Learn about a Dog Every Day - Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is an elegant, alert and fast-moving small breed of dog, which is described in detail below:

Basic Information

• Latin name: Canis lupus familiaris (the scientific name of the genus Canis, Chihuahua as a breed of the genus, there is no independent Latin name, but often “Chihuahua” as its breed name)
• Alias: miniature dog, teacup dog, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Chihuahua
• Distribution area: America, Europe, Asia
• English name: Chihuahua
• Spanish: Chihuahueño
• Origin: Chihuahua, Mexico
• Lifespan: 10-14 years, some can reach 13-20 years

 

Body type and appearance characteristics

• Body size: Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, usually between 15-23 cm in height and 1-3 kg in weight, the smaller the size the more popular.
• Appearance: The head is round, like the shape of an apple, with large, thin ears that stand upright on either side of the head. Eyes are round and large, with a beautiful expression and dark eye color, especially ruby or bright. The muzzle is short and slightly pointed. The neck is slightly curved, the dorsal line is horizontal, the body is rounded, and the ribs support the chest, making the body strong and sturdy. The tail is of moderate length, held high or outward in a sickle shape, or curled over the back. The forelegs are narrow at the shoulder and taper downward, and the front legs are straight. The hind limbs are strongly muscled and properly spaced.
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The coat of the Chihuahua is categorized into two types: short-haired and long-haired:

• Short-haired type: the coat is soft, dense and smooth, densely covered with luster. There is coarse hair on the neck, but the hair on the head and ears is very short.
• Long-haired type: the coat is soft, flat or slightly curved in texture, preferably with undercoat. The ears are edged with trimmed hair and the tail is plump and long and feathery.
• Chihuahuas have a variety of coat colors, which can be any color except meteoric, including light fawn, blue, chocolate, black, black fawn, red, brown, etc.

 

Character traits

• Loyal to Loved Ones: Chihuahuas are extremely loyal to their owners, do not hold grudges, and greatly enjoy the company of others.
• Alert and brave: they have a terrier-like temperament, alert, confident and brave, able to defend themselves in front of large dogs.
• Active: Chihuahuas are usually active and cheerful, but some are shy and timid. They love to run around the house and need plenty of exercise.
• Possessive: Chihuahuas are jealous and possessive and need enough attention and love from their owners.

 

Feeding and management

• Environmental requirements: Chihuahuas are small in stature and do not require much living space, basically the space in the general residence is enough for them to play. They are suitable for living in apartments and can stay at home every day. However, they also need proper outdoor activities to enjoy sunbathing and fresh air.
• Hygiene and cleanliness: Chihuahuas need to be bathed regularly, usually every 1-2 weeks, using a dog-friendly body wash and making sure to blow-dry their fur to prevent skin diseases. Also, their ears need to be cleaned weekly to avoid problems such as ear mites. In addition, Chihuahua's teeth need to be cleaned regularly to ensure oral health.
• Diet management: Chihuahuas eat less but are more gluttonous. Therefore, owners need to control the amount of food they eat to avoid overfeeding leading to obesity or indigestion and other problems. It is recommended to take dog food as the main food, with lean meat and other nutritious food in moderation. At the same time, avoid feeding milk and other foods that can easily cause diarrhea.

 

Common diseases and precautions

• Hydrocephalus: Chihuahuas may suffer from hydrocephalus, which manifests itself in symptoms such as hitting the wall, moving slowly and walking shakily and unsteadily. Once these symptoms are found, the owner should take the dog to the doctor immediately.
• Dislocated kneecap: Chihuahuas are genetically predisposed to the problem of dislocated kneecaps. Therefore, owners need to avoid allowing their dogs to engage in excessive exercise such as jumping and running to minimize the risk of knee injuries.
• Fractures: Chihuahuas have slender bones that are prone to fractures. Therefore, when playing and moving around, owners need to be extra careful to avoid accidental injuries such as collision or falling of the dog.

 

In conclusion, Chihuahuas are an elegant, alert and lively small dog breed. They need love and companionship from their owners, as well as proper exercise and cleaning care. When raising Chihuahuas, owners need to understand their personality traits, breeding requirements and the prevention of common diseases to ensure their health and well-being.