Chihuahua Dog Breed Information - All About Dogs

Chihuahua

Chihuahua

CHIHUAHUA DOG BREED

Description:

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest of all breeds and is considered to be the oldest in the United State. This breed was named for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where it originated. It is believed that these dogs are direct descendants of ancient Mexican dogs, though larger in size. Despite the fact that the Chihuahua has a very delicate bone structure, this is a quite muscular dog. The Chihuahua was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904.

Height: 6-9 inches  Weight: 3-6 pounds  Lifespan: 14-18 years

Characteristics:

The most distinctive feature of the Chihuahua is his individuality. Every single representative of this breed has its own, distinctive character, so it is possible to make only a few generalizations. Most often, this breed is simply called ‘Chi’. Chihuahuas are energetic, graceful and very similar to humans. These dogs are unique, their life expectancy exceeds the life expectancy of a dog of any other breed and any other size. Comparable Breed: The Pomeranian, Pekingese and Papillon.

Character:

The Chihuahua is deeply devoted and infinitely faithful dog. As a rule, this breed chooses one member of the family to be his master. Despite their miniature size, Chis are bold, fearless dogs, ready at any moment to rush to the defense of their respective owners. They always require a very large amount of human attention. The Chihuahua affectionate, lovable and has a gentle nature. This dog is extremely wary of strangers, and so it makes an excellent watchdog. Dogs of this breed are not always willing to be around children or other pets. However, they are quite sociable with dogs of their own species. If properly trained, the Chihuahua is an amazing family companion.

Coat / Care:

Chihuahuas come in two varieties: smooth and rough. Smooth-coated Chihuahuas have a shiny and soft hair, which is close-fitting to the body. Also, the coat evenly covers the entire torso but quite is scanty on the head and ears. Rough-haired Chihuahuas have a soft, long coat that can be a bit winding and perfectly straight. This subspecies has an undercoat. Regardless of the hair length, Chihuahuas come in a variety of colors, including yellow, brown, black and white. The coat color can be solid, tri-colored and with markings.

This breed sheds moderately, so Chis require minimal grooming. Smooth-coated subspecies should be cleaned from time to time with an ordinary brush. On the other hand, long-haired Chihuahuas should be cleaned once a week with a soft, bristle brush. Both varieties need to bathed once a month, using a mild shampoo. Particular attention should be paid to the dog’s ears because they are very susceptible to the development of inflammatory processes. In addition, oral hygiene is of big importance if you want to prevent early teeth loss.

Health Problems:

The most typical health problems are patellar luxation, cardiac problems, various eye diseases, soft fontanelle, collapsed trachea and hypoglycemia. Also, the Chihuahua is intolerant to extremely low temperatures, so he should be dressed in something warm when going outdoors. The Chihuahua has a life expectancy of 14 to 18 years. The Chihuahua is one of the longest living dog breeds.

Weight / Height

The male Chihuahua dog breed’s height is around 6 – 9 inches and weighs around 3 and 6 pounds. Female Chihuahua dogs can reach a size from 6 – 9 inches and weighs between 3 and 6 pounds.

Training:

The Chihuahua is rather difficult to train. However, significant progress can be achieved if patience and consistent efforts are applied. Moreover, Chihuahuas respond best to positive stimulation. Cleanliness in the house can be trained using the special diaper or keeping the dog in a special box for a while. It is also necessary to carry out an early, extensive and intensive socialization and the general course of obedience.

Activity:

The Chihuahua is excellent for living in an apartment or condominium. Hence, training can be carried out directly in the room. Also, playing games with a dog or equipping it with the necessary toys is essential. This breed is always willing to accompany its master while hiking. Since Chihuahuas have very thin bone structure, it is best not to use the collar in order not to damage the dog’s neck.

Photo credit: nathanmac87/Flickr

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