Chihuahua Breed Information

Chihuahua Personality

This is a charming, curious, alert, and clean breed. Extremely affectionate toward those it considers family and is reserved with others. The Chihuahua prefers to be the head of the household, but it will tolerate others, once adjusted. It can be very temperamental. View our Chihuahua Puppies for sale.

Chihuahua Puppies

Small litters, generally from 1 to 4 puppies. Mothers often have difficulty whelping. Warmth should be provided for puppies, such as from a heating pad covered by a towel or blanket. As with all toy breeds, puppies develop very rapidly

Comments about Chihuahuas

The history of the Chihuahua is quite speculative. The modern breed, discovered in about 1850 in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, is believed to have descended from a small dog known to the Toltec Indians of Mexico in the 9th century. Some authorities think the Aztecs developed the Chihuahua by crossing a breed called techichi with a small, hairless dog that came to Mexico from Asia. Others trace the breed to the Spanish dogs that accompanied Hernando Cortes and his armies in 1519. According to Indian legends, these little dogs had great religious significance. Archeologists working in Mexico and the southern United States have in fact unearthed dog bones buried in graves alongside their masters. It is said that dogs with blue coats were sacred, while those with red coats were sacrificed on the funeral pyre in the belief that the sins of their masters would be transferred to the dog, allowing the soul to make the trip to the hereafter untarnished.

Chihuahua Potential Health Problems

Fairly healthy overall. Moves rather uncertainly. In some dogs, soft spot in skull does not close; a blow in this area can produce serious damage or death. Bones are easily broken. Low blood sugar. Some older dogs subject to heart disease, arthritis, bleeding disorders, gum ailments, slipped stifle, and epilepsy.

Care and Exercise for the Chihuahua

Ears, nails, and teeth must be attended to weekly. For both coat varieties, brushing with a medium or soft brush twice a week will make frequent bathing unnecessary. Minimal exercise needed; allowing dog to move about freely in apartment or room is sufficient. Avoid overexposure to extreme weather conditions, since this breed lacks the resistance of larger dogs. Coat needs a great deal of attention. It stains easily, particularly around eyes and mouth. Bathing essential at least once a week. Brushing unclean hair is detrimental, making it harder to keep dog clean later. Coat may discolor. For show purposes, the hair on head may be done in topknot and tied with a ribbon, or it may be left hanging; it should be brushed out and redone every day. Nonshow pets can be trimmed, but some of the dog’s beauty is lost with trimming. Breed requires little exercise and in fact should not go outdoors in bad weather, but be paper-trained. Indoor play provides sufficient exercise. Avoid excess heat and chills. Low body bulk leaves all toys vulnerable to the effects of weather.

Chihuahua Recommendations

The ultimate lapdog, this breed responds well to comfort and companionship. It is definitely not an outdoor dog, although it does like a short run in warm weather. Quick to learn, and easily paper-trained. Because it is fragile, the Chihuahua is not for small children.

Chihuahua Ideal Appearance

Very small; tiniest dog breed. Should not weigh more than 6 pounds, with 2 to 4 pounds preferred. Although standard does not specify height, dogs usually measure about 5” tall. Apple- domed skull, with or without molera (soft spot on top of head where bones have not joined). Large ears. Back is slightly longer than height. Long sickle (looped) tail. 2 coat varieties: Smooth- coated dogs have soft, close-fitting hair with ruff on neck; long-coated dogs (roughs) have soft, long hair with fringe on ears and feathering on legs and tail; either variety can have undercoat. Permissible colors: any color in any combination, from sand-white to blue, mole, or black; tan markings acceptable. Eyes usually dark; light eyes acceptable with light coat.

Suited to Urban Life: HIGH
Good Watchdog: NO
Exercise Advisable: LOW
Grooming Care: LOW
Size Group: TINY