Other names/Nicknames:
- None
Country/Date of origin:
- Mexico
- 1800′s
Height:
- 6 to 9 inches
Weight:
- 2 to 6 pounds
Personality:
- The ultimate lap dog.
- Bred to be a charming companion, the Chihuahua is extremely affectionate toward those it considers family.
- Reserved with strangers.
- Temperamental.
- Easily trained for the most part.
- Difficult to housebreak.
History:
The origins of the Chihuahua are not known. The modern dog was, however, discovered in Mexico’s Chihuahua state in 1850. Most of today’s dogs are descended from the original 50 taken to the United States. Evidence in stone carvings of the Toltec people firmly establishes the Chihuahua was in Mexico in the ninth or tenth century. Written records also indicate the dog was important in the religious and mythological life of the later Aztecs. Chihuahuas may be longhaired or smooth-coated. The smooth coat is considered to be the original variety. The longhaired dogs were created in the early 20th century possibly by crossing with longhaired toy breeds such as the Papillon and Pomeranian.
Body Type:
- A sturdy breed but exceedingly tiny.
- Anything over six pounds is disqualified.
- Erect, wide-set ears are not altered.
- Gently-curved tail (called a sickle tail) held erect but not over back. It is not altered.
Coat:
- In the smooth-coated variety the hair is short, soft, and glossy. The hair is longer around the neck creating a ruff.
- All colors and combinations of colors are allowed.
- Mexican fanciers favor a jet black dog with tan markings, or a black and white spotted one.
- Solid color dogs are preferred in the United States.
- Minimal grooming.
Health and Wellness:
- Pulmonic stenosis.
- Patent ductus arteriosis.
- Juvenile hypoglycemia.
- Hydrocephalus.
- Cryptorchidism.
- Patellar luxation.
- Atlantoaxial subluxation.
- Collapsing trachea.
- Demodicosis.
- Cushing’s disease (PDH).
- Mitral insufficiency.
What you should know:
- According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog. One full-grown specimen weighed in at ten ounces.
- Sensitive to cold, Chihuahuas shiver a lot. They also shake when excited or nervous.
- Low exercise requirements make them ideal for apartments and older people.
- Long-lived breed.
- High-pitched bark. They will keep up an alarm until you investigate, making them an excellent alarm system.
- Chihuahuas recognize and prefer their own kind. However, they get along beautifully with other breeds of dogs if properly introduced or raised together.
- Majority are wonderful with cats.
