Chihuahua

Some Advantages

• Fiercely loyal
• Small and easy to carry around
• Long-living breed
• Intelligent and innately curious
• Doesn’t need a lot of exercise

Some Challenges

• Can be difficult to housebreak
• Coyote snacks - never leave your Chihuahua unattended outside
• Barks frequently at strangers and strange dogs
• Not appropriate for young boisterous kids
• Likes to be in charge of the household
• When badly bred can be high strung and unstable

Size
Toy

Weight
2 - 6 pounds for show purposes; some dogs grow to 10-12 pounds

Coat
Long-coated dogs have longer flat or slightly curly coats

Colors
Either solid colors, or marked and spotted with color on a white background

Life Expectancy
10-15 years

The Chihuahuamay be tiny, but this little guy is huge in confidence, charm and popularity.  In fact, this breed is the 11th most popular dog registered with the AKC in the United States.  

History and Origin: Native to Mexico, the Chihuahuais actually thought to have been introduced to the world by the Chinese, then brought eventually to Europein the late 19th century. The Chihuahuais the oldest (and smallest) breed originating in the Americas.

General Information: Expect this pint-sized pet to be the boss around the house.   The Chihuahuais best suited to living with adults who don’t have much space but love to pamper their animals.  In other words, this is not the dog for families with young, boisterous kids.  Unfortunately, the breed’s tiny size makes it the perfect meal for hawks, owls and coyotes, so never leave your Chihuahuaunaccompanied outside.The Chihuahuatends to be very protective and loving toward its owners, but can be highly suspicious of strangers.  Although it often gets along with other Chihuahuas, it can be feisty and combative with other breeds, even dogs much larger in size.

This tiny dog has a high metabolism and loses body heat faster than larger breeds.  You’ll find this pet shivers a lot when it’s excited – and also when it’s feeling the chill.  In cold or cool climates, keep your little one protected outside with a warm sweater.

The shorthaired coat requires little special grooming; the longhaired coat should be brushed frequently with a soft bristle brush to keep the coat clean and healthy. Bathe either coat type once a month.

The Taco BellDog:   The feisty little Chihuahuamade famous in TV commercials has helped propel this breed into the homes of thousands of Americans each year.  Unfortunately, the dog’s surging popularity and small litters (often only 1-2 puppies) has led to many poorly-bred animals with health problems and unstable personalities.  Always seek responsible breeders who check parent dogs for genetic problems and back their puppies with a warranty.

Health Ailments:   This breed lives longer than most, but at the same time it can be very fragile.   In fact, the Chihuahuais often born with a soft spot on the top of its head that may never fully close. Don’t allow this dog to jump off high furniture, as it can easily break a bone.   The Chihuahuacan suffer from eye problems, heart disease, jawbone disorders, respiratory problems, joint problems and more.

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