Considered to be named after the Mexican state, the Chihuahuas are one of the oldest and the smallest breeds in America. There are two varieties of Chihuahua: a long haired Chihuahua and the short haired Chihuahua. Either way, these dogs are lovable and devoted to their families; the main reason people are so into Chihuahuas is that they are easy to be carried around and love to be pampered. As they the smallest breed of dogs in the world, they are the ultimate lap-dogs.
Whether long or short, Chihuahua’s coats can be red, tan, black, white or splashed and their big eyes help it stay aware of the surroundings. Chihuahua’s head can be “apple” or “deer” shaped; it is the only breed with a molera (soft spot) on its crown of its head staying with them for the whole life. Underneath, it is packed with the largest brain in the world relative to its size.
Chihuahuas are also known for their radar-dish ears which helps them get rid of excessive body heat and identify predators with outstanding sensitivity. The main reason why humans are crazy about Chihuahuas is their heart. They bond really well with their owners; they are a one person’s dog. They are portable, loving and sweet and very protective of their owners. Chihuahuas are great pets, but they can be high maintenance. They do need to exercise, they love to run around the house and they enjoy short walks but they should never be left alone in the yard: to birds of prey, it’s not dog, it’s lunch.
Chihuahuas often forget their size; they lack self-knowledge and have a false sense of toughness getting themselves into trouble with the big aggressive breeds. While they’re so cute and lovely, this small sized breed can come with some health problems, one of them being hypoglycemia. To avoid this, owners need to give them small amounts of food frequently to avoid that low blood sugar. Many Chihuahuas’ owners are guilty of overindulging this dog and that can lead to diabetes and knee dislocations. But compared to other breeds, the Chihuahuas are one of the healthiest dogs around and they live up to 18 years, if cared properly.
Grooming Chihuahuas it’s easy and they are low shedders. But their fragile frame and low body fat make them not very adaptable to environment. They usually get cold so they do better in warmer climates. Also, because of their delicate body, they are not safe with families with young children as the risk of being dropped on the ground exists. In training, starting early seems to be the best idea. They are very trainable when they are puppies but if you wait two or three years, things will get more difficult.
To sum up, the Chihuahuas:
– Prefer warm weather, they are sensitive to cold
– Are usually very healthy
– Need low maintenance
– Are easy to train when they are puppies
– Are not recommended to families with young children.
