Chihuahua Dog

Although it is not 100% true, most hypotheses suggest that the Chihuahua descends from the Techichi , a dog from the Toltec civilization of Mexico (from the 9th century) that was part of the companion dogs. In addition, references to dogs that are assimilated to Chihuahuas have also been found in the pyramids of Cholul and the ruins of Chichén Itzá, dating back to before 1503.

As we have already mentioned, it is a small, compact dog with quick movements . Their measurements at the withers vary between 15 and 25 centimeters, although some can reach 30. In addition, they usually weigh between 1.5 and 4 kg. So that you can get an idea of ​​what it is like, below we are going to present the most notable and common characteristics of the Chihuahua:

• The Chihuahua dog’s eyes are large and very round .
• Its skull is domed and, in fact, some areas of the top of its head may be soft because the bones have not fully joined together.
• Chihuahuas have a long tail with a high projection on the back .
• It is a breed of dog that has large, erect ears .

Types of Chihuahua

These measurements may vary when we encounter the two breeds of Chihuahua dogs that differ basically in size and in some physical aspects:

• The apple head chihuahua : it is the most common, its head has, as its name suggests, a shape similar to that of an apple that gives it a sweet and careful appearance. It has two large, separate ears, almost always in a straight position. In contrast to a large head and bulging eyes, its body is small and thin. At the end of its body we find a small tail that rotates on the back.
• The Deer Head Chihuahua : It is somewhat larger than the previous Chihuahua. The shape of the head is more elongated and in some cases resembles that of a small deer. They are somewhat taller and more stylized, although they still have a delicate and sweet appearance that we will fall in love with.

In addition to the physical characteristics of the Chihuahua, we also have two different types of coat :

• Long-haired Chihuahuas.
• Short-haired Chihuahuas.

Chihuahua colors

Chihuahuas can be of countless colors such as:

• White.
• Coffee.
• Black.
• Chocolate.
• Cream.

In addition to being tricolor, with lines and speckles . So that you can know more about the characteristics of the Chihuahua dog, we leave you the following AnimalWised post with the Colors of the Chihuahua .

The Chihuahua does not have a defined personality typical of the breed and depending on its education we can speak of an affectionate and tender dog or a somewhat malicious and cunning breed. He is a very intelligent and observant dog who likes to get his way. He is a very brave and devoted dog despite his small size. He is very devoted to his family and is always alert and restless, vigilant against any intruder.

Sometimes they can show jealous attitudes towards the relationships of those they consider their owners, although it is usually an easy problem to deal with. The Chihuahua seems not to be aware of its small size and can confront large people or dogs just to defend those it loves.

The Chihuahua will show devotion, in general, to the person who takes the most care of him on a daily basis and it is a very affectionate dog that will ask for your attention throughout the day. In general he is usually distrustful of strangers, he is a territorial and possessive dog with his owners, but he does not usually show surly or violent attitudes. He is a curious dog who will easily accept love and care.

The Chihuahua dog does not always accept the company of other pets, although it usually coexists wonderfully with dogs of the same breed or size. To encourage a sociable dog, we must start playing with other pets from when it is a puppy, although it does not matter if we start its education late, with patience we can achieve great goals.

It is a dog that adapts perfectly to urban life and will have no problems living in a small apartment. Even so, the Chihuahua is very restless and nervous, we must take him for a walk at least twice a day so that he can exercise as well as play with him inside the home.

To give you an idea of ​​the more specific care it needs, we are going to see them below:

• Chihuahua feeding : being a toy dog ​​breed, the Chihuahua’s diet will be more “limited” or “shorter” than that of a large breed dog, for example. To understand this, although the Chihuahua has a lot of energy, it does not need large amounts of food because it has a small stomach. In any case, you have to feed him several times a day, at least three . To give you an idea, the Chihuahua eats around 24 grams of food per day . If we are not careful with the amount of food it can be dangerous for the dog, since the Chihuahua is a breed of dog with a tendency to be overweight or obese.
• Exercise : as we have mentioned in the previous lines, Chihuahuas need at least two walks a day and, if possible, between 20 or 30 minutes of daily exercise .
• Hygiene : in general, and especially those with short hair, they are sensitive to cold due to their small size. You can buy him clothes in his size to keep him warm in winter, especially if he lives in a cold environment. On the other hand, being a small breed it will not require daily or weekly baths, we will simply have to bathe it once a month with warm water and a specific shampoo for its hair type. Do not pamper him excessively, the Chihuahua is a very smart dog that will not hesitate to become fragile, capricious or extremely nervous if we give in to all his requests.

Finally we add that the Chihuahua is a dog that has a tendency to obesity , for this reason it is important that we know the type of diet that this pet requires to prevent future diseases or problems.

If you want to know more how to care for a Chihuahua dog, we recommend reading this other article on Chihuahua Care .

They are a long-lived dog as they can live up to 18 years or more if they are kept healthy and in shape. In any case, there are a series of diseases that can affect them throughout their lives. We will now detail the most common diseases of Chihuahuas :

• Split palate.
• Epilepsy .
• Disc herniation .
• Secondary glaucoma.
• Dislocation.
• Hydrocephalus .
• Hemophilia A.
• Heart problems.

It requires a regular veterinarian who is knowledgeable about its needs as a pet, for this reason we recommend taking it with a certain regularity and following its vaccination schedule .

In the brain we find the fontanels, a soft point that they have in the skull and they are born with it incomplete, which is formed during their growth. It is also important that you monitor your eyes to avoid eye infections.

The bases of raising a healthy and social Chihuahua begin by socializing them from an early age with both people and other pets. It is super important that you follow this advice to avoid an antisocial dog, with inappropriate and unsociable behavior. You must learn to live in harmony with animals, children and adults. That will help you enjoy the beach, the mountains and leaving it with the children without any worry.

Remember that for a dog to be calm and behave well, the people in your home must foster this climate of harmony and mental well-being that every living being needs.

It is important that you decide when to eat, walk or sleep; the Chihuahua is a smart dog that will try to receive endless rewards and attention. Set limits and reward him only when he deserves it and has appropriate behavior.

Are you thinking about adopting a chihuahua? As we have seen, Chihuahuas can be exceptional dogs if we provide them with the necessary care, both physical and emotional.