Chihuahua

If you have ever had a Chihuahua then you know that they are not hard to love at all. These dogs are naturally small, rather than being bred down from a larger breed. There are two types of Chihuahuas; the long haired and the short haired Chihuahua.

The Chihuahua is between 3 and 7 pounds when full grown and stands between six to eight inches. The AKC standards of a Chihuahua require that it not exceed 6 pounds. This breed has a well rounded, apple like shaped head with a muzzle that is tiny in contrast to the head. The muzzle is also slightly pointed, and either will have a level or a scissors bite. There are times when puppies have a soft spot or a “molera” on the top of the skull. The bone usually closes as the dog turns into an adult. The trademark ears of a Chihuahua should be held erect most of the time, but may flare to the sides at a 45 degree angle when relaxed or calm.

The body of the Chihuahua can be described as stout, robust, compact or even short with well sprung ribs. It is longer than it is tall, because of the off-square shaped of the dog. In males, it is most likely that they will have shorter bodies as compared to the females. The neck is slightly arched, sloping into lean shoulders and then continuing down into a level topline. The front legs of the Chihuahua should be straight, short, and square shaped with the back legs considerably more muscular and thin. The feet are very tiny and even considered to be dainty. The tail is a sickle shaped tail which is curled over the back or to the side just barely touching the back of the dog.

Breed history

The Chihuahua takes its name from the Mexican state abutting west Texas and New Mexico, but likely came from the ancient Techichi dogs of the Toltecs crossed with hairless dogs from the Orient. Historians describe the Techichi as a heavy-boned small dog with a long coat indigenous to Central America and definitely connected to the Toltec civilization near present-day Mexico City. The Techichi was larger than the modern Chihuahua and was mute.

With its big eyes, big ears, and bigger-than-life attitude, the Chihuahua is the epitome of cocky canine in a petite package.

In other words, this pint-sized pet is master of his universe and fears nothing, characteristics that make him a most suitable pet for some people and the worst possible choice for others. But a sudden spurt of popularity as the Taco Bell dog has brought notoriety, and demand for the tough and intelligent dogs has increased.
The Chihuahua has always been popular as a pet for elderly owners and apartment dwellers, so in an era when many breed registrations are declining, the number of Chihuahuas registered annually has increased from 29,860 in 1991 to 38,926 in 1997, an average increase of 1133 registered dogs per year and an overall increase of 30.4 percent. The number is hardly equivalent to the registrations of Labrador Retrievers, the breed with a lock on the number one slot for the past several years, but it has been enough to move the Chihuahua from 16th in popularity to 12th.

Health

This is a long-lived breed, often achieving 16 or more years of age. However, there are some genetic diseases that can cause problems. Like most toy breeds, the Chihuahua is susceptible to slipped stifles (a knee injury caused by joint weakness) and fractures and may suffer from jawbone disorders, eye problems, heart disease, and tooth and gum complaints. The potential for some of these problems can be minimized by buying from a breeder who tests breeding stock for inheritable problems and by careful management. For example, Chihuahuas should not be allowed to jump off high furniture or out of your arms as the impact on landing could fracture a leg. Children should not be allowed to carry a Chihuahua or to play roughly with one for the same reason.
The Chihuahua is also born with a soft spot on the top of his head that may not fully close, so a blow here could kill him.
The Chihuahua tendency to shiver or tremble is not a health issue but takes place when the dog is excited or stressed. One explanation is the toy dogs have a higher metabolism and so dissipate body heat faster than larger dogs. Shivering helps to generate body heat – that’s why people shiver when we are cold. However, rapid dissipation of body heat is a distinct disadvantage in cool or cold climates, so Chihuahuas should always be protected when taken outdoors in these areas. Fortunately, there are dozens of styles of protective sweaters available.

             

               

 

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