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Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are the smallest dogs in the world. They are commonly referred to as “ankle biters.” The Chihuahua originally came from Mexico in 1850. They were named after the Mexican state, Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas are tiny with big personalities.

Quick and Willful

Chihuahua’s are strong willed and extremely fast. They have to be quick in order to avoid the paths of trampling feet! They are tiny dogs with apple-shaped heads. Chihuahuas are also known for their trademark pointed ears and large eyes.

Little Dog Still Has A Bite

Chihuahuas generally range between six and nine inches in height. Their weight can vary from two to six pounds. Due to their petite size Chihuahuas are often not a good choice of pet if you have small children. The Chihuahua can quickly revert to using its sharp teeth as a defense mechanism to protect itself when teased or taunted. Even thought they are small, their pointed teeth can be dangerous.

Children should be taught to handle Chihuahuas with care.

Kids Need to Learn How to Handle a Chihuahua

If you decide to own a Chihuahua around children make sure you allow the children to handle the Chihuahua on a daily basis so it will develop a strong bond with them. Do not let the children tease or scare the Chihuahua. Enforce strict rules with your children about how to handle the Chihuahua. Allow the dog a chance to bond with everyone in the family. Do not shelter the Chihuahua from the children. Teach them proper handling skills so the children do not startle or hurt the dog.

Easily Spoiled Little Dogs

Chihuahuas are a lot like little children and they quickly become spoiled rotten. A Chihuahua who is used to being the center of mommy and daddy’s attention can be extremely reluctant to share. For this reason, it is often difficult to bring an infant into the environment of a spoiled Chihuahua. Every Chihuahua reacts different, but often times the dog will be jealous of the baby. This jealous may even cause the dog to snap or growl in close proximities of the infant. Be very careful with infants around Chihuahua’s.

Chihuahuas are easily spoiled.

Early Socialization is Important

Chihuahuas are very demanding of their owner’s attention. They can also be jealous of other dogs or people. Chihuahuas should be socialized from birth to help with the aggression. Not all Chihuahuas are aggressive, and the socialization from an early age greatly improves the chance of having an aggressive Chihuahua.

Affectionate and Protective

Chihuahuas are very affectionate dogs and will stick very close to their owners. They may even demonstrate aggressive behavior to a person attempting to invade the space of their owner. Chihuahuas do this as a way of protecting their owners.

Chis Have a Mouth to Match Their Personality

Chihuahuas often are very mouthy animals. They exhibit a “yippee” bark that alerts their owners of strange noises and unsettling sounds. Even though they are small, Chihuahuas are great at letting you know when you have a visitor at the door. They work as a secondary doorbell.

Easily Get Chilly

Chihuahuas become cold very easily. It is important to keep them in warm areas and even make certain they have a blanket on particularly cold evenings. They may bury themselves under covers to keep warm. You do not need to worry about suffocation, as Chihuahuas are very comfortable under covers.

Smart and Trainable

The Chihuahua is a very intelligent breed, and they learn very quickly. Positive reinforcement is the best method when training a Chihuahua. You can easily train them to do all sorts of tricks since they strive to please their owners. Potty training is easily done using the positive reinforcement method.

Breeding and Birthing Challenges

Prior to breeding a Chihuahua, invest a substantial amount of time doing some research. Chihuahuas are born with very large heads and this can cause trouble with natural birth. Female Chihuahuas often require cesareans to deliver their young. You will need a professionally trained vet you can reach quickly if you decide to breed your Chihuahua.

Delicate Skulls

Chihuahua is the only dog breed born with an incomplete skull. Chihuahua puppies have a soft spot in the middle of their skull know as a moleras. They are prone to skull fractures and need to be cared for with great ease. The spot does fill in on its own by the time the puppy is six months old.

Long-lived Breed

A healthy Chihuahua can live fifteen years or more. You should take your Chihuahua to the vet annually to keep their shots up to date. You should also make sure your Chihuahua has heartworm medicine and you administer it as prescribed.

The smallest Chihuahuas are the most valued.

So-called "Teacup" Chihuahuas

The most valuable Chihuahuas are considered “Teacup.” Technically the American Kennel Club does not recognize the “Teacup” Chihuahua as a separate breed. People refer to them as “Teacups” because they are about the size of a teacup. The tinier the Chihuahua, the more money it is worth. Downsizing Chihuahuas can also shorten their life expectancy, so keep that in mind when purchasing a Chihuahua.

Reliable and Joyful Pets

Chihuahuas are wonderful and loving pets. They have proven to be reliable and loyal, and they can bring much joy to their owner’s life. When cared for properly Chihuahuas will live long and full lives.