Breed
These are small dogs, but they have a wholesome personality. They develop a strong bond and love with the families they live with. It is easy to carry these dogs in a lap because of their small size. They love to be with their owners most of the time. They have an aggressive nature and tend to bark a lot at strangers.
History
The Breed is named after the Mexican state Chihuahua, and it also belongs to Mexico. In 1904, the American Kennel Club recognized the Dog in the USA. The history of the Dog, however, tells us that the Dog descended from Techichi. It is more like 9th-century dogs from the Toltec civilization. Dogs from ancient civilizations from 100 AD look like these dogs.
Physical Features
The main characteristics of physical appearance are stated below.
- Height
The average height is 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 cm). However, some dogs can grow up to 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) in height.
- Weight
The weight of the female dog is 2.3 kg (5.1lb) to 3.3kg (7.3lb), and the male dog is 2.8kg (6.2 lbs) to 3.7kg (8.2 lbs).
- Body
The body is long. It is slightly longer at the tail and tall from the shoulder blade.
- Head
The skull is shaped like a dome, and some dogs from the Breed have narrow deer-shaped heads.
- Ears
This Breed has large ears standing erect, though when puppies are born, they have floppy ears. These ears gain strength as the puppy grows. The erection of the ear depends upon the mood. However, the ears fall back during sleep and rest time.
- Tail
The Tail is slightly curved in an upward direction and long in size.
- Eyes
The eyes are round and big and mostly brown. However, the colour of the eye depends upon the colour of the coat. Dogs with fawn and white coats have green or hazel-coloured eyes. Ruby-coloured eyes are very rare.
- Coat
The coat is smooth and can be long or short. Smooth coats are shiny and tight in texture. Long Coats have wavy or straight hair. The dogs from this breed have two types of coats. Some dogs have a single coat, and there is one layer of fur. The other type has a double coat and an undercoat as well. Dogs with long coats are known as long-haired Chihuahuas, while the ones with smooth coats are called Short Coats.
All the characteristics are the same other than fur. Smooth coats are often seen as compared to long coats, as they were introduced later on by mix breeding with Yorkshire Terriers and other dogs.
- Colour
This Breed is beautiful and has all the wonderful features of an ideal pet except one thing: they are short of colours. There are 28 colours, of which are combinations, and AKC. 11 markings recognize AKC recognizes these colours. The Dog can be of one solid colour, two colours, and three colours in addition to the stripes and markings.
- Appearance in Old age
It is common in most dogs that they tend to change and transform as they grow old. They tend to look different from their young ones. They are born with round bodies and floppy ears. The length of the body increases as the puppy becomes lean. The ears might go up or up before they stand straight. The adult dog is small, slender and compact.
Health
It is a healthy breed, but like all other dogs, they also face certain medical conditions.
Obesity
Long-haired dogs are vulnerable to gaining weight. Because of the long hair, it becomes hard to notice their Obesity. Obesity is common in dogs with improper diets and less active lifestyles. It leads to many fatal diseases, such as joint problems, heart disease, respiratory illness and diabetes.
Luxating Patellas
It is an illness when the kneecap of the Dog slips from its original position, and it causes discomfort, odd walking, limping and transforms into Arthritis when the condition becomes worse. The patella comes back to its place with the help of massage, or it can return on its own. However, surgery is also recommended in severe damage cases. A controlled diet to control weight, regular exercise and nutritional supplements are recommended.
Periodontal Disease
They have small mouths, and teeth become overcrowded in their small mouths. This overcrowding leads to the accumulation of tartar and plaque in teeth. Retaining the baby teeth is also common in the Breed, which makes the situation worse. To avoid all this, it is recommended to follow routine brushing of teeth, and baby teeth that are lingering must be removed with the help of surgery.
Collapsing Trachea
In this condition, the trachea of the Dog collapses. The common symptoms of the disease are coughing, wheezing and respiratory issues. The signs of this disease become worse as the Dog gets old. There is no treatment for mild cases, but for severe cases, it is vital to maintain the weight of the Dog.
Heart Disease
In old age, this breed tends to develop heart disease known as Congestive Heart Failure, leading to the death of older dogs. It affects the valves on the left side of the heart. This disease causes blood leakage from the valve and heart failure. The common symptoms of this disease are weakness, respiratory diseases, cough and low tolerance of exercise. Unfortunately, lifelong medicines are needed to cure this disease.
Hydrocephalus
The accumulation of fluid in the brain is the leading cause of this disease. The symptoms include weakness, confusion and seizures. Surgery is required in severe cases, whereas mild cases can be cured with medicines.
Eye Problems
They have large, beautiful, appealing eyes, but these beautiful eyes inherit a lot of eye diseases such as dry eye, glaucoma, and dry eye. There are some clinical symptoms of these diseases, such as Discharge from the eyes, Redness in the eyes, Eyes bulging out, Continuous rubbing of eyes and Blindness in Dogs.
These conditions are painful, and dogs feel discomfort in these conditions; hence, it is suggested that they consult a veterinarian.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
Young ones, specifically 6-9 months old, are the most common victims of this disease. Degenerative Hip Condition is caused by low blood supply to the hip area. Eventually, the ball of the hip becomes painful or fractured. Surgery can remove the ball from the bone and help to decrease the pain.
Reproductive Issues
These dogs have small pelvis due to their small bodies and dome-shaped skulls. Planned births are vital in order to save females from painful deliveries and dying. C-sections are also performed due to the small pelvis. Planned pregnancies are suggested solutions to this problem.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar is a condition often seen as an ailment in this Breed, and it is mainly due to its small size. This can be cured with the help of frequent feeding and a balanced diet. The clinical signs of this disease are weakness, seizures, lack of appetite and collapse. In severe cases, the Dog is hospitalised and treated with the help of fluid therapy and medications.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
There are some tests recommended by the National Breed Club in order to determine the good health of your Dog. The test reports of these tests must also be checked for both parent dogs when you plan to buy a puppy.
- Hip Evaluation Test
- Thyroid Evaluation Test
- Cardiac Exam.
- Von Willebrand Disease I (VWDI) – DNA Test.
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation.
How do you choose the right Breed?
It is crucial that when you make a wrong choice while choosing the right puppy from the litter, the Dog usually ends up in a shelter home. A few factors must be considered when buying or adopting a dog. First of all, the breeder must be asked about the energy level of the Dog. Secondly, the health condition of the mother must be inquired. The puppy’s vaccination plan is also an important factor. And most importantly, the health of the puppy. It is a good idea to visit the breeder to look at the parents of the puppy personally.
Nutrition
A diet with good nutritional value is vital for the health of these dogs. But diet should be planned carefully in order to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding. Overfeeding in dogs, especially in small ones, triggers many diseases, and they are prone to knee problems if they become overweight very easily. The diet must be planned according to their daily calorie requirement. Each meal must be balanced, and treats, exercise and physical activity of the Dog should be considered while planning a diet for this tiny Dog.
Nutritional Tips
It is recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO) that the main ingredient of the diet should be high animal protein.
| General Requirement Per day | Best Diet | Nutritional Need | Toxic food for this Breed |
| 50 Calories per pound | Meat, Bone, Ofall | As it is a small dog it does not need high nutritional value food. It does not eat much. | It should not eat: Cooked bonesChocolate Onion Garlic Chive |
Adaptability
Toy dogs are considered ideal pets for city life. They are adaptable as long as they get enough time in the lap. The special care in the cold season.
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
They are compact, lovely and confident. All these qualities make them ideal for living in apartments.
Sensitivity Level
These dogs are highly sensitive and they are delicate. They are emotional and responsive.
Tolerance against Being Lonely
They love to be around their owner, and separation anxiety is common in this Breed. They feel sad and lonely and panic when they are left alone. It could be exhausting for them. They could be left alone for a maximum of 6-8 hours when the owner is at work, but during this time, they need free space to move around.
Tolerance of Cold Weather
They have a low tolerance for cold weather. They might shiver when they are cold. It is advisable to keep your Dog if it is very cold outside. Short walks are recommended during winter.
Tolerance of Hot Weather
The Breed is originally from the hot, warm desert area of Mexico. Hence, they are comfortable in hot weather.
Exercise needs
This Dog needs a maximum of one hour of exercise, which is not as hard to maintain as it can be during play sessions, walks, or playtime with toys. It must be kept in mind to avoid hard exercises and activities as it is a small breed. They have small bones, and hard exercises or activities would be stressful and lead to injuries.
Behaviour and Training Tips
The best way, recommended by the experts, to train your Dog is through appreciation, treats and patting. Aggression and anger must never be used in training your Dog. While training, positive reinforcement means not giving treats to your Dog every time he learns a trick but giving it first a few times so he can get the idea.
Despite being a small dog, it can be extremely aggressive and stubborn while following simple commands. The training must start early as a puppy would learn it easily as compared to an adult dog.
Playfulness Potential
They are quite playful. As it is a small breed, it would be an ideal dog for older adults as long as their exercise needs are fairly met. They enjoy playtime and fun activities; however, being small and delicate, they are not good pets for very young children as they can harm the Dog.
Mental Stimulation Needs
Different activities can benefit mental stimulation in your puppy or adult dog, such as tricks, puzzle games, games, scattered feed, obstacle games and interactive toys.
Energy Level
These small dogs have mild and high levels of energy. Therefore, they need proper exercise and training, as lack of exercise and physical activity may lead to behavioural issues. Training and exercise help maintain the mental stimulation of the Dog. During the walks, it is important to keep an eye on dogs as they can act aggressively towards other big dogs if they are not properly trained.
Barking Level
The Breed is known for its constant barking. They are aggressive in nature and bark at small things. Sometimes, it feels that they are barking for no reason at all. However, it could be related to behavioural issues and can be corrected with training and socialisation.
How To Know If A Dog Is Good With Families
These dogs always seek love and attention and are considered to be best for snuggling and lap dogs. However, they can act aggressively with strangers and with babies who might be threatening to their size.
Bonding with other pets
They have an excellent bond with their owners, but with other dogs and pets, they do not get along due to their stubborn personalities.
Behavioural Concerns
The Breed is not as dangerous as other breeds of dogs. However, they have similar issues as dogs of other breeds and could react similarly. They can bark and bite when feeling anxious and dominant. They love human interaction, and too much alone time would lead to unwanted behavioural issues.
Barking Or Howling Tendency
Barking is an indication of seeking attraction in this Breed, and this might continue if the owner responds to this behaviour. The dogs are high-energy dogs and bark continuously when their energy is not being released. Therefore, they must have a regular exercise routine for them to follow.
Wanderlust Potential
The wanderlust potential of this Breed is ⅖ as they like to spend most of the time with their owners. They are close to their owner most of the time in a day, and they could live much better with their owners than on their own. However, in extreme conditions, when feeling bored, they might leave their space. They most happily accompany their owners everywhere they go.
Ideal Environment
As small dogs, they need a calm and peaceful environment, preferably without small children, who can potentially harm these dogs and make them anxious. They like to keep busy living in any environment. So fun activities must be arranged for the Dog.
Ideal Human as a Owner
The Breed is playful and loyal and needs to be around its owner most of the time. They love human interaction and love to play around. They like to be busy and feel distressed when left alone. Hence, an ideal human would be the one who can spend maximum time with the Dog and play around with it.
Fun Activities
There are many activities you can do with your Dog to keep it happy and mentally stimulated. These activities help your Dog to stay active, happy and cheerful.
- The easiest activity is to take your Dog for a walk. You must make a routine, and in cities, you can take your Dog to a nearby park.
- Puzzle games are ideal indoor games that you can play with your dog and keep them busy. These puzzles could be filled with daily meals or treats. It is fun to watch your dog play with these puzzles.
- Going for a Garden walk is also very good for a dog’s well-being, and it is also beneficial for its smelling instincts.
- Hide and Seek: It is an interesting game for the dogs, and they love playing around with their owners as they feel close to them.
- Road Trip: A road trip is a good idea to familiarise a dog with the outside environment. It enjoys the ride and would be happy to see sights while driving.
- Kayak Trip: Kayak trip is an easy way to minimize the fear of water in some dogs while keeping them in your lap.
- Dog Massage: Human touch is important for these dogs as they love human interaction. They love being carried, and it would be good for their loving instinct.
Rescue Groups
All over the United States, many rescue organizations are helping to rescue the Breed. In case of need, these organizations are always ready to help and offer different services.
Breed Organizations
The National Chihuahua Club was founded in 1923, and it is the actual parent club for breeding. These dogs have been bred for companionship for centuries, a little toy dog which you can always carry with you in your bag.
Litter Size
The average litter size of the Dog is one to six puppies. However, despite complications, it is common for them to have large sizes of litter. The large litter size, however, poses life threats due to their small pelvis size. The breeding of teacup Chihuahuas, however, has additional risks.
Grooming Guide
The Grooming needs differ and depend on whether you have long hair or Short hair dogs. The Grooming needs listed below are essential to keep your Dog for a longer period.
Brushing
Short Hair dogs need to have a full body brushing once a week, and all parts of their hair must be brushed properly. Long Hair dogs must be brushed thrice a week.
Bathing
Dogs enjoy bath times with their owner, and on average, this Dog should be given a bath 3 to 4 times a week. Excessive bathing can lead to dry skin issues. Therefore, it is recommended to use good quality shampoo and conditioners.
Eye Care
The eye area must be cleaned properly and with a wipe. The Breed has big eyes, and eye care will help to reduce the different kinds of eye diseases.
Nail Trimming
Nail Trimming is needed every three months. Various problems occur in the absence of proper nail care and trimming, such as ingrown nails and discomfort while walking. If you are not an expert in this task, it is better to ask for a professional groping service to avoid any nail damage.
Dew Claws
Dew Claws are the extra nails that grow outside the claw. They are located so high outside the paw that sometimes it feels they are located on the paw. It is better to remove these nails at a young age as they are soft in puppies. Professional help is required, and a surgical procedure removes these extra nails. It is better to remove these nails in the first week of puppy life as if they remain intact, it can cause injury at a later age.
Ear care
Ear care is important to keep away infections. Regular cleaning of ears helps reduce the risks of moisture, dirt and wax trapped in the ear canal.
Lifespan
The lifespan is 12-18 years. The impressive lifespan should not be considered as a free signal of their healthy life. Continuous care and Grooming are required to have a healthy dog.
AKC Breed Popularity Ranking
The Breed falls in the toy group of AKC ranking and is one of the most popular breeds. The Breed ranks 125th out of 138th Dogs.
Summary
Chihuahuas are the dogs from the toy dog group. They are small in size and easy to hold in a lap. They are friendly, loyal and always seek attention. They do not like to be alone for a longer time. Precaution is needed in homes with babies as these dogs can be aggressive with babies.
FAQ’s
Is this Breed safe?
Yes, the Dog is safe and loving, but it should not be kept in homes with small babies due to its aggressive nature; it is advised to be taken care of.
What are the negatives of this toy dog breed?
The negatives could be its stubborn nature, but otherwise, the Dog is a loving pet.
What is the main cause of death of this Mexican toy breed?
The main cause is heart failure.
How long do indoor Chihuahuas live?
They have a lifespan of 12-14 years.
How much does a Chihuahua cost?
A good, healthy puppy from a well-known breeder costs around 800 dollars to 2500 dollars.