You understand the challenges and benefits of owning a Chihuahua. And after careful thinking, you know in your heart that this little dog is the best option for you. Chihuahuas come in a wide variety of colours and marking patterns. From this diverse group of Chihuahuas, you must choose the puppy or adult that will be your friend for the next twelve to fifteen years or longer.
Narrowing Your Options
When people decide to buy or adopt a specific breed of dog, they often begin looking at litters of puppies right away. Often, however, this headlong dive into searching for a Chi results in the individual making an impulsive, emotional decision.
There\\\\\\\’s nothing wrong with selecting the puppy or adult that catches your eye and captures your heart almost immediately. Appearance and emotional connection are surely two key considerations when selecting a canine companion. However, just as with personal relationships based on love at first sight, it\\\\\\\’s often only a matter of time before you realise that the person who has swept you off your feet (or, in this case, the Chihuahua who has wriggled into your heart) is neither what you thought she was nor what you were looking for in the first place.
Create a list of your must-have attributes, qualities you don\\\\\\\’t want under any circumstances, and breed aspects with which you are more flexible. You\\\\\\\’ll discover that putting down exactly what you\\\\\\\’re searching for allows you to select the greatest puppy for you while still experiencing the love-at-first-sight puppy emotion.
When selecting a Chihuahua, the more you can narrow your search before looking at the first puppy or dog, the greater your chances of getting what you want. For example, simply determining whether you want an apple-headed Chihuahua with proper conformation or the \\\\\\\”can\\\\\\\’t-take-it-in-the-show-ring-but-they\\\\\\\’re-still-pretty-cute\\\\\\\” deer-type Chihuahua would significantly restrict your search.
Then there are the considerations of size, colour and markings, coat type, and gender (whether it matters whether you get a boy or a girl). Are you entirely set? on getting a puppy, or would you prefer a little more mature model? Having a good idea of your particular preferences for your new dog increases your chances of finding just the Chi you are looking for and one that will meet (and exceed) all of your expectations.
Of apples and deer.
Chihuahuas arrived in the United States in a wide range of sizes, weights, and morphological characteristics. Some were long-legged, while others were shorter. Some had longer muzzles and larger ears. Eyes varied in shape from round to almond-shaped, and colours ranged from dark brown to softer, tawny tints. The lack of homogeneity observed in these imported Chihuahuas is typical of all breeds in their early development stages.
When the Chihuahua Club of America (CCA) was created in 1904, club members fine-tuned the breed\\\\\\\’s physical characteristics to decide what they considered most desirable. These early Chifanciers created the first Chihuahua breed standard—the goal of perfection to which Chihuahua fanciers should strive.
Do not anticipate to discover both the apple-head and deer-conformation kinds in the same litter. A professional Chihuahua breeder will breed only one type of Chihuahua—the \\\\\\\”apple-headed\\\\\\\” Chi—that closely matches the breed standard.
Slight adjustments have been made to the Chihuahua breed standard over the years, and like with every breed standard, people interpret the published standard differently. This is how the two most frequent breed \\\\\\\”types\\\\\\\” came into play.
During the Chihuahua\\\\\\\’s early years (from the 1950s to the 1960s), it was popular to breed leggier Chihuahuas with longer muzzles, wider ears, and more widely placed eyes. Because the most popular colour in the United States was (and still is) fawn, the mature dogs resembled little deer, hence the name. The Chihuahua appeared in The former Taco Bell advertisement depicts a deer-type Chihuahua. This conformation style, while appealing to many pet owners, is now out of date. Experienced breeders who are active in conformation no longer breed the deer type.
Today\\\\\\\’s Chihuahua is a considerably more elegant dog, perhaps more in keeping with the breed\\\\\\\’s heritage as a popular pet and important religious icon. The apple-headed Chihuahua, which adheres to the current breed standard, has a more rounded head, smaller ears, and large—almost luminous—eyes positioned front on the dog\\\\\\\’s face. The Chi\\\\\\\’s legs are similarly shorter in proportion to its torso, giving the dog a well-balanced, symmetric appearance. The end result is a refined and attractive dog that keeps all of its forefathers\\\\\\\’ feistiness.
Chihuahuas are becoming increasingly popular among dog owners as a result of recent media attention, particularly Taco Bell advertising.
Is Itty-Bitty better?
Just as Americans are fascinated by enormous meals and massive road-warrior vehicles, we also adore small pets. Really little dogs. Toy breeds have not been as popular as they are today since the mid-1900s. Since 2000, four of the top ten most popular breeds registered with the AKC have been small dogs (weighing less than twenty pounds), with the Chihuahua remaining one of those four. A breeder may occasionally produce a runt, or an abnormally small puppy, from a litter. This little puppy isn\\\\\\\’t special. He is not worth more than his larger littermates. He does not attract a premium price for his perceived uniqueness. He\\\\\\\’s only little. In fact, a small puppy may need more veterinary attention early on and need longer to wean from his mother.
According to the breed standard, the Chihuahua should not weigh more than six pounds. Those who exceed this weight can still make excellent companions, but they will be rejected in the show ring. A professional breeder strives to breed dogs that meet the standard, which typically weighs between three and six pounds.
As you might expect, clever entrepreneurs discovered a market for customers who wanted a puppy small enough to fit in their breast pockets or ride in a miniature purse. These people even gave Chihuahuas special names to market them as something very extraordinary, rare, and, of course, expensive: \\\\\\\”teacup,\\\\\\\” \\\\\\\”pocket-size,\\\\\\\” \\\\\\\”miniature,\\\\\\\” \\\\\\\”tiny toys,\\\\\\\” and \\\\\\\”tiny teacup\\\\\\\” are just a few of those names.
It is acceptable to want a very little Chihuahua; yet, you may wish to Please bear the following in mind:
While a quality breeder will not breed for exceptionally small proportions, a tiny Chihuahua may nonetheless appear in a litter.
It often takes longer for these tiny guys to begin prospering, thus an expert breeder may keep the odd tiny puppy for longer (more than twelve weeks) to ensure her health and well-being.
Very little Chihuahuas may be more prone to a range of illnesses and disorders, including hypoglycemia.
Surgery, drugs, and anaesthesia can be more complicated and costly for the tiny Chihuahua.
The CCA distinguishes the breed solely by coat type; there is no category based on size.
Chihuahua pups are already little, but a very small puppy requires even more attention from the owner to assure her safety.
Tiny Chihuahuas tend to be delicate and prone to injury throughout their adult lives.
If you really want a very small Chihuahua, don\\\\\\\’t look for a puppy from someone who only advertises or raises really small pups. It is not regarded healthy or prudent to breed for size. Find a good breeder and wait for him to produce a little one. You might discover that while you wait, a healthy, vigorous average-sized Chihuahua is plenty little and exactly what you\\\\\\\’re searching for.
Not just fawning over Fawn.
Solid fawn is perhaps the most popular and visible colour for Chihuahuas in the United States. Other common colours include cream (solid or particolor), black with tan markings or a splash of white on the chest, and red, which is frequently accompanied by white patterns. Solid black, blue (a dilution of black), and chocolate are less common. Unusual markings include white with splashes of colour, brindle (darker stripes running through a coat colour), sable (black hairs in another colour, such as red or fawn), and merle. Rare colours, such as merles, and various dilutes (such as blues and chocolates), can cost hundreds of dollars. If you deal with a respectable breeder, he will charge the same price for a rare colour as for a more common colour, such as fawn. The only time he may charge more for a puppy is if it is show quality rather than pet quality.
What precisely is a Merle coat?
Merle coats, which are present but unusual in Chihuahuas, are normally blue-grayish in colour (but can occasionally be reddish) with various black patches throughout. Merles commonly have one or two blue eyes, or a brown eye with a splash of blue. Doublemerles (the offspring of two merle parents) are more likely to develop hearing and eye abnormalities.
Be aware of the breeder that breeds for a specific uncommon colour. A quality breeder will breed for health, temperament, and conformation. Breeding for colour alone means sacrificing the most crucial companion dog attributes, which can be devastating. If you must have an unusual colour, be sure that the breeder has tested for (and has confirmation that the dam and sire are free of) deafness, blindness, and luxation. Patella, heart disease, and other potentially debilitating illnesses are frequent among the breed.
The Long and Short of Coats.
The Chihuahua has two coat lengths: short-or smooth-haired and long-haired. Chihuahuas with short and long hair are considered distinct variants within the breed and compete in separate classes. Chis with varying coat lengths can and are frequently bred to each other, therefore it is not uncommon to have both shorthaired and longhaired puppies born from the same litter.
Shorthaired
If you want a low-maintenance, wash-and-wear dog, consider a shorthaired Chihuahua. Though she\\\\\\\’ll enjoy combing, daily care isn\\\\\\\’t required to keep this coat looking good. Because the shorthaired Chihuahua has little hair and is quite little (with little body fat), she will need to wear a jacket or jumper (tailored to fit, of course) when going for walks outside in cooler weather.
Previously, the CCA permitted shorthaired Chihuahuas to be bred to a variety of long-coated toy breeds in order to re-establish the longhaired coat and give substance and length to existing longhaired Chis.
Longhaired
Longhaired coats require a more commitment. The Chihuahua\\\\\\\’s long coat is silky and substantial, making it subject to matting. This coat requires frequent brushing (daily is recommended). Don\\\\\\\’t be fooled by the lengthy hair; this Chi will still need to be bundled up before going outside on cold days. Furthermore, bathing a longhaired Chi involves some effort. All Shampoo must be fully rinsed off the coat, and the entire coat must be blown dry, down to the skin. If you\\\\\\\’re already short on time, adding these crucial grooming necessities may drive you over the edge. Also, if you have difficulty controlling your hands or have arthritis, you should consult your doctor about whether brushing may assist or worsen your situation.
Male versus Female
Many dog owners anthropomorphise their pets, attributing human attributes to them. For example, it is widely believed that female dogs are sweet, soft, nurturing, and loving, whereas male dogs are less affectionate, rough and tumble, and more prone to be protective and/or violent. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Males
Male dogs are typically more loving and tolerant than female dogs, especially if they have been neutered or altered. Altering a male dog achieves a variety of tasks. First, the dog is not looking for females during the season, therefore he is less likely to want to escape and tour the neighbourhood. Second, the dog is less likely to mark in your home. Third, if a dog has a tendency to be aggressive, neutering can typically greatly reduce this negative trait. Finally, neutering eliminates the danger of several malignancies.
The vast majority of stray dogs picked up by animal control officials are unneutered males. Furthermore, the majority of dogs hit by cars are not neutered.
Females
Female canines are less likely to tolerate any human behaviour that they feel unpleasant or threatening. In other words, a female may be quicker to snap at little offences. (Think of a mother dog who believes it is her responsibility to correct her puppies.) Females can also be less tolerant than neutered males of other canines. Although Chihuahuas like to are pack animals (especially when the other dogs are Chis); when a female dog decides she needs to be the leader of the pack, she may be rather difficult.
Altering or spaying a female minimises numerous reproductive malignancies, unwanted pregnancies, and the waste that comes with having a dog in season. Altering does not calm down a female in the same way that neutering an angry male does.
Which to choose?
So, which sex best suits you? Chihuahua breeders frequently advise looking at the temperament and traits of each individual youngster rather than focussing on a single gender. If you already have a Chi and wish to add another, the best choice (and the least likely to spark a long-term quarrel) is a Chi of the opposite sex—both altered, of course!
Activity Level:
The bad news is that the Chihuahua has one of the highest energy levels among purebred dogs. The good news is that whether you live in the city or the suburbs, the Chihuahua\\\\\\\’s exercise requirements are easily met. Keep in mind that the Chi is not a large dog, so short walks are typically sufficient. Furthermore, not all Chihuahuas have the same energy level. Some are over the top, while others appear to be fine with following you around and occasionally hopping into your lap. If you want a Chi that isn\\\\\\\’t rushing furiously up and over furniture in your house, wanting regular walks, or perpetually underfoot with a ball in her mouth, begging for another game of fetch, you have two choices.
First, you can designate \\\\\\\”lower activity level\\\\\\\” a must-have trait while looking at puppies. Breeders should be able to tell you how lively each individual puppy in a litter is, as well as show you what you may expect when the pups mature by looking at the parents\\\\\\\’ activity needs. Another alternative is to adopt a mature Chihuahua, as detailed in Chapter 4. Adult dogs are always slightly less active than ricocheting puppies, and their current activity level and exercise requirements are well understood.
If you are not particularly mobile or live in an apartment with restricted access to walking areas, your Chihuahua\\\\\\\’s need for exercise can still be met. Chihuahuas are extremely playful and will eagerly chase a ball or favourite toy. Because of the Chi\\\\\\\’s small stature, an eager, frenetic game of fetch may be played anywhere, including a room or the corridor.
Temperaments
Chihuahuas are often loyal to their owners, sociable with other canines and house pets, and slightly reserved but courteous when meeting and greeting nonthreatening strangers for the first time. With so many people breeding Chihuahuas (and frequently not looking for a healthy disposition), the Chihuahua\\\\\\\’s temperament can range from extremely timid and apprehensive to fiercely protective and overly bold, inciting fights with dogs at least twenty times the Chi\\\\\\\’s weight.
Of course, each Chihuahua is a unique individual, and her temperament is determined by the characteristics she inherited from her parents as well as the environment in which she is raised. The greatest way to determine a puppy\\\\\\\’s likely temperament is to observe and meet her parents. Keep in mind that Chihuahuas are naturally reticent and cautious when meeting new people; nonetheless, they should be attentive and alert—not cowering and shaking in another room or barking, snapping, and lunging ceaselessly at you.
Keep in mind that you will only have so much influence over your Chihuahua\\\\\\\’s temperament when it reaches maturity. Puppies are genetically prewired with a specific temperament, and your efforts will only go so far in building upon what the puppy already possesses. For example, no amount of socialisation or confidence-building training will be enough to change a cowering Chi into an extrovert. Your best bet is to find a breeder who breeds for sound, amiable temperaments and produces puppies who are predisposed to this temperament.
What is \\\\\\\”pancaking,\\\\\\\” and does it imply the dog is shy?
Pancaking refers to when a Chihuahua is startled and literally flattens itself to the ground, like a pancake. The action is
It is supposed to be an instinctual and reflexive response to what the dog sees as a predator or threat to her survival. It is not symptomatic of a shy or timid dog.
Puppy or adult?
Raising a puppy and adopting an adult dog are both memorable and heartwarming experiences. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Determine which aspects of dog ownership are most important to you, as these will impact whether a puppy or a rescued adult is ideal for your lifestyle and current position.
Puppies
Chihuahua puppies require the same training as other dogs. A puppy owner devotes a significant amount of effort to socialising and teaching the puppy so that it can grow into a good companion and canine. Of course, raising a puppy implies that you are the pup\\\\\\\’s most important influence, and you will be able to form your Chihuahua into the adult dog he will become. Puppies require careful housetraining; the owner must be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to achieve success in this area. Chi pups are quite little, thus the potential mess is far lower than that of an untrained adult dog. Furthermore, pups go through an ateething stage in which anything and everything is a possible chewitem. And pups aren\\\\\\\’t simply lively; they\\\\\\\’re extremely energetic. This is most likely why Chi puppies are so cute; they must be in order to survive the first twelve months!
Adults
Adult dogs allow the pet owner to know precisely what she is adopting. The dog\\\\\\\’s disposition is fully developed at this point. She\\\\\\\’s completed growing, so there are no speculations about her final size and weight. An adult dog is still lively, but not at the same exceptional degree as a puppy. With an adult dog, you\\\\\\\’ll be aware of her positive (and unattractive) behaviours, as well as having a good feel for the dog\\\\\\\’s physical status, because many ailments are evident in an adult but not in a puppy.
Adopting an adult dog may mean missing out on the charming but ephemeral puppy stage. On the other hand, you\\\\\\\’ve dodged the potential disaster that comes with puppyteething and housetraining. A rescued Chihuahua\\\\\\\’s life may not last as long as a puppy\\\\\\\’s (because you missed the first few years), but this is not guaranteed. Who actually knows how long any one dog will live?
Puppy Love at Any Age.
Chihuahuas, whether puppies and adults, make fantastic pets. Each age has advantages and downsides to consider. If you make sure that when you choose your Chihuahua, you base your decision on research and are guided by affection, your pick will undoubtedly meet your expectations for a companion. After all, we\\\\\\\’re talking about the Chihuahua, a breed known for its affection, loyalty, and lifespan. With excellent decisions and a little luck, you\\\\\\\’ll be the owner of a fantastic canine friend.