Description: The Chihuahua is the smallest
breed of dog in the world and was named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.
Chihuahuas are graceful, alert, swift-moving little dogs with a saucy expression.
There are two distinct breed types, one with a long coat of soft texture, the
other with a short coat. Identical otherwise, both can be whelped in the same
litter. They have round apple-heads, large protruding eyes and a short, stout
muzzle. Their bodies are slightly longer than they are tall, and ears are large
and flaring. Although their bodies are fairly evenly-muscled, their bones are
prone to injury due to their fragility. In the past they may have been considered
rodents by their ancestral owners, who may have raised them for food! Now adored
for their small size, the Chihuahua is a bright eyed, dainty dog who is perfect
for apartment living. They do better with indoor living than outdoor living.
Puppies are so small they can fit in your hand easily. Most breeders recommend
adopting a Chihuahua puppy between the ages of 4 - 12 months as they will be
more mature and agile and not so apt for injury.
Type: Companion Dog
Height:
6 - 9 inches.
Weight: 1 - 6 lbs.
Colors:
Any color or mixture is allowed. The coat can be solid, marked, or splashed
in any color combination. The more common colors are red, sable, fawn, black
and tan, tricolor, and brindle.
Coat: Long coat:
Long, soft to touch, slight waviness is permissible. They have a lot of fringe
and often have an undercoat. They have a large fringe on the neck and feathering
on the tail, feet and legs. Short coat: Short, glossy, dense, and soft
to touch. Both versions may come from the same whelp, although the interbreeding
of the two is not allowed anymore.
Temperament: Chihuahuas
are bold or shy, playful and very alert. They love to alert their owners to
whatever is going on, and some tend to bark. Some breeds are afraid when the
wind blows, while others will challenge dogs many times the size of themselves.
They tend to be quite devoted to one person. They are sometimes reserved with
strangers and a favorite among the elderly. They are graceful, humorous, and
a good watchdog. Although playful, Chihuahuas are not to be messed around with.
They can be aggressive towards other dogs and wary of strangers. On top of that,
they are quite fragile and do not tend to realize it when picking a fight.
With Children: Yes, If children are gentle.
Chihuahuas should be socialized early on to avoid any aggressiveness, which
usually results in the Chihuahua itself getting hurt due to their easy breakability.
With Pets: Yes, lives happily with others
as long as it is socialized early on. Some Chihuahuas can become hostile towards
other animals if they are not introduced early on. They tend to be one-owner
animals, but can be fine with other pets as long as they are socialized.
Special Skills: Family pet.
Watch-dog: Very High.
They are very alert and some love to bark.
Guard-dog: Very Low. Bold as they
are, a Chihuahua has no chance against another dog or person.
Care and Training:
Short haired Chihuahua should be brushed gently or wiped with a damp
cloth. The long haired Chihuahua should be brushed daily with a soft bristle
brush. Bathe only when necessary. Check ears regularly and keep nails trimmed.
Chihuahuas should be socialized early so that they will get along with other
dogs and pets. Minimal exercise is required for both varieties of Chihuahuas.
Learning Rate: High. Chihuahuas are
very intelligent.
Activity: Low - Moderate.
Some Chihuahuas will play and jog with their owners, while others are just too
small to do a lot of exercise. They are the ultimate lap dog.
Special Needs: Socialization, supervision
with children and other animals.
Living Environment: Must live indoors due
to their fragile bodies, but they enjoy outdoor activity.
Health Issues: Collapsing trachea. heart problems, hydrocephallic, and patellar luxation. Other health concerns include eye problems and hypoglycemia. Chihuahuas are very fragile dogs whose bones can break easily.
Life Span: 12 - 14 years.
Litter Size: 1 - 4 puppies.
Country of Origin:
Mexico
History: Discovered by Americans
in Mexico around the mid-nineteenth century, around 1850, the true origins of
the Chihuahua's ancestors still remain a mystery. Several theories seem to indicate
that Spanish traders may have brought a small dog from China to Mexico in their
explorations, and from there that small dog bred with the local dogs, possibly
the Mexican Hairless Dog or Techichi, a breed kept by the Aztecs and Toltecs.
Others say the breed was mixed with the Chinese Crested. The Techichi was a
breed, in legend, used by the Aztecs and Toltecs as sacrificial dogs and possibly
even as food. Chihuahuas' coats were the determinate for whether they lived
or died, according to myth. The Aztecs are said to have believed that Chihuahuas
born of blue coat were sacred, while those born of a red coat were sacrificed
on funeral pyres. Other theories suggest that Chihuahuas have been around for
thousands of years, having lived with the Africans, transported to Malta in
600 B.C., and then lived there for centuries. The likeness of a Chihuahua was
recorded in Rome in the Sistine Chapel on a fresco painting by Botticelli in
1492. Not only did this little dog get around to Europe, but in 1910 a zoologist
uncovered the remains of a tiny dog in Egypt who shares the same characteristic
soft spot, or mollera, on the skull that Chihuahuas currently have. Therefore,
they may have also existed in Egypt some 3,000 years ago. In the 1850s, a few
of these small specimens were brought to America from Mexico, but remained out
of the spotlight until later. The Chihuahua first came to be known popularly
in Mexico City around 1895, and the breed was named after the city it supposedly
came from, Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1904 it was registered by the AKC, and has
since gained popularity in the States. Even more popularity came to rise after
certain Taco Bell commercials, using this tiny canine as the icon of their company,
ultimately causing every Chihuahua owner to help their dog learn the phrase
"ˇYo quiero Taco Bell!"