Chihuahua Dog

Introduction:

With its big eyes, big ears, and larger-than-life position that the Chihuahua is the epitome of cocky dogs in a petite package. In other words, this pint-sized pet is master of his universe and fear nothing, characteristics that make him most suitable pet for some people, and the worst possible choice for others. But a sudden massive popularity as a Taco Bell dog has brought notoriety, and demand for the tough and intelligent dogs has increased. The Chihuahua has always been popular as pets for the elderly owners and apartment dwellers, so in a time when many breeds registrations are declining, the number of Chihuahuas registered annually has increased from 29,860 in 1991 to 38,926 in 1997, an average increase of 1133 registered dogs per year and an overall increase of 30.4 percent. The number is almost equal to the records of the Labrador Retriever breed with a lock on the number one slot for many years, but it was enough to move the Chihuahua from 16 in popularity, 12th.

Race history:

The Chihuahua takes its name from the Mexican state abutting west Texas and New Mexico, but probably came from the old Techichi dogs of the Toltecs crossed with hairless dogs from the Orient. Techichi historians describe as a heavy boned small dog with long fur, native to Central America and fully connected Toltec civilization near present-day Mexico City. The Techichi was larger than the modern Chihuahua and was mute.

The Aztecs conquered the Toltecs and adopted the little dogs as sacred icons in the upper classes used in religious ceremonies to expiate sins and as guides for the spirits of the dead.Somewhere along the way, breed historian K. deBlinde concluded, it was Techichi crossed with an Oriental hairless breed that was on its way to the New World via the Bering Strait land bridge and the small, smooth-coated, vocal Chihuahua was born today .

Breed were discovered in Chihuahua State in the 1850s and quickly became popular. It was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1904.

Appearance:

The Chihuahua is the smallest of the AKC registered breeds, weighing from two-to-six pounds.No account is given in the standard, but most Chihuahuas are six-to eight-inches tall. As with many breeds, the body is slightly longer than it is tall. The overall appearance is of a finely boned but muscular dog. The head is distinctive, with its rounded skull, large eyes and large ears that perk upright when the dog is alert and flare out to the sides of his head when the dog rests. The muzzle is moderately short and slightly pointed; teeth are arranged in a level or scissors bite.

The Chihuahua is a graceful neck, with a slight arch and sloping gracefully into shoulders.Topline is level, the ribs rounded and well sprung, and tail moderately long and carried up into a sickle shape or a loop that touches the back.

Smooth-coated Chihuahuas have a soft, shiny and dense coat that is full of whole body and scanty on head and ears. The long-haired dogs have a longer soft coat that can be flat or slightly curly, and must have an undercoat. The tail of a longcoat resembles a tab, ears, feet and legs are feathered, and involves a neck collar. Either coat can be a solid color or may be marked or splashed with color on a white background.

Temperament:

The official AKC breed standard describes the Chihuahua as "A graceful, alert, swift moving little dog with a juicy expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament." However, some Chihuahuas carry "saucy" and "terrier as" to extremes and are grumpy, haughty, or downright nasty when provoked - and provocation may come easy. Tendency to be temperamental, a reputation for being suspicious of everyone but his owner, and a clannish reluctance of some racing, but his own doing Chihuahua an unsuitable pet for households with small or noisy children. On the other hand, he may be perfect for an older couple or individually, a pet owner who loves to pamper those who live in apartments and people with modest incomes. Unfortunately, Chihuahua's innate curiosity, intelligence and loyalty to and love for his owner often lost in the oft-repeated description of the more prominent features of his temperament, but under the right circumstances, he is a wonderful companion.

Health:

This is a long-lived breed, often reaching 16 or more years. But there are some genetic diseases that can cause problems. Like most toy breeds, the Chihuahua is susceptible to slipped stifles (knee injury caused by a common weakness) and fractures and may suffer from jaw disorders, eye problems, heart disease, and tooth and gum complaints. The potential for some of these problems can be minimized by buying from a breeder who tests breeding stock for inheritable problems and by careful management. For example, Chihuahuas should not be allowed to jump off high furniture or out of your arms as the impact on landing could fracture a leg. Children should not be allowed to carry a Chihuahua or to play roughly with one for the same reason. The Chihuahua is also born with a soft spot on top of the head that may not completely close, so a blow here could kill him. The Chihuahua tendency to shake or tremble is not a health problem, but occurs when the dog is excited or stressed. One explanation is that the toy dogs have a higher metabolism and so spreads the body heat faster than larger dogs. Shivering helps to generate body heat - that's why people shiver when we are cold. However, rapid dissipation of body heat is a distinct disadvantage in cool or cold weather, so Chihuahuas should always be protected when taken outdoors in these areas. Fortunately, there are plenty of styles of protective sweaters available.

The Chihuahua as a pet:

The Chihuahua loyalty and affinity for being close to his master or mistress makes him an amiable companion, and his size makes him easy. Chihuahuas have been known to ride about inside a pocket in a purse or tote bag, or was hidden under the arm of their owners. They fit nicely in soft-sided PET carrier of a plane ride or a ride in the car and they enjoy outings immensely. Home Chihuahua is curious and mischievous. Left to its own fate, the little guy decorate the whole house with a roll of toilet paper, make confetti out of the mail, or seize your bed or favorite chair as his own. Even though he is not much bigger than a minute, he could wind up as the master of the household, because he can manipulate the owners with great finesse. Chihuahuas have a special sympathy for others of their own race, and an equally clear reluctance dogs of other breeds. Therefore, if you want more than one dog, make the additional dogs Chihuahuas. And if you already have a dog of another breed, consider carefully before getting a Chihuahua.

Risks:

Like other small dogs, Chihuahua danger outdoors that does not threaten his canine teeth cousins that weigh more than 15 pounds - he is the perfect size for a meal for a bird of prey or a coyote. Large hawks, eagles and owls have been known to swoop down on pets and carry them away, and coyotes are a common hazard in some urban fringes and suburbs. The indomitable spirit of the Chihuahua also causes problems when the little dog spars with a large breed dog, especially one with a dominant personality or a high prey drive. It is best to always keep a Chihuahua on a leash or carried in arms, so it can not challenge a big dog to a duel it will surely lose.

Finding a well-bred Chihuahua:

The Taco Bell dog has made it easier to find badly bred Chihuahuas to meet demand from the people who do not carefully select a breed to fit their family. That obviously self-confident and took the little guy has lulled many families with children to believe that the breed is perfect for them, and they trot down to the nearest pet store or let their fingers do not go through newspaper ads and on the Internet. However, puppies purchased from these sources can be bred for profit, without concern for health or temperament and the breeders and dealers can know next to nothing to help a family choose wisely or cope with the breed's temperament and needs when they get the puppy home. Responsible breeders are adamant about finding good homes for their puppies. Most responsible Chihuahua breeders - indeed most breeders of toy dogs - rarely place a puppy in a home with children under 12 years. But like most other toy breeds, Chihuahuas have small litters - often only one or two puppies - so the number of puppies available from responsible breeders (those who check parent dogs for genetic abnormalities back their puppies with warranties, support puppy buyers with advice and assistance and to breed only dogs with good temperament) are often scarce. So despite the appeal of the Taco Bell dog, families should consider carefully whether this breed is right for them and should seek a stronger dog of more moderate temperament if they have young children.