Dogs Todays Information about dog breeds, food and training
Chihuahuas are a breed of toy dog, often called the world’s smallest dog. The Chihuahua is named for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. They come in both long- and short-haired varieties but all have large heads and eyes with alert expressions. These dogs were originally bred from small native desert dogs who roamed the vast deserts of North America for food, shelter, and companionship. Today they can be found anywhere on earth that humans live because they’re so easy to care for!
Chihuahuas are a popular breed due to their size which makes them an ideal pet for people living in small apartments or homes where there isn’t much space; they don’t need much exercise; and they don’t bark much. Chihuahuas can be very protective of their owners and are often described as having lots of energy even though they only need short walks.
Table of Contents
Adaptability
Chihuahuas are very adaptable to changes in their environment. This means that they can live in a variety of different places without too much trouble. They do well in both cold and hot weather conditions. Chihuahuas also don’t require special grooming or high-maintenance care like some other breeds.
Affection Level
Chihuahuas love to be around their owners. They are very loyal and protective of their humans, which makes them excellent watch dogs. The breed is known for being suspicious of strangers, even sometimes letting out a loud bark when someone comes over unexpectedly. Chihuahuas tend to get attached easily to one person in the household. This attachment makes them excellent pets for families with children, but they may not do well in homes with other dogs or cats. Chihuahuas are fiercely protective of their owners and love to be around them all the time. They tend to bond more strongly to one owner than the others in a household (though they will still get along fine with everyone else) , making them ideal pets for people who prefer to spend most of their time at home. The breed is very adaptable and able to handle changes without too much trouble. Chihuahuas tend to feel best living indoors, whether inside an apartment or elsewhere, but can also do okay outside if necessary.
Temperament
Chihuahuas are small, but can be feisty and fearless, though they’re fairly independent as well. They are generally distrustful of strangers, indoors and out, and will bark at someone new coming to the home. Once accustomed to a person, Chihuahuas often develop protective feelings toward them and will follow that person around the house all day long if possible. Chihuahuas crave affection from their owners and don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. They may become aloof with overly harsh training methods or those that rely on punishment as opposed to positive reinforcement. In general, Chihuahuas tend to do best with people who display strong leadership skills without being too overbearing or domineering . If you have another dog or cat in the home, Chihuahuas often get along with them fairly well. However, some can be quite territorial and aggressive toward other pets they don’t know or are not familiar with. If you have any concerns about your pet’s behavior toward others, it is best to consult a professional trainer before introducing him to new animals in the home.
Trainability
Chihuahuas are fairly smart dogs who can learn simple commands fairly easily, but they won’t always respond to harsh training methods . It’s important that you establish yourself as the dominant party in your household when training a Chihuahua, because these little dogs often grow up to become stubborn and strong-willed if allowed to take over. If you have a particularly willful dog, it may help to hire a professional trainer for added guidance. It’s also important to remember that Chihuahuas tend to bark quite a bit, which means it’s a good idea to start your training as early as possible. This way, you’ll be able to nip any bad behaviors in the bud before they become problems later on. You can then look into more advanced training once your Chihuahua is all grown up and is better equipped to handle it.
Physical Needs
The chihuahua is a small dog that is known to have originated in Mexico. The Chihuahua has what are called “chiseled” features which are due to its history as a tamed breed.
The chihuahua’s coat can be either short or long, with short being more common. There are three types of coats which are single, recluse, and down-haired. Single coated dogs have a shorter and smoother coat and typically do not shed as much as the other types of coats. Recluse coats have an appearance that resembles a poodle’s coat and often require blowouts to keep matting at bay. Down-haired coats have longer hair and provide the chihuahua with a mane like appearance, which is what helps to give them their “cute” looks.
The chihuahua’s face has two colors; one for the main area of its head and nose and another color for around its eyes and lips. The typical colors found on the face are black, blue, or pink. It also has two types of ear shapes which are either bat ears that stand erect or button ears that hang down by the side of the dogs’ head.
Although all dogs have some form of pigmentation in their coat they do not produce melanin which is responsible for providing certain colors, therefore only albino animals can be white or any other color besides pigments/pigmentation.
Grooming needs is another aspect that varies with the different types of coats. Single coated dogs need to be brushed about twice a week while down-haired coats need brushing at least once every other day, otherwise they can get matted very easily. Bat eared chihuahuas also require daily maintenance because their ears tend to get filthy quickly which could result in infections if left unattended for too long.
Bat eared chihuahuas should have the hair around their ear area cut regularly so that it does not impede on their ability to hear or become uncomfortable for them by rubbing against objects/trees when outside. Bat eared dogs are prone to infections in this region of the ear which is why it is important to keep it clean and dry.
Chihuahuas have a tendency to be very sensitive to temperature changes and should not be over-exercised in hot weather because it can lead to dehydration and other heat related illnesses which could affect the dogs’ large and small intestines functions which plays an essential role for dogs as they depend on their gut bacteria called flora, to fight off pathogens or infections. This is why it is vital that your chihuahua has access to water at all times because if left unfed, the bacteria would die off preventing proper digestion from happening; this can result in diarrhea which could potentially become fatal due to reabsorption of toxins within the intestine causing septicemia (blood poisoning).
History Chihuahua
The Chihuahua’s history is uncertain, with two competing hypotheses for how he originated. He descended from a Central or South American canine known as the Techichi, according to one theory.
When we examine the Chihuahua’s historical roots, we discover that they come from Central and South America. 9th century C.E. Toltec carvings depict a dog with twin-sized ears and a spherical head similar to the Chihuahua. The Techichi were dogs who had been used in the Toltec culture for unknown reasons.
The Techichi was absorbed into the Aztec culture when the Aztecs took over the Toltecs. Many of the dogs dwelled in temples and were utilized in Aztec ceremonies. The Techichi was revered by the Aztecs for its mystical abilities, including seeing into the future, curing sickness, and properly guiding souls of departed individuals to Xolotlán. It was customary to sacrifice a red Techichi and burn his body with those of other deceased people. The Aztecs also exploited them as food and fur resources. In 1519, Spaniards invaded Mexico and conquered the Aztecs; although, by this time, most records had been lost or destroyed.
The second hypothesis is that small hairless dogs from China were traded to Mexico by Spanish merchants and subsequently crossed with tiny local dogs.
The short-haired Chihuahua we know today was discovered in the Mexican state of Chihuahua in the 1850s, from which he acquired his name. Visitors to Mexico brought home little dogs. They began to be exhibited in 1890, and a Chihuahua named Midget became the first of his breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904.
The longhaired breed appears to be a cross between Papillons and Pomeranians. The breed’s popularity soared in the 1930s and 1940s, when it was linked with dance king and Latin music bandleader Xavier Cugat.
The Chihuahua has been one of the most popular breeds represented by the AKC since the 1960s. They are currently ranked 11th among the 155 breeds and types acknowledged by the AKC.
Size
The typical Chihuahua weighs 3 to 6 pounds. Chihuahuas under 2 pounds are not uncommon, but they aren’t very healthy. Some Chihuahuas may be enormous, weighing as much as 12 pounds. These can make excellent pets for families with children.
Personality
The brave and bold Chihuahua is frequently likened to a terrier. His alertness and wariness of strangers make him an exceptional guard dog. He’s delicate, loves attention, and thrives on human contact and companionship.
Chihuahuas are a people-friendly breed that prefer to form attachments with a single individual. They’re usually ready to associate with new individuals if introduced properly. Although they’re generally eager to meet new people, expect them to be somewhat cautious at first. If Chihuahuas aren’t properly socialized as pups, they can be timid.
When they’re young, Chihuahuas, like every other dog, require extensive socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — in order to develop normally. Socialization is essential for growing a well-rounded dog.
Health
Chihuahuas tend to be fairly healthy but are prone to certain problems that may require surgery . Potential issues include hypoglycemia , dental problems, collapsed trachea , Legg-Perthes disease , heart disease, seizures, chronic bronchitis, Cushing’s syndrome , wobbler syndrome , hydrocephalus , glaucoma , ruptured discs, and collapsing trachea.
Chihuahuas are susceptible to the following disorders:
Heart Murmurs: Heart murmurs are produced by a problem with the blood flow to the chambers of the heart. They’re a sign that there’s something wrong with the heart that needs to be checked out and treated. Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of one to five, ranging from soft to loud. If disease is detected through x-rays and an echocardiogram, the dog may require medication, special food, or less exercise.
Pulmonic Stenosis: Aortic stenosis is a congenital heart disease characterized by poor circulation. When the pulmonic valve is malformed and obstructs blood flow, this cardiomyopathy occurs. This implies that the heart must work harder and can become enlarged, resulting in heart failure. Treatment depends on how severe the illness is. In mild cases, there is little or no blockage and no treatment is necessary. If the dog’s condition is severe, surgery may be required; however, depending on where the blockage is located, the procedure varies somewhat.
Collapsed Trachea: It’s not exactly clear how this happens, but fast breathing relaxes the trachea and makes it more difficult for air to enter the lungs, much like a soda straw being drawn on too strong. This illness may be passed down from parent to child; it affects certain breeds, and dogs with it have an imbalance in their chemical composition of their tracheal rings in which the rings lose their stiffness and revert to a cylindrical form.
Hydrocephalus: The pressure of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) on the brain can occur because to a birth defect, blockage, or trauma, putting strain on the brain. The head seems larger or swollen; nevertheless, an ultrasound is required to establish this diagnosis if necessary. Hydrocephalus is incurable; however, in mild cases, steroids may assist relieve fluid pressure. A shunt can also be used to divert fluid from the brain to the stomach. Although puppies with severe hydrocephalus usually die before they are four months old, it’s a good idea to wait until they’re older when buying a Chihuahua.
Open Fontanel: Chihuahuas have a soft spot on their heads from birth. The soft spot normally closes, much like that of a newborn, but it may not do so completely. Treat these dogs with care since they can be easily harmed by an accidental strike to the head.
Shivering: Chihuahuas frequently shiver. The cause of why they shiver or tremble is unknown, although it’s most often triggered by excitement, tension, or coldness.
Care
Care and love is a very important component of working with pets and animals. These creatures need to be loved and cared for at all times in order to be comfortable with their environment. You need to care for your pet on a daily basis in order for them to overall feel secure and loved throughout the day.
If you’re having problems caring for your chihuahua, it may not be due to skimping on the time spent caring, but the way you care. For example, if your pets needs attention or is lonely, they may create behavioral issues such as crying or barking excessively. This is because they are seeking and needing love and attention which has been neglected up until this point in time.
Physical
Chihuahuas are very fragile animals; they can be injured easily if not handled with care. They usually require to be held by the owner because of their small size, which means that you need to provide proper support for them at all times.
A chihuahua’s body is very delicate and it will feel heavy on your arms or somewhere else you choose to hold them. You may also damage their bones if you carry them around without holding them by the sides properly like you would do with any other pet for example, cats. If done correctly, this should not cause any problems but it is best advised to know how to carry your dog safely in your arms just in case something were to happen unexpectedly.
Hygiene
Chihuahuas are very clean dogs. You don’t have to bathe them that much since they will wash themselves when given the chance, especially when eating or drinking water after their meal.
You just need to brush them at least once a week in order for their coat to maintain its shine and luster. Early brushing will also stimulate hair growth around the eyes and mouth which you should be extra careful with while grooming because this is where excessive hair can get stuck, causing problems with your pet’s eyesight or breathing difficulties if left unattended.
Concerning teeth care, flossing would help remove any leftover food particles or bacteria build-up between the teeth which may cause dental disease over time. This is essential in keeping the teeth healthy and strong since chihuahuas are more prone to having dental issues than other breeds of dogs.
Behavior
Growing up, Chihuahuas are known for their cute and cuddly behavior due to mainly being kept as bed buddies or lap warmers. Even though these traits will still be present when they become older, they also tend to develop some slightly annoying habits such as barking excessively during playtime with their owners.
Another habit they often have is begging for food constantly until you give it in which case they will most likely eat all of it within seconds even if there’s no need for them to consume so much at once. These problems can be fixed by training your chihuahua properly as a puppy by rewarding them when they do what you tell them to do.
Feeding
The recommended feeding schedule for Chihuahuas is twice a day but will vary depending on the dog and what he or she needs. Most Chihuahuas weigh between 4 and 6 pounds and can eat ¼ – ½ cup of food per day, split between two meals.
Coat Color And Grooming
Coat: The coat is long and silky, with a very fine texture. The length of the coat varies from being short to almost reaching the ground. Colors can be from black to brown or gray, as well as silver and copper-colored coats.
Grooming: Chihuahuas require daily brushing because their coats tend to mat if they are not stimulated by brushing. Chihuahuas have a reputation for being difficult to train, which may be due in part to that this breed does not respond well to punishment. Instead, rewards and patience work best.
