Chihuahua smooth coat

In my own words

 

Is there room for me on the sofa too? I just want to lie next to you. All I want to do is stay by your side – it doesn’t matter what you’re doing! I’m happy keeping you company when you do the housework, are watching the television or throwing a dinner party. I suppose you could say I’m a bit clingy, but I prefer to think of it as completely loyal and totally devoted to you!

I may be little – in fact, I’m the smallest breed of dog in the world – but don’t worry, I’m ready for anything! I’ll always alert you to any strangers or signs of trouble; don’t let my size trick you into thinking I wouldn’t make a good watchdog. I’ve always got one eye open for any signs of danger and I’ll bark and bark if something seems wrong to me.

When all is said and done though, I’m just a little ball of love. I like nothing better than snuggling up next to you and indulging in some petting, belly rubs and cuddles and I won’t stop pestering you until I get them!

Information essential about the Chihuahua smooth coat

 

Kennel Club Group:

Toy

Size:

Small: Weight Male 2 – 6 lb (1 – 3 kg) Female 2 – 6 lb (1 – 3 kg)

Height Male 6 – 9” (15 – 23 cm) Female 6 – 9” (15 – 23 cm)

Popularity:

 

The Smooth Coated Chihuahua is an incredibly popular dog in America and across the globe. It’s very small size has made the breed popular among owners who want a little lap dog while celebrity owners such as Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff and Mickey Rourke have propelled the breed into stardom.

Breed History:

 

Native to Mexico, the Chihuahua is named after the town of Chihuahua which borders Texas and New Mexico. Experts believe that the breed evolved from a Techichi – a wild dog which was domesticated by the Toltecs in Mexico in the 9th Century. It has also been speculated that the Chihuahua Smooth Coat was developed from a cross between the Techichi and a hairless dog that was imported into North America from China.

It is thought that the Chihuahua was prized by Aztec royalty as a pet and that they were sacred to pre-Columbian Indian nations.

While the Chihuahua is thought to be the oldest breed of dog on the American continent, it wasn’t until the end of the nineteenth century that they entered Europe, when Mexican merchants began selling the small dogs to tourists.

Character:

 

Brave, fearless and adventurous; your Chihuahua may be little, but don’t underestimate him! He’s spritely, strong willed and incredibly lively. He has heaps of energy, so it’s important to make sure he gets out once a day for a good walk. Never assume that getting such a small dog means that you don’t need to be taking him for exercise every day. If you don’t walk your Chihuahua he won’t be mentally and physically stimulated and will become bored and a bored Chihuahua means plenty of yappy barking and snappy behaviour. A common behaviour trait in Chihuahuas is to be dog aggressive, though this usually occurs only when their owner is too meek and allows the Chihuahua to rule the household. As they can be snappy dogs when they aren’t given strong direction from their families, they are not recommended for families with children. This is because they will tend to show dominant behaviour over them. With the right owner and plenty of exercise, the Chihuahua is a loving and affectionate companion who loves nothing better than staying by your side.

Temperament:

 

Your Chihuahua will love you deeply and become completely and hopelessly devoted to you. This is a one-person dog that will only bond with one, or perhaps two, members of the family and will become extremely close to them, protecting them fiercely. Though your little Chihuahua has a gentle, sweet nature, he is wary of strangers and totally fearless, making him a fantastic watchdog. Expect your Chihuahua to always be at your side; he needs lots of attention bestowed upon him in order to keep him happy. Due to your Chihuahua’s adorable size, you may be tempted to baby him or let him get away with behaviour that a bigger dog would not be allowed to do. However, by doing things such as carrying your Chihuahua everywhere, letting him put his paws up on you when you get through the door or allowing him to jump up on other people, you are showing your Chihuahua that he is dominant over you. This leads to Small Dog Syndrome, where your Chihuahua will show behaviour problems such as aggression, over-protectiveness and jealousy. It is therefore incredibly important not to treat your dog differently to a large dog and to ensure he understands that he is a lower ranking member of the family pack.

Conformation:

 

Famous for their size, Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog in the world. With a body which is longer than it is tall, the Chihuahua is well muscled and flexible, making it an agile breed. Well rounded, apple shaped heads feature a short, slightly pointed muzzle, pointed and large, erect ears and small, round eyes which are dark or ruby in colour. The tail is sickle shaped and may curl over the back or to one side. Smooth coated Chihuahuas have a short, soft and glossy coat.

Colour:

 

The smooth coated Chihuahua come in all colours, including black, chestnut, fawn, sand, silver, white, sable, black and tan, and steel blue. The coat colour can be solid, marked or splashed.

Training:

 

The Chihuahua can be a difficult breed to train and needs a lot of patience and consistency from their owners. They respond well to gentle, reward based training and positive reinforcement and will become stubborn and difficult to manage if harsher training methods are used. It is recommended that crate training be used for house training your Chihuahua. It is very important to start obedience training and socialisation with other dogs and people from a very early age.

Care:

 

An average shedder, the smooth coated Chihuahua requires the least amount of grooming of the Chihuahua coat types. Either brush the coat occasionally or wipe over it with a soft, damp cloth. Bathe your short coated Chihuahua once every month with a mild dog shampoo, but be very careful not to let water get into the ears as they are prone to ear infections. Check the ears on a regular basis and trim the nails when required. It is also important to ensure dental hygiene in your Chihuahua, in order to prevent tooth loss.

Health:

 

The Chihuahua is prone to a number of health problems. The protrusion of their eyes means that they can develop corneal dryness and glaucoma. Due to the relatively large size of the puppies’ heads, many Chihuahuas are born via caesarean section. During puppyhood, they are prone to broken bones and fractures due to the fragility of their bones. Some Chihuahuas are left with a molera – an unclosed section of the skull left from an undeveloped skull, which leaves a vulnerable, soft spot. Chihuahuas are also susceptible to rheumatism, slipped stifle, colds and gum problems. They may wheeze and snore due to their short muzzles. Though they are picky eaters, they gain weight easily and should be exercised regularly or their lifespan will be significantly reduced. Many Chihuahuas can become incredibly stressed, due to their owners babying them as they need to feel their owners are in charge of the pack, and this responsibility does not fall on him. Despite being prone to a number of health problems, the average lifespan of the Chihuahua is 15 to 17 years; the longest of any breed of dog, regardless of size.

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