Group: Toy
Weight: 6 Lbs.
Height: 6-9 Inches
History This breed of dogs is the oldest breed on the American continent and the smallest breed of dogs in the world. They are originally from Mexico, but nonetheless they seem to have been introduced by the Chinese. They were only brought to Europe at the end of the 19th century. Chihuahuas are named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. These dogs are apparently sacred to the Pre-Columbian Indian nations. The most esteemed dogs weigh under 2-1/4 pounds. Some of them can even stand on all fours paws in a person’s palm.
Characteristics
The Chihuahua is a very distinctive breed of dogs. They each have their own exclusive character – so there are only a few generalizations that can be made. They are lively, elegant and display a human-like look. Their existence span is the longest of any size dog.
Temperament
Being the smallest of the dog breeds, the Chihuahua is a dog that is energetic, loving, loving and amusing. These dogs love to both give and receive attention. They will follow you everywhere around the house, and love nothing more to nestle up on your lap. They are very intelligent and willing to please their owners. The Chihuahua is very receptive and good-humoured. It is important however to remember that the character of Chihuahuas can vary. Some may be very certain and gracious, and others may be reserved and aloof. Chihuahuas usually get very attached to their families, and they can also have a jealous streak when they feel they aren’t the centre of attention. The Chihuahua gets along well with older children, and they will tolerate other pets if they are properly socialized with them.
Care
These dogs have silky, short-haired coats and they should be gently brushed occasionally – or just simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The dogs with the longer coats should be brushed on a daily basis with a soft hair brush. These dogs should be bathed about once per month, and care should be taken to not get water into their ears. Their ears should be checked regularly and their nails should be kept trimmed. For more detailed info, take a look at the Chihuahua Grooming page.
Training
Chihuahuas can be quite difficult to train – but with enough persistence, love and consistency they tend to do well. They respond best to constructive reinforcement. Chihuahuas can be housetrained, either be the crate method or by the paper training method. Early, widespread, and thorough socialization is an absolute must for this breed of dogs.