Chihuahuas come in a tiny package but have big personality they ’re not afraid to flaunt . While they are a sorcerous strain , " Chis " ( as owners affectionately call them ) have a propensity to be a bit sassy . The Chihuahua Club of America in reality refer to the strain ’s grammatical construction as " saucy . "
But for all the back talk and sauce , this toy dog strain is a devoted companion . " Chihuahuas are very loyal , love pets , " says Linda George , chair of the Judges Education Committee for the Chihuahua Club of America . " Chihuahuas that I have breed and raised usually call back me eld after they have gone to another home . "
Chihuahuas vary in appearance , as some have a shorter , smooth coating , while others have a recollective coat . They also tend tolive longer than many breeds : Owners can gestate to care for their Chi for up to 18 years .
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They are meddlesome dogs and like to be close to their owner , often underfoot . Chihuahuas are also good watchdogs thanks to their stranger danger disposition . More than just a " purse dog , " Chihuahuas are a very watchful breed that loves to be on the go with their owners . Get ready for people to " ohhhh " and " awww " over your pooch — and rest secure , your Chi will love it .
Appearance
Variety is the name of the biz when it comes to how Chihuahuas look . There are two principal types of coat : Smooth and long . Smooth coats are shiny and set close to the body with a ruff of thick , longer hair’s-breadth at the neck . prospicient coat have soft fur that ’s flat or slightly curly , with a fringe of haircloth at the ears and a plumed tail . Long - haired Chihuahuas also have a ruff on the neck opening and longer hair’s-breadth on their invertebrate foot , on their leg ( which is pertain to as " pants " ) , and on their stomach ( called a " gimcrack " ) .
Their coloring and markings can be very unlike as well . Chihuahuas can be solid - non-white dim , white , grayish brown , chocolate , gray , or silver , with a reach of shades for all people of colour . They can also be tricolor ( in chocolate , black , or blue with tan and blanched , for instance ) , brindle , espy , and merle .
Chihuahua heads can also vary : They can either have a rounder apple caput or a deer - shaped chief , which is narrower with a longer snout . And despite their modest height — they weigh anywhere from 3–6 pounds — Chihuahuashave giving brains , making them ready - witted andeasy to train . But because of their small-scale vesica and unassailable - willed personality , they ’re not particularlyeasy to domiciliate train .
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Temperament
Lapdogs through and through , Chihuahuas ca n’t get enough time with their people . If they are n’t nestle up with you , they may be cuddled up under a blanket or curl up in a corner . Or they ’ve managed to come up a place of Sunday to enjoy in .
Owners say Chihuahuas are great conversationist , sure to tell you if something is exciting or amiss around the house . They are excellent watchdogs — thanks to their bold personalities and terrier - same attitudes — as they are mistrustful of stranger . As with all breeds , socialize your Chihuahua puppyso she can originate up to be comfortable around raw people , animals , andsituations — and not be soyappy . Typically , Chihuahuas bond to an individual someone . They can warm up to others onceproperly introduced , but they do so on their own timeline .
Chihuahuas also seem to be in touch with their good face and are well cognizant of the attention it draw in to them . So from the get - go , ensure you let your Chi lie with you ’re in charge . Never let your Chihuahua puppy do something that will be considered unacceptable as they get through maturity : Their big personalities can direct them to command your life if you permit them . So be coherent in your expected value and usepositive reinforcer training . They can formulate undesirable behaviors if they ’re blase and even become picky eater . Establish house rule betimes on andbe coherent in your training .
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Living Needs
Thanks to their petite size , Chihuahuas are idealistic ducky forapartment habitant , students ( Elle Woods was on to something ! ) , or those in a smaller home .
Of course , having to take a dog out of doors when it ’s cold and wet is never any play , and Chihuahuas could not agree more . " If you do n’t wish taking the dog out on cold wintertime days , Chihuahuas are ideal since they can be instruct to use a bedding box or wee wee pad , " George say . When youdotake them out to do their clientele orto get some exercise , do n’t leave them alone in the yard : They could be attacked by a hoot of target or other larger animal .
Chihuahuas will definitely rein the roost , so to address . Keep in thinker Chihuahuas , as with any domestic dog , can get into trouble if they have n’t been socialized from a young old age . If they get into a yappy argument with another dog , even amuch larger one , their plucky nature means they wo n’t back down . But if they are properly socialise , they ’ll do well with other wienerwurst in the home ( particularly other Chihuahuas ) , andeven with big cat .
As magical as Chihuahuas are with their owners , they can be suspicious of humans they do n’t know . And although they canget along with old children , they ’re not an idealistic pawl for families with super unseasoned kiddos , as they are just too fragile for tot playtime . A Chihuahua may leap from a child ’s hands and injure herself if she ’s not being held correctly , so ensure to manage your kids around these tiny pup andteach them how to interact with modest brute .
Care
" Chis are easy to like for , " George tell . " Even the foresighted coats require little preparation . " For smooth - pelage Chihuahuas , that meansoccasional brushingandregular baths . Long - haired Chihuahuas should be sweep once a week to quash tangle or mat fur . Both coatsdon’t pour forth much , except minimally once or twice a year .
George also recommendsbrushing their teethat least every other day , as pathetic dental care can go to other health problem . Their nails , which raise quickly , should betrimmed regularlyfor all Chihuahuas . And if your whelp develops tear spot beneath her eyes , you’re able to carefullywipe them to remove discharge .
Their lilliputian size of it does n’t do much to keep them lovesome , so naturally , Chihuahuas do n’t tolerate the cold well . You may also see them shiver when they ’re overly excited or stress . But they ’re also born fashionistas , and your Chihuahua wo n’t mind beingdressed up in a sweater or pelage .
When it comes to dinner sentence , verify you providehigh - calibre foodin the right amount for your Chihuahua ’s age , as they areprone to becoming overweight . check up on with your veterinarian for guidance .
Exercise will assist as well , as even erstwhile Chihuahuas may storm you with their energy stage . Up for playing as long as you want , Chihuahuas enjoy walks , supervise romps around the 1000 , andretrieving toys . They can go - go - go until they drop , so do n’t rent them jade themselves out too much , especially on hot day .
Chihuahuas need 20–30 minute of exercise daily , but this motive can be met by them just following you around the family all day ( which just so materialize to be a favorite pastime ) . Chihuahuas are also fast learners : They can compete in agility and respect trials with just as much ebullience and success as enceinte dogs , and remain peculiar and bluff throughout their life-time .
Health
These tiny pups are generally a prettyhealthy breed . Most Chihuahuas exist to be at least 10 year quondam and can live to be an impressive 18 years old , but they may develop wellness issues as they age .
Some likely wellness proceeds to be aware of , according to the CCA , are folic acid , heart disease , patellar luxation(loose kneecaps),hypoglycemia , andepilepsy . Additionally , a Chihuahua ’s pinna can be prostrate to earwax build - up and dry skin . The CCA says that before you bring home a pup , ensure your Chihuahua stock breeder completes allhealth tests recommend by the OFA . If you ’re adopt a Chihuahua , inquire for all available medical information .
One common occurrence with Chihuahuas is the presence of molera , a humble , pencil - eraser - tip - sizing hole in the top of the skull . " Historically this was a signboard of breed purity , " George say , observe the presence of molera , which is much like a soft spot on a new-sprung baby ’s psyche , is not an indicator of health problems by and by in life . Whether a Chi keeps its soft spot count on size , genetics , and cadaverous social structure .
History
While the Chihuahua ’s origin is n’t crystal clear , two main theory be . One says Chihuahuas descended from a Central or South American dog known as the techichi ( sometimes spell out techihi ) , a larger version of the Chi go steady back to the 9th century and the Toltec civilization . The Toltecs were conquered by the Aztecs , who then made techichi big in their society , as they believed the dog had mystical powers — let in the ability to see the future , heal the demented , and safely guide the souls of the dead to the Hell .
Techichi live in temple , were part of many rituals , and were bury with the dead . But when the Spanish conquered the Aztecs in the belated 1500s , the techichi faded into obscurity . The dogs live in remote Village , and when they were discovered by Americans visiting Mexico in the mid-1800s they were find mostly in the State of Chihuahua , thus gaining the name we know the tiny dogs by today , according to the CCA .
The 2nd theory is that small hairless dogs from China were take to Mexico by Spanish dealer and then multiply with small aboriginal dogs . Some say that perhaps Christopher Columbus played a role . These are the origins of myopic - haired Chihuahuas ; the longhaired variety was probably create through Cross withpapillonsorPomeranians . Whichever story is rightful , wedoknow alikeness of Chihuahuas are painted on artefact from ancient times .
The first American Kennel Club - registered Chihuahua , Beppie , was put down in 1908 . Chis gain popularity as pets during the 1930s , 1940s , and 1950s — with assistance from famed musician and bandleader Xavier Cugat , who splendidly roll his billystick with one manus while he held a Chihuahua with the other .
