Dog care - Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand

Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand, and socialize her at an early age with children and other dogs.

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Dog care - Protect your dog's neck on walks

Consider buying a body harness instead of a collar to protect your dog's neck on walks. This will also help prevent collapsed trachea and soft palate.

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Dog care - Exercise your Chihuahua daily

Exercise your Chihuahua daily if possible. However, this breed tends to have quick bursts of energy and may not need to go on extensive walks. An apartment to romp around in is usually enough exercise for a Chihuahua.

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Dog care - Bathe your Chihuahua monthly

Bathe your Chihuahua monthly, being careful not to get water in her ears, as this leads to infections. Longhaired Chihuahuas will need more bathing than shorthaired dogs.

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Dog care - Brush a short-coated Chihuahua

Brush a short-coated Chihuahua occasionally with a soft-bristle brush, or wipe her down with a soft cloth. Brush long-coated dogs daily.

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Dog care - Feed your Chihuahua three small meals a day

Feed your Chihuahua three small meals a day. They prefer this to one large meal.

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Dog care - Feed your Chihuahua

Feed your Chihuahua dog food in which the first ingredient is meat. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Fiber content should be 4 percent or less.

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Dog care - Have your Chihuahua vaccinated

Have your Chihuahua vaccinated, and follow with yearly booster vaccinations to maintain the dog's immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog.

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Dog care - Chihuahuas are very sensitive to the elements

Chihuahuas are very sensitive to the elements. They can suffer from heatstroke because of their love for the sun, so be careful about leaving them outdoors.

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Selection guide - Avoid purchasing a Chihuahua from a pet shop

Avoid purchasing a Chihuahua from a pet shop, as such establishments may not keep satisfactory genetic records. Purchase your dog from a reputable breeder instead.

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Selection guide - A Chihuahua is usually a one-person dog

A Chihuahua is usually a one-person dog. They are loving with their owners, but they are often jealous and suspicious of outsiders.

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Selection guide - Check potential breeders carefully

Check potential breeders carefully and ask whether they are members of breed, specialty or obedience clubs. Affiliation with a club means you can check references and make sure the breeder is not running a puppy mill - a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain without consideration of the integrity of the breed.

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Selection guide - Health problem

Understand that Chihuahuas can suffer from weak knees, colds, corneal dryness, secondary glaucoma, genetic disorders relating to the soft palate and trachea, molera, heart valve problems and dislocated kneecaps. Talk to the breeder to find out what type of health screenings have been performed.

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Selection guide - Look at the Chihuahua's features when choosing your dog

Look at the Chihuahua's features when choosing your dog. A good dog will have fine bones without too many muscles, a round head, large eyes and perky ears.

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Selection guide - Reconsider Chihuahua if you have children or other pets

Reconsider this breed if you have children or other pets; most Chihuahuas won't get along well with kids or animals.

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Selection guide - Reconsider buying a Chihuahua if you want a calm, quiet dog

Reconsider buying a Chihuahua if you want a calm, quiet dog. Chihuahuas act excited when they see you and will bark often, though this can be avoided with proper training.

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Selection guide - Consider a Chihuahua if you want a vigilant watchdog

Consider a Chihuahua if you want a vigilant watchdog. Because of their alertness and loyalty to their owners, Chihuahuas are suspicious of visitors.

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Selection guide - Chihuahua is a sweet, attentive dog

Choose a Chihuahua if you're looking for a sweet, attentive dog. They love to be around humans and will lie in your lap for hours.

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Owner guide - Chihuahua may not be good with children

This breed can be stubborn, jealous and aggressive, and may not be good with children and other animals.

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Owner guide - Some Chihuahuas bark a lot

Some Chihuahuas are extremely excitable and many bark a lot, though some bark very little. Proper training can reduce excitability.

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Owner guide - Chihuahuas often shiver

Chihuahuas often shiver - not just when cold, but also when excited.

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Owner guide - Chihuahuas can suffer from weak knees, colds, corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma

Note that Chihuahuas can suffer from weak knees, colds, corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma. Talk to the breeder to find out what type of screening has been done for these health problems.

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Owner guide - Dress your Chihuahua in a sweater

Dress your Chihuahua in a sweater if walking her in temperatures below 40 degrees F. Chihuahuas are very sensitive to cold temperatures and probably shouldn't be walked if it's below 35 degrees F, or if there's a wind chill factor.

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Owner guide - Pet your Chihuahua often

Pet your Chihuahua often. This breed requires a lot of human attention and love.

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Owner guide - Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand

Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand, and socialize her at an early age with children and other dogs.

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Owner guide - Buying a body harness instead of a collar to protect your dog's neck on walks

Consider buying a body harness instead of a collar to protect your Chihuahua's neck on walks. This will also help prevent collapsed trachea and soft palate.

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Owner guide - Exercise your Chihuahua daily if possible

Exercise your Chihuahua daily if possible. However, this breed tends to have quick bursts of energy and may not need to go on extensive walks. An apartment to romp around in is usually enough exercise for a Chihuahua.

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Owner guide - Bathe your Chihuahua monthly

Bathe your Chihuahua monthly, being careful not to get water in her ears, as this leads to infections. Longhaired Chihuahuas will need more bathing than shorthaired dogs.

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Owner guide - Brush a short-coated Chihuahua

Brush a short-coated Chihuahua occasionally with a soft-bristle brush, or wipe her down with a soft cloth. Brush long-coated dogs daily.

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Owner guide - Feed your Chihuahua

Feed your Chihuahua dog food in which the first ingredient is meat. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Fiber content should be 4 percent or less.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Vaccinated your Chihuahua

Have your Chihuahua vaccinated, and follow with yearly booster vaccinations to maintain the dog's immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog.

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Owner guide - Be careful about leaving Chihuahua outdoors

Chihuahuas are very sensitive to the elements. They can suffer from heatstroke because of their love for the sun, so be careful about leaving them outdoors.

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DOG FAQ -Is the chihuahua the dumbest and hardest dog to train?

Chihuahuas are generally intelligent dogs. They can be hard to train due to their stubbornness.

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DOG FAQ - How often do you have to bathe chihuahua dog?

Chihuahua should be bathed about once a month. Be sure to not to get water in their ears!

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DOG FAQ - How long is the heat cycle for female chihuahua dogs?

A female Chihuahua will be in heat for 21-23 days every 4-6 months.

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DOG FAQ - How much does a full grown male chihuahua dog weight?

A full grown chihuahua of either gender will weigh somewhere between 2-6 pounds.

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DOG FAQ - Why do they say chihuahua dogs are good for kids with asthma?

Chihuahuas are considered good for kids with asthma because they are considered hypoallergenic.

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DOG FAQ - Are chihuahuas hyper dogs?

Yes chihuahua move swiftly, chihuahua can be strong-willed without the proper human leadership.

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DOG FAQ - How many puppies on average does a Chihuahua dog have?

Chihuahua typically have 2-3 puppies, they frequently require c-sections due to their size. It is dangerous for that breed.

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DOG FAQ - How old are Chihuahua dogs when they are full grown?

Chihuahua's are full grown at about 18 months. All chihuahuas grow at a little different rate however.

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DOG FAQ - How long is a chihuahua dog pregnant for?

A cute little chihuahua will be pregnant for about 58 to 62 days, so just about 2 months.

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DOG FAQ - Does my Chihuahua expect a suntan?

Chihuahuas are quite the sun-worshipers. They prefer to bask in the sun for hours and have been known to lie in a spot of sun no larger than the size of a half-dollar.

Unfortunately, Chihuahuas are not sensible in this regard and will stay in the sun even when panting begins. Watch your Chihuahua in hot weather to be sure that they don't suffer from heat stroke.

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DOG FAQ - Is my Chihuahua a dog or a mole?

It is a characteristic of the Chihuahua to prefer to sleep under a cloth or blanket. They will even get under pillows in order to feel snug. If you are raising a puppy, be sure to provide them with a soft towel or blanket in their sleeping area so they can burrow underneath it.

So don't be surprised if your Chihuahua scrambles under your blankets at night, even though your house or apartment may not be particularly cold. This is known as the "moley-effect."

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DOG FAQ - Aren't Chihuahuas kind of dim?

It is understandable how this breed has developed this reputation. In public, some bark at the slightest provocation, and will not stop sometimes even when the "threat" is gone.

Chihuahuas are actually a very intelligent and alert breed.

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DOG FAQ - Are they sociable with other dogs?

Chihuahuas are very sociable with their own kind. So several Chihuahuas can be quite happy living in the same household. That includes two or more males sharing the same house.

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DOG FAQ - Is it safe to take Chihuahua on a cold weather walk?

Owners must be very sensitive to the fact that short-haired Chihuahuas, and even long-haired ones, are vulnerable to the cold. In temperatures of 35-40 degrees Farenheit, I would recommend dressing your Chihuahua in a special dog sweater for brief walks. Walking your Chihuahua in temperatures below 35 degrees Farenheit is strongly discouraged, especially when there is a wind-chill factor. In this, as in other aspects of dog maintenance, keep your dogs' health top priority, not your own desire. In some cold regions, an indoor heater will be necessary to keep your Chihuahua comfortable.

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DOG FAQ - What are the differences between the smooth coats and the long coats?

The issue of whether or not there is a difference in personality seems to be a topic of debate within the Chihuahua community. Some claim that there is no difference in personality; others swear that longcoats have a tendency to be "soft-tempered" while smoothcoats are more prone to aggressive behaviour. Let's set aside the personality issue and focus on physical and maintenance differences.

Smoothcoats tend to have coats that are much coarser than longcoats -- almost like bristles in some cases. Smoothcoats also shed more than longcoats. However, longcoats can shed as well. Heavily coated longhairs require brushing about once a month, but this can be a pleasureable exercise for both Chihuahuas and master rather than a chore.

As far as bathing is concerned, as a general rule, the longcoats will need to be bathed more frequently, and it'll be a longer process (both washing and drying). The bib -- the furry part of the chest -- can easily get irty and matted. Longcoats can also occasionally get fecal matter stuck on their "pants." You'll have to either bathe your dog or cut the bit off with scissors when this happens.

Some Chihuahua owners swear by long-hairs and wouldn't have anything else; it is as much a matter of personal taste as is coat color.

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DOG FAQ - I'm allergic to dogs, but I heard Chihuahuas won't bother me; is that true?

Opinion seems to vary on this point. Some say it's an old-wives' tale, while others swear that, although they're allergic to dogs, Chihuahuas did not bother them.

The best way for someone who has allergies to find out if they can own a Chihuahua is for them to simply spend some time around one. Some people are allergic to dog hair, while others are allergic to saliva. Since Chihuahua's are known to lick the face of their master alot, you'd best be sure you're not allergic to the latter before investing in this breed.

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DOG FAQ - I've heard they're nervous, high-strung dogs. Is that true?

Yes, Chihuahua is high-strung dogs. I define "high-strung" as follows: barks easily, does not adapt easily to change in environment, is suspicious of strangers and will growl at them, and flips in circles and jumps around when excited (like when you come home after a five-minute absence, for instance).

However, with the person that they have bonded with (i.e., their master[s]), they do not display most of these characteristics; infact, they display radically different personalities. Chihuahuas are truly the "Jekyll-and-Hyde" of dog breeds: your friends will see the worst side of them and never believe you when you tell them that your Chihuahua is really a gentle, sweet-natured dog.

There is good news, though. If you socialize your Chihuahua at an early age, they will be less stressed when new environments and people are introduced to them in adulthood. Proper socialization is critical, then, and at the earliest age possible.

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DOG FAQ - Do they require special dog food?

No. Chihuahua have the same nutritional needs as most dogs. You can feed mine regular Alpo kibbles, and, although the kibbles are large, Chihuahuas seem to sort of enjoy cracking each one with their jaws.

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DOG FAQ - How much exercise do they require?

Not much. Chihuahua has short bursts of energy each day which quickly die down. You should provide toys for your Chihuahua to keep it occupied. Old slippers are ideal, as well as stuffed toys with squeakers inside. You can certainly take your Chihuahua on walks. (You'll make many an acquaintance due to the diminutive and unusual appearance of your Chihuahua!)

When buying a leash for your Chihuahua, remember that its neck is rather small and delicate compared to other dog's necks. You cannot (and, indeed, should not) yank your dog around by the leash if s/he has a neck collar on. I recommend the body-harness for two reasons: safety and comfort. If fitted right, it will give your Chihuahua a secure and comfortable walk, and harnesses also ensure your dog cannot escape -- a real concern if you live in an urban area.

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DOG FAQ - What is their life-span?

Toy breeds live the longest of any size dog. Expect a life-span of Chihuahua is around11-18 years, although the latter is rare.

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DOG FAQ - Aren't Chihuahuas expensive?

If Chihuahuas have their American Kennel Club official certificate papers, yes --Chihuahuas can run up to $600.00. The papers (which the breeder provides) mean that the parents of your Chihuahuas are registered with the AKC and that the puppy is registerable. Additionally, some breeders provide pedigree papers which trace the family history beyond the immediate parents. These papers are vital if you plan to enter your new dog into exhibitions and competitions.

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CHIHUAHUA AND CHILDREN

Generally, no. Be careful when walking your Chihuahua to keep your Chihuahua well away from toddlers and young children, who are often uninhibited and will approach your dog.

Again, this is general good advice; some Chihuahuas are friendly around children (usually as a result of de-sensitization). In this case and others, the master's knowledge of his or her Chihuahua and good judgement should prevail.

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TRAINING

Training does seem to be the Chihuahua's one weak point. That's not to say they are not intelligent enough to learn, because they are. However, this animal is driven by strong territorial instincts. This results in wetting around the house to mark territory, and females seem to be no better than males in this respect. This means you must be absolutely diligent when commencing potty training, and be sure to thoroughly clean up any accidents so your pet isn't drawn back to that spot. Some owners find a litter box or Wee Wee Pads helpful.


Chihuahuas do actually take well to obedience training, and can learn to follow commands given consistently. This may actually be of some help with the potty training issues many owners face. Agility training also seems to appeal to their mindset, and there is nothing so adorable as the sight of one of these little mighty mice racing around the course at full tilt.

Due to their affectionate and gentle nature with humans, these toy dogs also make wonderful therapy dogs, brightening the atmosphere during nursing home visitations.

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FEEDING

Because Chihuahuas eat such a small amount of food, it is essential that the food they do eat is packed with nutrition. There is less margin for error with a small dog's diet than there is with a large dog. Since small dogs eat less, they have fewer opportunities to nourish themselves. Some foods that humans enjoy eating can be toxic to dogs. Chihuahua owners should avoid feeding their dogs foods that contain chocolate, onions and garlic.

Even small amounts of these foods can result in severe illness or death. Dog food recipes all include cooked meat, starches, and vegetables. Chihuahua owners can easily prepare dog food in their own kitchens. Making your own dog food ensures that your dog's food is fresh and safe.

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HEALTH INFORMATION

The biggest health concern is presented by Chihuahua's unusual head. While puppies of most breeds are born with an opening in the bone at the top of their skull, it closes with maturity.

The dog's opening, called the molera, is meant to remain open all of it's life. This means that you will always need to have some care for your Chihuahua's head, but this almost never presents a problem unless the opening is unusually wide. An exceptionally wide molera at birth could be a sign of hydrocephalus (aka water on the brain), and though very rare, it's worth examination by a vet.

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TEMPERAMENT

The Chihuahua has quite a good temperament. They make excellent companion dogs, and are very courageous, lively, proud, and most of all, enterprising. Many people enjoy their Chihuahua's for a lot of different reasons. While they are extremely affectionate they are also incredibly smart and may even be affectionately known as manipulative. There are just a lot of overall good qualities of a Chihuahua, but there are some qualities that may not be right for you.

Chihuahua's both demand and give affection to anyone who they trust. They are bold in the way that they will move quickly to see what is going on, but will swiftly move to avoid any actual action. They can also be very strong willed, intensely loyal and will become very attached to their owner if treated correctly. In fact, it may turn to jealousy in certain instances. This is especially true with small children. Often when a dog is bonded to an owner with children they may snap at the children or bite them if the children tease them. Overall, the Chihuahua is not recommended for small children. They are also extremely suspicious of people who they do not know at all, because of their incredible bond to their owner.

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GROOMING

Grooming a pet Chihuahua is fairly straight forward. The breed comes in two varieties; Smooth Coat and Long Coat. The smooth coated variety is a breeze to bathe and dry, and even though the long coat carries more hair, it is still fairly easy to maintain as long as you take care to comb through the fringes and the skirt at the rear. You can bathe as often as once a week if you wish.

Toe nails and ears do need to be checked more regularly on this breed. Because they do not spend the amount of time running around as other breeds, they don't have the opportunity to wear their nails down, so keep them clipped. Ears should be cleaned out twice a month with a cotton swab dipped in a little alcohol.

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COAT AND COLOR

Chihuahuas come in two different coat types: smooth and long. The smooth-coated Chihuahua has a smooth, shiny coat that fits close to the body with a ruff of thick, longer hair on the neck. The hair on the head and ears is thinner, and the tail is furry.


The long-coated Chihuahua has a soft coat that's flat or slightly curly. On the body it's almost as smooth as that of a smooth-coated Chihuahua, but the ears have a fringe of hair, and the plumed tail spreads out like a fan over the back. He also has a ruff on the neck and longer hair called feathering on his feet. The hind legs are also covered with long hair that resembles pants and that's what it's called. On the stomach is longer hair known as a frill.

Besides coming in two coat types, Chihuahuas are found in a range of colors and markings. They can be solid colors such as black, white, fawn, chocolate, gray, and silver as well as tricolor (chocolate, black, or blue with tan and white, for instance), brindle, spotted, merle and a variety of other markings. Shades can be very pale to very dark for all the colors.

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GENERAL APPEARANCE

Chihuahua is different from any other dog are the fact they are so small and tiny and there is no other dog in the world as small as they are. The second things that sets them apart is their physical features, they have big huge eyes and large erect ears. These dogs are considered breed able dogs but there are certain standard you have to follow before you can breed a dog. The American Kennel Club or AKC only recognizes two types of Chihuahuas in the breeding process.

The AKC will acknowledge the long coat dog and the small coat dog. Most of the long coat dogs have very fine hair and yet others may have long fuller coats. The Breeding standards in general don’t have to be specific height but the dog’s physical proportions determine the weight. Most Chihuahua’s can range anywhere between 6 and 10 inches and those are the dogs on the smaller side, some can even grow to be 12 to 15 inches.

Chihuahua in the AKC show dog competitions cannot weigh any more than 6 pounds; smaller dogs are acceptable but no more than 6 pounds. There are larger dogs than can be a little heavier but the AKC may not recognize them, but that is not to say that they are not purebreds. It just means that they cannot compete in the dog shows.

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START TO KNOW

Folklore and archeological finds show that the breed originated in Mexico. The most common theory and most likely is that Chihuahuas are descended from the Techichi, a companion dog favoured by the Toltecs and that the modern dog developed through breeding with miniaturised Chinese dogs brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors. Black and tan chihuahua A short haired chihuahua.

Historical records of the Techichi, which were thought to hunt in packs, can only be traced as far back as the ninth century but it is highly likely that this is the Chihuahua's native Mexican ancestor. Evidence of this is that the remains of dogs closely resembling, but slightly larger than the average Chihuahua have been found in such places as the Great Pyramid of Cholula, which dates back to the 2nd century BC and predates the 16th century. There is also evidence to suggest that the Techichi may also predate the Mayans. After the Toltecs were conquered by the Aztecs, it is believed that this early ancestor of the Chihuahua was adopted as a symbol of the upper classes and it has been suggested that they were used in religious ceremonies for the absolution of sins and to guide the spirits of the dead. In terms of size, the present day Chihuahua is much smaller than its ancestors, a change thought to be due to the introduction of miniaturized Chinese dogs, such as the Chinese Crested Dog, into South America by the Spanish.

A progenitor of the breed was reputedly found in 1850 in old ruins near Casas Grandes in the Mexican state of Chihuahua from which the breed gets its name. The state borders with Texas, Arizona and New Mexico where Chihuahuas first rose to prominence and were further developed in the United States. Since that time, the Chihuahua has remained consistently popular as a breed, particularly in America when the breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904.

The Chihuahua has also become part of a popular crossbreed in the United States in the Chihuachshund, which is a pairing of a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. There is also an unusual crossbreed called the Chihueagle, a pairing of the Chihuahua and the Beagle. Genetic tests place the Chihuahua with other modern breeds originating in the 1800s.

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our Chihuahua dog blog. Here you will learn about Chihuahua health care, any tips and you can find good experiences from many people who love Chihuahua.

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