The Chihuahua is considered the smallest dog breed in the world.
These tiny dogs are popular as loyal, devoted and affectionate lap dogs.
Due to the fact that the breed is considered fashionable and prestigious, breeders have bred many varieties of Chihuahuas, as they say, to suit any, most sophisticated taste.
From this article you will find out. what varieties of this breed are there, what are their similarities and differences, read their names and descriptions, and also see photos.
History of the breed
The Chihuahua is considered one of the oldest breeds in the world. Researchers suggest that dogs similar to modern short-haired Chihuahuas appeared in Mexico at the end of the Paleozoic. These were small dogs, among which there were both dogs with fairly long hair and those completely hairless.
NOTE!
Among the inhabitants of Mesoamerica, the ancestors of the Chihuahua were considered sacred animals. They were kept at temples and were often sacrificed to the gods. There was also a widespread custom of burying dogs with their owners, as the Aztecs believed that a Chihuahua would help a person find a way to the afterlife, which they called Mictlan.
The Spaniards, who saw Chihuahuas during the conquest of Mexico in the 16th century, mentioned them more than once in their chronicles, however, by that time these dogs were no longer sacred animals - the Aztecs ate them and considered them the most ordinary dogs.
The conquistadors destroyed temples and palaces, which had an extremely negative impact on the number of Chihuahuas. Many of these dogs ran into the jungle and became wild.
Only in the middle of the 19th century did Europeans rediscover this amazing breed, which later received its name from the Mexican state where it was discovered.
The National Breed Club in the USA was founded in 1923, at the same time the first standard appeared, according to which Chihuahuas could only be short-haired. And only in 1954, in Britain, a standard was developed for the long-haired breed variety.
Read more about the history of the Chihuahua breed here.
Currently, both types of breed are popular in the world, but short-haired dogs are still more common.
Dog Breeds Similar to Chihuahuas
First of all, this is a Russian toy terrier - the pride of domestic selection. This baby weighs about 1.4-3 kg, height at the withers is 20-27 cm. This is a decorative dog, there are smooth-haired and long-haired varieties. Large naive eyes, huge, wide-set ears, like locators, give her a resemblance to a Chihuahua.
English toy terriers, with their general exterior features and miniature size, resemble the heroine of the material of the smooth and hairless varieties. The Papillon (Papillon) and Phalene are similar to the shaggy Chihuahua.
Chihuahua babies are dogs for every taste
These are the main types of Chihuahuas. These tiny dogs are unique not only because of their size, but also because everyone can choose a pet for themselves. After all, among them there are shaggy and bald ones, with long hair and short fur, very tiny and slightly larger in size.
Character traits
Chihuahuas are energetic and playful. When properly raised, they make affectionate and obedient pets. They are affectionate and most often friendly towards people, although they can be somewhat distrustful of strangers.
However, these dogs also have character traits such as selfishness and willfulness, which are fully manifested if the owner pays little attention to the pet and does not educate or train it.
In addition, Chihuahuas can be very jealous, do not tolerate loneliness well, and tend to choose only one owner for themselves, whom they treat as their property.
These dogs are quite capable of getting along with other pets in the house, but only if they do not encroach on the attention of their personal owner.
Owning a Chihuahua is not recommended for children. Firstly, these dogs do not tolerate rough treatment and noisy games, and, secondly, a child can inadvertently harm the pet by dropping it or pressing it hard.
Chihuahua food
Not all food on our table is suitable for this breed.
It is prohibited and contraindicated for them:
- Bean products and soups based on them;
- Onions, which lead to anemia and anemia;
- Pure milk after three months of birth;
- Sweet, fatty, salty and smoked.
- Dogs love sweets very much, so it is preferable to give them special sweets purchased at a pet store.
The dog's menu includes:
- Lean meat products, fish, cottage cheese.
- Potatoes, wheat, rice, pasta are all carbohydrates for them.
- Special high-quality food purchased in the store. They are rich in vitamins and microelements in full for the dog.
If you want to hear the personal opinion of specialists and other people involved in keeping this breed, we recommend watching the following video:
The lapdog is the smallest breed in the world and the oldest breed in America. There is written evidence that Christopher Columbus, having landed in Cuba in the 15th century, discovered small tame dogs. There are rumors that Mexican monks used Chihuahuas as hot water bottles. Their large dark eyes always look at their owner asking him to pick them up and cuddle them. This cute creature loves attention and affection.
The Chihuahua is one of the twenty most popular breeds, and can be found in almost every part of the world.
Accepted standard
The Chihuahua is a small, graceful, well-proportioned dog. For males, a square body format is preferable, while for females a slightly higher elongation index is acceptable.
The head is rounded, with a pronounced transition from the forehead to a rather short muzzle, tapering towards the nose.
The ears are large, erect, triangular in shape, widely spaced and turned forward.
The eyes are large, round, and their most preferred shade is dark brown.
The color of the nose can be either black or the same color as the main color.
The neck is quite thin and long, but not excessively. The back line is straight, the croup is slightly sloping. The chest is deep, with convex ribs, the stomach is tucked.
The limbs are straight, set parallel, with the hind legs slightly longer than the front.
The tail is undocked, medium length, set high. As a rule, it is carried slightly above the line of the back. The long-haired Chihuahua is abundantly covered with decorative long hair.
IMPORTANT!
Despite its small size, the Chihuahua should not look frail - it has well-defined muscles on the hind legs and body.
Chihuahua video
The bourgeois fashion for small dogs peeking curiously out of women's handbags originated in France during the Renaissance. Back then, not a single society lady could afford to appear in public without her shaggy four-legged friend. There is also evidence that more than three thousand years ago, miniature breeds of dogs were a privilege for the wives of Chinese emperors and wealthy nobles.
Today, the Guinness Book of Records tracks all outstanding achievements and unique indicators not only of people, but also of our smaller brothers. For example, according to the official website of the Book, the title of the smallest dog in the world has been confirmed for many years in a row by a tiny chihuahua named Boo- Boo
). This record holder, 10.16 cm tall and weighing 675 g, is more reminiscent of a guinea pig in size. She is only 4 years old, but the whole world already knows about this little girl.
The smallest dog in the world is a bundle of joy. Photo: Photos.com
The smallest dog in the world is the Chihuahua. Photo: Photos.com
Despite their toy size, Chihuahua dogs have a good reaction, they are fast in movement and absolutely fearless.
The ancestor of the smallest dog in the world is considered to be the Techichi, which has been mentioned since the times of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations (ca. 1500 BC). At that time, this breed of dog was considered sacred. The name "Chihuahua" comes from the Mexican state of the same name, where the Techichi were later discovered.
The smallest dog in the world is the Chihuahua. Photo: Photos.com
Based on the type of coat, the breed of the smallest dogs in the world is divided into two types: long-haired and smooth-haired. The color of the Chihuahua can be very diverse, mainly dogs with red, fawn and white-cream shades of fur are found. They can be two- or three-color, as well as speckled, with various masks. This breed of dog is unique in that the standard weight of one individual can vary between 500-3000 g.
The famous representative of the world's smallest dog breed is a Chihuahua named Tinkerbell. This is the favorite of American socialite Paris Hilton, the well-known heir to the world's largest hotel chain, Hilton Hotels. Shocking Paris loves to take her pet for walks under the flashes of paparazzi cameras.
Russian stars also prefer Chihuahuas. TV presenters Dmitry Nagiyev and Lera Kudryavtseva, actress Anna Bolshova, singer and musician Evgeny Osin have their own smallest dog in the world.
Chihuahua owners say that, despite their pets’ tiny size, they are infinitely loyal and very loving to those who care for them.
Modern fashion for the smallest dogs in the world is dictated, in addition to aesthetic pleasure, also by their practicality. Such a tiny animal does not create problems when walking, you can take it with you on a trip, and it will not interfere with you in the car.
The smallest dog in the world is the Chihuahua. Photo: Photos.com
Thanks to its specific size, this smallest dog in the world will always remain a puppy for you, no matter how long its life. Naturally, when caring for such a baby, many nuances should be taken into account. For example, you should not allow your puppy to sleep on your bed or sit on your chair. It is forbidden to take it under the armpits or pull it by the paw, etc.
The smallest dog in the world is the Chihuahua. Photo: Photos.com
You can read more about small dogs.
The Chihuahua is essentially a decorative dog. They are the smallest breed in the world, so small that women carry them in their purses. In addition, Chihuahuas have excellent hearing, and all over the world they are ideal assistants for hearing-impaired people. Belong to the Toy group, where the smallest dogs are collected, weighing up to 2 kg and height up to 30 cm.
Chihuahua smooth coat
Types depending on size
Here are the types of Chihuahuas that vary in weight and size.
Standard
The weight of a standard Chihuahua is 1.5-3 kg.
This is the healthiest and longest-living size variety of this breed.
Standard-sized Chihuahuas are small enough to get along in even the smallest apartments and to become constant companions for their owners during shopping trips or travel.
At the same time, these dogs are devoid of signs of dwarfism, since when breeding standard Chihuahuas, there was no provision for a tendency to reduce the size of the animal.
Mini
The weight of such dogs ranges from 1 to 1.5 kg. At the same time, in appearance, minis do not differ too much from standard individuals in terms of physique, although some of them may show signs of dwarfism.
Mini Chihuahuas
are generally in good health, but are more prone to injury.
Micro
Micro Chihuahuas are tiny dogs whose weight is 0.5-1 kg. They can be predisposed to a number of diseases inherent in dwarf breeds, such as hydrocephalus, and also have an accelerated metabolism, which makes such Chihuahuas very vulnerable to both cold and heat.
CAREFULLY!
Only standard-sized bitches are suitable for breeding, since for a mini-sized Chihuahua girl, and especially micro-sized, bearing offspring, giving birth and feeding puppies is an unbearable burden and can cost her life.
Intrabreed deviations
Russian breeders have developed several subtypes of the Chihuahua breed.
Pekingese - excessive snub nose and protruding eyes make these dogs completely different from standard Chihuahuas.
They have serious defects and shortcomings that make them unsuitable for further breeding and participation in exhibition activities.
Aboriginal - inherent in individuals brought from their historical homeland - Mexico. The subtype is not recognized by professional breeders.
The reasons for this are too tall and a pointed, insufficiently rounded head shape. And also eyes and ears very close to each other.
English - dogs with heavy, weighty bones. They are distinguished by a very coarse constitution.
Extreme – the name speaks for itself. These are dwarf dogs, with a large forehead and bulging eyes.
A distinctive feature is a strong snub nose and incredibly short legs.
On such terrible limbs the poor animals have difficulty moving; it is simply impossible not only to run, but also to walk on them.
Exotic is a smaller copy of the previous type.
Classic - similar in appearance to the dir-type, however, the shape of the head is somewhat simplified, the forehead is flat, and the muzzle is strongly lowered.
Varieties according to body shape
Here are described the varieties of the breed, the differences of which are in the shape of the body.
Cobby
Representatives of this type have a rather stocky and dense build. They have a large head with a convex forehead and a shortened muzzle, widely spaced large and at the same time bulging eyes. The ears of these dogs are relatively small and widely spaced.
The neck is strong and muscular, the back is strong and wide enough for an animal of such small size. The chest is deep, wide and powerful. The preferred tail for a cobby is saber-shaped, not thin and not too long.
The limbs should also not be long; they are strong and well-muscled, with well-defined angles of articulation. The movements of representatives of this type should express the strength and energy inherent in the Cobby Chihuahua.
Dir
This type of build is often called “deer build.” Deer-type Chihuahuas are more refined and sophisticated than Cobby-type dogs.
They have a medium-sized and rather narrow head with an elongated muzzle and a less convex forehead. The ears are large and set quite high.
The physique is neither powerful nor muscular - the back is narrower, the chest is also not so deep and not so wide.
The limbs are less muscular, thinner and visually look longer than those of the Cobby. The tail is long and thin. Such a dog moves easily, as if barely touching the ground; there is almost no sense of strength or power in its movements.
NOTE!
Although many breeders prefer to breed Cobby-type dogs, most modern Chihuahuas are neither of this type nor of the Deer variety, but are something in between.
Unofficial (false) types
Recently, you can increasingly hear about such “types” of Chihuahua as aboriginal, English, extreme, classic, exotic. What are the differences between these unofficial types of dogs? We tried to collect information and briefly describe each of them:
- “Aboriginal” (exported from the parent country) - In addition to such characteristics as an insufficiently round head, a sharp muzzle, close-set ears and eyes, a small dog of this type is distinguished by a fairly large body weight, which hardly fits into the breed standard, as well as a large tail, which is curled like a steering wheel and lies on the dog’s back.
- “English” - Distinguished by its excessively large, massive build, rough bone structure and, as a rule, heavy weight.
- “Extreme” - Characterized by overly pronounced features characteristic of the Chihuahua. This, for example, is an exaggerated doll's head, too bulging eyes, too thin limbs. Dogs of this type have a number of characteristics characteristic of dogs suffering from dwarfism.
- “Exotic” - They are characterized by the same characteristics as the “extreme” Chihuahuas, combined with excessively short stature.
- “Classic” - Decorative Chihuahuas of this type are similar to the dir type, but have a too simplified skull shape, an overly long muzzle (sharp or blunt), and an incorrect angle of the feet.
Types by coat type
Here you will get acquainted with the types of Chihuahuas with different types of coats.
Smooth-haired
The coat is smooth, close to the body, soft and silky with poorly developed or even completely absent undercoat.
Longhair
The coat is thin, soft and quite long. Can be straight or slightly wavy. The undercoat may be either developed or completely absent.
The coat of long-haired Chihuahuas forms beautiful fringes in the form of a “collar” on the neck, “pants” on the hind legs, as well as fringe along the edges of the ears.
Shorthair
Sometimes there are transitional type Chihuahuas whose coat is longer than that of the smooth-haired variety, but shorter than that of the long-haired variety.
Due to the fact that the breed standard allows only two types of coat, such dogs are considered a defect in the breed and are not allowed for breeding or exhibitions.
Bald
Hairless Chihuahuas have always existed since the appearance of this breed.
Chihuahuas without hair look very unusual - their skin, usually one of beige or grayish-blue shades, looks perfectly smooth, which makes these animals look like elegant porcelain figurines .
IMPORTANT!
It should be remembered that a hairless Chihuahua, especially if it is mini or micro, needs especially careful care and careful attention to its health.
Care and maintenance
Keeping a pet should only take place in a city apartment. At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that he cannot climb onto chairs, sofas and other surfaces from which he can fall. Even 0.5 m can be dangerous for a dog, so it should not be allowed to go to heights without supervision. If owners do not have time to walk with the animal, it can be trained to go to the litter box at home. Moreover, this must be done, since in winter the dog cannot be walked in the cold. It is also dangerous for a Chihuahua to overcool and sleep next to drafts.
Caring for your pet also includes procedures standard for other dogs:
- Combing wool. Long-haired Chihuahuas require daily brushing, regardless of shedding season.
- Bathing. The pet does not need frequent washing, since in the cold season it is at home, and in the warm season its paws can simply be wiped with a cloth after a walk. Therefore, it is necessary to wash your Chihuahua when it gets dirty, but not too often.
- Trimming claws. A haircut must be done once every 2 weeks.
- Ear cleaning. This should be done not with cotton swabs, but with solutions applied to cotton pads.
Grooming takes a special place in keeping a pet. In addition to daily brushing, owners can give their dogs haircuts. This is done to maintain hygiene or prepare for an exhibition. If cutting for hygienic purposes, the procedure should be carried out in the summer to remove heavy hair, which can make the dog feel hot.
Feeding
Like any dog, the Chihuahua can be fed commercial food or natural food. The food already contains all the necessary nutrients, but it’s good to add vitamins to the natural diet. Among the permitted products:
- meat;
- boneless fish;
- cereals;
- vegetables;
- cottage cheese;
- fruits.
Very young puppies are fed up to 6 times a day, gradually reducing the number of meals. For an adult dog, 1-2 feedings per day will be enough.
You should not give your animal sweet, spicy, or fatty foods from the table. This can lead to gastrointestinal diseases.
What do the varieties have in common?
The common features that unite all varieties of Chihuahua into one breed are the character traits inherent in them:
- intelligence;
- loyalty to the owner;
- affectionateness;
- courage and even cockiness towards other dogs.
They are also united by the fact that all varieties of Chihuahua, regardless of their build type, coat length or size, are ideal as a pet and get along well even in the smallest apartments. They do not need long walks, and they do not require complex care.
All representatives of this breed must be handled with care and caution, which is why Chihuahuas are recommended as pets for the elderly, but should not be bought as a gift for children.
Characteristics of the Chihuahua
The weight of a Chihuahua ranges from 450 g to three kg. The average height reaches 23 cm. Life expectancy is about 12 years.
The Chihuahua, unlike any other animal, at just one call, instantly abandons the company of its fellow tribesmen for the sake of its owner. These are very sweet and kind creatures. But at the same time, they can be very aggressive and courageous towards strangers. There is no need to even try to pet the animal if the owner is nearby. She might bite you right away.
Chihuahuas are clean and do not have a tendency to wander; they only know the house and the owner.
These cute little creatures are divided into two types - short-haired and long-haired. The former are quite more common than the latter. Therefore, this breed of dog should be carefully protected from the cold, especially in winter. They can often tremble, but not only from cold, but even from fright.
If you notice that trembling lasts for quite a long time and without any reason, then this is a signal of the presence of an infectious disease. In this case, you should make a trip to the veterinarian's office.
The color may vary on different parts of the body. There are monochromatic up to three tones of color.
What is the difference?
The size of the dog and the type of its build not least determine its health and life expectancy. Minis and micros live shorter lives than standard-sized Chihuahuas.
And short-haired individuals, more than long-haired ones, need to wear warm clothes even in cool weather.
Cobby type dogs are generally more hardy and strong than dire type dogs, which tend to be overly lightweight.
The subtleties of keeping a dog without hair
Open skin cannot retain heat for a long time. In cold and cool weather, Chihuahuas are walked in warm clothes. In cold weather it is better not to leave the house with your dog.
In the sunny heat, the skin of a hairless Chihuahua needs protection from sun rays and drying out. Sunscreen, moisturizer and moderate sun exposure will help with this.
In addition, exposed skin is vulnerable to mechanical damage. To avoid infection, abrasions, scratches and cuts should be treated with an antiseptic. For example, hydrogen peroxide.
Otherwise, hairless Chihuahuas are smart and quick-witted dogs, devoted companions to their owner. Like any animal, they need love, care and affection. And of course, in early socialization!
It is also useful for you to know: The smallest dog breeds in the world have been named Why does the Chihuahua grunt as if it is suffocating?
Basic colors
For a Chihuahua, any color, solid or mixed, is considered acceptable.
The most popular colors for these dogs currently are:
- white;
- cream;
- sable;
- chocolate;
- black;
- bluish-gray;
- wolfish;
- brindle;
- reddish.
Two-color and three-color color types are also very popular.
Fawn or cream colored dogs may have a darkening on their face called a mask. Its size varies from a slight blackening around the nose, to a mask reaching almost to the level of the forehead.
Coat and color
The fur of a fluffy Chihuahua is soft and silky. This breed differs from the short-haired breed precisely in its fur, which is especially thick on the chest, neck, paws, belly, ears and tail.
As for the color, it can be absolutely anything. The most common colors of fluffy Chihuahuas are fawn, red, white-fawn and black-brown. Few people know, but the color of this breed can change! A fluffy Chihuahua puppy can be born dark red or gray, which is what happens most often, and after even the first molt its color can change dramatically, for example, to fawn.
