Chihuahuas are one of the smallest breeds in the world, which have gained popularity due to their compact size, stable psyche and affectionate disposition. They quickly become attached to their owner and strive to please him in everything, so caring for the dog is not difficult. However, the characteristics of the exterior and health of representatives of this breed determine some nuances in caring for them, which you should also be aware of before purchasing a puppy.
Briefly about the Chihuahua
Dogs of this breed are very small and are considered the smallest among all representatives of the canine order..
Due to their accelerated metabolism, poorly developed undercoat and a small layer of subcutaneous fat, which provides poor protection from the cold, they quickly freeze and catch colds easily.
These dogs also have other breed characteristics that need to be taken into account when keeping them .
For example, the fact that they have fragile bones, and many individuals also have an open fontanel on the head.
Historical reference
The country of origin is Mexico, the breed is named after the largest state (Chihuahua). It is believed that the dogs were tamed by local residents even before the discovery of America by sailors. Animals were considered sacred. At the beginning of the 16th century, when the Spanish conquest of Mexico began, the breed was on the verge of extinction. She received her second birth 300 years later. Local residents began catching wild animals in the jungle to sell them to the Americans.
The dogs received their name in 1884. The official description of the Chihuahua breed appeared only in 1923. The modern standard was approved in 1998 by the Federation Canine Internationale (FCI). Today the breed is most popular in Mexico, the USA, and England.
Chihuahuas came to Russia in 1959, when during a trip to Cuba, Khrushchev was given two long-haired individuals. For breeding, representatives of the breed were imported from Algeria (in the 60s), Mexico, and England (in the 70s). Chihuahuas were most popular among Muscovites. In 1996, the National Breed Club opened. In 2005, a special breed club “Chihuahua World” was created, which united the best nurseries in the country.
How to care for a puppy
Chihuahua puppies are usually sold from three months of age and by this time they are already vaccinated. Some irresponsible breeders put babies up for sale from almost a month of age, when they are not yet ready for independent life.
You should not buy puppies that are too young: the baby should already be at least three months old: at this age he is already strong enough to live independently, and the vaccinations and quarantine he have completed reliably protect him from infections.
Caring for him is not much different from caring for an adult representative of the breed: puppies also need to be brushed, their ears and eyes cleaned, and their nails trimmed as needed.
But, before you bring the puppy home, you need to take care of safety: remove all wires from the floor, as well as other things that could harm the baby, for example, houseplant care products or household chemicals.
Unstable objects must either be strengthened so that they do not wobble or fall, or removed altogether, and the cracks under and behind the furniture, into which a tiny pet can crawl, must be carefully sealed.
After a dog appears in the house, you also need to be careful: do not scatter or leave chemicals, threads, needles, or medications unattended..
IMPORTANT!
You need to be prepared for the fact that the puppy may whine and ask to go to bed for the first few nights, as he is afraid to be alone in a new place.
In order for the little Chihuahua to calm down faster, you need to take the puppy to his place and put his things next to him: a rag or a toy that smells like his native nest, mother and littermates, which must first be taken from the breeder’s house.
For the first two weeks, you can feed the baby only with food recommended by the breeder..
If he fed the babies natural food, then the puppy should be given only those foods that were given to him in the nursery.
You can bathe your Chihuahua or trim its nails for the first time no earlier than a week after it arrives in the house, as these procedures will further increase the stress associated with moving.
You need to be careful when moving around the house or apartment, and before sitting on a chair or sofa, make sure that there is no puppy there.
Varieties of colors
Dog breeders love representatives of the Chihuahua breed for their different range of colors. More than 50 variations are known.
This is interesting: 9 of the most beautiful Chihuahua colors
White, often found as a base color. It may have stains of different shades or clearly defined spots.
The most popular colors of Chihuahuas:
- white;
- ginger;
- charcoal chocolate;
- pale yellow.
Rarer color options of the breed:
- black;
- blue;
- lilac;
- cream.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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Chihuahua puppies are born with gray or red hair. As dogs age, their color changes.
The beauty of each color is emphasized by the animal’s nose and irises of similar shades. For example, if a Chihuahua puppy is chocolate-colored, then the dog’s nose may be brown.
Basic rules for caring for an adult dog
Caring for an adult Chihuahua is simple: representatives of this breed do not require labor-intensive care for their fur.
They need to periodically clean their eyes, ears, teeth and trim their nails .
Coat care remains the same as in puppyhood: combing with a comb or brush and infrequent washing, which, if possible, is best avoided.
Due to the tendency of dogs of this breed to hypoglycemia, it is necessary to monitor not only the caloric content and nutritional value of the diet, but also the feeding regimen.
And, given that Chihuahuas easily become hypothermic, you need to provide your pet with a warm bed and dress it in a blouse or blanket if the temperature in the house or apartment drops to +15 degrees.
How to choose the right clothes for a Chihuahua, read here.
It is necessary to remember that an adult pet also needs to be vaccinated and treated against parasites on time..
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“Chihuahuas should only be kept in a house or apartment, as they are not intended for outdoor living. Caring for these dogs is not difficult: you need to monitor the condition of their eyes, ears and teeth and trim their nails in a timely manner, preventing them from overgrowing. Coat care consists of periodic combing and very infrequent washing. The Chihuahua needs to be fed fully and in strict accordance with the feeding schedule. You also need to consider that, like most small dogs, Chihuahuas need clothing that protects them from rain, snow and cold.”
Pros of the breed
Cute Chihuahuas are simply irresistible. Among the advantages of their breed:
- Miniature. The owner can carry the dog in his bag, and the daily food requirement is much less compared to other breeds.
- Pliable character. Such pets do not need to be walked in bad weather, but instead are trained to use a litter box at home.
- Good health. Despite their external fragility, these dogs have a good immune system. On average they live at least 16-19 years.
- Easy to care for. A Chihuahua will not cause much trouble - even a school-age child can be entrusted with caring for it.
What you need to prepare before buying a pet
Before purchasing a Chihuahua puppy, future owners need to purchase the following things::
- A bed or mattress of such a size that an older pet can sleep there.
- Toys: rubber, latex, sinew, braided, soft. Toys must be of high quality and intended for dogs.
- Two bowls of suitable size - ceramic or metal. One of them will be needed for food, the second for water.
- Tray or diaper.
- A comb with rounded, wide teeth for a long-haired dog or a medium-hard brush for a smooth-haired Chihuahua.
- Towel and shampoo for dogs.
- A toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
- Vitamin and mineral nutrition for puppies.
- Carrier for small dogs.
- Food recommended by the breeder. Or those natural products that are fed to the baby in the nursery.
It is also advisable to stock up on a cage or enclosure, which will come in handy when the puppy is left alone: in this case, he will not be able to injure himself and will not chew off anything valuable..
Selection rules
First of all, you need to find a good nursery. To do this, it is important to analyze customer reviews.
The puppy's forehead should not be flat (considered a defect). A dog’s strongly elongated muzzle is an indicator of impure blood. Shiny, thick fur and clean skin indicate the health of the dog.
You need to feel the joints and bones of the dog’s limbs. This will eliminate the risk of buying a previously injured dog.
Healthy Chihuahua puppies are:
- cockiness;
- courage;
- activity;
- good appetite.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
Ask a Question
You can't take an animal out of pity. This will doom the owner to constantly visit clinics and monitor a sick pet. Not all people can withstand this.
First days at home - what to do
First you need to accustom the puppy to its place, name and to maintaining cleanliness.
At the same time, the dog is taught the prohibitive commands “No” and “Fu”, as well as the approach on the command “Come to me”.
Read more about Chihuahua training here.
NOTE!
In the first days after purchasing a pet, you need to carefully monitor its health and if any signs of illness appear, you should immediately go to the veterinary clinic.
A vaccinated puppy can be taken outside on the first day after arrival, but it is better not to let it go just yet, as it needs to look around in the new place.
Next time, you can take your dog down to the ground for a while and walk him while keeping him on a leash.
In the first days after the dog appears, there should be a calm, friendly environment in the house . At this time, you need to protect the dog from additional stress, hypothermia or, conversely, overheating, as well as from possible infections.
Cons of the breed
Before you get a Chihuahua at home, you should also familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the breed:
- Difficult temperament. These charming creatures are very jealous. They cannot get along with other dogs and cats. In addition, the pet is very attached to the owner and requires constant care and attention from him.
- Intolerance for loneliness. Chihuahuas should not be left alone for long periods of time. This sad dog may lose his appetite and get sick. Or maybe it’s the other way around – barking for hours on end and ruining the owner’s things.
- Difficulties in training. The Chihuahua dog is very smart, but is reluctant to follow human commands. It is not easy to accustom her to a litter box at home, and it is even more difficult to teach her to obey the commands “sit”, “lie down”, etc.
- Fragility. These babies are very vulnerable due to their size. Even a fall from a small height can cause injuries and fractures. The owner himself can injure the dog if handled carelessly. Therefore, it is not recommended to train Chihuahuas to sleep in their master's bed. It is also not recommended to purchase a dog if there is a very small child in the house.
Where is the private space in the house?
The Chihuahua's place should be in the room, not in the hallway, bathroom or kitchen. At the same time, you need to take into account that you cannot place the puppy’s bed near heating devices, as well as in the aisle or in a draft.
It is best to equip not one place in the house for a pet, but several located in different rooms: this way the Chihuahua can always be close to its owners and take part in family affairs.
You can also purchase a dog house for a puppy of this breed, which protects against drafts better than a regular open bed.
How to feed?
It is recommended to feed your Chihuahua either premium and super-premium industrial food for small dogs, or natural high-quality products.
In this case, the pet’s diet should include lean meat, dairy products, seasonal vegetables and fruits, some cereals and herbs . Sometimes, once a week, the meat is replaced with sea fish.
When feeding naturally, it is recommended to periodically give your pet vitamin and mineral supplements, which make the diet more balanced and help replenish the lack of minerals and vitamins in the body.
Feeding a puppy from birth to 1 year
From birth to three weeks, Chihuahua puppies are breastfed. If for some reason they are deprived of this opportunity, they are fed every two hours with special milk formulas, which can be bought at the pharmacy. In the fourth week, the first complementary foods are given - a mixture of goat's milk and eggs, then liquid oatmeal, buckwheat or rice porridge, and cottage cheese. In the second month, turkey or rabbit meat is introduced into the diet.
At the age of two months, Chihuahuas are completely transferred to independent feeding and are given food 5-6 times. At four months, milk is replaced with protein foods, offal is introduced into the menu, and the total daily portion is increased.
From six to nine months, the number of meals is reduced to three times. The diet should consist of 50% meat, 25% vegetables and 25% cereals.
From nine months to a year, the Chihuahua's diet is switched to a two-time diet, with caloric content adjusted according to individual characteristics (60 kcal per kg of weight).
How often should you go for walks?
The Chihuahua is an active and energetic dog that loves to walk . In order for the dog to have time to run around and play enough in the fresh air, it is enough to walk with it for about an hour twice a day: in the morning and in the evening.
When training your pet to use the outdoor toilet, you need to take the dog out for walks more often: as soon as it has eaten or slept.
What clothes are needed?
The required minimum is two overalls (demi-season and winter) and several sweaters, blankets or vests that can be worn indoors when it gets cool in the apartment or house.
Winter boots are also needed to protect your pet’s paws not only from the cold, but also from contact with skin-corroding reagents on the paw pads..
For the summer, you can buy several light suits and a hat, panama hat or baseball cap, as well as sandals or sneakers.
Walking rules
The puppy is gradually accustomed to walks: first, they are carried out in their arms and allowed to get used to the street noise and the sight of people walking past and passing cars. After the pet is no longer afraid of such stimuli, you can lower it to the ground and let it run around a little, without letting it off the leash.
You can walk with a Chihuahua for a long time only in sunny and warm weather . In summer, it is best to walk the dog in the morning and evening, when it is not so hot, and in winter, if possible, during the day, during daylight hours.
At the same time, you need to remember that when the temperature drops to +15 degrees, the Chihuahua needs to be dressed before a walk.
And in frosty temperatures of -20 degrees, you shouldn’t go outside with your dog at all..
A Chihuahua feels more comfortable if you take it for walks on a harness rather than wearing a collar.
How to train to a tray?
Tray or diaper training begins immediately after the pet arrives in the house. In order for the puppy to quickly understand what this item is for, you need to place the tray close to his bed and take the baby there after every nap and feeding.
When the Chihuahua itself begins to do its business on the tray after waking up, you can gradually move the dog toilet to the place where it will be permanently located, moving it 20-30 cm daily.
CAREFULLY!
During litter box training, you should not punish your pet if the puppy did not have time to reach it.
And the place where the “crime” was committed needs to be thoroughly washed and treated with an odor-eliminating agent.
How to trim claws correctly and when?
Chihuahua's claws are difficult to wear down during walks and therefore need to be trimmed. The most convenient way to do this is with a guillotine-type nail clipper.
If the claw is light-colored and its living part is clearly visible, then you just need to insert the claw into the nail cutter and cut it off at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, with the cut location located approximately 2 mm below the pulp.
If a Chihuahua's claws are dark, then they need to be cut off in several stages, removing approximately 2 mm at a time and carefully inspecting each cut..
If there is noticeable darkening on it in the form of a dot in the center, then it means that there is no need to cut the claw further: you can touch the living part.
For adult Chihuahuas, their claws are shortened approximately once a month, and for puppies - once every 2 weeks.
How to properly clean your ears
A Chihuahua's ears should be inspected every day and cleaned when dirty or once a month. To do this, you will need a special means for cleaning dogs' ears, as well as cotton swabs and disks.
First, dipping the stick in liquid, you need to remove wax and dirt from the ear canal, without going deep, but cleaning only the visible part.
Then, using ear cleaner and a cotton pad, I remove dust and dirt from the inside of the ear.
Appearance of the breed
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world. According to the standard, the length of its body does not exceed 23 cm, its weight is no more than 2.5 kg, and the height of a Chihuahua is 15-23 cm. You can easily recognize the dog by several signs - the apple-shaped head, huge eyes and disproportionately large Chihuahua ears.
The color of a pet can be absolutely varied. The most common color is white. The rarest one is blue. There are also black, gray, chocolate, brown, red and sable colors.
The man tried to improve the breed, so he tried to cross short-haired Chihuahuas with pinschers and toy terriers, and long-haired ones with Spitz dogs and Papinons. Therefore, different types of Chihuahuas appeared.
How to bathe correctly and how often it should be done
You can bathe your Chihuahua three times a year, not more often, since frequent washing with soap harms the coat.
When bathing, you should use a special shampoo for short-haired dogs, and if the detergent is concentrated, then you need to dilute it with water..
Warm, but not hot water (35-40 degrees) is poured into the bath or basin.
After which, having placed the dog there, you need to thoroughly wet its fur, and then lather it with shampoo, carefully ensuring that the soap does not get into the pet’s nose, eyes and ears.
Then the shampoo should be rinsed off and the dog’s fur should be dried with a soft and warm towel. Until the Chihuahua is completely dry, it is best to hold it on your lap, not allowing it to run or, especially, lie on the floor.
If you need to dry the wool as quickly as possible, you can use a hairdryer..
How to brush your teeth
You can clean your pet's teeth using a small dog toothbrush and a special toothpaste purchased at a pet store. This should be done as they grow, without pressure or excessive friction, so as not to injure your pet’s gums or cause him pain.
Typically, dogs' teeth are brushed 1-2 times a week or, if necessary, somewhat more often..
What toys are needed?
Before buying a pet, you need to make sure that it has something to do with itself..
For Chihuahuas, small balls are suitable, as well as rubber or latex toys of other shapes intended for animals.
And vein toys are good because they not only keep your pet occupied for a long time, but also remove plaque and promote proper tooth replacement.
Many dogs love to play with rope braids, which can also be purchased at a pet store.
You should not let your dog play with old shoes or other worn-out shoes or clothing, as the pet will not be able to distinguish old from new and next time it will chew on something it needs..
A haircut
Decorative dogs need haircuts. Long-haired Chihuahuas are no exception. It is important to accustom puppies to this procedure from early childhood. At this time, one thing is required of the dog - to behave calmly. In addition, train your pet to use a hair dryer. This is necessary in cases where you are preparing a dog for exhibitions.
Chihuahuas can be skeptical about their upcoming haircut
You can have your animal groomed either by yourself or by a professional. If you know a good groomer, it is recommended to seek his services. A haircut is required not only to make the Chihuahua look neat, but also to minimize the risk of skin diseases. The process itself is not as simple as it seems from the outside. The dog breed standard states what a dog's appearance should be. In addition, it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the pet.
The process of cutting a Chihuahua with a clipper
It often happens that a Chihuahua is dissatisfied with the haircutting process and tries to bite the master during the work process. If you do this yourself, there is a chance that you will harm the animal. Therefore, it believes that you are trying to harm it and therefore resists. The second option why a dog doesn’t like to get his hair cut is a lack of trust in a certain person.
An aviary in an apartment - is it necessary and how to choose?
An enclosure for a Chihuahua is not a necessary household item and many owners get along just fine without it. But only if the pet sleeps or plays peacefully in their absence.
If a dog, left alone, begins to act up, then it is best to isolate it in an enclosure until the owners return . The same applies to small puppies who do not yet understand what can and cannot be done.
Enclosures for indoor dogs come in various shapes: rectangular, square, round and corner. All of them differ only in appearance, therefore, the owner himself can decide what shape of enclosure to choose.
Typically, enclosures are made of metal mesh and are considered quite convenient, as they are durable, not heavy and easy to clean.
The minimum dimensions of an enclosure for a Chihuahua should be approximately 60x60 cm.
Origin
In 1850, archaeologists discovered images of dogs. They looked like portraits of animals carved on the slabs of Montezuma's palace. This happened in Chihuahua, Mexico. A similar name was given to dogs.
The Indians revered Chihuahuas, believing in their sacredness. After the death of the owner, the dog was killed.
Later, pets began to be used for cooking. When the conquistadors came to America, some dogs managed to hide in the forest.
The Mexicans began selling the surviving animals at the market. Buyers were found quickly, and the dogs were purchased at a high price.
The breed was first exhibited at an exhibition in 1884. This was in Philadelphia.
About 80 years later, Fidel Castro gave Nikita Khrushchev two Chihuahuas - Misha and Masha. This is how long-haired, dwarf dogs came to the CIS.
