Chihuahuas: Little Philosophers

Chihuahua is a small dog with a big heart. These crumbs easily adapt to the interests of the owner and the environment. The Chihuahua is easy to transport, a pleasure to see in all pet-friendly hotels, and is always popular at social gatherings. Recently, Chihuahuas have been actively conquering the world of gloss, driving around in stellar handbags, and actively participating in magazine photoshoots.

Brief Information

• Breed name: Chihuahua
• Country of origin: Mexico
• Weight: 0.5-3 kg
• Height (height at the withers): 15-23 cm
• Life span: 11-14 Years

Highlights

• They behave boldly with larger dogs. Barking on a 50-kg Sheepdog for Chihuahua is a common thing.
• They are good at getting along with other pets if the animals agree to accept their authority.
• Ideal companions, ready to accompany the owner wherever possible.
• They are playful and active, but often require increased attention to their own person.
• Experiencing strong affection for the owner and watching his every step.
• They easily adapt to any environment and can be content with rare and short walks, and, if necessary, do without them completely.
• They do not agree to put up with the loneliness and long absences of the owner.
• They are very touchy and prone to frequent outbursts of jealousy.
• Chihuahuas are fully mature by the first year of life.

Origin Story

Small dogs originated in Mexico, where the Toltecs, a mysterious people, appeared in the Middle Ages. The Indians and priests of this tribe kept pets – they had dumb dogs with long hair. These dogs were sacred to them and participated in various rituals and holidays. After the death of the owner, they were sacrificed, because it was believed that the dog took away the sins of the deceased.

None of the scientists saw these dogs but only found their remains. It was only at the end of the 19th century that the Mexicans managed to find them in the wild forests. Dogs were caught and sold, which brought good money to sellers. They were bought by both the Americans and the Mexicans. The first exhibition of this breed took place in 1884 in Philadelphia. Then this tiny dog ​​was officially introduced.

Soon a representative of this breed was presented by the President of Mexico to the famous singer Adeline Patti. Arista received a huge bouquet of flowers with a cute dog inside. After this incident, Chihuahuas gained even more popularity.

Many people are used to calling Chihuahuas useless dogs, but in reality, they are not. Thanks to their excellent hearing, they can help their deaf hosts. There is a Chihuahua named William in the world. For more than ten years he has served his deaf master, informing him of phone calls and other important notifications.

Description of the Breed

This mini breed has a very elegant appearance and compact body. The dog’s skull is small, widens at the base, narrows at the nose. The nose is short and neat, looks up.

Chihuahuas have beautiful and large eyes, mostly dark in color. The large, erect ears are rounded at the top. The back is muscular, the chest is voluminous. The dog’s tail is set high, it is rather long and thick, rounded upwards.

The front legs of dogs are long and straight, they do not have muscle mass, they are very thin and weak, unlike the hind legs, which are strong, with well-developed joints.

Coat and Color

According to the type of coat, Chihuahuas are divided into long-haired and short-haired. The former has a soft, silky coat with a smooth or slightly wavy structure with a small amount of undercoat. The longest guard hair grows in the neck, ears, paws, and the back of the limbs.

The color is very different – red, light red, black, chocolate, white, brindle, and even lilac. The most unusual is considered to be a silvery gray with a bluish tint. It is very rare, and such representatives are not vaccinated, because this can lead to serious illness.

Temperament

Chihuahua is a little philosopher who has absorbed the wisdom of his ancient ancestors, who has learned to understand and accept life in all its manifestations. These babies differ from other dwarf breeds by their calmness and poise: they will not be hysterical for any trivial reason and do not shake from an excess of emotions in a feverish “chill”. Adults behave seriously and a little arrogantly, which does not fit at all with their “pocket” dimensions. In general, Chihuahuas are very similar to humans: each animal has a whole set of unique character traits that make it unlike other representatives of its own genus.

Representatives of this breed are very proud, therefore, they respond to their disrespectful attitude with cold contempt. These “Mexican Amigos” adore their own owners to the point of madness. Whatever the dog does in the presence of the owner, it does it with only one purpose – to get his approval. Passionate love for the owner is accompanied by no less intense jealousy. To be sure of the veracity of this statement, it is enough to stroke or treats another dog in front of the pet.

Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs that quickly recognize lies and pretense. They also quickly learn the temperament of their masters, which helps the animals actively gain trust and sometimes openly manipulate their bipedal friend. They are also extremely curious, so they like to “scan” all human activity. If you’re busy in the kitchen, the Chihuahua will almost certainly end up somewhere on par with your slippers. Relaxing in front of the TV? You can be sure: you have long “under the gun” of the pet sitting in the next chair.

Most dogs of this breed need to create their own small house. In particular, Chihuahuas know how to build a den from a sofa blanket or accidentally forgotten T-shirt in a matter of seconds. Usually, the dog makes a kind of hole in them, into which it climbs in order to hide from the outside world and calmly reflect.

There is an opinion among breeders that long-haired Chihuahuas have a peaceful disposition, while their short-haired brothers are more active and stubborn. There are also many exceptions to this rule.

Despite their more than modest size, the descendants of Chihuahuas are considered notable badass. According to breeders, it is much easier to make a Chihuahua angry than a pit bull. Moreover, these tiny villains with renewed vigor stand up to protect the owner. Chihuahua will not be scared by the physical and numerical superiority of the enemy, because in the event of a threat, he completely loses his sense of reality, showing incredible heroism for his complexion. Animals frankly dislike strangers, so for every guest who appears on the doorstep, they have a fair share of discontent in store, expressed in barking, and sometimes in biting the feet of the “stranger”.

Training

At one glance at Chihuahuas, you want to constantly caress and pamper them, but certainly not to train them. And yet, refusing to train an animal is a serious mistake. The optimal age to start training is 2-3 months. By this time, the puppies are already able to master the complexities of the simplest commands. In general, Chihuahua training is aimed at the earliest possible socialization of the dog and instilling in its norms of behavior, and not at teaching complex circus tricks. An exception is programmed for individuals of the show class, future participants in exhibitions. Here the puppy will have to be taught to stand calmly, adequately perceive the environment, and also demonstrate teeth and bite. If you really want to show off to your friends the acrobatic performance performed by the Chihuahua, you can train your pet in somersaults over the back and jumping over low barriers.

Chihuahuas are capable students. Of course, without the manifestation of stubbornness on the part of the pet, it will not do, so you need to be patient and prepare the puppy’s favorite treats in advance.

Shouting and physical violence are categorically unacceptable. The first one causes a strong feeling of stress in the animal, because of which the representatives of this species make “puddles” in the wrong place, and the second one is often completely fraught with a serious injury.

From the very first days, establish your own authority and do not let the baby violate the boundaries of your possessions, in particular, jump on the bed. Despite the fact that the descendants of Chihuahuas are considered dogs of the same owner, a properly raised animal must obey each member of the family. Well, in order for the puppy to learn this lesson, let him know that he will not be praised for not following the command – whoever gave it.

Conditions of Detention

Chihuahuas are relatively unpretentious dogs, easily getting used to both living in a small apartment and in an elite mansion, but you still have to work on arranging a separate corner for a four-legged newcomer. In particular, the puppy needs to purchase a comfortable bed or house, in which he would have the opportunity to be “alone with his own thoughts.” The food bowl must match the dimensions of the animal, as well as the toys purchased for it.

Since the representatives of this breed are distinguished by a fragile physique, they will have to be monitored constantly. Even a simple jump off the couch or accidentally overturning a vase can cause serious fractures for your dog. In the off-season and in winter, Chihuahuas are very cold, so insulated blankets-overalls will come in handy. In addition, due to natural curiosity, little “Mexicans” often gnaw on small objects. Accordingly, household chemicals should be hidden away from them, as well as shoes and electrical wires.

Hygiene

Too frequent water procedures do not in the best way affect the condition of the dog’s coat, making it brittle and overdried, therefore, short-haired individuals are bathed no more than once every 3-4 months, and long-haired ones – once every 1-2 months. In the process of bathing, the ears of the animal are covered with cotton swabs to prevent water from getting inside. Dry the wool with a towel or hairdryer.

Brush the Chihuahua with a soft brush every 2-3 days. The secretions that accumulate in the corners of the dog’s eyes are removed with a cotton pad soaked in water or cool tea. The ears are supposed to be examined once a week. The accumulated contamination in them is removed with the help of veterinary lotion and a cotton swab. Claws are cut every 7-10 days with the smallest claw cutter. By the way, the dogs themselves hate this procedure, so if the process is carried out at home, the second assistant will not be superfluous. Carefully monitor the Chihuahua’s mouth by removing plaque that accumulates in it with a cotton swab.

Feeding

Chihuahuas have a sensitive digestive system, so feeding only dry food negatively affects the dog’s health. Try to alternate between wet and dry foods, favoring the highest quality varieties. The daily ration for a Chihuahua is calculated according to the principle: 60-70 g of feed per kilogram of animal weight, that is, the total weight of breakfast and dinner for a two-kilogram individual should not exceed 150 grams.

It is recommended to feed those who adhere to the natural diet of Chukhuahua with lean meat (beef, veal), fermented milk products, and cereals, and the meat must be heat-treated. Once a week, your pet can be treated with boiled offal (liver, lungs, heart, kidneys), fish fillets (only heat-treated sea fish), and an egg. A couple of times a month they give boiled chicken meat without skin. Of cereals, the priority is buckwheat, rice, and corn. Vegetables are served both raw and steamed. You can prepare some semblance of a salad by chopping a raw vegetable on a grater, lightly seasoning it with sour cream or vegetable oil. The fruit is used as a treat or reward. In addition, it is useful to mix vegetable oils, bone meal, and fish oil into food, as sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Strictly contraindicated:

• pork, as well as any raw meat;
• sweets and confectionery;
• fried and fatty foods;
• milk;
• river fish;
• legumes and nuts;
• savory and salty dishes;
• bones.

Chihuahua puppies eat up to 6 times a day, three-month-old babies – 3-4 times, half-year-old animals – 2-3 times. It is preferable to feed babies under the age of one year with the same food that he ate in the nursery or from the previous owner. Change the diet smoothly.

Adult animals are fed twice a day. In between meals, the Chihuahua can be given rye toast or a special bone. Older dogs are often switched to one meal a day to avoid gaining excess body weight.

Chihuahua and Children

The cute appearance of the Chihuahua gives children a false idea of ​​the dog as a living toy. In fact, the pet will not tolerate someone’s whims and even more violence. The animal responds to a disrespectful attitude towards itself with resentment, and sometimes with aggression, therefore, leaving a dog as a nanny with a baby is a bad idea. Older children need to be explained that Chihuahuas are very fragile creatures, so you can’t start a comic fight with them or organize competitions in jumping out of bed.

Walks and Trips

For a walk, you need to purchase a leash or tape measure that will help control the dog’s behavior in case of danger. For travel and trips to the veterinarian, a carrier bag and a closed container are suitable, and, according to the breeders, the pets themselves prefer the first option. Chihuahuas can get nauseous in transport, so be sure to take motion sickness tablets with you, as well as a small container of drinking water. Pampers and bag/container liner will come in handy on long journeys (plane, train).

Health

Chihuahuas can live up to 20 years, although the average life expectancy of these crumbs is 12-15 years. In general, the descendants of Chihuahuas are in good health, however, in spring, autumn and winter, animals are allowed to walk only in clothes since representatives of this breed are prone to colds.

Diseases most common among Chihuahuas:

• allergy;
• hydrocephalus;
• problems with teeth (caries, periodontitis, pulpitis, retention cysts);
• hypoglycemia;
• urolithiasis disease;
• demodicosis;
• epilepsy;
• dysplasia of the mitral heart valve;
• pulmonary stenosis.

How to Choose a Puppy

Take a close look at your breed standard and resist the temptation to choose a Chihuahua based solely on the eye and coat color. Puppy health should always be more important. Avoid puppies with eye discharge, bad breath. Strict “no” to melancholic and cowardly children.

Buying a mestizo to save money is also not a good alternative. Most of these dogs have congenital genetic pathologies, in addition, they are characterized by mental instability. When choosing a Chihuahua puppy, its gender also plays an important role. Girls are picky and capricious. Boys, on the other hand, are more obedient and softer.

Pay attention to the weight of the future pet. A three-month-old puppy must not weigh less than 0.5 kg or more than 2.7 kg. The exception is the super mini-class animals. Adults of this variety weigh between 500 g and 1 kg and can fit in a teacup. However, keeping such dogs is more difficult.