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Chihuahua

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The Chihuahua Pet Guide

● Key Characteristics Of Chihuahuas
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Chihuahua Puppy?
● Most Asked Chihuahua Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds

More Information

Temperament

Often a one-person dog, Chihuahuas are one of the most dynamic breeds of dogs. Their one quest in life is to receive unconditional love in the same measure that they give.

Chihuahuas are also fiercely loyal and brave. These are gigantic Alaskan Malamutes or Mastiffs bundled up in a tiny body.

More Information

The Ultimate Guide to Chihuahuas

● Key Characteristics Of Chihuahuas
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Chihuahua Puppy?
● Most Asked Chihuahua Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds

Often a one-person dog, Chihuahuas are one of the most dynamic breeds of dogs. Their one quest in life is to receive unconditional love in the same measure that they give.

Chihuahuas are also fiercely loyal and brave. These are gigantic Alaskan Malamutes or Mastiffs bundled up in a tiny body.

 

Chihuahua Origins

Historians have long speculated the true origins of the Chihuahua. Most agree that the breed can be traced back to Chihuahua, one of the largest states in Mexico. It was here that this dog was discovered in the 1800’s.

At that time, the dog did not have any official name. Instead, people named it based on their regions. This pup was also known as the Arizona dog, the Mexico dog, Texas dog and the Chihuahua dog. Of course, it’s the last name that stood the test of time.

Historians and dog fanciers believe that Chihuahuas were developed from the Techichi. Techichi is a tiny framed dog domesticated by the Toltecs civilisation.

The Toltecs decided to develop the Techichi breed further. They did this by cross-breeding it with the Perro Chihuahueno.

The Chihuahueno was a popular dog breed in the Chihuahua mountains. The result was the Chihuahua that we see today.

There’s another theory that explains the ancestry of the Chihuahua. Some believe that when explorers arrived in the New World, they cross-bred the Techichi with a small hairless dog. This resulted in the modern-day Chihuahua.

 

Key Characteristics of Chihuahuas

Are Chihuahuas Family-Friendly?But they’re also very fragile and aggressive toward strangers. Kids should always be supervised when handling these pups.
Daily Exercise Needs?20 - 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Common Health Issues & ConsiderationsThese dogs are prone to:
● Injury.
● Patellar luxation.
● Dental issues.
● Hypoglycaemia.
● Heart murmurs.
● Hip dysplasia.
Lifespan12 to 18 years.
Nature / Temperament
Loving, companionable, alert and brave.
SizeWeight:
1.5 - 3 kg

Height:
15 - 23 cm
Suitable EnvironmentIdeal for both house and apartment living.
Grooming
Brush the coat of:
● Short-haired Chihuahuas at least once a week.
● Long-haired Chihuahuas 3 times per week.

Other considerations:

● Two main varieties of Chihuahuas exist: short-haired and long-haired.

● There are ‘deer head’ and ‘apple head’ Chihuahuas.

● The apple head have apple-shaped skulls and more prominent eyes.

● Deer head Chihuahuas have facial features that look like a young deer. These include long muzzle and ears, longer legs and flat-topped heads.

● Dental crowding is a health risk for Chihuahuas. To prevent dental problems, their diet should not have excess sugar or carbohydrates.

● Chihuahuas are sensitive to cold. Therefore, they should be kept warm always.

 

How can I take good care of my Chihuahua or Chihuahua Puppy?

Nutrition

Adult Chihuahuas should be fed approximately twice a day and the puppies about 4 times. They are approximately a quarter to half a cup of high-quality dog food. Being a toy breed, they don’t eat a lot.

Grooming

Short-haired Chihuahuas shed less than their long-haired counterparts. As such, their coats need less maintenance; brushing them once a week is enough.

But for the long-haired Chihuahuas, brush their coats at least 3 times each week. With regular brushing, the dogs won’t need many baths.

Recommended Grooming Tips

● Choose a shampoo formulated for dogs to avoid damaging their skin and coat.

● Check their ears when grooming them.

● Wipe their eyes carefully to remove any discharge.

● Keep their nails trimmed short.

● Inspect their foot pads for any foreign objects or injuries.

Exercise

Chihuahuas enjoy doing what their owners do. This means that if you’re a couch potato at home, they will be as well.

But you shouldn’t neglect to exercise your pup. 20 to 30 minutes of a exercise each day is generally enough. You can take them out for one long walk or two short walks that are spaced out. In case it’s too cold, then engage them in simple indoor games.

Training

Chihuahuas are smart and quick learners, but they’re also strong-willed and independent. So when training them, it’s better to use a positive reinforcement approach. Praise and reward them with treats when they get something right.

Most Asked Chihuahua Questions

How many different kinds of Chihuahuas are there?

There is only one breed of Chihuahua. However, these dogs come in main types of coats: long-coat and smooth-coat.

Smooth coat Chihuahuas can be identified with shorter hairs. These dogs also shed less than their long-haired counterparts.

The long-haired Chihuahuas have longer, velvety hair that is very soft to touch. Because of the longer hair, they need more frequent grooming.

Do Chihuahuas get along well with other pets?

Unfortunately, Chihuahuas are mainly not the kind of dogs you can bring to a home with other pets. They get along well with their own kind/breed. But this is where their tolerance ends. If there are other kinds of dogs or pets, there’s likely to be fights between them.

This is not to mean that it’s impossible for Chihuahuas to live peacefully with other pets. To achieve this, try introducing the pets when they are both young. This way, they can grow up with each other.

The other option for pet lovers is to get a second Chihuahua as opposed to getting another dog breed.

How long do Chihuahuas live?

Chihuahuas have a pretty long lifespan, up to 18 years. In fact, these dogs are more vulnerable to injuries than illnesses.

How much do Chihuahuas cost?

Chihuahuas for sale cost between $500 to $3000 approximately.

This is general information and should not be relied on as adoption or purchasing advice.

 

Similar Breeds

● Chinese Crested

● Papillon

● Miniature Pinscher

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