Chihuahua

Having A Chihuahua Dog

Millions of individuals around the world are dog lovers. Unfortunately many of these individuals live in residences that prevent them from being a dog owner. For some no pets are allowed by their landlord, while others have too small of a space for a dog. However, many individuals with small spaces are discovering they can own a Chihuahua, which is actually the smallest dog in the world. Before you bring a Chihuahua home to your small or large living space you should learn what to expect. One of things many individuals underestimate about Chihuahuas is the size of space they actually need. Chihuahua dogs love to run and play as they have lots of energy and are very interactive. This is why it is important for you to take your Chihuahua outside every day to ensure he or she gets enough room to run around without being limited by space. Chihuahuas are dogs that don’t like to be left alone, as they prefer to be around people or other Chihuahua dogs. Many individuals choose to place their Chihuahua in a daycare facility specifically designed for dogs during the days when they are at work to prevent their dog from getting lonely. Others choose to purchase an additional Chihuahua dog to prevent their original pet from becoming lonely while they are gone all day. This is a good option for individuals that may not be able to afford the cost of daycare for their dog. However the cost to care for an extra dog may be just as much as the cost of daycare. If individuals decide to purchase two dogs they should do this when the dogs are young and before they become possessive. In addition, owners should also ensure all dogs are fixed when they are young since Chihuahuas are particularly vulnerable to attack when in heat. One thing that many individuals and families don't expect with Chihuahua dogs is their possessive nature. Chihuahuas have the ability to develop a special bond with people they are frequently around such as their owners or caregivers. They often bark, growl, snip at, bite or attack individuals that appear to be invading their space and their bond. This is why Chihuahuas will even attack fellow family members that live in the same house. Before you purchase or adopt a Chihuahua it is important you are fully knowledgeable and aware of their possessive behavior since it is one of the main reasons individuals get rid of them after only having them for a few months. Even though they may be possessive, Chihuahuas can make great pets for individuals and families. They have a lot of desirable qualities and are quite intelligent. However, you should become fully knowledgeable about Chihuahuas and know what to expect before you bring one home. Knowing what to expect from a Chihuahua is important before you bring them into your home. This article can provide you Chihuahua information about the behaviors and traits of this breed so you know what to expect when they become your pet.

The Chihuahua As A Pet

The Chihuahua dog makes an excellent companion because of their loyalty and need to be close to their owner, while their size makes them a convenient pet for many households. Some owners have even been able to let Chihuahuas ride inside the pocket of their coat, in a purse or tote bag or simple just carried under the owners arm. Chihuahuas enjoy outdoor activities and are easy to travel with. Although at home the Chihuahua dog can be a bit curious and mischievous. When left alone for a long period of time the dog will often find something to get into and make a mess. The Chihuahua gets along well with their own breed but often doesn't get along with other dog breeds. So if you have a Chihuahua it is best to only have the breed or choose very carefully before finding another breed of dog to add to the household. The Chihuahua dog has become very popular due to movies and advertisements such as the Taco Bell commercials. This means that you can now easily find a poorly bred Chihuahua that won't fit in with your household. The self-confidence and easy trainability of the breed causes many families to think they are perfect for their household. Although you can get a dog that was bred without a concern for their health and temperament if you buy from pet stores, newspapers or on the internet and you will have no way of knowing whether or not the dog will work with your household. Many good breeders will refuse to place a dog in a household with a child under the age of twelve. But the number of puppies from good breeders is limited due to their small litter size. Before determining if the breed is right for your household you should carefully consider their temperament. When it comes to caring for your Chihuahua dog you need to focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming. At each meal Chihuahuas only need a small amount of food. About two to three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy biscuits is all that most Chihuahuas require. It is best to have two or three small meals rather than just one large daily feeding. Some larger sized Chihuahuas can eat up to a half can of dog food. Most people don't know that the Chihuahua is actually capable of walking long distances, although they won't object if you want to carry them around either. Typically the Chihuahua gets the majority of their exercise from playing around the house. This is why the dog is an excellent choice for the elderly. When it comes to grooming you should use a soft brush and rub them down with a wet towel or glove to make their coat shine. Trim their nails regularly and keep their ears clean. Most households will do well with a Chihuahua, but some won't. Carefully consider Chihuahua information to make sure they are right for you.

Chihuahua: Always an Excellent Pet

The name of the Chihuahua comes from the Mexican state that is located next to west Texas and New Mexico, but the breed actually came from the ancient Techichi dogs of the Toltecs when they were crossed with a hairless dog from the Orient. Indigenous to Central America Techichi dogs were a heavy-boned small dog that had a long coat. The modern day Chihuahua is smaller than the Techichi and the original breed was mute. When the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs the dogs became a sacred icon of the upper class society and was used in religious ceremonies to help guide the spirits of the dead.

The breed wasn’t discovered outside of Mexico until the 1850s and soon after it became very popular throughout the world. In 1904 it was first registered with the American Kennel Club in the modern breed we see today. Today there remains the smooth-coated, vocal Chihuahua and the more traditional longhaired Chihuahua breed.
Graceful, alert and agile with a compact and terrier like quality is the official description of the Chihuahua breed given by the American Kennel Club. Generally the Chihuahua is a very graceful, energetic and swift dog, but each Chihuahua has it's own unique personality and some can be very grumpy, haughty or even nasty when provoke if they have an extreme terrier like quality to them.

This terrier like quality doesn’t make the Chihuahua a good breed for large households or those with small or noisy children because of their clannish tendencies and suspiciousness of other people. But the curiosity, intelligence and extreme loyalty of the breed make them an excellent pet for the elderly, individuals and disabled people. The Chihuahua will often become attached to just one or two individuals and want to be pampered. The Chihuahua is also idea for those living in apartments or on a limited income. You should always observe the temperament of your Chihuahua before determining if it is the right breed for you.
Despite the Chihuahuas small size, they often aren’t aware of it. Many times a Chihuahua will be much bolder than other dogs that are three times or more their size. Because of their fierce loyalty to only one or two individuals the breed will often become highly protective of their owners. It is because of this nature that they are often wary of strangers or any new guests that are introduced to the household that the Chihuahua considers it's personal domain.

While the Chihuahua doesn’t make a good guard dog, it is this personality trait that makes them an excellent watchdog. Human contact is necessary for a Chihuahua such as touching, petting and general attention. The breed will often resort to attention getting tricks if they don’t get the attention they want. This makes the breed seem too needy for some, but you can get so much back if you just give the Chihuahua love, affection and care.

Know the temperament of your Chihuahua dog before determining if they are right for your household. Chihuahua information can help you determine if this bold breed is right for you.