Mary Allen
As the smallest dog in the world, the Chihuahua deserves the loudest “Hurrah!” Huge is its courage, its eternal loyalty, and the “hardest” its cleverness since it has the largest brain of all pedigree dogs. The Chihuahua belongs to the FCI Group 9 of Companion and Companion Dogs, Section 6, and as such is now popular all over the world. He is Mexican and a small dog in which a lot of great things are still slumbering.
Chihuahua Dog Breed
Size: 15-23cm
Weight: 2.5-3kg
FCI Group: 9: Companion and Companion Dogs
Section: 6: Chihuahueño
Country of origin: Mexico
Colors: Any color or combination of colors except Merle
Life expectancy: 13-18 years
Suitable as: Companion and companion dog
Sports: agility, dog dancing
Temperament: Attentive, Devoted, Fast, Brave, Lively
Leaving requirements: low
Low drool potential
The thickness of hair rather small
Maintenance effort: low
Coat structure: short hair: short, close-fitting, soft and shiny/long hair: fine, silky, plain or slightly wavy and little undercoat
Child friendly: yes
Family dog: rather yes
Social: rather no
Origin and breed history
The “Chi”, as the Chihuahua is affectionately called, most likely comes from Mexico. In any case, it has been bred there by the Mexicans since the 19th century in order to sell it to foreigners as a “souvenir”. After all, it was the Americans who established the breed status and made the little companions well-known.
His history is not certain. Some claim that he is descended from the Aztec dogs, others deny this “lordly” ancestral line. Other versions also see him as a native of Malta or as one of the first Chinese “sacred” quadrupeds. There are a number of legends about the little Chihuahua, and cruel rituals in the form of sacrificial rites in early advanced cultures make lovers of the breed shudder. Secret ceremonies where the little dog was the victim.
In the course of history, the intelligent four-legged friends have acted as circus artists, as handbag companions, or as lively figureheads for celebrities who still needed “something” in their arms in front of the camera. Everywhere in the world, they are loved and pampered, cared for, and mourned in everyday life.
Nature and temperament of the Chihuahua
Bold, intelligent, and confident, the Chihuahua is an explosive mix for a small dog and the smallest in existence at that. Rules have to be laid down explicitly and obedience has to be painstakingly trained. It is advisable to start consistent training as early as possible. Dog owners shouldn’t lose themselves in the sweet face that this breed of dog exhibits, especially as a puppy. Consistency is always required, otherwise, the dog will exploit it mercilessly.
In return, the Chihuahua will do anything for its human if the human is attached to it. The Chi wants to be present everywhere and to be the center of attention. His upbringing requires consistency and empathy, the little Mexican withdraws his affection from his loved one just as quickly as he gave it to him before. Not forever, but he starts a game with his caregiver. The Chihuahua must give the Chihuahua a clear, unmistakable direction right from the start.
Is the Chihuahua a family dog?
Conditionally yes. He needs a single caregiver in the family and he is not really a children’s dog. The children have to know exactly how to handle the little dwarf.
The appearance of the Chihuahua
There are two different types of fur in this dog breed, short and long fur. The physical constitution does not differentiate between long-haired and short-haired variants. The Chi weighs between 1.5 and 3 kilograms with an average height of 20 centimeters. All dogs that are smaller and weigh less than 1.5 kilograms count as torture breeding. This means that external characteristics are bred that cause the dog health damage. The smallest dog doesn’t have to be made any smaller either, he’s a fan favorite anyway.
Anyone who has ever had or has a Chihuahua often finds other dogs boring. Life with the little dwarf is an experience every day. Clever ideas, but also nonsense, mature in Chi’s head, which is shaped like an apple and hangs by two large, erect ears. He confidently carries his tail over his back and “fashion” is what pleases. The coat can be brown and white, black and white, red and white, or tricolor, all colors are allowed by the breed standard. Protruding, dark round eyes complete the overall picture.
Upbringing and keeping the Chihuahua – this is important to note
The Chihuahua is a loyal friend for life, but not exactly a novice dog. The dog breed is clever and tricky to impose its own ideas. He likes to bark and also uses the “instrument” to get his way. The Chi loves walks and convinces with great endurance.
Even there, he never lets his loved one out of his sight, even if he moves effortlessly in a pack among his own kind. As small as the Chihuahua maybe, his personality traits make him a big dog. He courageously defends his family and indicates early on when danger is imminent. As an apartment dog, the owner will have to intervene to regulate. The more the dog owner lets the little one get away with it, the more difficult it becomes to live with the Chihuahua, who then makes the rules.
If there are children in the family, they have to learn to leave the little Mexican alone again and again. The Chihuahua is not automatically a child’s dog, it simply does not have enough patience with the two-legged friends. The Chihuahua behaves reservedly towards cats and animals of a different species, sometimes even showing a little jealousy. If the Chi is confronted with other species from the beginning, there are usually no problems.
Since this breed of dog lives without an undercoat, it is not well enough protected against cold and wet to stay outside. He wouldn’t survive life in a kennel in the backyard, too far away from his loved one and far too lonely.
Can you leave a Chihuahua at home alone?
Yes, but that shouldn’t be too long. The Chihuahua is not a dog that doesn’t mind being alone.
Diet of the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a carnivore and should be fed a good quality dog food. Even if he gives reason to reward him with unhealthy treats due to his playful appearance, his organism is grateful for a healthy meat meal. For additional dental care, the owner can feed chews made from natural ingredients that help with cleaning teeth.
The amount of food depends, of course, on the size and physical fitness of the Chihuahua, and it does not differ in any way from the food for dogs of other breeds. The two to three-kilogram dogs are quite robust little dwarfs, which are not known to be particularly sensitive to food.
Health – life expectancy & common diseases
Chis that have been responsibly bred, are at least 20 centimeters tall, and weigh no less than one and a half kilograms are usually robust and healthy. They only occasionally suffer from the usual “small dog diseases” such as kneecap jumping out or cataracts. Some breeds of Chis are also said to be prone to diabetes and heart disease. The owner should check his little friend’s eyes and teeth regularly. In winter he buys the four-legged friend a dog coat so that the “dwarf” does not freeze outside when the temperatures are below zero. In summer he makes sure that the walk is not too strenuous at 30°C. In general, however, the Chihuahua can handle changing conditions quite well if it is a Chi with breed-typical traits.
However, mini Chihuahuas or teacup Chihuahuas are also forced into life by unscrupulous “breeders”. Such a puppy can be born with 60 to 80 grams. These little animals have a lot of health problems and don’t have a great life expectancy, which can be as much as 18 years for a traditional Chi. However, not all minis come from torture breeding. If a bitch of normal weight has given birth to a large litter, there may be one or two very small Chis among them.
Are Chihuahuas Prone to Disease?
No more and no less than other small dog breeds. The mini Chihuahuas (torture breeds) alone are very susceptible to all diseases that are caused by the unnatural proportions and their harmful effects on health.
Care of the Chihuahua
The short-haired variant is extremely easy to care for. It is enough for her if the owner runs a soft brush along the body from time to time and pulls out loose hair. The care of the long-haired variant is somewhat more complex, but only at the time of the change of coat. Here, too, the dog owner can work with a soft brush or with a comb.
Eyes, ears, and teeth should be checked regularly. The eyes tend to tear sometimes. In this context, the dog owner should make sure that no foreign body has got into the eye. The Chi should only be bathed very rarely. Skin and coat can be brushed clean so the skin doesn’t get irritated with shampoos.
The Chihuahua – Activities, and Training
The Chihuahua enjoys forest walks, dog sports such as agility and dog dancing, search, fetch, and intelligence games. In short: In all activities that require physical and mental fitness and skill. Less suitable for the high-spirited companion dog are bicycle tours, which they have to accompany, and mountain hikes. The Chi is happy to be persuaded to do any fun that connects him with his favorite person.
Targeted training with a dog professional is recommended if one or the other bad habit has crept in. The Chihuahua is a dog that never had to work and therefore had a lot of time to develop its idiosyncratic character. Opponents of this breed often accuse dogs of being bitchy and egocentric. Lovers turn up their noses at these arguments.
Good to know: Peculiarities of the Chihuahua
If dog owners shared life with a famous diva, it would be the same. The Chihuahua demands full attention, is jealous, and sometimes a bit arrogant. He has to go to school, otherwise, the apartment or house will soon be his and he is ready to give his loved ones a little lesson.
The Chihuahua is small, but still needs plenty of exercise and variety. It is not necessarily suitable for a beginner, as training is usually difficult for the reasons mentioned. All animals other than his own breed are mediocre welcome. With the right training, however, there will be a good outcome for all parties.
This dog breed is well known in film and television. Hotel heiress Paris Hilton, for example, took her Chihuahua Tinkerbell with her to all the red carpets in the world. She saw the dog accessory and adorned herself with it. Other celebs who own or have owned a dog of this breed include:
- Britney Spears
- Demi Moore
- Sandra Bullock
- Scarlett Johansson
- Ashton Kutcher
- Reese Witherspoon
- Madonna
- Marilyn Monroe
Another well-known Chihuahua is the male Brutus from the movie Legally Blonde. The second part in particular is mainly about him since his owner wants to find the dog’s mother.
Of course, real connoisseurs immediately think of the song “Chihuahua” by DJ Bobo, which stormed the charts in 2002 and 2003.
How old do Chihuahuas get?
Dogs of this breed can live to be very old, up to 20 years old. No other small dog breed can boast of having representatives that live as long.
Disadvantages of the Chihuahua
When a small dog thinks it’s a big one, that doesn’t always endear it to really big dogs. For this reason, some improvements are needed here with regard to the social behavior towards conspecifics through educational measures on the part of the dog owner, which, however, are not always fruitful if they are only implemented half-heartedly. As an owner, it is important to always stay on the ball.
Another characteristic of Little Chi that can be interpreted as a disadvantage is his jealousy when the dog owner interacts with other living beings in the dog’s presence. Consistent training is also required here.
If you own a Chihuahua from a torture breed, you also have to reckon with a lot of time and money. Because then, for example, visits to the vet are usually very regular.
How much does a Chihuahua cost?
The price for a puppy from a breeder is currently around 1,000 euros.
Is the Chihuahua right for me?
If you want to buy a Chihuahua, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I really have enough time for the little Mexican?
- Do I have enough money? The Chi needs insurance and has to be registered, the regular deworming and vaccinations have to be paid for, in an emergency, it should not fail with a life-saving operation. Feed and equipment are part of the daily expenses. Chihuahuas from torture breeding, in particular, can cause high veterinary costs.
- Am I willing to seek help if I have problems?
- Can I take the Chihuahua’s urge to move into account and are there people in my immediate vicinity who may be able to help me?
- Do I settle for a confident little house bully?
- How will the children react and the partner?
Of course, when buying a dog, heart and mind must decide. If it’s just the mind, it probably won’t be the Chihuahua. Not because he’s not a good dog, but there are a number of other dogs that are easier to handle. But the Chi opens your heart and you will see that your arguments against him are “all of a sudden” in line with your heart.