Chihuahua: description, species, nature and content

The smallest dog in the world has the most famous owners in the world. Chihuahuas are worn in bags by stars like Madonna, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. This Mexican thoroughbred dog is more than just a luxury toy.

Although there are different theories about the origin of the Chihuahua breed, it is almost certain that this breed comes from Mexico. In the province of Chihuahua in the north of the country, wild small dogs resembling purebred Chihuahuas still live to this day.

According to this theory, chihuahuas belonged to the sacrificial dogs of ancient Mexicans. People believed that Chihuahuas were the guides of souls to the afterlife, so they were often buried with the dead.

During excavations conducted in the Toltec settlements, the ancient tribes that lived in Mexico before the Aztecs arrived, many clay and stone figurines were found that resembled Chihuahua dogs. Most of these figures were found on the Yucatan Peninsula in one of the oldest Mayan cities - Chichen Itza. The city was founded around 530 AD e. However, the Toltec dogs were larger than the current breed.

In 1850, archaeologists discovered the grave of the Aztec prince in Mexico. A dog statue was found in it, which was very similar to a chihuahua. She pointed out to the scientists the sacred past of this breed.

An interesting theory about the origin of this breed was put forward by Czech dog handlers. They claim that in the pre-Columbian period, dogs that were favorites of the rulers of Prague were sent as gifts to the rulers of Mexico. After acclimatization, they became a Mexican breed and are now returning with a new name to Europe. The fact is that in the Czech Republic, for a very long time, there are small chihuahua-like small dogs with a straight head.

There is another theory that says that the Spaniards brought these animals with them during the conquest of Mexico in the 15th century. However, none of the above theories can be 100% confirmed or completely refuted.

The arrival of the Cortes conquistadors and the end of the Aztec world were also the end of the Chihuahua world. These dogs survived only because of their intelligence0 small size and because the invaders did not realize the religious significance of small dogs and did not exterminate them. Only because of this, the Chihuahuas remained almost unchanged until the mid-19th century.

At that time, farmers in the Mexican province of Chihuahua began to intensively sell these small dogs to the United States of America. Then their popularity began to spread throughout the world. Tourists were so attracted to small dogs with disproportionately large eyes and ears that they took them with them to all corners of America, as well as to Europe.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the American Kennel Club developed the first breed standard, and in 1923 the first club of its lovers appeared. To this day, the dogs of this club are leaders in world breeding.

Chihuahuas appeared on the European continent after the Second World War. In Germany, the first copies were registered in 1956, in Switzerland and Italy in 1963.

Today, chihuahuas are most popular in France, Germany and Spain. And no wonder, because it is one of the most interesting and very attractive breeds. Chihuahua is the perfect pet. A characteristic feature of these dogs is that they do not bark.

In 1952, the American Chihuahua Club decided to divide the breed into two varieties: long-haired and short-haired. Long-haired chihuahuas were crossed with a papillon, spitz and pekingese. The beginning of the short-haired appearance was laid by crossing with a black-brown terrier. However, to this day it is allowed to cross these species among themselves. At exhibitions, they are evaluated separately.

The British Chihuahua Club was founded in 1952. Initially, there were 8 dogs in the studbook. But their popularity grew from year to year. The British experimented by adding other breeds to them.

Although this dog is a representative of small breeds, it shows a high ability to adapt to the most extreme climatic conditions. She feels equally well both in hot Mexico, and in Canada and the Scandinavian countries.

Chihuahua is distinguished by an elongated stocky body, a long elastic neck and head, which resembles an apple in shape. On her head she has disproportionately large erect ears, on her muzzle there are large expressive eyes of a dark color and an upturned nose, which can be any color: black, pink or beige. A medium-sized tail is raised or has a curl almost touching the back. The tail can also be lowered in a semicircle.

An interesting fact is that the breed standard does not provide specific data on the growth of the dog at the withers. It is believed that its height should be no more than 20 cm. The size of the dog is usually determined by weight. The ideal weight of a chihuahua is between 1.5 and 3 kg. There are individuals weighing from 500 g to 1.5 kg. Among the owners of the most popular miniature dogs.

A distinctive feature of the Chihuahua is a very small stature. Comparing the individual lines of its breeding with each other, we can make sure that it is a very diverse breed, and some of its specimens have borrowed a lot from the Pekingese and other breeds.

Since the Chihuahua has a small head, their jaws are undeveloped and very weak - this affects the bite. The correct one should be scissor-shaped. However, a tick-shaped bite is also common. Recently it became known that the most powerful and reliable grip gives all the same tick-shaped bite.

There is also a separation of dogs in different colors:

• black monophonic;
• black and white;
• tan blacks;
• Chocolate
• tiger;
• sable - light brown or beige flowers;
• lilac, blue or reddish.

The ego of this little Mexican dog is huge. These pets are happy to be in the spotlight and often try to attract him with a clear bark.

Despite the fact that sometimes chihuahuas tremble, they are quite brave and even aggressive towards other dogs, many times superior to chihuahuas. This dog is inclined to overestimate his abilities, but his mind and temperament should not be underestimated.

A typical chihuahua is a brave, sometimes hyperactive, curious, attentive pet. This is a companion dog, she likes to be near her owner and does not tolerate strangers. Chihuahuas love to play, they need constant contact with the owner. In case of danger, these little dogs will not hesitate to protect him, even if they endanger themselves.

Dogs are quite peaceful but they do not have a very good relationship with young children. Chihuahuas try to stay away from them, they do not like noise, rudeness and can even bite a child. If a family with children decides to buy a small dog, it is advisable that the children be of school age.

Chihuahuas are quite spoiled pets. But even outside the comfortable bag of the owner, they remain full-fledged dogs who like to run along the street and get acquainted with the surroundings. The exception is rainy and cold weather.

A vibrant chihuahua is recommended professional training. This will help prevent some negative moments, such as a dog’s nervous barking or excessive self-confidence and selfishness. In addition, dogs of this breed lend themselves very well to training.

On average, these dogs live 12-20 years old. Moreover, females, as a rule, live about 1-2 years longer than males.

The life span of a chihuahua is influenced by many factors, such as proper care, the body characteristics inherent in this breed, the prevention of injuries (especially the head) and others. In general, Chihuahuas are considered hardy dogs that do not have serious health problems. Under favorable conditions, you can very well expect that your little friend will live a long time, at least by dog ​​standards.

However, there are nuances that you should pay attention to increase the life expectancy of pets of this breed.

• A 20-year study of canine mortality showed that 18% of the causes of death of Chihuahua are with cardiovascular disease. Although heart disease begins relatively late in the life of a Chihuahua (at about 14 years old), it remains a major factor in reducing the life expectancy of these dogs. The good news is that up to 70% of reported cases of heart disease in dogs of this breed are mitral valve degeneration.That is, a disease that can be prevented with proper nutrition and exercise.
• Hypoglycemia - A condition in which blood sugar is below normal. Although visually this does not always occur immediately, hypoglycemia over time causes a gradual deterioration in physical condition. It is very important that dogs are examined by a doctor when they look lethargic, sleep a lot, or are prone to tremors. Early treatment can stop the onset of this disease. Conversely, if left untreated, the life expectancy of a Chihuahua will be significantly reduced.
• Other violationsthat can reduce the duration or quality of life of your pet - patella dislocation, von Willebrand disease, hydrocephalus and retinal diseases (you should take care to prevent eye diseases and prevent tearing in time.)

To increase the life span of your pet, several factors must be considered.

• A healthy diet is your number one weapon in preventing cardiovascular disease. Chihuahua dogs often ask for delicious “human food”. In this case, it is important to be hard. Make sure your little buddy gets nutritious and well-balanced dog food, and minimize unnecessary treats.
• Dogs need daily walks. But the distance and their intensity should be much less than what is required for a larger dog.
• Because of their miniature size, dogs may need the help of a veterinarian during childbirth.
• In connection with a certain anatomical feature of the structure of the head of a Chihuahua, in which many dogs do not fully heal the bones of the skull (fontanel formation), any head injury can lead to sudden death. Therefore, it is advisable not to allow close communication between your pet and larger dogs. Also, do not take the dog to a family with small children. They may accidentally injure the dog.
• Prevention is better than cure. Make sure that your furry companion undergoes a health check every year and that he receives all vaccinations (vaccinations against leptospirosis, parvovirus and dog flu are especially important).
• Chihuahuas are prone to dental problems. Persistent oral health problems can lead to infection, and as a result, increase the likelihood of fatal diseases.
• Finally, sterilization offers many benefits. It reduces the risk of cancer, reduces aggressiveness, and minimizes the chance of a dog escaping from home.

As already mentioned above, there are long-haired and short-haired chihuahuas. Longhair has soft, long hair, smooth or slightly wavy, hairy ears and a tail down.

The short-haired chihuahua has a short thick fur that gently adheres to the body. There is even such a short-haired individual that it can look like a bald one.

A deer-headed chihuahua is a deer, a slightly less popular breed. The head of such a dog is elongated, the muzzle is narrower. In addition, the dier's body is relatively elongated. Unlike their brethren, these dogs have longer limbs. It is also important that diers have fewer genetic problems than other subspecies of the breed. This makes them the healthiest dogs of all Chihuahuas.

A chihuahua with an apple-like head got its name due to the shape of the skull, which is similar to an apple. Such Chihuahuas are most often taken as a pet.At exhibitions, a well-defined rounded head in the shape of an apple is the main breed requirement, which is considered when determining the true representative of a chihuahua. Like most species of this breed, their coat color varies.

Dogs of this subspecies often suffer from hydrocephalus. Their eyes are bulging out of their sockets. If you plan to purchase such a dog, be sure to check whether it has hydrocephalus.

One of the exotic subspecies is the so-called "A dog in a cup." This category includes Chihuahuas that have a length of less than 23 cm and a weight of less than 2.3 kg. This dog looks and behaves the same as his big brothers. The only thing that distinguishes it is its size.

The significance of belonging to a particular species is determined only from an economic point of view, because in our country, short-haired chihuahuas are less common and, therefore, are more expensive (on average by about 10-30%). If you want such a dog, then it will be much more profitable to purchase it from a foreign breeder.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of dog foods. There is dry and wet food, food for puppies and adult dogs. You can buy regular, organic or gluten-free food. Also, the choice is represented by special feeds that take into account the particular health of the animal.

Finding the best food for your dog among the many options available is no easy task. All the more difficult because not every Chihuahua can eat the same. In the end, the appropriate diet consists of many factors, such as age, weight, level of physical activity, gender and health status of the dog.

The first factor determining the quality of food is label ingredients. Good food should contain large amounts of animal protein and therefore meat. After all, even such a small dog is primarily a predator. Its digestive system is adapted to digest meat and bones.

Raw meat is also easily digestible. Dog's cereal components are poorly digested, especially in large quantities. Moreover, wheat often causes allergies in dogs. Also in chihuahua food there should be no sugar.

Other important ingredients are vegetables that are necessary for the dog to get vitamins. When choosing food, you should pay attention to the given values ​​of vitamins and minerals. Often, manufacturers supply their food with additional portions of vitamins, which can lead to their overdose.

Dry food is more economical and contains less fat than wet. Wet food may contain more preservatives, but it may contain more moisture, so when feeding dry food, special attention should be paid to the drinking regime of the Chihuahua.

It is more reasonable to combine dry and wet food in the dog's diet, but not during one feeding. The dog digests wet and dry food at different speeds, their combination can cause indigestion.

A good alternative could be dishes of fresh raw meat and vegetables. Their advantage is that they contain all the natural vitamins and minerals that are often lost during the production of ordinary foods.

Chihuahuas are considered dogs that are hardy and do not have serious health problems. However, there are nuances to which you should pay attention.

• One of the features of this breed is a characteristic body tremor. It is found in both long-haired and short-haired dogs, although they are not prone to colds.
• Because of their small size, dogs need the help of a veterinarian in the field of obstetrics.
• Another feature is that the fontanel does not overgrow in dogs for a long time. A soft hole, as a rule, is delayed with age, but requires a lot of attention and care.
• It is worth taking care of the prevention of ophthalmic diseases, as well as in time to prevent the appearance of lacrimation.
• It is also necessary to monitor the growth of teeth in young dogs and prevent the formation of tartar.
• Caring for a long haired chihuahua requires regular brushing. Brushing short hair may be limited by periodically brushing with a rubber brush. It is also recommended to bathe the dog using a special shampoo several times a year or as the fur becomes dirty.
• Dogs of this breed have a genetic tendency to neurological and anatomical abnormalities (dislocation of the patella). It is necessary to look after the dog while walking.
• Due to low body weight, the nails do not wear out as fast as they should. Once a month you need to trim the claws.

Despite their miniature size and apparent fragility, dogs are distinguished by good health and resistance to disease. They often live to the age of 16 years. On average, their life expectancy is 10-18 years.

Chihuahua - a dog, unsuitable for life on the street. She feels better at home. Therefore, in cold weather, you must put on it, for example, a sweater. Due to its size, do not leave it unattended in open spaces, as it may become a victim of other animals. And if you don’t put on a dog’s muzzle, then a collar with a leash is a necessary thing.

Chihuahuas do not like moisture. Baths can be organized for them several times a year, but the individual characteristics of the dog must also be taken into account (tendency to wallow in the mud). For the bath, special shampoos are used for short-haired or long-haired dogs, which are usually recommended for the Chihuahua breed.

All reputable trainers agree that Chihuahuas are as trained as other dogs. They are very smart, curious, the learning process gives them pleasure. Especially if you take into account that classes are held in company with your beloved host.

To achieve good training results and obtain satisfaction from the process it is necessary to take into account the features of this breed. For example, dog size, character, age. The pet's daily regimen should also be respected.

Working with a dog in the process of learning new skills is a great way to establish contact with it and strengthen relationships. Further training in simple tricks will further strengthen this connection.

It has been verified that Chihuahuas can easily perform the same tricks as larger dogs. To teach a chihuahua to sit, to give a paw (say hello), to roll over on a command, one needs sufficient practice and patience. She could well learn a much longer list of tricks.

The main thing is to start the training gradually with simple tasks. First, teach a Chihuahua to do simple tricks. This will lay the foundation for more complex teams and for a strong relationship with her. Chihuahuas are often underestimated because of their size, but they are incredibly smart and love working for a treat.

Show the dog how to perform a particular action, you need in a playful way. This can be done by encouraging good behavior and proper performance of the trick with a tasty treat.The optimal training time for the puppy should not exceed 15 minutes.

Having mastered the basic principles of obedience, such as "Sit", "place" and "lie"Chihuahua is ready to master other simple commands. You can start with almost any trick, but “give a paw”, “circle” and “crawl” are some of the funniest.

To get started, you don’t need too much, just have:

• quiet place to work;
• tasty training treats for dogs;
• a word meaning praise, for example, "well done" or "yes";
• a little patience.

If you take an adult dog into the family, you need to consider many factors. The chihuahua may never have studied in the previous house, or she may have bad habits. Dogs can trick and hide their "troubles" if in the past they were severely punished. Or, conversely, they can shamelessly indulge right before the eyes of the new owners, if the previous owner never taught them.

Encouragement implies something good for a little puppy when he does the right thing, and ignoring bad behavior. Chihuahuas pay close attention to the reactions of their owners and are more likely to repeat the action if they receive a lot of praise and love for it.

When the kid on the street goes about his business in a suitable place, you need to praise him immediately. Timing is very important, so praising too soon or too late is not recommended. As soon as the chihuahua finishes his job, you need to praise him and pet. He will begin to associate verbal praise and physical affection with going outdoors. Since the baby wants to make his master happy, he will try to repeat this action.

Some trainers offer treats to dogs while training in the tray, but this is not always a good Chihuahua training strategy. Even if edible goodies are a form of encouragement, the dog may begin to associate food with going to the bathroom or start abandoning the toilet in the right place without refreshments.

The Chihuahua’s unique appearance - its small size and more proportionally large head - made him popular all over the world, but also caused some health problems.

Selection that determines the health status of dogs was often aimed at creating individuals with even larger ears and a shorter muzzle, which led to increased sensitivity of the eyes, problems with breathing and teething.

Other health problems appeared because breeders tried to breed smaller dogs. Individuals weighing only 500 g cannot protect themselves from infections or other diseases, while ordinary chihuahuas are naturally resistant, as evidenced by the fact that they survived on the streets of Mexico.

Unnaturally small representatives of the breed often get sick and die prematurely. Even at first glance, invisible viral diseases, manifested by diarrhea or vomiting, can endanger the life of such a dog.

Failure to comply with breeding rules and the rejection of disease prevention lead to the propagation of Chihuahua breeds with hereditary diseases. These include congenital malocclusion, premature tooth loss, heart valve problems, hydrocephalus, or patellar dislocation.

To reduce the risk of these diseases to a minimum, a potential buyer of a dog of this breed should be interested in acquiring an individual only from a certified professional breeder. She will have all the pedigree documents and all the necessary vaccinations. It should be understood that The prices for thoroughbred dogs, especially Chihuahuas, are high - serious breeding entails a lot of costs.

However, investing in a puppy from a good kennel is usually beneficial, as it prevents the possible subsequent costs of treatment and, of course, the suffering of a pet. It is also a guarantee of many years of joy from staying in the family of such a cute pet. A professional breeder with extensive experience is always ready to advise the owner.

Today you can buy Chihuahua Shorthair and Longhair. Long-haired chihuahuas are twice as numerous as short-haired dogs, despite the fact that the latter is considered more viable and strong.

Each particular breed of dog has its own characteristics that the breeder must know before participating in a breeding program. Chihuahua is a very popular breed of dog, therefore it requires great care and knowledge.

One scientific article described that some ancestors of a Chihuahua had a head resembling a deer, while others had apple-shaped skulls. Some breed lovers have also hypothesized that the “deer” head of a Chihuahua can occur due to the crossbreeding of a Chihuahua and a Chinese crested dog. Modern breeders focus on breeding an apple-headed Chihuahua, as this type is currently popularized and recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The Chihuahua breed, like other miniature dogs, has a tendency to puberty earlier than larger breeds. This is usually about 6 months old. Like any other breed, a female chihuahua should never breed in the first two or three estrus, because their fertility is then not high enough for a successful pregnancy.

Chihuahua males should be used for breeding as soon as they are fully mature - usually at the age of one or two years. It is worth waiting until the puppy is fully grown to assess whether it is a good sample for use in breeding.

The average litter size of Chihuahua puppies is 1 to 3 puppies. Rarely does a bitch of this breed give birth to more than 4 puppies.

To guess how many puppies a Chihuahua can bring, you need to understand that in dogs the litter size depends on many factors: the fertility and size of the female, the quality of the male sperm, their diet, health, etc.

Although Chihuahuas tolerate pregnancy and childbirth quite well, they may need obstetric care. Despite the fact that newborn puppies are very small, there are certain structural features of the female organism. It's related with the tiny size of a dog's pelvis. In addition, a very small uterus of a chihuahua may not open sufficiently during childbirth, so an emergency cesarean section may be required.

It is important to agree in advance with the veterinarian about a possible operation. In most cases, especially with a small number of puppies expected during childbirth, natural birth will occur without problems, but the breeder's job is to prepare for unusual situations.

Choosing a name for a dog is very important for its owner. Dogs are often given names from cartoons, films, series and books - Astra, Beethoven, White Fang, Bruiser, Droopy, Eddie, Goofy, Lucky, Hooch, HuckelbErry, Fan, Lampo, Lassie, Madison, Odi, Pankracy, Lightning, Pluto, Rex, Ren, Rin, Tin, Saba, Scooby Doo, Snoopy, Football, Bib, Toto, Tramp.

Chihuahua nicknames are often given by such: Fafik, Bubble, Bambi, Amor, Bucks, Coco, Mick, Buba, Posy, Timon, Pimpek, Rocky Nurja, Mickey, Ada, Gloria, Linda, Silva, Elsa, Tina Posi.

For puppies of girls take the following nicknames: Punia, Bella, Belle, Bilberry, Snowflake, Moon, Selena, Pusya, Fiona, Star, Violuna, Nika, Fredzia, Juli, Tuptusiya, Nana, Reika, Sweet, Jun, Amy, Mika, Bobusia , Lola, Kitka, Sue, Sarah.

For puppies of boys - Rocky, Mel, Nor, Fresh, Megan, Jean, Kesha, Britt, Brut, Gab, Sub, Busya, Funia, Rusy, Savaliy, Jess, Burt and others.

According to the owners, Chihuahuas are very active, self-confident and cocky dogs, who often try to show their courage during a walk.

Some people think that this breed has no shortcomings, others think that loud barking, hyperactivity, aggressiveness are its main disadvantages.

Nevertheless, most owners agree that the Chihuahua:

• dogs that do not require special care, but need constant attention;
• very unpretentious and comfortable breed, it can be carried everywhere with you;
• This is a wonderful pet and a loyal friend who is ready to follow the owner anywhere;
• This is a very smart, playful and affectionate dog that loves to learn new things.

About 10 interesting facts about the Chihuahua breed, see the video below.