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Chihuahuas
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Among the smallest dog breeds in the world are the chihuahuas. These dogs are named after a location in Mexico, where they were first discovered. The appearance of the Chihuahua is what makes it a very popular companion dog for both celebrities and average people alike. The American Kennel Club has set standards for the breed which are the basis for dogs that entered in shows. The Chihuahua must stand between six and ten inches at their shoulders or withers and weigh no more than 2.7 kilograms. House pets and non-show dogs usually exceed these standards since they are allowed to eat more than the show dogs and their owners do not mind as long as they are fun loving and playful.
Chihuahua Appearance The Chihuahua is a very small dog with an apple sized head accompanied by large eyes and disproportionately large, erect ears. Chihuahuas come in several colors, either solid or a combination of colors. The most common colors are fawn, black, red, cream, blue and chocolate. Chihuahua coat patterns include the following, piebald spotting, Irish spotting, sable, masks, brindle, extreme white spotting, tan points and merle. Blue is difficult to find in Chihuahuas and therefore some may cherish it more. It is difficult to be very specific with the classification of their coats since there are many different combinations of colors and patterns that can be achieved, so the American Kennel Club has accepted any combination of colors and patterns for the Chihuahua breed. There are two types of Chihuahuas based of their long hair or short hair. These are known as the smooth coated and the long haired Chihuahua. Most long haired Chihuahuas have thin hair with a few very rare exceptions that have a coat that is dense and thick. The Health and Temperament of the Chihuahua Dog Chihuahuas are noted for their difficulty in giving birth and their bad teeth. Vets have also noticed that they are prone to hydrocephalus and have a soft spot in their skulls when they are puppies, but this eventually closes as they grow older. Many owners may have noticed that their Chihuahua has a tendency to tremble, but this happens only when they are stressed or excited. Chihuahuas are loving dogs that are devoted to their owners. They are prone to barking and jumping at times, but those that do just need a little training and discipline. They have a tendency to bite when frightened or surprised, so care must be taken when approaching a chihuahua that isn't familiar with you. They also like to associate with other chihuahuas more than with other dog breeds because of their size and appearance. Chihuahuas are loving dogs that are devoted to their owners. They are prone to barking and jumping at times, but those that do just need a little training and discipline. They have a tendency to bite when frightened or surprised, so care must be taken when approaching a chihuahua that isn't familiar with you. They also like to associate with other chihuahuas more than with other dog breeds because of their size and appearance. |