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Chihuahua
(dog):
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of
dog
and is named for the
Chihuahua region in
Mexico.
Appearance:The standard recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) is only known as
"Chihuahua", but they come in two varieties, the longcoat and the smoothcoat.
According to AKC standards, Chihuahua should not weigh more than six pounds,
although they often weigh more. They come in many colors, and are known for
their large erect ears.
Temperament:
Although they are prized for their devotion and personality,
Chihuahuas are
not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size and physical
fragility. However, their alertness, intelligence and size make them easily
adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments,
and make for usually long lifetimes of 15 years or more of loving companionship.
They are often stereotyped to be yappy and fragile, but if the dog is trained
correctly, they make good companions and pets. Many Chihuahuas tend to focus
their love and devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's
human relationships. Male Chihuahuas can be extremely difficult to
house
break especially if left unaltered (not neutered).
Most Chihuahuas are very
bold and love attention. Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size,
and may fearlessly confront larger animals, so owners may want to keep their
Chihuahua on a leash whenever they go outside (to prevent their little dog from
being harmed). Chihuahuas are easily confused with a prey animal (like squirrels
and rabbits) by large dogs, and even other animals like predatory birds (ex.
hawks and owls), and other hunting creatures like coyotes, so leaving a
Chihuahua outdoors unsupervised is extremely dangerous for these little dogs.
Chihuahuas also have a "clannish" nature (basically a
breed loyalty) and may
prefer the companionship of another Chihuahua over other dog breeds. Despite
their reputation for being a house pet, Chihuahuas are highly curious, and do
enjoy exploring the sights and smells of the outdoors, such as parks and hiking
trails.
 History:
They are thought to be descendants of an ancient, similar, but slightly
larger breed associated with royalty in
Aztec
civilizations known as the Techichi. They are the oldest canine breed in North
America.
Health:
This breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas
such as birthing and dental care. They are also prone to some genetic anomalies,
often neurological ones, such as
seizure
disorders and
patella luxation. They are also known for their
moleras and
sensivity to eye infections.
Miscellaneous:
"Teacup" and "Deer-faced" Chihuahuas
In recent years there has been an increase in the use of
the terms "teacup" (or tea cup) and "deer" (or deer-faced) to describe
Chihuahuas.
Along with "mini" and "tiny toy", "teacup" is sometimes
used to describe Chihuahuas and other dogs that are very small. These and
similar terms are not officially used by any kennel club or reputable breeder.
Chihuahuas naturally vary in size, and very small Chihuahuas are often runts,
unhealthy, or undernourished, or, if otherwise healthy, may have shortened life
spans and other health problems due to extreme dwarfing. They are not normally
suitable for breeding, and may require special care. Some breeders of small
Chihuahuas increase the prices of the Chihuahuas, arguing that the smaller they
are, the more they are worth. Most reputable breeders strongly disagree both
with the pricing and with the breeding for smaller animals.
"Deer" or "deer-faced" are terms that are sometimes used
to describe Chihuahuas that do not have the breed-standard apple-domed
appearance. These terms are also unofficial and have no real meaning.
 
Chihuahua dog Home
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Chihuahua (dog)