| Chihuahuas is a very small breed of dog. There are two types of Chihuahuas: the Long-Haired and the Short-Haired Chihuahua. Words like "teacup", "pocket size", "tiny toy", "miniature", "Mandy" and "standard" are often used to describe different-sized Chihuahuas, but these terms refer to the size of the Chihuahua, and are not different types of Chihuahua. |
| Height: |
6-10 inches average |
| Weight: |
2-10 pounds |
| Color(s): |
While the classic Chihuahua color is fawn, Chihuahuas can be any color, solid, marked or splashed. Merle coloration is a sort of speckled or dappled effect, and often also affects the eye color of the dog. While the merle appearance is much admired by some, the gene that causes it can also cause blindness and deafness. |
| Coat: |
Long-coat, smoother to the touch than short-haired, with soft, fine guard hairs and a downy undercoat, which give them a fluffy appearance, and it may take up to 2 years for a full long-haired coat to develop; or, smooth-coat (short-haired, short-coat), hair can range from having a velvet touch to a whiskery feeling |
| Description: |
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. Chihuahuas are popular amongst urban residents with smaller homes. |
| Temperament: |
Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. Their curious personality and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal. They can also be quite affectionate with their owners. Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament, and tendency to bite when frightened. It is recommended that children be school aged or older before adding a Chihuahua to one's home. Chihuahuas also tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs. |
| Training: |
Very quick to learn commands, the clever Chihuahua is easily trained. Many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. This can be mitigated through socialization. |
| Care & Grooming: |
Overfeeding a Chihuahua can be a grave danger to the small dog's health, shortening their life and leading to diabetes. One unique trait in most chihuahuas is the tendency to "burrow" into blankets or clothing in order to sleep. This can prove a danger if a person sits on a bed or sofa without checking for sleeping dogs. Short-haired Chihuahuas require no trimming and minimal grooming. |
| Shedding: |
The long-haired breed typically sheds less than their short-haired counterparts. |
| Health: |
The Chihuahua requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders. Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also prone to the sometimes painful disease, hydrocephalus. It is often diagnosed by the puppy having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable (since "a large head" is such a broad description). Chihuahua puppies exhibiting hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets rather than a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim. Chihuahuas have moleras, or a soft spot in their skulls, and they are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. Chihuahuas can also be at risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This is especially dangerous for puppies. Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma. Chihuahuas are also prone to eye infections due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance. Chihuahuas also have a tendency to tremble but this is not a health issue, rather it takes place when the dog is stressed or excited. Overweight Chihuahuas are prone to joint injuries, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and shortened life span. |
| Lifespan: |
8-22 years |
| Litter Size: |
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