SO WHAT IS A CHIHUAHUA?

SO WHAT IS A CHIHUAHUA? "To know me is to love me." -- Chihuahua's motto, if they could talk.

This FAQ is written for both the experienced owners and casual readers in mind. Please note that The Chihuahua FAQ is a guide only, and should NOT replace veterinarian advice and/or more authoritative published works written on this breed. Since I only have the experience of owning one Chihuahua, I would appreciate feedback from other Chihuahua owners.

If you already own a Chihuahua, then I'll be preaching to the converted when I say that they are one of the most loyal, sweet-tempered, and gentle of the toy breeds. The Chihuahua, with its apple-dome skull and large luminous eyes, can wear a remarkably human expression at times; she or he will want to be with you most, if not all, of the time. A warning to casual dog owners: Don't buy a Chihuahua if you don't have the emotional real estate in your heart or the time for the complete love and attention of this furry little person.

History

Carvings found in the Monastery of Huejotzingo, on the highway from Mexico City to Puebla, give strong evidence as to the Chihuahua's origins. This monastery was constructed by Franciscan Monks around 1530. The Monks used stones from the Toltec civilization. Little is known of the Toltecs, but we do know that they existed as early as the 9th century A.D. in what is now Mexico. The Toltecs had a breed of dog they called the "Techichi". And the carvings on the stones at Huejotzingo give a full head view and a picture of an entire dog that closely resembles the modern-day Chihuahua. From this evidence, we can safely assume that the Chihuahua is a descendant of the Techichi.

Additionally, there are remains at some pyramids and other pointers to the early existence of the Techichi at Chichen Itza in Yucatan.

The Techichi was a religious necessity among the ancient Toltec tribes and later among the Aztecs. Archaeologists have found the remains of this breed in human graves in Mexico and in parts of the United States.

The first Chihuahua to be officially registered by the American Kennel Club was "Midget" in 1904.

Physical Description

Chihuahuas go under the classification of "toy breeds." They are the smallest breed of dog in the world. They are, in fact, the only "natural" toy breed. That is, they are naturally small and aren't a result of "breeding-down" larger breeds, as were other toy breeds.

Chihuahua can be smoothcoats or longcoats. Interestingly, there is no breeding distinction made between the two in the United States, since in the States, both smoothcoats and longcoats can occur in a litter; however, in the United Kingdom, smoothcoats and longcoats are considered two different breeds and are never interbred.

The breed standard, approved September 11, 1990 disqualifies any dog over 6 pounds from the conformation ring; however, they can weigh up to 9 pounds or more.

One of the Chihuahua's most distinctive characteristics is its head, which is well-rounded and referred to by breeders as an "apple-dome" type skull. In contrast, its muzzle is extraordinarily tiny in contrast. Pink noses are sometimes found on blonde Chihuahuas.

Another distinctive physical feature of the Chihuahua is the ears: large, held erect, and flaring to the sides at an angle of about 45 degrees, the Chihuahua uses its ears to express a variety of emotions and responses.

The eyes, usually dark and luminous, are wide-set. Again, blondes may have lighter eyes. Tears are often produced in abundance to keep the large eyes lubricated, and it is not unusual for tears to fly from a Chihuahua's face when it shakes its head during play.

The back should be level and the rib-cage rounded. Some Chihuahuas may actually have barrel-shaped rib-cages, but professional breeders find this undesireable. The hindquarters are muscular and thin.

The Chihuahua has stick-like legs and dainty feet. The tail is longish carried either in a sickle fashion or in a loop with the tip touching the back.

Finally, coat color: there are a variety of shades, including brindle, blonde, black, brown, fawn, blue, and "splashed." It is interesting to note that Mexico prefers the jet black with tan markings, and the black and white spotted; the United States overwhelmingly prefers the solid colors, especially fawn.

Temperament

I hear from experienced Chihuahua owners that each dog of this breed has their own unique personality; this is a very individualistic breed. However, a few generalizations can be made. Chihuahuas are graceful, energetic, and swift-moving canines. They have often been described as having "terrier-like" qualities; that is, the qualities of being alert, observant, and keen on interacting with their masters. They are extremely loyal and get attached to one or two persons.

These tiny dogs are certainly unaware of their diminutive stature: they can be bold with other dogs much larger than themselves, and protective of their masters. They are fiercely loyal to their masters and wary of any strangers or new guests introduced into the household, which the Chihuahua considers to be its personal domain. For these reasons, Chihuahuas make good watch dogs (not guard dogs, though!).

The Chihuahua needs a great deal of human contact: touching, petting, and general attention. If the Chihuahua does not get this, she or he will use various attention-getting tricks until you give her/him attention. (My own uses her paws to lightly scratch my hand, a signal that says, "Pet me now!") Some owners who have had other, more independent breeds may find the Chihuahua too needy. However, Chis give alot of love and affection in return for your care.

Keeping more than one Chihuahua can greatly ease the dog's stress when left alone each day if the owner works. (They will compete for your attention when you get home, though!)

Because they are by nature gentle, loyal, and sweet-tempered, Chihuahuas are ideal for single people, the elderly, the handicapped, and shut-ins. They will keep you company for hours by lying on your lap or beside your torso if in bed, and treat you like royalty. No one with a Chi in their household will ever be truly alone!

Care and Maintenance

Chihuahuas are a good breed for city-dwellers, or those who just don't have the time to walk their dogs that often. They are quite happy in apartments, as long as there is enough to play with and explore. (They love exploring like most dogs.)

Opinions from dog authorities differ on how often to bathe a Chihuahua. Some say that bathing too often removes the natural oils from the coat, and thus dandruff will result and the coat will look dull. Others say that shampooing on occassion with certain brands of shampoo can actually enhance the sheen of the coat.

It has been my experience that Chihuahuas should be bathed at least once a month, otherwise they develop an unpleasant smell. This is actually due to the skin cells that humans slough off onto the Chihuahua! So humans are the main contributors to that smell that can develop.

When bathing, take care not to get water into their ears, as an infection can develop.

Since the Chihuahua is mainly a housepets, you will need to trim their nails at least once a month. On the smaller Chis, cat claw trimmers can be used. It's good to start a nail-trimming routine early-on so that your dog becomes accustomed to your handling its paws (not to mention getting used to the big shiny clippers!).

You should consult your veterinarian about the nutritional needs of your Chihuahua. According to some of the dog care books I consulted: after weaning (up to six weeks), puppies should be fed four meals a day until three months old; from 3 months to 6 months they should be fed three meals a day; and from six months to a year they should be fed twice a day. After 1 year, once a day is fine. However, it has been my experience that even into adulthood, Chihuahuas prefer several small meals as opposed to one big meal per day. I have found that regular adult dog food is just fine for this breed. Dry food or a mixture of dry food with canned food is preferable, since in some cases canned food is difficult for this breed to digest (resulting in diarrhea).

Like all dogs, Chihuahuas appreciate "treats." Be careful, though, in your selection. The following treats, in small quantitites, are useful as rewards when training or as general special snacks: cheese, Alpo snacks, raw-hides, Bonz, peanut butter. However, do be careful not to over-indulge with snacks, as overweight is a health-hazard for dogs in general.

Tags: Chihuahua