Chihuahua History
Like many breeds of dog, the true origins of the Chihuahua are
buried beneath the sands of time. One common theory is that he is a descendant
of an ancient breed of dog, known as the Techichi, that was raised by the
Toltec people as far back as the 9th century, A.D. Some even suggest that the
foundation breed dates even further back, perhaps into the times when the
ancient Mayans first settled into Central America, where the Techichi was
indigenous. While the Techichi was larger and more heavily-boned than the
Chihuahua, the similarity between the two dogs is unmistakable. Perhaps, when
people traveled across the land bridge that is now the Bering Strait, smaller
breeds of Asian dogs, quite possibly the
Chinese Crested dog, were brought into Alaska, where they were then able
to cross with the Techichi. This is a common theory on how the Chihuahua came
to be. Others speculate that he is the result of extensive inbreeding.
Regardless how he came about, however, this tiny hero of a dog is determined
to remain a popular favorite, even with the passing of time.
The Chihuahua is named for the Mexican city where the earliest record of this
unique little breed has been found, and he has enjoyed his status as a favored
house pet for centuries. Believed to have been brought to Europe by
Christopher Columbus and other explorers of that day and age, this tiny dog
quickly gained popularity, and interest in the Chihuahua spread worldwide. The
American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) acknowledges the Chihuahua as one of the oldest
breeds to be registered, the first dogs being recognized and entered into the
stud book back in 1904.
Varieties of Chihuahua
The
Chihuahua comes in two different varieties; the long haired Chihuahua
(sometimes known as the long coat Chihuahua) and the smooth coated
Chihuahua. The smooth coat Chihuahua has a coat that is slick,
glossy, and of a soft texture. A slight ruff over the neck area is ideal and
dogs with a slightly heavier coat are permissible, according to the breed
standard. The long hair Chihuahua possesses a longer coat, which may
either lay flat against the dog or may be somewhat curly; in both styles of
long haired Chihuahua, the ears should be fringed and the tail should be
plume-like, with feathering at the chest, along the belly and flanks, and down
the dog’s legs. A large ruff is also desired around the neck area. Also
interesting to note is that the Chihuahua can be found in any color and can be
either solid patterned, marked or splashed, regardless of coat.
Up until its time of development as a pure breed in the United States, the
origin of the long-coated version of the Chihuahua is identical to that of the
short-coated variety. The long, soft coat is thought to have been achieved by
crossbreeding the Short Coat
Chihuahua with
other Toy breeds. The
Papillon,
Pomeranian,
Pekingese and
Yorkshire Terrier have been suggested as possible crosses.
The Chihuahua breed standard does not specify a height limit for
registration but, instead, specifies that they can weigh no more than 6
pounds. Because of this, the breed’s height varies more than many other
known breeds. Most show dogs will be an average of 6-10 inches tall at the
top of the shoulder, though it is not uncommon for dogs to grow larger than
this, particularly those who are kept as pets. Quite often, smaller
specimens of the breed are sold as expensive pets, known as teacup
Chihuahuas. While these dwarfs are highly sought after, one should be
very wary of any breeder that advertises teacup Chihuahuas; quite often,
these miniature toy Chihuahuas exhibit a large number of health
problems and often live a much shorter lifespan than the standard
Chihuahua‘s life span of anywhere between 8 and 18 years of age.
Chihuahua Pet Care Tips
General Chihuahua care is relatively easy for a healthy dog.
Regular veterinary checkups and keeping your Chihuahua up to date on his
vaccinations will do wonders for keeping your pet happy and healthy, but there
are other little things that you can do to help keep him feeling good
in-between vet visits. One of these is grooming your Chihuahua on a regular
basis. While some believe that this is only important for long coated
Chihuahuas, grooming your smooth coat Chihuahua will also help him by removing
dead hair and dander, same as in a long haired Chihuahua. Keeping his toenails
properly clipped will also prevent your toy Chihuahua from getting injured by
catching a nail on carpeting or furniture. Should your Chihuahua’s eyes tear
and run excessively, you can also gently wipe these with a cloth dipped in
saline solution in order to help cut down the risk of infection. Should you
notice, while cleaning your Chihuahua’s eyes, that they are abnormally
bloodshot or that there is a white discharge, an appointment should be made
with your veterinarian, to have him checked for an eye infection.
Caring for your pet Chihuahua also encompasses other things, such as his
nutrition and level of exercise. While the Chihuahua is quite often a picky
eater and prefers to lounge on a lap rather than run outside, care should be
taken that your Chihuahua not be allowed to gain excess weight - doing so can
lead to health problems such as heart failure or tracheal collapse. The
Chihuahua is also prone to having sugar problems and many tend to suffer from
problems, such as hypoglycemia. When in doubt, speak with your veterinarian or
a reputable breeder regarding feeding concerns for your particular dog.
Is the Chihuahua Right for You?
Chihuahuas may be the ideal dogs for apartment living, but
this doesn’t necessarily mean they are the ideal dog for you. For instance,
the toy Chihuahua is ill-suited for a household with small children.
They are small and delicate dogs, that are easily hurt if pulled or fallen on.
Additionally, the Chihuahua tends to bond with a single person and can be
rather snappish if annoyed. For these reasons, it’s generally a good idea to
introduce them into families with older children. Likewise in homes with other
dogs; the Chihuahua can tend to be rather elitist and prefers the company of
his own breed over others. Amusingly though, the Chihuahua tends to have the
attitude of a terrier and will take on any other dog, if provoked. While it
may seem amusing thinking of a toy Chihuahua trying to take on a Great Dane,
it’s common for these pint-sized spitfires to bite off more than they can
chew.
Chihuahua
Training
How to train your Chihuahua depends on what you intend to
teach him to do, your degree of patience, and your own individual dog.
Important to remember in Chihuahua training, is that these little dogs
do best with a gentle hand, a lot of patience, and regular routine. Taking the
time to repeat commands with a patient tone, and having the same person train
the basics, will help your Chihuahua to learn more quickly. The Chihuahua is a
quick and enthusiastic learner, who loves to please and a wonderful addition
to any home. If he is treated with love and kindness, like other dogs, he will
give it back to you tenfold.
Chihuahua Breed Temperament:
Alert and spirited, the
Chihuahua is personality in a small package. Chihuahuas
become very attached to
their owners
and are very
willing to please.
Very much a lap dog, the Chihuahua enjoys
being pampered. But don't let the small size fool you into thinking these
dogs lack spunk! They are affectionate but they're also alert and make a
fine little watchdog.Chihuahua Breed Exercise
Requirements:
This swift-moving little dog with its saucy expression,
rounded skull and flaring ears is so small that it can get the exercise it
needs just by running around the house or apartment.
A sprightly pet, the Chihuahua is an ideal companion for an apartment
dweller or a couch potato who doesn't care to indulge in long, outdoor
walks.Chihuahua Breed Grooming Requirements:
Chihuahua grooming needs are minimal.
As with any smooth coat breed, a regular brushing will remove dead hair and
dander, as well as provide your Chihuahua with a much-enjoyed massage to boost
circulation and overall good health. Nails should be trimmed regularly, and
ears should be kept clean. The occasional bath (every few months) with a good
quality dog shampoo and conditioner
will also help keep your fastidious little Chihuahua feeling and smelling his
best. Take caution to ensure that the bath area is nice and warm and free from
drafts, and be sure to keep your Chihuahua warm and dry in a soft towel or dog
bath robe until he or she is completely dry. Long coat Chihuahuas require more
regular brushing to keep the soft coat silky and tangle free.
Special Considerations For Chihuahuas in Colder Climates:
As a tiny toy breed that originated in a warm climate, colder climates are
not the ideal setting for the Chihuahua. This, however, does not mean that you
can't own a Chihuahua if you live in Minnesota or (heaven forbid!) Canada. It
does mean, though, that you will need to equip your Chihuahua with some extra
small dog accessories to keep
him warm and comfortable when the weather is cold and snow is on the ground.
The following items can be purchased from your local pet store, or from a
plethora of online small dog
apparel and accessory web sites, including our
Dogs Central Dog Supply Store.
Your Chihuahua Will Need:
- A warm and cozy small dog bed
with a fleece blanket to cover him at night.
- A small dog coat that is
easy to apply and remove. Should be lined with faux fur, sherpa, fleece or
down-filled.
- Dog booties.
- An indoor dog litter
box or puppy pee pads. Chihuahuas can't be expected to go outdoors when
the snow is higher than they are, or when the weather is too stormy.
- A cozy small dog
carrier or small
dog tote bag can be a comfortable dog nest while you take him along with
you.
- A small dog collar and leash.
The
Chihuahua Dog Breed in Brief
Life
Expectancy:
