Mary Allen
The Chihuahua is not only the smallest dog breed in the world but also inspires worldwide as a cute companion dog. Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about the popular breed!
History of the Chihuahua
The name Chihuahua derives from the province of the same name in the Republic of Mexico. As early as the 8th century, the small dogs allegedly lived there in freedom and were tamed by the Toltec tribe. From the 14th century, the Aztec priests kept the small dogs in their temples. Paintings and decorations indicate that they called the pygmy dog ”Techichi”.
A few statues survive today and bear a close resemblance to modern-day Chihuahuas. Especially the Aztec princesses loved to play with the cute dogs. Aztec religion saw the dog as the guide of dead souls, and it was often required to die with its owner at funerals. According to legend, the dog only showed its former owner the way to paradise in the afterlife if he was treated well in life.
As more and more tourists came to Central America in the 19th century, farmers began to sell their small dogs as souvenirs. When the Mexicans realized how popular their little dogs were with tourists, they began breeding them. The Chihuahua spread in the USA and Europe and developed into a real fashion dog. In 1959 the breed was officially recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). She was classified in FCI Group 9, which includes companion dogs.
Traits and Character Traits
The Chihuahua, also affectionately known as the Chi, is a spirited and lively breed with a lot of courage. The dogs are not afraid of larger conspecifics and like to try their hand at being watchdogs. So if you’re looking for a quiet reserved dog, you won’t be happy with a Chi. They like to be the center of attention and can get jealous if their owner spends too much time doing other things. They also bark relatively often and with pleasure, but you can get a grip on this with the right training. There are no major differences in character between males and females.
The Chis are very fixated on their two-legged friend and want to be a full-fledged member of the family. They are friendly and open to other pets and are also suitable as second dogs without any problems. Due to their good-natured nature and playfulness, Chihuahuas are also wonderful family dogs. Because of its small size, the dog is quickly underestimated and you should make it clear to children from the start that the animal is not a toy.
Getting a Chihuahua
What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?
If you want to buy a Chihuahua, you should first of all be aware that the little four-legged friend will be with you everywhere for the next almost twenty years. The breed has one of the longest lifespans of any dog at 14 to 18 years. The cost of purchasing a Chihuahua puppy from a reputable breeder is quite high at €850 to €1600. The price varies depending on the fur color. When buying, you should make sure that the parents are not too small and healthy.
On the one hand, there is the long-haired Chihuahua with a slightly wavy or smooth coat and on the other hand, there is the short-haired Chihuahua with a soft, dense coat. If you have decided on a long-haired or short-haired Chihuahua, you have the choice between all possible coat colors from one color to multicolored with a wide variety of markings. Special colors such as husky colors, blue, or chocolate are somewhat rarer and therefore more expensive.
Puppy education and development
Once you have bought your Chi puppy, you should not wait too long before training it. What you let the puppy get away with is difficult to train away. Of course, despite the dog’s small size, training a Chihuahua doesn’t happen automatically. As with any other dog, you need to set your boundaries and be consistent. If the little one is allowed to do whatever he wants, he quickly develops into a barker or scared biter. The Chi becomes sexually mature between 5 and 14 months of age and when fully grown it reaches a size of 15 to 23 cm.
How do I keep a Chihuahua?
Activities with the Chihuahua
Although they’re just under 8 inches tall, the Chihuahua is by no means a lap dog, as they need plenty of exercises and want the same mental and physical demands as any other dog. If you underestimate your dog or take it easy on him unnecessarily, he will become dissatisfied and, in extreme cases, even aggressive. He doesn’t want to be carried around in a bag all day but prefers short walks in the forest, ball games, or targeted training. Almost every toy can also be bought in extra small sizes.