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The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where it was discovered in 1850. Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal.
History: Chihuahuas were originally thought to be
descendants of an ancient, similar, but slightly larger breed
associated with royalty in Aztec civilizations known as the
Techichi. However, due to the lack of archaeological remains
it is now believed that Chihuahuas were brought to Mexico by
Spanish settlers.
The most current theory holds that Spanish merchants
brought Chihuahuas to Spain by way of their trade routes with
China and from there to Mexico. The well documented practice
in China of dwarfing both plants and animals is the basis for
the theory that Chihuahuas originated there.But another theory
is that they originated in Egypt and were traded into Spain
and later Mexico. Chihuahuas were first taken into the United
States by American visitors to Mexico.
Appearance: Chihuahuas are best known for their
small size and large erect ears.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes two varieties of
Chihuahua: the long-coat and the smooth-coat. Many smooth-coat
Chihuahuas have very thin hair, but other smooth coats have a
very dense, thick coat.
Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a
height, only a weight and a description of their overall
proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many
other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between six and ten
inches at the withers. However, some dogs grow as tall as
twelve to fifteen inches. AKC show dogs must weigh no more
than six lb (2.7 kg); the FCI standard calls for dogs ideally
between 1.5 and three kg (3.3 to 6.6 lb), although smaller
ones are acceptable in the show ring. However, pet-quality
Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions
rather than show dogs) can, and do, range above these weights,
to ten pounds or even more if they have large bone structures
or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean they
are not purebred Chihuahuas, it only means that they do not
meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversize
Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best and worst bloodlines.
Chihuahuas come in many colors, from solid blacks to solid
whites, spotted, or a variety of other colors like fawn (tan),
chocolate, blue (gray), silver, tricolored (chocolate, blue,
or black with tan and white markings), brindle, and merle. And
each of these colors vary in shades and tones, as fawn can be
a term to describe a tan dog from a very pale cream to a deep
(almost red) tan, or any shade in between, and the chocolate
coloration can range from a milky light shade of brown, to a
deep mahogony brown, to a dark brown that is almost black.
Temperament: Chihuahuas are prized for their
devotion and personality. Their alertness, intelligence and
size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments,
including the city and small apartments, and they often live
fifteen years or more. While Chihuahuas are often thought of
as high-strung and fragile, correct training and socialization
can result in an outstanding companion animal.
Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets
because of their size and physical fragility. However, many
Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly
jealous of that person's human relationships. However, this
can be mitigated by thorough socialization. Chihuahuas also
tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring
the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs. On the
other hand, Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own
size, and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can
result in injury.
Many Chihuahuas are sensitive to the cold due to their
small body size. Chihuahua owners often dress their dogs in
sweaters or coats in cold weather.
Health: This breed requires expert veterinary
attention in areas such as birthing and dental care.
Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often
neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders.
Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also prone to the
sometimes painful condition known as patella luxation.
Another genetic abnormality in Chihuahuas and toy breeds is
hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. This condition surfaces
in young puppies and often results in the death of a puppy by
the time that it reaches six months of age. It is thought that
this disease is often diagnosed by the pup having an
abnormally large head during the first several months of life,
but other symptoms are more noticeable (since "a large
head" is such a broad description). Chihuahua puppies
exhibiting hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets
rather than a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do
not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of
Hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the
prognosis is grim.
Chihuahuas are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in
their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born
with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age,
but great care needs to be taken during the first six months
until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not
familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a
molera with hydrocephalus. The Chihuahua Club of America has
issued a statement regarding this often deadly misdiagnosis.
Chihuahuas are also prone to eye infections due to their
large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground
clearance.
Chihuahuas exhibiting the Merle coloration , or out of
merle parents, are prone to myriad additional health
complications. The Merle coat pattern is a carrier of possible
severe eye conditions and blindness, deafness, hemophilia,
sterility, and numerous other health concerns. Buyers owning
or wishing to purchase a merle Chihuahua should do extensive
research on the possible health concerns of this coloration.
Nutrition: Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters,
and care must be taken to provide them with adequate
nutrition. At the same time, care must be exercised not to
overfeed this tiny breed. Overweight Chihuahuas are prone to
joint injuries, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and
shortened life span.
"Teacup" and "Deer-faced"
Chihuahuas: Along with "mini,"
"pocket" and "tiny toy",
"teacup" is sometimes used to describe Chihuahuas
and other dogs that are very small. These and similar terms
are not officially used by any kennel club or reputable
breeder, and are not breeds or specific types of Chihuahua. In
particular, all Chihuahuas are toy dogs; there is no such
thing as a "toy Chihuahua."
Some potential buyers seek extremely small animals; very
small dogs, however, are often runts. They may be unhealthy,
or undernourished, or, if otherwise healthy, may suffer
shortened life spans and health problems due to extreme
dwarfing. They are not normally suitable for breeding, and may
require special care. Some breeders of Chihuahuas purposely
attempt to breed very small animals, and increase the prices
of the smallest dogs, or specifically advertise tiny animals.
Most reputable breeders disapprove of such practices, pointing
out that it is difficult to predict the adult size of a given
puppy, and citing the other issues discussed above.
"Deer" or "deer-faced" are terms that
are sometimes used to describe Chihuahuas that do not have the
breed-standard apple-domed appearance. These terms are also
unofficial.
Famous Chihuahuas:
Tinkerbell Hilton, Paris
Hilton's pet, and author of "Tinkerbell Hilton
Diaries"
Bruiser, Elle Woods' pet in the Legally Blonde movies
Gidget, the Taco Bell mascot
Ren Höek, of Ren and Stimpy fame
Wheely Willy, a motivational "speaker"
Tito from Oliver & Company
Taquito, the University of Puerto Rico's School of
Medicine volleyball mascot
The Spooky Chihuahua from Invader Zim
Pepito, Xavier Cugat's chihuahua immortalized in the
children's book Pepito the Little Dancing Dog: The Story
of Xavier Cugat's Chihuahua.
Godzilla, a South Texas chihuahua that has won many
awards in regional dog shows, and is now famous in its
statewide commercials.
Coco, Cesar Millan's The actor, dog behaviorist of The
dog whisper by National Geographics.
Pancho, the "heart-broken" dog of the Fullers
in the movie Big Momma's House 2.
Lou, a chihuahua featured on the television show The
Soup.
Clay, the current longhaired Chihuahua ambassador.
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