Chihuahua Dog Breed Information
General Information
Dog Name | Chihuahua |
---|---|
Other Names | Chi-chi |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Breed Type | Lap |
Group | Toy |
Breed For | Companion |
Extinct | No |
Country of Origin | Mexico |
Physical And Size
Size | Smallest |
---|---|
Min Life Span | 12 |
Max Life Span | 14 |
Min Ideal Weight for male | 1 |
Max Ideal Weight for male | 2 |
Min Ideal Weight for female | 1 |
Max Ideal Weight for male | 2 |
Ranking
Intelligent Rank | |
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Trainability | |
Playfulness | |
Affection Level | |
Social Needs | |
Barking | |
Watchdog Ability | |
Territorial | |
Mouthiness | |
Adaptability |
Characterisitics
Temperament | Sassy, Alert, Independent |
---|---|
Prey Drive | Yes |
Fighting Dog | No |
Friendliness
Stranger Friendly | Low |
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Child Friendly | High |
Cat Friendly | Medium |
Dog Friendly | Medium |
Office Friendly | Medium |
Apartment Friendly | High |
Senior Citizens Friendly | High |
Service Dog | High |
Search and Rescue Dog | High |
Biting Potential | High |
Country of Origin | Mexico |
Nicknames and Other Names | Chi, Chi-chi |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Breed Type | Purebred (lap dog) |
Group | Toy Group |
Bred For | Companion dog |
Size | Small-sized |
Recognized By | AKC, UKC, ANKC, NZKC, KC, CKC, FCI |
Life Span | 14-18 years |
Ideal Weight | 2-6 pounds |
Ideal Height | 6-9 inches |
Fur Type | Double coated, soft, glossy |
Common Colors | Black, Blue and Tan, Black and Tan, Chocolate and Tan, Chocolate, Red, Fawn, Fawn and Tan, Cream |
Markings | Black Mask, Black Brindle, Black Sabling, White markings, Spotted on white, Merle markings |
Availability | Widely available |
Achievements | Featured in many movies |
Suitable for Apartments | Yes |
Used in World War | No |
Most Similar To | Papillon |
Chihuahua is a small but sturdy breed. They are easy to carry, and their erect ears and luminous eyes are hard to ignore. You will get entertained by your furry friend the whole day since they sometimes tend to act clownish.
The Chihuahua dogs don’t need a lot of vigorous activities so they are well suited for apartments dwellers and for those also who cannot take them to regular exercises.
Origin and History
Chihuahua was originated in Mexico and according to the legends, there are two theories of how they came into light. The first one is that it descended from “techichi” a small dog. The second theory tells that small hairless dogs from China were brought to Mexico by Spanish traders and then bred with small native dogs.
In the mid of 1800s, when the Americans began to take an interest in the breed, they found many specimens in the state of Chihuahua. So it was that this survivor of two lost civilizations gained worldwide fame as the Chihuahua. The first AKC registered Chihuahua was Beppie which was recorded in 1908.
The Chihuahua breeds popularity took off in th
Are They Child-Friendly?
Yes, the Chihuahua dogs are child-friendly because they
Chihuahua should be well trained and should be taught how to behave with a child. Otherwise, they might try to rule the pack of children and may misbehave with them.
Behavior, Temperament And Personality
The Chihuahua dogs are comical, entertaining and loyal little dogs. These dogs are lively breed with a quirky and eccentric personality unmatched by any other breed. The sassy and sturdy little dogs are extremely loyal to the people they love. However, Some Chihuahuas are mean to strangers and may bark in a sense of protecting their owner.
Chihuahua with their big eyes and big ears are mischievous and clowns which will probably keep you entertained. However, Barking can be the main problem for Chihuahua owners. They will bark at anything they see moving. Although, easy-going with every individual they might bark at first to know whether they are safe or not. These breeds are bold and fearless leaving their size behind.
When it comes to Chihuahua, they love to be with their human counterparts. If they’re left alone, they can develop serious separation anxiety. This kind of behavior may lead to destruction as well as timidness.
Trainability
The ease of training of Chihuahua depends upon the dog itself and the trainer. If your trainer can train them with full confident and strong leadership, there’s no dog as obedient than the Chihuahuas.
The harsh training is not good for the Chihuahua dog so consistent training is a must. The dog should be treated with rewards and treats so that they will be motivated to carry the positive activities.
Unknown Facts About Chihuahuas
- It is believed that Chihuahuas are brought by Christopher Columbus to Europe.
- Never poke on their heads. These breeds have a soft spot on their head called “molera”. Unlike human babies, these breeds might have the spot the whole life.
- These breeds were much larger than we see today. After breeding with the Asian smaller hairless tarrier, the Chihuahua’s size shrunk.
Health Issues
General Health | Healthy |
Common Health Issues | Patellar Luxation, Pulmonic Stenosis, Shivering, Open Fontanel, Open Fontanel, Collapsed, Heart Murmur |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Vaccination Required | Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Rabies, Canine Distemper, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus |
Shedding | None to Minimal Shedding |
Drooling | Low Drooler |
Grooming | Easy and Minimal Grooming Required |
Weight Gain Potential | Average |
Separation Anxiety | High Chance |
Allergies | Skin Allergy |
Diets and Supplements | Protein: 22% Fat: 8% Fish Oil Glucosamine Probiotics |
Chihuahua dogs are more prone to injury resulting from their tiny size rather than illness or diseases. So whether Chihuahua lives a long life or not is dependent on how careful you are to keep them safe. They are very prone to loose knee joints and to dental diseases. The following conditions may affect Chihuahua dogs:
- Patellar luxation: It occurs when the dog’s patella is dislocated from its normal anatomic position.
- Hypoglycemia: It is a condition in which the blood sugar decreases to below normal levels.
- Heart murmur: It is a condition of more severe heart conditions like a congenital heart defect.
- Pulmonic stenosis: It is a fixed obstruction of flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
- Collapsed trachea: It is the cause of airway obstruction in dogs.
Different Colors Of Chihuahuas
Chichuchua dogs are found in following different colors:
- Black
- White
- Fawn
- Chocolate
- Cream
- Gold
Puppies
Chihuahua dogs can give birth to 2 to 5 puppies. Train puppies from early time with positive reinforcement training methods.
Cost Of Chihuahua Puppies
The average cost of the chihuahua puppy startsfrom about $300 USD.
Size
The height of Chihuahua is 15-23 cm and the average weight is 1.5 to 3 kg.
Which dog breed are they similar to?
Chihuahua are similar to following breeds:
Visit Doglime to know more about different dog breeds.
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