The Chihuahua: The Smallest Dog Breed
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog in the world and is very popular in every country on the planet. With a reduced size and weight, in addition to its character and ability to live with other pets, it is well suited to any home.
Origins
The Chihuahua originates from Mexico, specifically from the state of Chihuahua, where it was discovered for the first time. The name Chihuahua literally means "arid and sandy place". Chihuahuas are believed to be descendants of an ancient breed, the Techichi. The Toltecs in Mexico kept these pups as lap dogs as early as the 9th century CE.
Characteristics
As mentioned, the Chihuahua is a small, compact dog with fast movements. Their measurements to the withers vary between 6 and 10 inches. They usually weigh between 3 and 8 lb with a life span between 12 and 20 years.
There are two breeds of Chihuahua dogs that differ in size and some physical aspects:
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The Apple Head Chihuahua: This is the most common breed. Its head has a shape similar to that of an apple, giving it a sweet and careful appearance. It has two large and separated ears, almost always in a straight position. In contrast to a large head and bulging eyes, its body is small and slim. At the end of its body, we find a small tail that turns on the back.
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The Deer Head Chihuahua: This breed is somewhat larger than the Apple Head Chihuahua. The shape of the head is more elongated and in some cases resembles that of a small deer. They are somewhat taller and more stylized, although they also show a delicate and sweet appearance.
In addition to the physical characteristics, there are also two different types of coat:
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Long-haired Chihuahua: The fine, silky hair is straight or slightly wavy. The hair on the ears, neck, back of limbs, and tail is especially long.
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Short-haired Chihuahua: The hair is short and dense, smooth and shiny on the head and body.
Temperament and Behavior
The Chihuahua dog breed has a lively, alert, restless, and very brave character. It is a dog that is sometimes a little distrustful of strangers and warns of its presence with insistent barking, making it a good guardian. Despite its small size, it sometimes behaves somewhat recklessly and faces other dogs much larger and stronger than it.
Chihuahuas are very attached to their owners and relatives. They like to identify with a herd, so they can be somewhat jealous, territorial, and possessive. Proper education is necessary to prevent inappropriate behavior with strangers.
Health
Chihuahuas are long-lived dogs that easily exceed 15 years of age and generally live very healthy lives. Due to their size, they may suffer from dwarfism, knee dislocation, skin allergies, or have a certain tendency to gain weight. It's important to maintain a good diet to prevent them from exceeding their ideal weight. Overweight can cause joint and heart problems.
Chihuahuas are very sensitive to cold, so in the winter months, the use of warm clothing is recommended. Some of the most common Chihuahua diseases are:
- Split palate
- Epilepsy
- Disc herniation
- Secondary glaucoma
- Dislocation
- Hydrocephalus
- Hemophilia A
- Heart problems
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