The Chihuahua dog breed is small with a strong personality, making it the most devoted, energetic, and adored pet. Beyond its unique appearance and funny traits, this dog is among the top picks for the best guard family dog. Let’s discover what sharing your home with a tiny dog is like for a chihuahua with the breed information and fun facts from the Canvas Personalized.
1. Overview Of Chihuahua Facts And Information
Chihuahua is a little dog with many fantastic personalities and a wide range of coat colors and styles. They’re also among the top picks for security and excelling in dog sports like agility and obedience. Moreover, these small dogs are as spunky as they are adorable, making them excellent family companions. Let’s look at these critical characteristics of a chihuahua below:
| Origin | Mexico |
| Dog Breed Group | Toy Dog |
| Common nicknames | Chihuahueño |
| Height | 15–23 cm (6–9 in) |
| Weight | 1–3 kg (2–7 lb) |
| Coat | Short-haired (smooth) or long-haired |
| Color | Brown, chocolate, liver, black, gray, white, and fawn |
| Life span | 14-16 years |
| Good With | Families, children, and cats |
| Temperament | Friendly; gentle; intelligent, and anxious |
| Energy Level | Active |
| Shedding | Infrequent |
| Tendency to Drool | Low |
| Snore | Low |
| Bark | Frequent |
| Easy To Train | High |
At first, small, hairless dogs from China were brought to Mexico by Spanish traders. These dogs were then crossed with smaller Mexican dogs to create a new breed. Whatever the case, the modern short-haired Chihuahua dog was first uncovered in the 1850s in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. In 1904, a Chihuahua named Midget became the first of his breed to be registered with the American Kennel Club. Nowsady, they are the eleventh most popular of the 155 breeds and types recognized by the AKC. The American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club
The chihuahua dog breed may be the tiniest dog on record, but its bold personality more than makes up for its diminutive stature. The dog can live up to 17 years, making it one of the longest-lived dog breeds.
The dogs are active and prefer to be near their owners all day. Thanks to their intelligence, Chihuahuas make excellent watchdogs with highly alert abilities.
Chihuahua puppies are gregarious, active dogs that need companionship. It means they are constantly by your side, whether at home or running errands. They also develop intense loyalty and are quick to pick up new skills. So providing positive dog training tips for your dog is essential.
Hence, having a Chihuahua as a pet is like having a good friend in any corner of the world because of its charming demeanor. So once you decide to share your life with a chihuahua dog, you will never want another one. Check out the essential chihuahua facts and information to take care of it better.
Best For
Chihuahuas are best suited to houses without small children or other pets. It need pet parents who can devote a lot of care to them.
1.1. Appearance
The Chihuahua dog breed is well-known for its short or long, smooth coat, which may keep it warm. Whether it has long or short hair, it has one of two distinct body types: an apple head or a deer head. The dog with an “apple head” is shorter and has a rounder head and closer-spaced eyes. While the one with a “deer head” has a broader muzzle and a flatter skull than the standard.
The standard Chihuahua is a miniature version of larger dog breeds, such as Australian shepherds or border collie dogs.
Chihuahuas have many coat colors, from white to black to brown, chocolate to fawn, red to cream, and mixed. Moreover, they can also be brindled, spotted, merle, or multicolored.
The appearance of the chihuahua puppies also has an important impact on the training process. It may be challenging to train them due to their small stature and stubbornness.
So, before teaching a Chihuahua dog breed, remember these factors or other vital information below.
1.2. Temperament/Personalities
Chihuahua puppies are true lapdogs at heart and can live without human companionship. They are well-known for being excellent communicators who alert you to unusual or exciting happenings in the home. They are also suspicious of strangers and act like American pitbull terriers, which makes them excellent guard dogs.
Despite its fearlessness and self-assurance, the Chihuahua dog breed is a softie that needs a lot of love and attention. If you leave it alone for a long time, it may become more sensitive to specific tastes in its food or run away for a week.
Like all dogs, Chihuahuas benefit from early socialization through exposure to people, other pets, and varied environments. Once properly introduced, they form strong bonds with their owners and become friends with others around them. In contrast, Chihuahuas may grow up fearful of strangers.
2. All Essential Information About Chihuahua Dog
2.1. Health Issues
As small as they are, Chihuahua puppies tend to be quite robust. They have a remarkable lifespan, with an average of at least 10 years and a maximum of 18. However, they are predisposed to specific health issues because of their size. Even though not all Chihuahuas are susceptible to these illnesses, it’s still good to be aware of them so you can ask your vet to discover the signs when they arise in your pet over time.
The CCA warns about the Chihuahua dog breed‘s health issues, including:
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
- Eye infections.
- Luxating patellas.
- Hydrocephalus,
- Heart problems, and
- Epilepsy
Some health issues in chihuahuas don’t manifest until they’re fully grown. So it would be best to wait at least two or three years before breeding a dog.
The American Kennel Club
A Chihuahua puppy from a reputable breeder must be vaccinated and dewormed before being brought home. You also need health insurance to prove that the puppy has undergone testing for a specific disease that the OFA recommends.
2.2. Chihuahua Dog Breed Care
Hair care: Your grooming routine will differ if your Chihuahua dog has short or long hair. The short-haired chihuahuas need only be brushed on a sporadic basis to maintain a healthy coat, while the long-haired ones need frequent grooming to keep their fur tangled or matted.
Clean dog teeth: Also, the breeder stresses the importance of twice-daily tooth brushing and neglects oral hygiene.
Trim dog nails: Moreover, routine nail cutting is necessary for the Chihuahua dog breed because of the rapid growth of the nails.
Clean dog’s eyes: If you notice tear stains developing under your dog’s eyes, discharge can be easily wiped away.
Keep your dog warm: Because chihuahua puppies do not do well in cold weather due to their small size, dressing them in sweaters or coats is necessary.
Dog physical exercises: The growth of the chihuahuas will need a surprising amount of energy, so regular exercise is also beneficial. You can take them to walk or run around the yard while closely supervised. They only need 20–30 minutes daily to keep their natural curiosity and confidence as they age.
>>>Learn more about how to create a dog-caring tips checklist to maintain your dog’s health!
2.3. Training
Chihuahua puppies are hard to housetrain because they are small and brilliant. That’s why providing them with positive reinforcement and consistent obedience training is essential. Remember to reward the chihuahua dog when it responds positively to your commands.
You can start with a game first to feel more motivated, and it will be well worth it in the end. If you train your Chihuahua at home, use a kennel or gates to keep the dog out of the off-limits areas.
2.4. Nutrition
Teacup Chihuahuas generally require 50 calories per day per pound of body weight and 35 to 40 calories per pound for adults. Chihuahuas may have issues with being overfed. Due to their small size, they can be easily overfed with the bit of food they require daily for survival.
Consider the quality of the dog food you buy, which must follow the standard of AAFCO’s Role in Pet Food Regulation. Additionally, it would be a good idea to find out which healthy dog food your pup can eat and which he shouldn’t.
2.5. Ideal Living Environment
They need a peaceful home, even in cramped city flats, and ideally without young children. Always remember to keep them warm wherever you take them.
You must devote much time and energy to your dog by teaching it basic commands, such as how to sit, stay, go potty outside, or even create training at home. But if you leave it alone, the dog will develop any preexisting aggressive or nervous tendencies.
The best Chihuahua parents will likely have flexible schedules or work from home so that they can spend as much time as possible with their dog. Remember to give them the correct socialization; they may coexist peacefully with other household pets.
3. Adopting Chihuahua Puppies
You should be well-prepared when adopting a chihuahua dog or another breed. So you must devote time to training chihuahua puppies in obedience and essential life skills.
Many said they anticipated spending between $250 and $500 on the dog’s initial fees. About eighty-two percent of Chihuahua owners report spending less than $100 monthly on their dogs.
>>>After adopting a new Chihuahua puppy, let’s get inspired to choose beautiful chihuahua names for your dog!
4. Chihuahua Fun Facts
- Many films and TV shows have featured Chihuahuas because of their talent as actors, including “Sex and the City,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.”
- Brandy, a Chihuahua dog, is the tiniest dog in the world. She is only 6 inches long from nose to tail.
- In El Paso, Texas, the local minor league baseball team is called the Chihuahuas.
>>Keep reading:
- Golden Retriever Dog: Essential Guide And Facts To Take Care
- Boxer Dog Breed: Facts and Information Owners Should Know
- The Essential Guide To Care For The Golden Retriever Dog
- Ultimate Guide To Adopt and Care An English Bulldog Breed
The chihuahua dog breed is the epitome of cuteness, cunning, and devotion to its owners, making it cherished because of its appearance and personality despite its small stature. Moreover, this dog is known for its loyalty and care for its human companions. Then, with the blog Canvas Personalized, the in-depth dog profile will help you decide if this small breed is ideal for you and your family.
