Is the Chihuahua for you?

Is the Chihuahua for you?
It's easy to imagine yourself with a loving companion, warming your lap and shadowing your steps, providing love on lonely days and security on lonely nights. And these scenes are very much part of living with a Chihuahua. Don't get a Chihuahua if you don't want a constant addition to your lap.

The Chihuahua's small size is generally an asset as small dogs are easier to feed, groom, transport, require less exercise and clean up after however, small dogs are susceptible to injury from accidents that large dogs might not even notice. Their size makes them vulnerable to injuries from other dogs, careless adults, and rough children. Chihuahuas are already pushing the envelope as far as size and health are concerned. Choosing the tiniest of an already tiny breed tends to magnify the chance and severity of any possible health problems. A tiny Chihuahua is not a good choice for an inexperienced dog owner. It is suggested that a dog weighing about 1.8 kg is ideal - small enough to be very cute yet large enough to be fairly sturdy. "Teacup" Chihuahuas are simply very small Chihuahuas. A rule of thumb is that adult Chihuahuas will weigh roughly twice as much as they do when they are twelve weeks old.

Your selection of a puppy can be determined by your needs, a show potential or a good pet. While you may purchase a puppy in the hope of having a successful career in the show ring, it is impossible to tell, at eight to ten weeks whether your dog will be a contender. Some promising pups end up with minor to serious faults which would prevent them from taking home a Best of Breed award, but this certainly does not mean that they can't be the best companions for you and your family.

In order to assess the puppy's personality it would be a good idea to interact with his parents as the puppy inherits not only his appearance but also his personality from his parents. If the parents are fearful or overly aggressive, these same characteristics may likely show up in your puppy. A puppy that freezes in place or always heads home when carried a short distance away from its litter mates may not have the self-confidence typical of the Chihuahua.

The teeth should be straight and meet up evenly, with the top incisors just overlapping the lower incisors. Crooked teeth and undershot bites will only get worse with age. The gums should be pink; pale gums may indicate anaemia.   It's human nature to go for the extremes in temperament, but for most family companions you're better off choosing the puppy that is neither the boldest nor the shyest in the litter. Should you be choosing a Chihuahua as a pet dog and not a show dog you should select a puppy that is friendly and attractive.   The gender of your puppy is a matter of personal taste and again the coat length bearing in mind that a long-coat will require a little more grooming than a smooth coat but neither is very time consuming. Long-coat Chihuahuas require less brushing than other long-coated breeds and they can be maintained easily. Chihuahuas are available in a multitude of lovely colours.   It is important that you obtain from your breeder the puppy's pedigree and registration certificate registered with a recognised kennel club should you plan on showing or breeding in the future. It records your puppy's ancestry and other important data, such as the pup's date of birth, its sex, its sire and dam, its breeder's name and address and so on. If your dog has pure bred champions in his background, then the pedigree papers are valuable as evidence of the good breeding behind your dog. At the time of acquiring your puppy you may have considered him to be a pet only, but with time you may want to have him shown or perhaps even breed and therefore it is important that the breeder registers your puppy through a recognised kennel club.

A bit about their history…

A bit about their history…

The first record of the Chihuahua breed seems to have occurred in 1884 when Mexicans began selling them to tourists in the border markets. American visitors to Mexico named the dogs according to the region of the border in which they were found, such as Arizona Dogs, Texas Dogs, or simply Mexican Dogs. However, so many came from the Mexican state of Chihuahua just south of the border that the name Chihuahua dogs stuck. No matter what its ancient roots may be, the Chihuahua will always be considered a Mexican breed. Chihuahuas first appeared in American dog shows in 1890 and was recognised by the United Kennel Club in 1948.

  More about these spunky, lively, bold and quick witted dogs…   He carries his head proudly and tail confidently and moves with a brisk forceful action and never does he just stroll but will instead move as though he has exciting things to do and leaves no doubt that he owns every inch of the way.   They are incredibly brave for their size and at times this gets them into more trouble than they can handle.   A Chihuahua will soon become your best friend regarding you as the centre of his universe as he prefers human companionship over that of its own species. They are noted for preferring the company of other Chihuahuas to that of other breeds but will lower themselves to consort with other breeds, especially if they are raised with them. They are a clannish breed and enjoy being in a pack of Chihuahuas. The breed commonly lives well past 10 years.   Chihuahuas have a strong immune system, overall hardiness and are disease free pure-bred.   They are considered to be excellent and reliable alarm dogs. When your Chihuahua barks it may be worth investigating!   They are the most adaptable breed. They rarely shiver from fear or cold but will tremble if nervous or excited. They are sun-worshippers and love sunbathing in the sun for hours and even when kept indoors will find that little pool of warm sun.  

WARNING: Chihuahua ownership is addictive! Their small size makes adding more and more to your household very tempting but don't lose sight of the fact that each Chihuahua needs as much, if not more, love and attention than a large breed of dog.   Chihuahuas are available in a rainbow of colours and in both smooth and long coats. Don't expect a long coat to develop fully until a year or more of age.

 

Socialization of your puppy

Socialization of your puppy

Socialization is the term we use to describe how a dog learns to relate to people, other dogs and his environment. Your dog will keep on learning throughout his whole life, but puppyhood is the time when experiences – good or bad – have the biggest impact on him. These experiences are critical to your puppy’s future, and will have a long-lasting effect on his behavior throughout his life. Also, socializing your puppy is great fun, and serves as an excellent chance for you to get to know him really well. Following are some useful tips on puppy socialization.

Expose your puppy to different sights and sounds

In a perfect world your puppy’s socialization would have started in his first months of life but even if your pup is eight months old it’s never too late to socialize him, and the process continues his whole life. Think of all the situations and environments that your puppy will need to be comfortable in: riding in the car, meeting strangers, having contact with the children next door (and children in general), walking along the street, tolerating large trucks and cars, large animals such as horses, vacuum cleaners, and washing machines – to name just a few.

You are basically aiming at preparing your puppy for all eventualities so that whenever he encounters anyone or anything new, he’ll greet it with inquisitiveness rather than fear or aggression. Expose your puppy to all sights and sounds gradually, and allow him to explore and learn for himself; for example, switch on the vacuum cleaner in another room to avoid startling him with a sudden loud noise, and let him go find it. Make sure that when he finds the vacuum cleaner, this is a rewarding rather than a threatening experience. You can easily do this by placing a piece of food next to the vacuum cleaner. If your puppy is quite shy and frightened, you can start off by placing a snack next to the switched-off vacuum cleaner, and then work your way towards your puppy tolerating it when the machine is switched on.

It’s essential that your puppy be completely comfortable being with people and children. So introduce him to all sorts of different people. Let him meet people of all descriptions: bearded, thin, overweight, tall, wearing hats or glasses, carrying bags, pushing bicycles, etc.

It is, however, important that children be taught the rules of handling puppies; an adult should always supervise children and dogs. Dogs may actually see children as a different species than adults, because they move differently, speak differently and react differently than adults. Start slowly by spending time in and around children's parks where your puppy will learn the sights and sounds of children playing. Start by having just a few children around your puppy, then build up to a larger number.

It is, of course, unrealistic and even impossible to expose your puppy to everything he’s likely to meet in the future. However, if you can teach him that new experiences are pleasant, he will grow up learning that unknown things and situations are something to explore, rather than to be fearful of. But don’t be surprised if your previously confident puppy starts to show apprehension towards objects he was fine with during his juvenile period (at approximately 14 months of age, depending on the breed), since this can be normal in some dogs at this age. If this happens, it’s important that you carry on with your socialization program by regularly re-exposing your young dog to novel experiences.

Interacting with other dogs

It’s also essential that your puppy learn to interact with other dogs correctly. Puppies, like all young animals, love to play, and games play a vital part in a dog’s development. Dogs develop their canine communication skills through playing with other dogs as puppies.

Through playing, dogs learn the behavior of not biting. When puppies play physical games, they soon learn that a litter mate or adult dog will not tolerate sharp teeth pulling on ears or necks. If a puppy “bites” another dog too hard, he will get a quick reprimand, with the other dog stopping the game for a brief moment. A puppy soon learns to limit the strength of his “bites,” and will stop biting too hard when he’s playing with other dogs.

You and your family should continue teaching your puppy not to bite. Whenever your puppy uses his teeth on your skin, you should respond with a sharp yelp of pain (even if it doesn’t hurt), as this will teach your puppy to learn that touching human skin with his teeth is not allowed, no matter how gentle he is. Also, the game you and your puppy were playing should stop for a moment, which will help your puppy quickly learn that to continue having fun he must not "bite" you.

Adopting a puppy

Adopting a puppy

Are you adopting your first puppy or do you want to bring a second puppy into your home? It’s easy to fall in love with a puppy at first sight, however it’s important to do your research and pick the puppy that is best suited to you. For example, the puppy whose face melts your heart may be very laid back and not fit into your active lifestyle. This can be very disappointing, especially if you saw yourself with a puppy who would share in your activities.

You will also need to choose what breed of puppy you want. Do you want a pure-breed or a mixed-breed puppy? Bringing a puppy into your home is a long-term commitment and your decision should be made after careful consideration, both emotional and practical.

Adopting a puppy from an animal shelter or rescue organization

This can be a wonderful feel-good experience. Not only are you adopting a puppy into your home, you’re also saving his life. But it can also be a difficult experience – you may find it hard to walk away with only one puppy. Following are a few points to consider when adopting a puppy from a shelter:

Shelters are not just for mixed breeds. Although most puppies in a shelter are mixed breeds, there may be pure breeds, too. Most of the puppies in shelters are there because they were abandoned when their owners realized they didn’t have the time or energy to care for them – this can happen to both mixed and pure-breed puppies.

Don’t look and leap into adoption. It’s important to interact with the puppy. Is he aggressive or very submissive? While observing your puppy, remember that he may not be at his best in the stressful environment of the shelter. Ask a friend or family member to come with you to the shelter. They can help you stay objective, and stop you from adopting the first puppy you see. Visit the shelter several times before making your decision.

Information. Most of the puppies in shelters have been abandoned and as a result you may not get much information about your puppy’s background.

Look for medical problems. Your puppy should look and sound healthy. He should not be coughing and there should not be any discharge from his eyes or nose. Check with the shelter staff to find out what vaccinations your puppy has received.

After the adoption. Be patient while your new puppy adjusts to his environment. Being in your home will be a very different environment, and he will need time to get used to his new surroundings. To help your puppy adjust to his new home give him a toy before leaving the shelter. Let him familiarize himself with the toy while still at the shelter and when you get home place the toy beside his new bed.

Adopting a puppy from a breeder

If you’re looking for a purebred puppy you will usually be adopting from a breeder. The benefits of adopting from a breeder are many, including the fact that any reputable breeder will be able to provide your puppy’s full history.

Picking a breeder. The facility should be clean and the breeder should be willing and able to answer all of your questions.

Socialization. A reputable breeder will have started your puppy’s socialization. Your puppy should be comfortable being handled and should not show signs of aggression.

Age. Puppies need time with their mothers. Reputable breeders will not let a puppy go until he is at least 8 weeks of age.

Background. Your puppy’s mother should be nearby. Ask to see the mother so you can get a feeling for your puppy’s temperament and assess how big he may grow.

The most important tip when adopting a puppy

Be realistic. Do you have the time necessary to spend with a puppy (or two if this is your second puppy)? He will need to be exercised and played with daily. He will also need training and should be made to feel he is a member of your family. Are you ready for a 10 to 15 year commitment? If your answer is yes, think about what puppy would best suit your lifestyle and take your time in choosing the right puppy for you. Then get ready for a rewarding relationship.

Gnawing Problem

Is your dog chewing you out of house and home?

Dogs tend to chew or gnaw on inappropriate objects when they're bored, anxious, or craving attention. Designating play zones throughout your house and equipping each with a few pup-friendly chew toys and treats can cut down on the destruction. If you catch your dog in the midst of destructive chewing, take the item from him or her and walk away. On the other hand, if your dog is happily chomping on a toy, stick, or bone, reinforce the good behavior with enthusiastic praise and petting.

Feeding your Chihuahua

Feeding your Chihuahua

Feeding is an important concern for all Chihuahua and small dog owners.  Small dogs and other small animals are susceptible to hypoglycemia.  Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level, causing 'sugar shock.'

To prevent low blood sugar, small Chihuahuas should have small frequent meals and plenty of time to rest.  Another preventative for this is to feed your dog Nutrical, available from your Veterinarian or your local pet store. Nutrical gives your dog the vitamins needed with a single inch strip in the morning and in the evening.  Vanilla yogurt mixed in their food is also another good source. 

Recommended food brands are Eukanuba, and other major pet store brands.  Feeding your pet "expensive" store brands can actually be less expensive, as your pet will be eating less, while actually in taking more nutrients and vitamins.  Eukanuba offers a small breed formula, created especially for smaller dogs and Iams offers a MiniChunks option.

As for soft food:  Soft food is an excellent way to teach your small puppies to eat solid foods.  It is not at all a good habit to keep.  Your dog may be little, and of course a little spoiled, however, feeding them only canned and soft foods can cause a lot of harm to their teeth over time.  The hard food keeps their teeth clean of tarter and strong.  Being that Chihuahuas live almost 20 years, keeping their teeth in optimum health is really in not only their best interest, but yours as well.  Occasional soft food is an excellent treat.