Chihuahua (dog)

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[http://www.ankc.aust.com/chihlong.html Long | ckcgroup = Group 5 - Toys | ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=137&Breed_Code=CIS Smooth Stds]
[http://www.ckc.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=137&Breed_Code=CIL Long | country = Mexico | fcigroup = 9 | fcinum = 218 | fcisection = 6 | fcistd = http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/218gb04_en.doc | image = ChihuahuaPrue.jpg | image_caption = A Fawn Smooth coat Chihuahua | kcukgroup = Toy | kcukstd = http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/discoverdogs/toy/y906.htm Smooth Stds]
[http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/discoverdogs/toy/y1075.htm Long | name = Chihuahua | nzkcgroup = Toy | nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br116.html Smooth Stds]
[http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br112.html Long | ukcgroup = Companion Breeds | ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/46540b0ac23b3d7285257044004dcdd5?OpenDocument }}

The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog and is named for the Chihuahua region in Mexico.

1 Appearance
2 Temperament
3 Housebreaking, care, and training
4 History
5 Health
6 Miscellaneous
7 External links

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Appearance

Chihuahuas are known best for their large erect ears and small size.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes two varieties of Chihuahua, the long-coat and the smooth-coat. Many smooth-coat Chihuahuas have very thin hair, but other smooth coats have a very dense, thick coat.

Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height, only a weight and a description of their overall proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between 6 to 10 inches at the withers. However, some dogs grow as tall as 12 to 15 inches. AKC show dogs must weigh no more than 6 lb (2.7 kg); the FCI standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and 3 kg (3.3 to 6.6 lb), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring. However, pet-quality Chihuahuas can, and do, range above these weights, to 10 pounds or even more if they have large bone structures or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean they are not purebred Chihuahuas, it only means that they do not meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversize Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best and worst bloodlines.

Chihuahuas come in many colors, from solid blacks to solid whites, spotted, or a variety of other colors like fawn (tan), chocolate, blue (gray), silver, tricolored (chocolate, blue, or black with tan and white markings), brindle, and merle. And each of these colors vary in shades and tones, as fawn can be a term to describe a tan dog from a very pale cream to a deep (almost red) tan, or any shade in between, and the chocolate coloration can range from a milky light shade of brown, to a deep mahogony brown, to a dark brown that is almost black.

Chihuahuas come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. This is a black with tan markings smooth-coat Chihuahua.

A chocolate with tan markings smooth-coat Chihuahua

A fawn smooth-coat Chihuahua

A smooth coat chihuahua, chocolate colored, 3 years-old. resident of Los Angeles, CA

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Temperament

Although they are prized for their devotion and personality, Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size and physical fragility. However, their alertness, intelligence and size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments, and make for usually long lifetimes of 15 years or more. They are often stereotyped as yappy or barky and fragile, but if the dog is trained correctly, they make good companions and pets.

A huge influence on personality and traits of a Chihuahua is a puppy's parents or other adult dogs in the puppy's home; if either parent is shy, timid, yappy, barky, or aggressive or has other behavioral issues, the puppy has a large chance of developing similar characteristics. Chihuahuas raised in a home with well-mannered Chihuahuas have a good start on good manners.

Many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. However, well-socialized Chihuahuas can get over this attachment to a single owner, and it is suggested to introduce the young dog to many people and situations, and to have all members of a household share equally in the dog's care and training. Most Chihuahuas are very bold and love attention, to the point where some can be overbearing. Chihuahuas also have a "clannish" nature (basically a breed loyalty) and may prefer the companionship of another Chihuahua over other dog breeds.

Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size, and may fearlessly confront larger animals, so owners may want to keep their Chihuahua on a leash whenever they go outside.

Despite their reputation for being a house pet, Chihuahuas are highly curious, and enjoy exploring the sights and smells of the outdoors, such as parks and hiking trails. Many Chihuahuas do not like the cold or breezes due to their small body size and thin coat. Chihuahua owners often dress their dogs in sweaters or coats in cold weather. A good rule of thumb is that if the owner needs a sweater, the dog needs a sweater.

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Housebreaking, care, and training

Male chihuahuas can be extremely difficult to house break especially if left unaltered (not neutered). Paper training works well for a Chihuahua, as with most small breeds.

Big dogs might view Chihuahuas as a prey animal, and so might other animals like predatory birds and coyotes. Leaving a Chihuahua outdoors unsupervised can pose a great risk to the animal.

As for any breed, Chihuahua owners usually get the most from their pet with basic pet training and obedience classes.

Image:ChihuahuaPetey.jpg

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History

Chihuahuas were originally thought to be descendants of an ancient, similar, but slightly larger breed associated with royalty in Aztec civilizations known as the Techichi. However, due to the lack of archaeological remains it is now believed that Chihuahuas were brought to Mexico by Spanish settlers. The most current theory holds that Spanish merchants brought Chihuahuas to Spain by way of their trade routes with China and from there to Mexico. The well documented practice in China of dwarfing both plants and animals is the basis for the theory that Chihuahuas originated there.

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Health

This breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. They are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders.

Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also known for patella luxation, where their back knee pops in and out of place, sometimes causing pain and a limp.

Another genetic abnormality in Chihuahuas and toy breeds is hydrocephalus, or Water on the Brain. This condition surfaces in young puppies and often results in the death of a puppy by the time that it reaches 6 months of age. It is thought that this disease is often diagnosed by the pup having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable (since 'a large head' is such a broad description). Chihuahua puppies exhibiting Hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets rather then a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of Hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim.

Chihuahuas are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first 6 or so months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. The Chihuahua Club of America has issued a statement regarding this often deadly misdiagnosis, [1]

Chihuahuas are also prone to developing eye infections (due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance).

Chihuahuas exhibiting the Merle coloration , or out of merle parents, are prone to myriad additional health complications. The Merle coat pattern is a carrier of possible severe eye conditions and blindness, deafness, hemophilia, sterility, and numerous other health concerns. Buyers owning or wishing to purchase a merle Chihuahua should do extensive research on the possible health concerns of this coloration.

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Miscellaneous

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"Teacup" and "Deer-faced" Chihuahuas

In recent years there has been an increase in the use of the terms "teacup" (or tea cup) and "deer" (or deer-faced) to describe Chihuahuas.

Along with "mini" and "tiny toy", "teacup" is sometimes used to describe Chihuahuas and other dogs that are very small.

These and similar terms are not officially used by any kennel club or reputable breeder, and are not breeds. Chihuahuas naturally vary in size, and very small Chihuahuas are often runts, unhealthy, or undernourished, or, if otherwise healthy, may have shortened life spans and other health problems due to extreme dwarfing. They are not normally suitable for breeding, and may require special care. Some breeders of small Chihuahuas increase the prices of the Chihuahuas, arguing that the smaller they are, the more they are worth. Most reputable breeders strongly disagree both with the pricing and with the breeding for smaller animals.

"Deer" or "deer-faced" are terms that are sometimes used to describe Chihuahuas that do not have the breed-standard apple-domed appearance. These terms are also unofficial and have no real meaning.

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Famous Chihuahuas

Image:TAQUITO CHIHUAHUA.jpg

Tinkerbell Hilton, Paris Hilton's pet, and author of "Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries"
Bruiser, Elle Woods' pet in the Legally Blonde movies
Gidget, the Taco Bell mascot
Ren Höek, of Ren and Stimpy fame
Wheely Willy, a motivational "speaker"
Tito from Oliver and Company
Taquito, the University of Puerto Rico's School of Medicine volleyball mascot
The Spooky Chihuahua from Invader Zim
Pepito, Xavier Cugat's chihuahua immortalized in the children's book Pepito the Little Dancing Dog: The Story of Xavier Cugat's Chihuahua.
Godzilla, a South Texas chihuahua that has won many awards in regional dog shows, and is now famous in its statewide commercials.
Pancho, the "heart-broken" dog of the Fullers in the movie Big Momma's House 2.