Chihuahua: Everything you need to know about this breed

Chihuahuas are pretty small (they’re the smallest breed in the world!) but big on animation. They can surprise you with their energy and playfulness, making them ideal puppies for your family.

They are intelligent and very devoted to their owner, these dogs can win over anyone with their unique, confident and well-spoken personalities – not to mention their admirable intelligence.

Origin: Mexico

Weight: 1-3 kg

Height: 15-23cm

Life expectancy: 12-20 years

History

The Chihuahua got its name because it was born in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Although its history is very intriguing, archaeological evidence and records dating back thousands of years state that the dogs of this breed descended from the Techichi, which is a native dog that lived there since 300 BC.

The techichi was very small used in the Toltec religion in sacrificial ceremonies. When a person died, the dog was sacrificed and cremated along with him, as it was believed that the animal would carry souls to the underworld in peace.

So during their lifetime they were revered by their families. In fact, despite being well cared for, dogs may have served as food for the Aztecs as well. There is also a theory that the Chihuahua was born in China and came to the West thanks to the action of traders.

Although it carries a somewhat sinister history, the chihuahua’s more recent past is bringing popularity and winning many fans in several countries.

Features

Race colors

There is a great diversity of colors, markings and combinations that color the coat of Chihuahuas, such as white, chocolate, black, cream, red, among others. All colors are recognized by the American Kennel Club, whether solid, demarcated or spotted. Regardless of their color, all dogs of this breed bring all their charm and also elegance to their coat.

Chihuahua temperament

Regarded as the smallest dog in the world, the Chihuahua is alert, gentle and very resilient. Her charm and cuteness conquer her entire family. They are very affectionate dogs and loyal to their owners. Chihuahuas are above average intelligence, learn very quickly, and inherit their terrier family personality traits, such as self-esteem and self-confidence.

Lively, dogs of this breed are also known to be witty and quite sassy. Training can help make them more obedient and companionable and control potential aggression.

This little dog has no idea of ​​his size. When it develops a combative and brutal behavior, the Chihuahua will not hesitate to challenge dogs of any size.

Does the chihuahua bark a lot?

Not. In general, Chihuahuas only bark when necessary. However, because they have a unique personality, some can feel quite confident and bark at other dogs, while others, more shy, hardly ever dare to bark.

Care

Like all breeds, some care is very important to ensure the quality of life for chihuahuas. Check out the main ones:

Bathing: A Chihuahua should bathe once a month or every 2 months. And you can even clean the coat with a damp towel between baths if need be.

Brushing: Both short-haired and long-haired dogs need to be brushed weekly with specific brushes for each type. .

Teeth: The ideal is to brush your teeth every day to maintain oral health and avoid tooth extractions or gum problems. If not, try at least 2 times a week.

Temperature: The Chihuahua is very sensitive, fragile and somewhat resistant to the cold. As such, they should not sleep or reside outside the home – which makes them perfect for apartments. Clothes and blankets are great wishes and necessary to keep you well warm on cold days.