Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a popular breed that has captured the hearts of millions of owners around the world with its big, charismatic personality and playful behavior.

Evolution and Origin of the Chihuahua

Evidence suggests that this breed descended from the ancient Techichi, which dates back all the way to the 9th century in Mexico. It was so popular at the time that it permeated many aspects of Mesoamerican culture, as seen in paintings and artifacts. After the conquest of the Aztecs, the Techichi retreated to the Mexican countryside. When it was rediscovered by the wider world in the 19th century, the breed had undergone significant change. In fact, ‘the modern Chihuahua has both native Mexican and some Eurasian ancestry, with its primary roots tracing back to the ancient Techichi. It is now a national symbol of Mexico.

The Chihuahua has a distinctive and unmistakable appearance: a rounded apple head, big bulging eyes, erect ears, and a small body and frame. There are generally two variations of the Chihuahua: long hair and smooth coat. Both types actually have smooth fur around the body. The main difference is that the long-haired Chihuahua has fringed ears, a fan-like tail, and feathering around the legs. The smooth coat has shorter hair around most of its body, but despite the name, part of the fur around the neck is actually rough to the touch. The white, tan, brown, or black coats come in almost any pattern or variation you can think of.

Another type within this dog breed is the deer head chihuahua. These little dogs have narrower heads, longer snouts and jaws, smaller eyes, long legs, and larger bodies. Their faces actually do resemble a deer — and many of them are fawn-colored. Deer head chihuahuas are not considered to be the breed standard, so you won’t see them competing in dog shows, but many people consider this dog to be the perfect pet. They are loyal, great watchdogs, and love their owners with all of their hearts.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Chihuahua

Size and Weight

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. They are so small that they can fit inside a purse or bag. Chihuahuas typically weigh up to 6 pounds and stand up to 8 inches tall. There is a minimal difference in size between the male and female dogs.

Some dogs measuring less than 6 inches are sometimes called teacup Chihuahuas. This name is given because they can fit inside a teacup. The teacup Chihuahua is not a unique breed or variation, but just a very small individual.

Common Health Issues

Despite the small size and apple head, the Chihuahua is actually a healthy breed with a long lifespan of some 14 to 16 years, but there are some serious health problems you should be aware of. These include heart diseases, eye conditions, epilepsy, low blood sugar, hydrocephalus (caused by the accumulation of fluids in the brain), and patellar luxation (in which the kneecap actually moves out of its normal location). Another potential problem is the open fontanel, in which the puppies’ soft spot on the top of the head doesn’t properly close, making it very vulnerable to accidents. Many of these health conditions are genetic in origin and can be minimized with a reputable breeder who screens for them. Cancer is also something you should look out for, especially in a dog’s old age. To sum up, the most common health problems are:

• Heart Diseases
• Eye Conditions
• Cancer
• Low Blood Sugar
• Patellar Luxation

Temperament

The Chihuahua possesses a friendly and loyal personality that wants to please its owner, with whom it forms a very strong bond. Although feisty for its size, this breed exhibits rather goofy and playful behavior. One of its more appealing traits is its adaptability. It can easily relax and chill out with its owner, or it can enjoy some playtime and exercise. And for owners who want to train their dogs, the Chihuahua is actually quite diligent and receptive to commands.

For all of its outgoing behavior around friends and family, though, this breed can be rather wary of strangers. It takes some time to really earn this breed’s trust. That is why the Chihuahua actually makes for a decent guard dog, despite its small size.

How to Take Care of a Chihuahua

The Chihuahua requires some special care due to its unusual physiology and behavior. The teeth, in particular, are an area of high concern and may require special attention from the vet. You will also want to socialize the puppy as early as possible to make it less wary of people. As always, you should plan for annual checkups at the vet to catch early health problems as soon as they arise.

The Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas

The Chihuahua’s recommended diet is no more than a half cup of high-quality dry food every single day based on its size, age, and activity level. Dogs susceptible to low blood sugar should eat a hearty meal ninety minutes before exercising to stay balanced.

You can also give it intermittent treats as part of a positive training regimen. If the dog begins to gain weight, then you may want to cut back on the calories. The vet can help you find an appropriate diet regimen for your dog.

Maintenance and Grooming

The Chihuahua is a fairly light-shedder (but not enough to be hypoallergenic). The frequency of grooming care depends on the length of its coat. The smooth coat Chihuahua requires infrequent brushes, perhaps not every week, but enough for any tangles or mats. The long hair requires more frequent brushing, about once a week or so. Regular baths, nail trimmings, and ear cleaning are also necessary to keep both types of dogs healthy. But like many smaller breeds, dental care is by far the most important grooming need. You should brush the dog’s teeth at least two or three times a week, and for best results, it should be done daily. The vet may also recommend specialized treats to keep the teeth clean.

Training

Despite its rather charismatic and silly reputation, the Chihuahua is a smart and alert dog that wants nothing more than to please its owner. Because of its sensitive nature, you should take a firm but gentle approach to this breed. The dog may try to goof off, but don’t let it get away with unacceptable behavior. Positive training works remarkably well to set boundaries. It is even possible to teach this breed an array of different tricks and sports, as long as it’s done within reason.

Exercise

The Chihuahua is usually satisfied with a low to medium amount of exercise per day. Toys or playtime in small indoor or outdoor spaces should be enough to cover their needs. Daily walks of around 30 minutes are always recommended to burn off excess energy and maintain a good weight, but don’t push the dog too hard. Its small frame isn’t quite built for heavy exercise. If the dog begins panting hard, then it may be a sign to stop. It is also a good idea to prepare your dog for extreme weather situations. Due to its shorter coat, the Chihuahua handles the cold particularly poorly.

Puppies

Because of the Chihuahua’s reserved nature around strangers, it is a good idea to buy your dog as a puppy so you can develop a strong relationship as soon as possible. For best results, make sure puppies have plenty of exposure to different people and situations early in their lives. An early trip to the vet is also necessary to screen for any signs of health problems and get up to date on vaccinations.

Chihuahuas and Children

The Chihuahua is friendly with children, but due to its small size and fragile nature, you need to pay special attention to the way your children approach and handle this breed. You should always teach your children to be very gentle and kind toward the Chihuahua. It is a good idea to never leave this breed alone with your children for long periods. Some experts may recommend that a Chihuahua should not be introduced into a house with children younger than eight.

Dogs Similar to the Chihuahua

If you enjoy the company of small toy dogs, then you should also check out the following breeds:

• Chinese Crested Dog: The Chinese Crested Dog is a small, friendly breed that was bred primarily as a companion for royalty. It comes in two varieties: hairless and powderpuff. Despite the name, the hairless dog still has fur around its face, neck, and feet.
• Shih Tzu: This Chinese breed has long, elegant fur. Like the Chihuahua, it can stay indoors for most of the day, curled up on its owner’s lap.
• Boston Terrier: This breed is actually not part of the toy group, but its alert and friendly personality has sometimes been compared to the Chihuahua. It also has a similarly rounded apple head and big eyes.

Famous Chihuahuas

The Chihuahua is a common emblem of pop culture. Here are some of the most famous examples of the breed:

• The famous Chihuahua that appeared in the Taco Bell commercials was a female named Gidget (who lived from 1994 to 2009).
• A Chihuahua named Moonie (1998 to 2016) starred in the two Legally Blonde films alongside Reese Witherspoon. He actually lived with Gidget for a time.
• Paris Hilton owned a Chihuahua named Tinkerbelle, which appeared alongside her in the reality show “The Simple Life.”