Mini Chihuahua features of caring for a baby Chihuahua

Story

The Chihuahua is the national pride of Mexico, because this is where this breed comes from. Since about 1850, there has been information that indigenous people are selling small dogs with unusual appearance to tourists.

The animal was presented to the general public in 1904 at an exhibition in the USA (Philadelphia). Almost 20 years later, Chihuahua clubs began to appear. The first one opened in 1923 in America, at which time breed standards were adopted (but so far only for smooth-haired individuals).

The British Chihuahua Club adopted new standards in 1949, and the Chihuahua breed was divided into two subspecies: long-haired and short-haired.

The origin of the Chihuahua dog is shrouded in legends. Mexican aborigines believe that the ancestors of their pets resembled monkeys because they knew how to climb trees. Ancient Indian civilizations (Aztecs, Mayans) retained memories of a tiny dog ​​called techichi.

During excavations, archaeologists continue to discover the remains of Chihuahuas. The oldest finds date back to 1.5 thousand years BC. e., these are the burial places of the Toltec tribe (it was customary for dogs to be placed in the tomb along with their deceased owners). They got Chihuahuas from an even more ancient and mysterious civilization - the Incas.

XVI-XVIII centuries AD e. almost turned out to be fatal for the Chihuahua breed - the conquistadors from Spain (and their descendants) mercilessly exterminated the Indians along with their pets. But dog enthusiasts at the beginning of the 19th century were able to find several purebred dogs in one of the surviving Aztec settlements.

Animals began to spread across Europe not so long ago - in the 1950s, when the breed had already gained official recognition and standards. In the USSR, the first pair of Chihuahuas appeared in 1959, when the dogs were brought from Cuba as a gift to N.S. Khrushchev.

Dossier

Height: 15 – 20 cm. Weight: mini Chihuahua: 1 – 1.5 kg, super mini Chihuahua: 0.5 – 1 kg. Color: black and tan, brown and tan, white, black, white and black and chocolate. Coat length: short; long. Life expectancy: 15 – 20 years. Advantages of the breed: loyalty, ease of care. Difficulty of the breed: traumatism. Mini Chihuahua price: $700 – $2000 Classification: miniature, decorative, companion dog.

Description

According to the standard, dogs have a slightly elongated body, stable limbs and a large head. From the side, the shape of the pet resembles a square - the length of the Chihuahua’s body is slightly greater than its height. Male individuals of the breed are stockier and more massive.

Wool

The breed standard takes 2 types:

1. Shorthair. The fur is short, close to the body, soft texture, shiny.
2. Long-haired. The cover is thin, smooth, slightly wavy, silky. Longer, but moderately non-flying, hair grows on the Chihuahua's ears, neck, tail and the back of all the dog's legs.

The skin of a Chihuahua is smooth and without wrinkles.

If an animal does not meet the listed standards or has non-standard characteristics, then the dog is not allowed for breeding or exhibitions.

Puppy cost

For one breeder, prices for different puppies vary according to the classes of dogs: show, breed and pet. The first ones have exceptional qualities, are promising for participation in exhibitions, are as close as possible to the breed standard, and are the most expensive. The latter are suitable for breeding, with good breeding parameters. Still others are pets with possible deviations from the standard. They are not suitable for breeding and are cheaper than others.

It was mentioned above that mini dogs are more expensive than standard ones. This is true if they meet the breed standard in other respects. Add a rare color - chocolate or blue - to its miniature size, and you get an incredibly expensive dog. Determine what you want from your puppy. If you plan to exhibit him and win prizes, do not skimp on a show class with titled parents and a rich pedigree. Research what a “proper” puppy should look like or invite an independent expert to evaluate the litter.

Pedigree

When buying a mini Chihuahua as a pet, check out its pedigree. If the puppy does not have a pedigree, you risk purchasing a mixed breed or outbred lap dog. Pedigree is a guarantee of a dog’s good conformation and stable psyche.

Unscrupulous on the buyer's desire to save money. They name the price of a puppy - 20 thousand rubles, and offer to buy it without a pedigree for 10 thousand. The buyer is sure that the puppy has a pedigree, but there is none.

Unscheduled matings

Unscheduled mating is a term from the times of the USSR, when nurseries were set a plan for the number of matings of puppies. Today it is used as an excuse for lack of pedigree. An inexperienced buyer hears the words “titled parents”, “unscheduled mating” and forms a picture in his head when two dogs with a pedigree mated at the wrong time, so the puppy’s pedigree cannot be corrected. In fact, unplanned mating hides the intercourse of dogs of different breeds, and puppies are obtained in the most incredible sizes, parameters and colors. These may be “Chicho-Toys” or “Pug-Chichos”, which by default cannot claim the proud title of Chihuahua.

When buying a miniature or super mini dog, buy it when it is over 4 months old. Be careful and evaluate the puppy according to all criteria. Ask for documents, study the baby’s pedigree. Check your weight and body proportions. Don't get hooked by scammers.

Characteristics

The dogs have a confident gait, with a wide stride and a strong lunge. Pets push off the ground powerfully. The dog's head is always raised and looks in the direction the movement is directed. The Chihuahua walks confidently, freely, and elegantly.

Dogs quickly adapt to changing conditions, are undemanding in everyday life and are able to ignore minor inconveniences. Pets are psychologically stable, especially when compared with other miniature dogs.

This is interesting: 4 less popular decorative breeds

Behavior and skills

A description of this mini breed would be incomplete without mentioning the courage of the Chihuahua. The little animal, without hesitation, will rush to protect its owner and its property. An attack on an enemy is accompanied by an angry bark, and the dog may even bite.

Huas are distinguished by strong jealousy towards family members. Pets show any feelings they have towards others very expressively. The dogs make contact easily. Chihuahuas wait patiently if their owner is busy. But as soon as a person pays attention to a pet, it instantly becomes playful and lively. But the energy of a mini dog is depleted quickly, so after high activity the dog often sleeps for a long time.

Upbringing

As soon as the dwarf Chihuahua puppy gets into the house and settles in, you can “explain” the rules of behavior. And you need to start small: where to relieve yourself, where the bowl is. It is important to show from the first days that you are the boss. If this is not done, then you will get an uncontrollable pet who will lead you. This is not a sofa decoration, but, although small, it is a dog that needs training. If you punish a puppy for an offense, do it after it has been committed, otherwise he will not understand the essence of the punishment. Don't hit him, he will be afraid of you.

Always refer to your puppy as you named him. You should not use the addresses “small”, “pretty”, “honey”. He must know his nickname.

Character and appearance

Dogs are characterized by rapid growth, early development and maturation. Chihuahuas are characterized by amazing sensitivity and attentiveness. A one-year-old baby is able to understand a person’s mood and character. A dog at a distance feels anger, irritability, even conflict, so the Chihuahua will deliberately avoid communicating with certain people.

The character of each animal is unique. Dogs can be affectionate, stubborn, lively, even vicious. If from the outside Chihuahuas seem like toys sitting quietly in a lady’s purse, then the owners know that dogs do not tolerate neglect and disrespect, and only the owner has authority for them.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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Children do not tolerate forced loneliness well. The pet's playfulness and cheerfulness often borders on incredible touchiness and uncontrollability.

Differences between Chihuahua mini and standard

Puppies born in a litter of ordinary sires sometimes weigh differently, or some individuals lag behind others in the process of growing up. By about 2 months, the difference is already obvious - some pets gain 400-500 g, others - up to 1 kg and look larger.

By this time, all the kids are registered in the club and documents are filed for them. With a high probability, immediately stunted individuals grow slowly and are unlikely to exceed 1500 by the year. Knowing the demand among buyers for everything unique, breeders sell pets like mini-Chihuahuas. Moreover, the dogs are not suitable for further breeding.

The differences in the average weight of the breed varieties are shown in the table:

Dwarf Chihuahuas are much weaker in health than their ordinary counterparts, so they often create a lot of additional problems for their owners.

Mini chihuahua

Mini dogs are those whose weight is less than 1.7 kg. They are included in the general standard, but enjoy a certain popularity. Most often, such puppies are obtained if there are more than 3 animals in the litter. The dogs simply did not take the required amount of nutrients in the womb and remained crumbs.

These pets are cute and funny, but very painful. In addition to their fragility, they often catch colds due to weak immunity. They can be injured even by a slight collision with the surface of an object. In addition, it is difficult to find a specialist who will treat such a miniature dog, especially if surgery is required.

The cost of small Chikhov can double. Breeders often advertise super small dogs as a new breed variety, but it is better to take a closer look at standard dogs. The guarantee for their health is several times higher.

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dogs in the world. It is ideal for older people or families without small children. But even a decorative dog needs education, and even more so, such a difficult one as this one.

Raising and training a Chihuahua

The small size of an adult dog does not prevent the animal from being very proud, arrogant and wayward. Chihuahuas are not stupid, they can quickly navigate and adapt, but they are not particularly intelligent, which creates difficulties in raising dogs.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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It can sometimes be difficult to teach a Chihuahua anything, so it is necessary to start the process at 2-3 months, while the pet’s character has not yet formed. Dogs learn simple commands and simple actions quickly.

Particular attention is paid to the socialization of the breed. A mini pet cannot be kept in isolation from other animals and people. To do this, owners need to devote more time to the kids and take the Chihuahua outside every day.

Training

Training for a Chihuahua is not a mandatory, but desirable action, because the dog needs to properly adapt to human society. A dog should not bark over trifles. The first sign of a well-bred Chihuahua is its ability to only vocalize at particularly important or emotional moments. Also, a well-mannered dog should not spoil household things in the absence of the owner and obey him at any time during a walk and even in atypical situations.

You can train a puppy from the age of 2 months; this breed is distinguished by its intelligence . The optimal training time is 15-20 minutes a day, but certainly daily. As punishment, you can slightly raise your tone or ignore the dog for a while, but under no circumstances should you scream or use violent methods against the animal.

Care and maintenance

The dog causes little trouble, as it is quite unpretentious in everyday life. The compact size of pets allows them to be kept in the most cramped conditions.

Grooming rules acceptable for most breeds:

1. Short but daily walks. The pet will be able to relieve itself in a cat tray (or on a diaper), so long and frequent stays in the air can be eliminated.
2. When you get home, you should wash your dog's paws. But bathing a Chizuahua with special means is permissible no more than twice a month. After water treatments, your mini pet should be kept warm so that it does not catch a cold.
3. The dog's nails are trimmed or filed once every 1.5-2 weeks.
4. Regular hygiene of your pet's ears and eyes is necessary.
5. A Chihuahua's haircut is not required, but the coat must be thoroughly combed every 5-7 days.
6. Teeth are the weak point of the breed. They must be cleaned with special pastes once every 7 days. If stones form in your Chihuahua, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Mini dogs do not tolerate cold well, so in winter, Chihuahuas should be dressed in warm clothes for walks. Pets are taught to wear overalls from childhood, since representatives of this breed do not like to wear outfits.

Useful article: Rules for toilet training a Chihuahua

Chihuahua character

The character of dogs of this breed is formed early, as they mature quickly. By 12 months they are already fully formed both physically and psychologically. One of the interesting features of the Chihuahua is the ability to understand people and feel their mood. A Chihuahua will never approach an angry, irritated or conflicted person.

Good adaptability is characteristic of these dogs and, if necessary, they can get used to new circumstances. The Chihuahua will not suffer and get hung up on trifles if the living conditions are more than modest.

These dogs are also very proud, which significantly complicates their educational process. Therefore, the socialization of the dog should be at the forefront of training . Since these animals mature very early, this process should begin at 2-3 months. For socialization to be successful, the owner must devote more time to the Chihuahua - take him for walks more often, play with the dog, introduce him to other people and animals, especially dogs of the same breed. The main thing is that the Chihuahua does not feel aggression. Absolutely all Chihuahuas are very curious. This is evidenced not only by their desire to carefully examine every corner of the home, but also by their love for a long time to observe what the owner is doing, even if these are the most ordinary actions.

Chihuahuas are incredibly temperamental and active. They express their emotions loudly and for absolutely any reason. Experienced veterinarians believe that long-haired Chihuahuas have a softer temperament , while short-haired Chihuahuas are a little more active and assertive. This should not be confused with anger - Chihuahuas can be jealous of their owner, but they are always loyal to him.

Dogs of this breed, unlike other dwarf breeds, have a stable psyche and a very brave heart. They are absolutely not cowardly, and can look at some things arrogantly. But sometimes these animals do not tolerate stressful situations well and can even make a puddle. Chihuahuas do not like to be yelled at and will not tolerate mistreatment . They can be seriously offended and “hide” in their house or between the pillows, but they always try to meet their owner halfway.

These dogs also have excellent memory and are very careful. They can even be taught to bring light objects to their owner and use the simplest household appliances.

Nutrition

Chihuahuas eat little, so feeding the dogs is easy and inexpensive. A balanced diet is necessary, otherwise the pet will get sick.

This is interesting: Review of food for small breed dogs

From 7 months, puppies are switched to two meals a day. Until this age, pets are given food 4-5 times a day in small portions, gradually reducing the number of feedings and increasing their volume.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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Healthy foods for a mini dog are: eggs, rice and buckwheat porridge, boiled and fresh vegetables, fruits, sea fish, veal, chicken. Fried and smoked foods, fatty meats, sweets, flour products, and pickles should be avoided in the diet.

Health of the little Chihuahua

The Chihuahua breed has physiological characteristics, so dogs are characterized by a number of diseases:

1. Eye diseases. Frequently occurring keratoconjunctivitis, glaucoma or cataracts are accompanied by increased tearfulness, redness, and blinking. Untimely treatment of your pet will lead to irreversible consequences, so at the first signs of illness you need to take your dog to the veterinarian.
2. Eye loss. Occurs as a consequence of skull trauma. A dog's eyeballs only last for centuries, so this phenomenon is quite common.
3. Cough. Due to the short structure of the head, it is quite difficult for dogs to breathe, especially in a state of excitement. This is normal, but if your pet’s spasms are repeated frequently, you should visit a veterinary clinic.
4. Sudden attacks of epilepsy. The disease is most often inherited, but it can also be acquired. Alas, it is incurable.
5. Bad breath accompanies a number of problems with your pet's teeth. Prevention – regular and thorough cleaning.
6. Skin diseases. Most often, Chihuahuas develop dandruff. This indicates improper care of the pet, allergies, poor nutrition or excessive dryness of the skin. Sometimes it is worth examining your pet for the presence of parasites.

Otherwise, the animals are susceptible to common diseases, although in general the Chihuahua's health is quite good.

Advantages and disadvantages

Fans of small breeds distinguish Chihuahuas from dogs of similar size with a number of advantages:

• self-confidence, stable psyche, patience;
• good adaptation of the Chihuahua to various conditions;
• no need for frequent walks;
• ease of dog care.

But not all characteristics of the breed are so rosy. Negative traits of a dog include:

• stubbornness;
• obsession;
• voluntary urination (in stressful situations);
• touchiness.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

Ask a Question

Dogs get along well with children. But a small child can easily injure a pet, so adults are required to be attentive and careful.

Character

Brave, courageous, curious, cheerful and proud - all these qualities are inherent in small Chihuahua dogs. These little friends will protect their owner no matter what. Starting to bark loudly and loudly, they scare away larger dogs with their persistence and “impudence”. But, despite all this, they cannot be called “idle-likes”. They bark mostly for business.

It is believed that a long-haired individual is calmer than a short-haired one.

Dogs recognize only one owner, but treat other household members with warmth. They don’t like conflicts; if you yell at them, they get offended and leave, showing their character. They get along easily with other animals. It’s more difficult with children; if, while playing, the child scares the pet, it may bite. It is not recommended to have a little friend if there are children under 8 years old in the house.

Chihuahuas are very obedient, easy to train, and rarely run away from home.

Rules for choosing puppies

The enormous popularity of the breed and the lack of proper control have led to the high probability of acquiring a Chihuahua of dubious origin. Guaranteed healthy and purebred puppies can be purchased:

• in a large well-known nursery;
• from a breeder with good recommendations.

Useful article: Nicknames for Chihuahua boys and girls: a list of beautiful and best names

Even if the dog is not needed for an exhibition, but as a family pet, you still should not buy a Chihuahua from your own hands and without documents, from a pet store or from a nursery with a dubious reputation.

A conscientious dog breeder will provide information about the producers (and demonstrate them), show documents, and answer any questions. The puppy's appearance must strictly comply with standards, and the pet's health status can be determined by its behavior and appearance.

Chihuahuas are not cheap, so there are a lot of people who want to breed and sell as many puppies as possible, regardless of the quality of the offspring.

How to choose a puppy

The breed is considered exclusive, expensive and glamorous. To get a truly high-quality purebred puppy, you need to contact a nursery. A good breeder will definitely present all the necessary documents and tell the potential owner about the breed line, parents, and possible diseases. He will help you decide on a puppy.

First of all, you need to decide on the gender, age and class of the future pet. The character of the dog depends on the gender, and the cost depends on the age and class. You can pick up a puppy from its mother at 2-3 months ; small puppies are easier to raise, but they require more attention. At 5-6 months, pets acquire the appearance of an adult dog, but they are more expensive and more difficult to train.

The class is awarded to puppies that have already grown up, but breeders make a prediction.

1. Pet class - pets for home keeping, which may have deviations from the standards.
2. Breeding class – dogs with ideal conformation, suitable for breeding.
3. Show class – exhibition animals with high-quality pedigree.

The puppies are very small and cute, but quite fragile. It is difficult to judge a dog's future appearance by its exterior. But they should not have obvious pathologies and deviations. The average cost is 10-60 thousand rubles .

Interesting facts about the breed

Fast, swift and fearless dogs have a lot of unique features.

• Chihuahuas have unusually acute hearing;
• friendly disposition allows the breed to get along with most pets;
• babies do not have the unpleasant odor characteristic of dogs;
• Chihuahuas' large eyes need increased hydration, which is why they tend to be tearful;
• periodic trembling of the dog’s body is caused not by fear, but by increased metabolism;
• Pet fur is safe for allergy sufferers.

Particular attention should be paid to your pet during a walk. A dog that is invisible due to its size can be slammed by a door or kicked by passers-by, and steps and other obstacles will take a lot of energy from the pet.

Description of the mini Chihuahua breed

Dogs of this breed are classified:

• By coat length: shorthaired smooth; long-haired.
• According to the shape of the head: apple-shaped - an apple-shaped skull; deer-shaped – “dir” type skull.

The most common dogs are short-haired dogs with soft, smooth coat with a glossy sheen. An apple-shaped head is also more popular. There is a super mini Chihuahua, they differ from the mini Chihuahua only in weight and size. Their weight should not exceed 1 kg.

Reviews

1. “I thought for a long time about purchasing a Chihuahua. Or rather, I decided on the breed right away, but it was the opinions of others that stopped me. Like, useless, evil, always barking. I made my decision a year ago and I don’t regret it one bit. My girl is very homely, affectionate, and loves to soak up the sofa with me. On average, the breed has no more problems caring for than other pets. I recommend it to anyone who still doubts.”
2. “I’m happy with my pet, he’s sociable, interesting, and takes up almost no space. Our Chihuahua Max is smooth-haired, specially chosen so that he sheds less. In vain. If you don't brush your dog regularly, you'll get prickly, hard hairs everywhere. Removing them from the sofa and carpet is somewhat difficult. Otherwise there are no complaints."
3. “We were unlucky with the dog. We bought a puppy, but six months later we gave the pet away to good hands for free. A very vocal dog was caught. He barked at the sounds from the entrance, a car passing under the window, dogs barking in the distance. The Chihuahua also whined often. If noise doesn’t bother you, then this option is quite suitable.”

Photo and video review

You can learn more about the appearance and habits of the Chihuahua from the photo and video review.