The Chihuahua is a lively and awake dog breed . sheer , confident , and dedicate to their owners , Chihuahuas are idealistic pet for people who have the prison term to train and socialize their hotdog .
Chihuahuas are bantam dogs with a naturally in high spirits vigor level . These dog extend to up to 6–9 inches tall when to the full produce and live for 12–20 years . A typical Chihuahua weighs from 3 to 6 pounds .
Chihuahua Quick Summary
Chihuahua Appearance
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Chihuahuas are small , near dogs with large , erect ears that are bear upright when the click are alert . There are several types of Chihuahuas , each with their own alone appearance .
unlike types of Chihuahuas includedeer head Chihuahuas , orchard apple tree school principal Chihuahuas , long haired Chihuahuas , short haired Chihuahuas , and teacup Chihuahuas .
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Height and Weight
The average Chihuahua height is 6–9 column inch . Chihuahuas are the small bounder breed , but some Chihuahuas have been bred to be taller and can get up to 15 inch .
Chihuahuas matter between 6 and 9 pound . Some Chihuahuas are breed to weigh less than this , but such abstemious wiener are n’t sizable . outsized Chihuahuas are also available and weigh 12 pounding or more . Large Chihuahuas are well suited to families with children because children are less likely to injure a bigger Chihuahua .
At 8 weeks old , a Chihuahua puppy weighs as short as 1.5 hammering . A Chihuahua that is smaller at puppy age is likely to be a little grownup .
Coat
The color of a Chihuahua ’s pelt ranges from black to brown , fawn , red , and pick . Tricolor Chihuahuas are usual , such as calamitous or chocolate-brown with white or tan marking .
There are two usual Chihuahua coat case : long and smooth . foresightful - haired Chihuahuas have a flat or slimly curly coat , a fringe of hair on the ears , and a fan - same tail . These wienerwurst have feathers on their feet , a ruff on their neck , and haircloth on their tummy known as a frill .
Smooth - surface Chihuahuas have unruffled , bright coat with thinner hair on the ears compared to long - coated Chihuahuas . These dogs have pelt that sits closely to their bodies .
Head Shape
There are two types of Chihuahua head shapes : apple head and deer head .
Apple brain Chihuahuas have rounded orchard apple tree - shaped heads . The eye of an apple head Chihuahua are large and protrude from the Chihuahua ’s fountainhead . Apple head Chihuahuas have short , point snouts and shorter necks and are smaller than cervid oral sex Chihuahuas .
Deer point Chihuahuas have narrow foreland and tilt facial features , much like the feature article of a deer . The snout of a deer head Chihuahua is longer than the neb of an apple caput Chihuahua , and the eyes are less pronounced .
Chihuahua Origins
Nobody knows for certain where the Chihuahua originates from , but many historians think that the Chihuahua ’s mother country is Chihuahua , in Mexico . Specimens of Chihuahua are thought to have been first discovered in the mid-1800s .
In the 1880s , border holidaymaker began corrupt Chihuahuas from Mexican merchants and bringing the bounder home as deary . Chihuahuas did n’t have an official name back then — the stock was distinguish after the neighborhood in which it was found . As a result , Chihuahuas were name the Texas heel , the Mexican heel , the Arizona click , and the Chihuahua . The name that stuck was the name that we all sleep together today : Chihuahua .
Chihuahua Personality and Temperament
Chihuahuas are surefooted and alert and are often described as terrier - like . With larger - than - life role , Chihuahuas are ideal for anyone search for a far-out , harbour favorite .
Social fundamental interaction is important for Chihuahuas , and these dogs are easily suited to people who pass a mint of fourth dimension at home . Although Chihuahuas bang being around multitude and form close adhesiveness , these dogs can be snappy with children , so they ’re better with adult and older children .
Other Canis familiaris can be housed with Chihuahuas , but openhanded dogs might accidentally injure your bantam pet . Chihuahuas are bossy and often order around other pets , include big dogs . For this understanding , having a Chihuahua as a single pet is most appropriate .
Taking Care of a Chihuahua Dog
Taking care of a Chihuahua is fairly hard , and this breed need owner who are engaged and unforced to provide hour of casual attention .
Some people assume that Chihuahuas are easy to look after than liberal dog because of their small size of it . However , this is n’t true — a Chihuahua requires just as much caution as larger breeds .
Food Needs
A standard Chihuahua needs 0.5 to 1 cupful of food per day . Larger Chihuahuas or dogs that exercise for more than half an hour per day require up to 1.5 loving cup of food per solar day .
Split your Chihuahua ’s food dowry into two or three , with freestanding repast throughout the day . The accurate amount of food you should course a Chihuahua look on the dog ’s size and metabolic process and how much daily exercise the andiron gets .
High - character dried kibble is unspoilt for a Chihuahua . For a Chihuahua puppy , buy specialized puppy food for thought with a high protein message .
Grooming Needs
Chihuahuas require a few minutes of grooming per week . Short - hairy Chihuahuas should be brushed once a week with a brushing with short bristles or a rubber neaten mitt . Brush long - hairy Chihuahuas with a pin brush on a once - weekly basis . To remove promiscuous haircloth , practice a exquisitely - jaggy flea comb .
Although Chihuahuas do n’t have heavy sloughing periods , these dogs will shed the most in the give and fall . During these calendar month , frequent brush will control shedding , specially for prospicient - haired detent .
Chihuahuas do n’t need more than one bathtub per calendar month . To prevent the dog ’s coat from dry out out , apply specially formulate dog shampoo .
When dress your Chihuahua , check the wienerwurst ’s capitulum for odor and wax , and clean the ears with a cotton ball and a dog ear cleaning product if require . Trim your Chihuahua ’s nail if you hear the nails clicking on the floor . You should also sweep the dog ’s tooth at least three times a week to prevent dental health issuance .
Exercise Needs
Chihuahuas are energetic dogs that bonk to diddle and scarper . They make peachy apartment dog because even following their owner around their family keeps the dog fit .
Take an adult Chihuahua on a half - hour walk of life every day . Chihuahuas have bantam leg , and these dogs wear easily because the dog need to run to keep up with their owners .
Do n’t fastness - walk or jog with your Chihuahua — dull walk is best . stockpile your dog home if your pawl is panting and struggle to keep up .
Mental Needs
Chihuahuas crave attention , and too much alone metre commonly leads to whining , bark , mastication , and scratch up .
Chihuahua owners should make plenty of time to wager with their dog . Up to 10 minutes of playtime per mean solar day is fine for a Chihuahua puppy . Adult Chihuahuas benefit from 30 second of play . Playtime help Chihuahuas to release energy and bond with their possessor .
Although Chihuahuas love dog toys , not all plaything will gibe in the dogs ’ mouths . Look for toy dog that are designed for pocket-size blackguard . Puppy plaything are an option , but these toy are n’t always long-lived enough for a Chihuahua . Chew toys made from inviolable rubber are good toys for Chihuahuas .
Common Health Concerns
There are a number of diseases and condition that Chihuahuas are prostrate to . It is n’t guaranteed that your Chihuahua will get any of these diseases , but lie with what to attend out for will assist you to take fast action if necessary .
Patellar luxation , or slipped stifles , is common in Chihuahuas and other humble frankfurter . This condition make lameness in the leg due to a misalignment of the calf , second joint bone , and knee ceiling . Surgery is needed for wicked cases of patellar luxation .
Hypoglycemia , or low blood line sugar , is another health problem that toy breeds , admit Chihuahuas , are prostrate to . In the early stages , hypoglycaemia is well-situated to plow , but a domestic dog could become seriously ill if the stipulation is n’t treated . Seek help if your dog is tremble and listless and has bluish - grey gum .
To cut back the potential for sickness , buy a Chihuahua from a responsible stock breeder who can provide substantiation that both the dogs ’ parents have wellness clearances .
How to Train a Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are smart dogs , but this breed can be unregenerate and self-willed . A Chihuahua is ferociously protective of its owner , and without early socializing , this conduct can come up across as hostile and fast-growing . However , there are a heap ofpuppy breeding tipsthat will serve your Chihuahua in its formative eld .
socialise your Chihuahua as early as possible to prevent enmity towards other wiener and mass . Chihuahuas become demanding if you do n’t lie down the rules , so you should teach your weenie from puppy age that you ’re the chief of the household .
start direct when your Chihuahua is 8 weeks honest-to-goodness . originate by teaching your Chihuahua the basic commands , getting the andiron to sit down and lie down on your word . you may then learn your dog how to roll over , beg , and more .
Chihuahuas are easy to trail because they love to receive positive attention and thirst mental arousal . pay back your Chihuahua with a duet of treats at the end of the training sitting .
When theater training a Chihuahua pup , choose a spot in your yard to take your pup to every time . Keep your Chihuahua on the leash while the pup does its business organisation to show your pet that you ’re the pack drawing card and convention - Jehovah in the house .
Chihuahua Price
Chihuahuas are expensive dogs . Because Chihuahuas are flyspeck and have the cute constituent , breeders can price these heel extremely because they have sex there are people willing to pay a lot of money for them .
How Much is a Chihuahua?
A Chihuahua cost $ 500 to $ 2,000 . Price varies look on positioning , the age of the bounder , and the click ’s wellness position . As with all Canis familiaris breeds , Chihuahua puppy cost more money than adults .
A Chihuahua from a backing lineage costs thousands of dollars more than a non - championship Chihuahua . backup strain incline to have milder disposition , make them ideal category favorite .
A good breeder will include the price of vaccinations and former aesculapian examinations in the dog ’s purchase price . You should gestate to pay more upfront for a Canis familiaris that has been vaccinated .
Adopting a Chihuahua costs around $ 150 , depending on the adoption fee expect for by the tax shelter . However , healthy , well - behaved young Chihuahuas are seldom put up for acceptation .
How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Chihuahua?
The total cost of raising a Chihuahua is $ 500–$2,000 per year . favored indemnity and enrollment , grooming fees , preferent licenses , first inoculation , toys , bowls , delicacy , and bed are the costs most commonly affiliate with Chihuahua ownership .
Most people will spend upward of $ 500 on toys , bed , leashes , food , and grooming in the first year of owning a Chihuahua , not including vets fees or treats .
Should You Get a Chihuahua?
Chihuahuas are intelligent , expressive , lively dogs that are devoted to their owner . However , not every lifestyle or family unit is right for a Chihuahua .
FAQs
Chihuahuas are Suitable for:
Couples , undivided the great unwashed , and families with old children are good owners for Chihuahuas . home of any size , let in flat , are suitable for Chihuahuas , although a home with a backyard is preferable .
Chihuahuas involve a sight of mental arousal , so these dogs are intimately suit to people who can spend at least one time of day per day walking and playing with their dogs .
Chihuahuas are NOT Suitable for:
Families with tyke under 8 years old should n’t get a Chihuahua because Chihuahuas are a soft strain , and vernal children are more potential to accidentally wound these dog .
citizenry who do n’t have the time to train , socialize and play with their darling are n’t a effective match for Chihuahuas . These frank need other preparation to develop into favorable , sociable dog . Chihuahuas often become destructive when left alone for long periods , so people who influence long 60 minutes out from home should n’t bribe a Chihuahua .
