back
to you tenfold.
As with all other breeds of
dog, the Chihuahua is
susceptible to a variety of
different health problems.
Due to the extensive
line-crossing and inbreeding
that commonly occurs in
pedigreed dogs, as well as
the unethical practices of
some breeders, one must take
care when selecting a
Chihuahua puppy. Here are
some of the conditions that
the breed is more
susceptible to:
-
pulmonic stenosis
-
hydrocephalus
-
patellar luxation
-
KCS
-
hypoglycemia
Chihuahuas may be the idea dogs for apartment
living, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they
are the ideal dog for you. For instance, the toy
Chihuahua is ill-suited for a household with
small children. They are small and delicate
dogs, that are easily hurt if pulled or fall on.
Additionally, the Chihuahua tends to bond with a
single person and can be rather snappish if
annoyed. For these reasons, it’s generally a
good idea to introduce them into families with
older children. Likewise in homes with other
dogs; the Chihuahua can tend to be rather
elitist and prefers the company of his own breed
over others. Amusingly though, the Chihuahua
tends to have the attitude of a terrier and will
take on any other dog, if provoked While it may
seem amusing, thinking of a toy Chihuahua trying
to take on a Great Dane, but it’s common for
these pint-sized spitfires to bite off more than
they can chew. |
There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn
more about the Chihuahua dog breed. We've compiled a list of
Chihuahua information sites to assist you in quickly locating
quality information about the Chihuahua dog breed, while avoiding
the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to
capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know
of a Chihuahua information site that offers unique, quality
information and photos of the Chihuahua breed, please contact us
with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can
consider it for inclusion in our list below.
Chihuahuas are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at
Chihuahua pictures, you can usually gain more insight into what
these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help you
decide if you really want to become a Chihuahua owner. The following
sites below offer pictures of Chihuahua dogs, Chihuahua puppy
photos, funny Chihuahua photos and more. Enjoy!
TEACUP
Chihuahua ALERT!!
Whether you call them Teacup Chihuahuas, Tea Cup Chihuahuas, Toy
Chihuahuas, Miniature Chihuahuas, or Mini Chihuahuas, buying the
smallest Chihuahua puppy you can find is a sure recipe for a teacup
full of heartache! Responsible breeders occasionally will have a
puppy that is smaller than its littermates (it's what we once
referred to as the "runt" of the litter), but this is not always the
best puppy in the litter - in fact, quite often, quite the opposite
is true. In many cases, the runts are the weaker puppies and
have a higher frequency of health problems, when compared to their
robust siblings. While this does not mean runts cannot lead
normal, healthy lives, careful consideration should be given to
purchasing a runt of any breed.
Any breeder that selectively breeds to create a smaller and
smaller puppy is not a breeder with whom you want to do business.
The reason for this is that smaller puppies usually have a number of
health problems. They can suffer from Hypoglycemia (dangerously low
blood sugar), knee and hip problems, brain defects, kidney problems,
heart problems and more. What's more, these itty bitty dogs are as
delicate as flowers, and can easily be injured or killed by being
accidentally stepped on or kicked, or from something as seemingly
innocent as a fall off of the sofa or bed. Don't buy into this
unfortunate trend! Dogs are pets - not fashion accessories or toys.
Be sure to buy your Chihuahua puppy only from a responsible,
reputable Chihuahua breeder. Avoid any breeder who advertises
"Teacup, Miniature, Toy or Mini" Chihuahua puppies.
Now that you have decided that the Chihuahua is the right breed
for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible
Chihuahua breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized
puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad
breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Chihuahua puppy you
find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a
responsible Chihuahua breeder, you may need to pay more and wait
longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it.
Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard
breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional
expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love
with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely
need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication -
or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible,
caring Chihuahua breeder who home-raises their puppies with love,
screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health
guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the
Chihuahua breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than
profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy,
happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will
provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and
companionship.
Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...
Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These
sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders
listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Chihuahua
puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now
online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy
mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of
these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the
breeders whom they allow to advertise.
Chihuahua clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn even
more about the Chihuahua dog breed, help you locate a responsible
Chihuahua breeder, or help you find a Chihuahua dog or puppy in need
of a second chance for a loving, forever home. We've compiled the
following list of Chihuahua clubs and Chihuahua rescues web sites
for your convenience:
Choosing a name for your Chihuahua puppy can be a daunting task!
There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot of
thought and research to find just the right name for your Chihuahua.
Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few days or
weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide on just
the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A serious
side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange love of
cantaloupe? By observing your new Chihuahua puppy over the first
days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about what type of
name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and pet names
web sites on the internet. Some are excellent information resources,
while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites hoping to cash
in on visitor hits for this popular subject area.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Chihuahua puppy. These sites offer inventive, unique,
original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
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