General Information

Dog NameChihuahua
Other NamesChi-chi
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypeLap
GroupToy
Breed ForCompanion
ExtinctNo
Country of OriginMexico

Physical And Size

SizeSmallest
Min Life Span12
Max Life Span14
Min Ideal Weight for male1
Max Ideal Weight for male2
Min Ideal Weight for female1
Max Ideal Weight for male2

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

TemperamentSassy, Alert, Independent
Prey DriveYes
Fighting DogNo

Friendliness

Stranger FriendlyLow
Child FriendlyHigh
Cat FriendlyMedium
Dog FriendlyMedium
Office FriendlyMedium
Apartment FriendlyHigh
Senior Citizens FriendlyHigh
Service DogHigh
Search and Rescue DogHigh
Biting PotentialHigh
Country of OriginMexico
Nicknames and Other NamesChi, Chi-chi
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred (lap dog)
GroupToy Group
Bred ForCompanion dog
SizeSmall-sized
Recognized ByAKC, UKC, ANKC, NZKC, KC, CKC, FCI
Life Span14-18 years
Ideal Weight2-6 pounds
Ideal Height6-9 inches
Fur TypeDouble coated, soft, glossy
Common ColorsBlack, Blue and Tan, Black and Tan,
Chocolate and Tan, Chocolate, Red, Fawn,
Fawn and Tan, Cream
MarkingsBlack Mask, Black Brindle, Black Sabling,
White markings, Spotted on white,
Merle markings
AvailabilityWidely available
AchievementsFeatured in many movies
Suitable for ApartmentsYes
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToPapillon

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 the 1930s and 1940s when it came with the dance king and Latin music bandleader Xavier Cugat. Since the 1960s the Chihuahua has been one of the popular breeds. Today they rank 11th among the 155 breeds.

Are They Child-Friendly?

Yes, the Chihuahua dogs are child-friendly because they are fun-loving, energetic, loyal and they make great watchdogs. With this breed, the owner should worry more about their pet, since they are small and may get knocked or wrapped up under your child’s feet.

Video of Chihuahua Dogs Playing With Babies.

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.

temperament of Chihuahua dog.
Chihuahua dogs with the owner. Image Source: Instagram @the_cheshire_chihuahuas

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.

A video of the training method of Chihuahua dog.

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 HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesPatellar Luxation, Pulmonic Stenosis,
Shivering, Open Fontanel, Open Fontanel,
Collapsed, Heart Murmur
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredCanine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Rabies,
Canine Distemper, Canine Parainfluenza,
Kennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus
SheddingNone to Minimal Shedding
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingEasy and Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialAverage
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesSkin Allergy
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuWoweUhhLw/
Chihuahua puppy

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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