Facts about the Breed
THE WORLD'S SMALLEST DOG: ALL ABOUT
CHIHUAHUAS
by Bill Knell
Are you looking for a companion that is an extrovert yet is content
to lie quietly in your lap or by your side while you read? A companion that eats little,
requires little space and doesn't need to be taken out every day for exercise? Then
you may enjoy having a Chihuahua, the smallest recognized breed of dog in the
world. Not just small, but ALL NATURAL! The Chihuahua is the only "natural" toy
breed, that is, the only small dog NOT bred down from larger versions of the same
breed.
Chihuahuas are good watch dogs, as they will sound the alarm. In fact, Chihuahuas
are courageous. They aren't intimidated in the least by larger dogs.
The Chihuahua is characterized by a well-rounded head, wide-set luminous eyes, a
saucy expression and erect ears, which flare to the sides when in repose. They can
have short, soft hair or long, silky hair, and some may be red, blond, blue or
chocolate-colored as well as solid, marked or splashed. A unique feature of most
Chihuahua puppies is the soft spot on the crown, similar to that of a new born
baby.
Origin of the Chihuahua
While there are different theories
regarding the origin of the Chihuahua as a breed, it appears to have descended
from a small dog called the Techichi. Other dogs said to be related to the Techichi
are the Chinese Crested, Mexican Hairless and Xolo breeds. The Techichi were
known to be kept by the Toltec people of Mexico as far back as a thousand years
ago. Evidence for this origin is provided by a monastery in Huejotzingo that was
built by Franciscan monks with stones taken from the pyramids of Cholula. The
stones have ancient carvings on them that closely resemble today's Chihuahua.
Later, the Aztecs defeated the Toltec, and the aristocracy adopted these small dogs,
particularly the blue ones, as objects of veneration. The dogs could reputedly guide
the spirits of the dead in their journey through the underworld. Montezuma II, the
last emperor of the Aztecs, was a fancier of the Chihuahua. It is said that he had
hundreds of them, each with its keeper. Skeletons of Chihuahuas have been found
in human graves on the Mexico/U.S. border.
Research done by the late Thelma Gray, a historian and an authority on Chihuahuas,
lead her to believe that the native dog of the Aztecs was crossed with a small,
terrier-type dog brought over by the Spanish conquistadors. Thus, the basis was
laid for the even smaller modern-day Chihuahua. First known as Texas or Arizona
Dogs because they were found along those borders with Mexico, the Chihuahua
received its current name in the mid to late 1800's. American travelers to Mexico
discovered large numbers of the breed in the state of Chihuahua and started
bringing them back to the United States. About the same time, Carlotta, wife of
Emperor Maximilian of Mexico contributed to the Chihuahua's international fame by
taking the breed to Europe.
Having a Pet Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is loyal, eager to please
and highly trainable. It tends to have fewer health issues then any other toy breed.
Chihuahuas are primarily indoor dogs, ideal for apartment living and for the elderly
or handicapped or those confined to the home. They thrive on much attention and
human contact. Nevertheless, since they are so small, precautions must be taken.
They can be seriously injured or killed by being stepped on, sat on or squeezed too
hard. They should not be left unattended on high surfaces (table tops, bunk beds,
high sofas or chairs, etc). They have little sense of height and could eaily jump off
and break a bone.
Despite being called a 'toy' dog, the Chihuahua is hardier than you might think. In
fact, it is the longest-lived breed! Chihuahuas are known to live a high quality of
life
well into their teens. Most live to sixteen years of age and some pass twenty. These
dogs are energetic and playful, yet they can easily get all the exercise they need
each day from just playing with some toys or roaming the house. However, since
Chihuahuas do not store much energy and have tiny digestive systems, they need to
eat small, frequent meals or may suffer from a low blood sugar attack
(hypoglycemia). Dry food should constantly be available for them as well as lots of
water.
When it comes to Chihuahuas, you can expect a whole lotta shakin' goin' on!
Shivering is a normal characteristic of this breed. Chihuahuas shiver when they are
excited, apprehensive, discontented or frightened-not just when its cold. One way
to combat this is to be sure that your Chihuahua knows that you will care for it.
Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog that tends to prefer the company of humans
to that of other dogs. If you spend time with your Chi, take care of it and properly
house your dog, it will tend to shake less.
Chihuahuas that are constantly crated or caged during the first twenty weeks of
their life will tend to shake more and trust people less. A better way is to keep your
Chihuahua confined to an open, social area restricted with a gate. Chihuahuas can
be kept in a baby's play pen with food and water on one side and a potty pan with
newspaper or wee wee pads on the other. A few favorite toys can also be included.
This is a good way to keep your tiny Chihuahua safe at night or when you're out,
without making them feel abandoned.
There is no such thing as a "Tea Cup" Chihuahua. Breeders may want to call their
"special" little dogs "tea cups" which will grow to be 3 pounds or under fully grown.
This is NOT good. These dogs will not form appropriately and will most likely have a
myriad of problems. Chihuahuas should optimally be 4-6 pound when fully grown.
Chihuahua females go into their first heat around six to eight months, and go into
heat twice a year. Most females do not get pregnant during their first heat. Once
pregnant, female Chihuahuas give birth in sixty-five days and most have from one
to five pups. Puppies are ready to leave their mom and littermates by eight weeks.
Many are already eating on their own and being pushed out by mom by four or five
weeks, but need the additional time to develop social skills with their littermates
and to be taught survival skills by mom. Chihuahuas remain puppies for the first
two years of their lives.
Chihuahuas are the best kept secret in the world when it comes to being terrific
pets. They require very little care and reward their owners with lots of affection and
loyalty. An ancient breed, it's easy to see why Kings, Emperors and great
civilizations would treasure these amazing creatures.
Celebrities Discover The Amazing Chihuahua!
By Bill Knell
Some say it started with the Taco Bell
dog.
A five hundred million dollar ad campaign featured a talking Chihuahua which
continually repeated the slogan, “Yo quiero Taco Bell,” which is Spanish for
I want
Taco Bell.” Then came the Legally Blond films and the unstoppable Bruiser. The
topping on the cake was when Paris Hilton appeared on the cover of Seventeen
magazine and later tried living The Simple Life on Fox TV with Tinkerbell, her pet
Chihuahua. Celebrities have discovered what many pet owners already knew:
Chihuahuas are the best dogs to own and care for. In the process, they’ve set off
a
Chihuahua Craze that is reaching towering proportions.
When most people think of Celebrities and their toy dogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Toy
Poodles, Pekinese, Lhasas and Shih Tzus usually come to mind. That’s because
famous folks like Audrey Hepburn, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Mia Farrow were regularly
photographed with their beloved pets. In Audrey‘s case, it was a Yorkie. In her
early
days of fame, Mia Farrow was rarely seen out in public without her Lhasa. Zsa Zsa
and Eva Gabor loved to walk through the hot spots of Beverly Hills and be
photographed with a multitude of Toy Poodles, Pekinese and Shih Tzus. But times
have changed!
The always innovative Madonna may have set the standard for change not long ago
when she sported her beloved Chihuahua, Chiquita, for a press photo op. Noah
Wyle, one of the hot stars of ER, was recently photographed with his Chihuahua
while on holiday. Jennifer Lopez has also joined the exclusive club of famous
Chihuahua owners. Younger celebrities like Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, Christina Ricci
and Reese Witherspoon have found themselves attracted to these fabulous canines
and brought a huge amount of attention to them.
Chihuahuas make great pets because they are very low maintenance, the world’s
smallest dogs and longest lived breed. Celebs love the fact that Chihuahuas prefer
the company of humans more then they enjoy being with other animals and can
easily accompany their owners everywhere. Chihuahuas love to be held or carried
around in their very own shoulder bag and that makes them especially attractive to
busy celebrities and people who are always on the move.
Unlike most toy dog breeds, the Chihuahua is not a created one. The first
widespread mention of Chihuahuas occurred during the mid to late 1800's in weekly
or monthly tabloids that specialized in tales of the American West. Highly
fictionalized accounts of the small dogs spread by these publications claimed they
were actually a mix of rodent and canine or had been magically created by Medicine
Men. In reality, Chihuahuas were first noticed along the Arizona-Mexico border by
settlers, ranchers and those passing through. This lead to the animals becoming
originally-known as Arizona Dogs. Once it began obvious that these cute little dogs
were actually coming out of the Chihuahua region of Mexico where they had been
discovered in the early 1800's, the regional name stuck.
For the first time ever this past year, Chihuahuas have made the top ten list of most
registered or licensed dogs in many areas of the USA. There can be no doubt that
part of their popularity comes from the media exposure the breed has received and
the fact that big-name celebrities are favoring the breed. But it also has to do with
the fact that Chihuahuas are small, very easy to care for and live a long time.
Most Chihuahuas eat dry dog food and feed once every couple of hours or as their
hunger moves them. A small, full bowl of dry food and dish of water easily gets
them through an entire day. Chihuahuas are known for being healthy, hearty dogs
that do well in virtually any situation. They can easily deal with temperatures of forty
to ninety degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets a bit too chilly, doggie clothes solve the
problem. When it gets too hot, Chihuahuas are always happy to enjoy their owner
s
air conditioning. Most have few health issues and live from fifteen to nineteen years
of age, with an average lifespan of sixteen years.
Because celebrities are constantly exposed to new situations and always on the go,
they can appreciate the fact that most Chihuahuas tend to attach themselves
emotionally to one person or family and rarely bolt if given the opportunity. All
Chihuahua owners appreciate the intelligence of the breed. They are very easy to
train and adjust well to change. In areas where it’s legal, Chihuahuas walk
obediently near their owners without a leash.
As Chihuahuas are featured in more and more films, television shows and become
the beloved pets of an ever growing list of the rich and famous,
we should all remember that they are more then just the
hot breed of the moment. Chihuahuas are great pets that are very loyal to their
owners. If you are planning to adopt a Chihuahua, do so because the breed is
attractive to your needs, desires and lifestyle, not because Paris owns one. |
