Chihuahua

Here's what you need to know about Chihuahuas

The Chihuahua is the world's smallest dog breed. It is known for its large eyes and bat-like ears. It is, among other things, what has made the breed so popular among well-known Hollywood stars as well as ordinary dog lovers. The breed has become known as a pocket dog because, due to its size, it can easily fit in a bag. But you get much more than that. It is loyal, intelligent and energetic. It forms a strong bond with its owner, and it wants to go for walks and play.

If you look after this breed properly, you can have up to 20 good years together. And if you start training it early, you can get a dog that is friendly towards children and other animals.

Where do Chihuahuas come from?

This dog breed originates from Mexico – from the province of the same name. Farmers from the Chihuahua province began in the middle of the 20th century to sell the small dogs to people who came from the United States. In this way, the dog breed quickly spread to North America and then to Europe. People fell in love with the dogs' size, ears and eyes.

How much does a Chihuahua weigh?

This dog breed is very small. It typically weighs between 1.5-3 kg and is only 15-26 cm tall. Females typically grow to around 18 cm tall, while males grow to 23 cm.

How old does a Chihuahua get?

Although it is a small dog, the lifespan is quite long. They can live up to 20 years if they receive the right care and attention. They can get diseases such as periodontitis and urolithiasis. That means problems with the teeth and knees. In addition, they can also have heart problems and eye problems. In order to catch the problems as early as possible, it is important to have Chihuahuas examined by a veterinarian twice a year.

A small guard dog with great self-confidence

Chihuahuas are dogs that are very loyal and bond strongly with their owners. Therefore, they have a strong protective instinct and are very aware of their surroundings. Therefore, this breed is often suspicious of strangers, and they often act out when they think there is danger afoot. In this way, they act like a big dog and are full of confidence.

When a Chihuahua is comfortable in your company, it is calm and enjoys lying on your lap or playing. This dog breed can have a hard time with small children because it can find children's movements and behavior threatening. It is therefore important to respect your dog's boundaries.

Chihuahua puppies must be raised lovingly and consistently so that they get used to other dogs and children. In this way, you avoid them becoming fearful and having a bad temper as adults.

An energetic dog

The Chihuahua dog was bred to be a lap dog, but it is an active dog with a lot of energy. Therefore, it benefits from playing, running and going on long walks. The breed is often carried around in handbags because it is just so small and looks fragile. Despite its size, it, like all other dogs, needs to play and be active. Its fragile exterior can be deceiving because it can run long distances and do well in dog sports. It is therefore important to train your Chihuahua and let it achieve its full potential. When it is well trained and allowed to release its energy, it also functions better in the family and around people.

Fur in many colors and lengths

This type of dog can be long-haired or short-haired. A long-haired Chihuahua has wavy or smooth fur from ears to tail. The ears get characteristic fringes when the fur is long.

A short-haired Chihuahua has a short and thick coat. The fur is dense and lies flat everywhere on the body. Regardless of whether the coat is short or long, it does not require much care.

Neither long-haired nor short-haired types shed much, so there is no need for much vacuuming of dog fur in the home.

In this dog breed, the fur itself can be any color. There are everything from white to spotted individuals.

Good advice for activity, diet and care

Because the Chihuahua dog has a high energy level, it is important to let it get a proper workout. This is especially important because this dog breed is prone to obesity. Because of this, it is also important that it does not get too many calories especially the unhealthy ones. Chihuahua puppies should, for example, have puppy food that is specially made for small breeds.

When a Chihuahua is out for a walk, the cold can easily affect it - especially in winter. It can therefore start to freeze and shake easily. Here you can dress it in a warm dog sweater.

Long-haired Chihuahuas have fur that needs to be brushed frequently to prevent it from tangling. In addition, long fur also needs to be washed more often. We therefore recommend that you use a high-quality dog brush and shampoo when caring for your dog's fur.