About The Breed page

Avg. Weight: 3-6 lbs (Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog in the world)

Colors: Any, solid, marked or splashed. Classifying Chihuahua colors can be complicated due to the large number of possibilities because colors and patterns can. A few examples are Fawn, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Blue, and Black. Patterns, all with or without white markings, include: Sable , Irish spotting, Piebald spotting, Extreme white spotting, Brindle, Masks, Merle, Tan points.

Appearance: The Chihuahua is a tiny dog with an apple or deer shaped head, and a short pointed muzzle. It has round, large, very dark eyes, sometimes dark ruby or luminous in color. Puppies have a soft spot or "molera" on the top of the skull. The gap usually closes by adulthood. The body is stout, longer than it is tall, and the tail is sickle-shaped and can curl over the back or to the side.

Coat: The Chihuahua coat comes in two varieties; Smooth and Long. They are genetically the same breed and are often present in the same litter . The Smooth coat has a glossy, soft, and close coat which is full textured over the entire body. The Long coat has a softer + longer coat that can be slightly curly or flat. Long-haired Chihuahuas are smoother to the touch, having soft, fine hairs and a downy undercoat, which gives them their fluffy appearance. Unlike many long-haired breeds, long-haired Chihuahuas require minimal grooming. Contrary to popular belief, they also typically shed less than their short-haired counterparts. It may take up to two or more years before a full long-haired coat develops. Either coat type comes in a variety of colors. Average shedder.

Character & Temperament: The Chihuahua is a very individualistic breed. They each have their own unique personality, so only a few generalizations can be made. They are commonly referred to as a "Chi". They are energetic, graceful, and display a human-like expression. Their life span is the longest of any size dog ; approximately 8 to 22 years of age. The personality of this breed has been described as being saucy, courageous and lively. They have been likened to terriers because of their high energy level and playful temperament. You have to watch this breed because Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury. They will bond closely with their family but may tend to seek out one individual they like best. As a result they can tend to not like strangers, so if you want this breed to be social then you are going to have to train them as a puppy so they get used to it. Tremendous socialization with a variety of people and personalities is key for the best chance of a well-rounded, friendly, and lovable pet. They thrive on inordinate amounts of attention. The Chihuahua is by nature gentle, loving, and sweet-tempered. This breed is not well suited for children due to their size and fragility, and it is recommended that children be school aged or older before adding a Chihuahua to one's home. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal. Courageous, extremely lively, proud and enterprising, it gives and demands affection. Bold and saucy, it moves swiftly to avoid being stepped on. Chihuahua's are strong-willed, intensely loyal and become very attached to their owners.

- Excellent dental hygiene is a must to prevent tooth loss. Although canned food is ok, always allow your dog access to crunchy/dry food and rawhide bones. This will help prevent build-up on teeth. Regularly remove any plaque or build-up on teeth using a canine toothbrush. A scaler may be needed for hard tartar.

- Hypoglycemia: Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters. Because of this, they can also be at risk for hypoglycemia (a condition where blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level) especially when they are puppies. This condition is usually caused by going extended period without food. If this condition occurs and is left unchecked, the dog will grow progressively weaker until it falls into a coma and eventually dies. Lost blood sugar must be immediately restored. If your new puppy wont eat then try giving him/her a little bit of Karo syrup. This will keep their blood sugar up until you are able to find food that they will eat. Canned food usually works. If they are unable to eat, a veteranarians assistance may be required.

- Feed lightly as they tend to gain weight. Over-feeding a Chihuahua can be dangerous to a small dog's health, shortening their life and leading to diabetes. Don't let them lick or eat toxic products, fertilizer or chocolate.

- Chihuahua puppies are born with large heads, frequently necessitating cesarean deliveries by a skilled veterinarian. They are vulnerable to fractures and other accidents in puppy hood.

- Chihuahuas are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in their skulls. They are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera usually fills in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus.

- They do not tolerate cold climates and must be protected when taken outside. They can easily freeze to death if proper precautions are not taken. When it comes to this breed, winter wear isnt just for show - its for their health and safety. Theyll appreciate a warm sweater on cold days

- Beware of spider and bug-bites. Larger dogs may eat a spider and be just fine. Chihuahuas however may eat the same spider and become very sick, vomit, and shake. If this happens, take your puppy to the vet for an exam. If it is after-hours and a vet is not available, give the puppy plenty of water (vomiting will leave them dehydrated) and baby food will help calm the stomach.

Grooming: The Chihuahua requires minimal grooming. The smooth, short-haired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed several times a week with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month (do not to get water in their ears) and use a mild shampoo. Baby shampoo works perfectly. Check the ears regularly and keep the nails trimmed. If you can hear their nails hitting the floor when they walk, the nails are too long and must be trimmed. Neglecting to trim your dogs nails is very cruel. Long nails can fracture the bones in their toes and feet over time, making it difficult for them to walk without pain.

Training: The Chihuahua can be difficult to train, but with patience, love, and consistency do well. They respond best to positive reinforcement. They get nervous when they feel as if they are expected to protect you, and not the other way around. So dont be afraid to reassure your chi and let them know that you are their leader and they should follow you instead of you follow them. Chihuahuas can be housetrained by either the crate method or the paper training method, and can be trained to use a dog litter box or go outside. Any dog can be trained to potty outside if their owner trains them correctly. Early, extensive, and intensive socialization is an absolute must for this breed.

Activity: The Chihuahua is an excellent apartment or condominium dweller. Although it is tempting to carry these dainty creatures about; these are active little dogs. The majority of their exercise needs can be met indoors with toys or play sessions. However, they greatly enjoy going with their owners and benefit from daily walks. Using a harness is recommended instead of a leash is best given their delicate neck and bone structure. Also keep in mind that they have tiny delicate feet. Hot asphalt or sharp rocks may not bother some large breeds, but they will make a chi miserable and can do damage to their pads.

Chihuahua History:

The Chihuahua is the smallest of all breeds and has the distinction of being the oldest breed in America. They were named after the Chihuahua region in Mexico. It is believed that this breed descended from an ancient breed that was larger in size and highly prized by Aztec royalty. The Chihuahua of today has a very fine bone structure, but are actually quite muscular. Various sources claim different origins for this breed. Below are the most common findings..

The history and myths behind the Chihuahua are very detailed and there are many. The truth is no one knows where this breed originally came from. For the first historic background we'll start with Europe. There is a small breed of dog that at one time existed in Malta, a small island in Europe. They, like the Chihuahua, had a molera which is a soft spot on the skull. A painting in 1482 by artist Alessandro Boticelli depicted a small dog that resembles a Chihuahua. This would put the dog in Europe before Christopher Columbus ever set sail to America.

China is the next destination this wonderful breed may have originated from. China has been known to breed miniature dogs and the Chinese could have introduced this breed to the Spaniards. This would in turn fit with the breed originating in Mexico.

Mexico is none the less the home of this amazing tiny breed. Whether it came from another country and rested here, or if it originated from a Mexican wolf called the Mexican Grey Wolf , or, el lobo. Either way this breed found a home among the Mexican heritage. The Chihuahua dates back as far as Fifth Century C.E. in Mexico. The state borders with Texas, Arizona and New Mexico where Chihuahuas first rose to prominence and were further developed in the United States. Since that time, the Chihuahua has remained consistently popular as a breed, particularly in America when the breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904. This would make this the oldest breed on the American continent.

* Please keep in mind that Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog in the world and with that comes a higher risk of accidental injury during puppyhood. When you're not looking a tiny chihuahua puppy can jump off your couch and can easily break it's leg in a matter of seconds. They can also get very sick if they eat a large spider or a poisonous plant. Because of this you must be financially prepared for unforeseen accidents such as those, and also able to care for these babies for the rest of their lives. Chihuahuas are not for everyone and your decision to purchase a chihuahua must not be taken lightly. Personally we love the breed and it is the only breed we would ever want to have. They are amazing animals and we hand-raise all of our chi's with the greatest care, love, and devotion. We love them very much and only want them to go to homes which we feel would provide the very best for them











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