Dog Breeds: Chihuahua

Monday, February 20th, 2012 at 6:18 am

The Chihuahua, or Chi as it's sometimes affectionately called, is the world's smallest dog breed. However this doesn't extend to their attitude! These bold little dogs are energetic, feisty and confident, with an attitude much bigger than their physical stature.

They're also intelligent, loving dogs who form close bods and absolutely revel in the role of companion dog.

The history of the Chihuahua breed is shrouded in mystery. The most common theory is that they originated from a native Mexican dog called the Techichi, and were refined by the Toltecs and the Aztecs. Both of these peoples kept and revered Chihuahuas, so the theory carries some weight. Another hypothesis is that the Chihuahua originated in Malta, and was brought to Mexico by the Spanish. It was crossed with the Techichi to produce the breed we know today.

Chihuahuas are small dogs with big personalities. An adult can weigh anything between, 2 and 6 pounds and stand 6 to 9 inches at the shoulder. They have a round head, a short muzzle, large, erect ears, and large, slightly protruding eyes.

Common Chihuahua coat colors are sand, fawn, red, black, or black and tan. Coats are either smooth, or less frequently, long.

As much as its small size, the Chihuahua is defined by its temperament. They are generally cheerful, happy little dogs, who usually reserve their affection for one person. It has been noted that there are two distinct personality types and that these traits are generally inherited. One type is calm and affectionate, the other hyperactive and aggressive.

Whatever the dog's temperament though, a Chihuahua will not tolerate being manhandled. They are therefore not recommended as pets for young kids.

The Chihuahua is generally a healthy dog that commonly lives 15 years or longer. But the breed is not without its health problems. Among the common diseases that afflict Chihuahuas are epilepsy, seizures, hydrocephalus, glaucoma, and low blood sugar. The breed also is born with a soft spot, named a molera, at the top of the skull. This usually closes as the dog grows, but puppies require extra careful handling.

Grooming a Chihuahua is quite straight-forward. The long-haired variety needs to be brushed every day, while for the short hair, a weekly brush down will suffice. You can also bathe the dog if required, but try not to do this more than once a month, using a mild dog shampoo. Warm and dry your dog straight after the bath.

If you're looking for a pet for apartment living, the Chihuahua is just about the perfect choice. Bear in mind though that they are very active dogs and will need to be taken outdoors for a walk every day. They are not suited to cold climates and should always wear a coat or sweater when walked in the cold.

The easiest way to find good names for your Chihuahua is to visit an online dog names, resource, like puppy-names-hq.com. This site has tons of dog names, including 1000s of cute dog names to choose from.