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Description:
The Chihuahua is divided into two breed types, one with a soft short coat and the other with a soft long coat. Although reserved to strangers and unknown pets, Chihuahuas are very loyal and devoted to their owners. The Chihuahua dog breed is known for its saucy expression and alert attitude. Despite their small size, Chihuahuas make good watch dogs.
Country of Origin: The Chihuahua originated in Mexico.
Height: Chihuahuas range from six inches to nine inches.
Weight: Chihuahuas typically range from two to six pounds.
Colors: Coloring in the breed is all over the map. Chihuahuas are acceptable in any color; however, some experts have concluded that the genes associated with merle or dapple are also associated with blindness. Dapple coloring is when light-colored spots are present on a background of a darker shade of the same color. In some countries, merle dogs may not be shown, as breeders try to remove this gene from the breeding pool. In the United States, acceptable colors range from solid black to solid white, with any patterning. However, the classic color is fawn, the same as the dog from the commercials.
Coat: Chihuahuas have either short or long coats. The short coat is soft to touch and only requires minimal grooming. The long coat is soft and can either be straight, wavy or curly. The long coat needs occasional brushing to keep it from matting.
Temperament: The Chihuahua is an excellent companion and a highly devoted breed. Reserved when it comes to strangers, the Chihuahua makes a good watch dog. The Chihuahua is known as a stay-at-home dog and gets along well with other household pets.
Health Concerns: The Chihuahua is susceptible to patella luxation and eye problems.
Life Expectancy: The expected life span of the Chihuahua is 15 or more years.
Living Environment: Chihuahuas are adequate for apartment living, though they tend to be noisy. Chihuahuas need little exercise to remain happy and a couple of trips outside each day will provide ample exercise for this playful breed.
Luxating Patella, or dislocation of the kneecap, is a common problem with Chihuahuas and other small breeds. Luxating Patella can occur in varies degrees from grade 1 to a grade 4 which is debilitating. Young Chihuahuas might be able to compensate for this disability, but it tends to worsen over time. Luxating Patella can occur at any time in a Chihuauas life but but tend to be more obvious as they age.
The dislocation is commonly found on the inner side of the patella. The ligaments become stretched over time until the patella is rarely where it is meant to be, and may slip in and out of place.
Immediate treatment is recommended, rather then waiting until it has crippled the dog. While the knee is dislocated, the entire body of the dog is compensating for it, causing deformations of other skeletal areas.
Luxating Patella is inherited and dogs with this problem should not bred.
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Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the chihuahua's blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level, causing "sugar shock." When levels of glucose in the blood drop rapidly, the dog's body and brain are deprived of essential nutrients. The results of hypoglycemia can be weakness, seizures, coma, and in severe cases, death.
Because chihuahuas are so small, they can be prone to hypoglycemia, especially when they are very young. Hypoglycemia is usually caused by stress, illness, lack of food, or by using up stored energy without it being replenished.
It is important to make sure that young puppies and very tiny chihuahuas eat regularly throughout the day. Another preventative for hypoglycemia is regular feeding of a high-calorie supplement called Nutrical, available from your veterinarian or your local pet store.
If you suspect that your chihuahua is hypoglycemic, call your vet AT ONCE as this condition can be quickly fatal.
Cherry eye is the common name for a condition that can affect one or both of a dog’s third eyelids, which are technically called nictitating membranes. Nictitating membranes are thin, opaque sheets of tissue that in their normal position are seated underneath the lower eyelids and are not visible. They are closely associated with glandular tissue that contributes to tear production, which is essential to keep the eyes adequately lubricated. The third eyelids also serve to protect the sensitive cornea from physical damage. When the fibrous tissue attachments that anchor the nictitating membranes to the lower eyelids become weakened or loose, the associated tear glands can “pop out” (medically referred to as everting or prolapsing) and become visible as red masses bulging outward from the lower inside corners of the dog’s eye. This condition can look alarming – especially because it typically occurs suddenly. Thankfully, cherry eye usually can be treated successfully with a combination of topical medication and surgery.herry eye is the common name for a condition that can affect one or both of a dog’s third eyelids, which are technically called nictitating membranes. Nictitating membranes are thin, opaque sheets of tissue that in their normal position are seated underneath the lower eyelids and are not visible. They are closely associated with glandular tissue that contributes to tear production, which is essential to keep the eyes adequately lubricated. The third eyelids also serve to protect the sensitive cornea from physical damage. When the fibrous tissue attachments that anchor the nictitating membranes to the lower eyelids become weakened or loose, the associated tear glands can “pop out” (medically referred to as everting or prolapsing) and become visible as red masses bulging outward from the lower inside corners of the dog’s eye. This condition can look alarming – especially because it typically occurs suddenly. Thankfully, cherry eye usually can be treated successfully with a combination of topical medication and surgery.
