Chihuahua

Dog Breed Profile

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Stats:
• High energy level
• Low exercise needs
• Not very playful
• Mildly Affectionate
• Shy towards other dogs
• Friendly around other pets
• Shy around strangers
• Easy to train
• Great watchdogs
• Not very protective
• Low grooming requirements
• High tolerance to heat
• Low tolerance to cold

Overview:

The Chihuahua is a dog breed intended for devotion usually to one person. They can be good family pets if children are gentle with them, but they can be temperamental pets. They are great for the city because even though they have lots of energy they do not require a lot of exercise. These tiny dogs will attempt to be protective, but their bark is louder than their bite.

This small toy breed is an extremely intelligent dog, alert and similar to a terrier in its attitude. The Chihuahua can have a smooth coat or a long soft coat with fringed ears. His size and coat makes him very sensitive to cold weather, but he does well in warm climates. Cold climates will require him to be properly dressed to go outdoors, if at all.

Cannot be expected to live outdoors or be outside when it’s cold out
Health conditions that need to be tested for are his knees and heart
Grooming needs include brushing every few days for the long coat
The Chihuahua is devoted and intelligent, playful animal that is easy to train
Has a great relationship with family members, young and old, not very protective but do make great watchdogs
The average size of a male is 6 to 9lbs and less than 6 inches tall
The average size of a female is 6 to 9lbs and less than 6 inches tall

Care & Health:

Perfect for apartment dwellers, the Chihuahua is happy to get his exercise indoors as he darts around, but he still appreciates a chance to go for a walk in nice weather.

If he’s a smooth coated dog you won’t have much grooming to do but if he’s a long coated dog he will need to be brushed a few times a week.

Major Health Concerns:

– none

Minor Health Concerns:

– pulmonic stenosis, hydrocephalus, patellar luxation, KCS, hypoglycemia

Test for:

– heart and knees

Life Span:

– 14 to 18 years

Additional information:

– a soft spot in the skull is common

Breed History:

Nobody can prove where the Chihuahua originated, whether he is a cross between a small Chinese dog and native dogs, or a native of South and Central America. It is known that they were often used in religious ceremonies, even being sacrificed and buried with a recently passed family member.

They were also very popular with the upper class members of society and were even named after the Mexican State of Chihuahua. Other theories behind their origins is that they were originally Chinese immigrants, abandoned after the Cortes defeated the Aztecs, and then took care of themselves for 300 years until they were rediscovered in 1850.

Their true popularity did not occur until an entertainer appeared with one of these dogs, and the rest, as they say, is history.