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Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a lively
little dog suitable for small flats or apartments. It is not
recommended for children, as it does not have the size or
strength to cope with rough handling, but makes an ideal pet
for the elderly.
History:
The Chihuahua is thought to
have originated in Mexico, or could have migrated with the
Spanish conquests of the Aztecs. Some feel that the breed may
be depicted in Aztec monuments, but others feel the engravings
could have been of rodents. There are now two types of
Chihuahua: the long-coated and the smooth-coated. The
smooth-coated is the newer of the breeds and was developed
early this century by crossing the long-coated breed with
small American Terriers such as the Black and Tan Toy to
produce the smoother coat.
Physical
characteristics:
The Chihuahua is the world's
most easily recognized breed of dog, and the smaller the dog,
the more valuable. They are alert and lively. Height: around 8
in (20.5 cm). Weight: 2.24 - 7.5 lb (1 - 3.5 kg). The head is
an apple shape with large, round, and dark but not protruding
eyes. Black noses are more valued than the pink or light. The
ears are large and carried erect when in motion, but set at a
45-degree angle when resting. The body is deep but short and
the tail is long, set high, and curled over the back, tapering
to a point.
The coat in the smooth-coated
breed is short, dense and lustrous. In the long-coated breed
the hair is long, silky, and may have a wave. There is
feathering on the trunk, tail and legs, and a ruffled neck is
desirable.
Behavior:
Because of its diminutive
size, people are sometimes fooled into thinking this dog is
very passive. However, this tiny dog has a huge spirit.
Certainly, the Chihuahua would not be much use as a guard dog,
but its abilities as a watch-dog should not be overlooked. It
is quite capable of alerting its owner to the presence of an
intruder.
If the Chihuahua is given the
opportunity to socialize with other dogs when it is a puppy,
it rarely has problems in later life. The Chihuahua is often
given favored status when a family has several dogs in a
household. Care should be taken when outside the house that
larger dogs do not act aggressively to your bossy Chihuahua.
This dog has been selectively
bred to be a companion animal for people. This does not mean,
however, that it automatically likes all people, in all
circumstances. Wise owners should not allow too much rough
play or teasing of their dog as it may either become injured
or bite. All dogs have a limit to their tolerance. However,
the Chihuahua does make an excellent pet, especially for
single or elderly people, or families with older children.
The Chihuahua truly thrives on
the attention it receives from its owner, and can suffer from
separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. This
dog is generally kept inside and often sleeps on its owner's
bed or nearby. If you do keep your Chihuahua outside even
temporarily, it must be provided with a proper kennel with
plenty of protection against drafts and the cold
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