:''This article is about the breed of dog. For other uses, see
Chihuahua (disambiguation).''
The '' is the smallest
breed of
dog in the world and is named after the state of
Chihuahua in
Mexico, where it was discovered in 1850.
[Chihuahuas: facts and information, Tenna Perry, ESortment.com, 2002, retrieved on July 29, 2007, although most artifacts relating to its existence are found around Mexico City.] Some academics believe the Chihuahua to be descended from
Chinese hairless dogs—who may have crossed over from Asia to Alaska on a land bridge before continental separation created the
Bering Strait—and bred with the ancient
Toltec and
Aztec ''Techichi'' dog, creating the modern-day Chihuahua.
[History of the Chihuahua, British Chihuahua Club, retrieved on July 29, 2007] The American Kennel Club registered its first Chihuahua in 1905.
Appearance
Chihuahuas are best known for their small size, large eyes, and large, erect ears.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes two varieties of Chihuahua: the long-coat and the smooth-coat.[American Kennel Club Chihuahua page, retrieved on July 29, 2007.] Many long-coat Chihuahuas have very thin hair, but other long coats have a very dense, thick coat.
Standards
Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height, only a weight and a description of their overall proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between 6 and 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) at the withers. However, some dogs grow as tall as 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm). AKC show dogs (American standard) must weigh no more than 6.0 lb (2.7 kg).[ The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and 3.0 kg (3.3 to 6.6 lb), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring.][FCI Chihuahua PDF Document] However, pet-quality Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions rather than show dogs) can, and do, range above these weights, to 10 pounds (4.5 kg), or even more if they have large bone structures or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean, however, that they are not purebred Chihuahuas, it only means that they do not meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversize Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best, and worst, bloodlines.
Colors
A tricolor Chihuahua
The AKC Chihuahua standard] lists under color: "Any color-Solid, marked or splashed".[ This allows for all colors from solid blacks to solid whites, spotted, or a variety of other colors and patterns. A few examples are Fawn, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Blue, and Black.]
Patterns, all with or without white markings, include:
★ Sable
★ Irish spotting
★ Piebald spotting
★ Extreme white spotting
★ Brindle
★ Masks
★ Merle
★ Tan points
Classifying Chihuahua colors can be complicated due to the large number of possibilities. Examples would be a Blue Brindle or a Chocolate and Tan. Colors and patterns can combine and affect each other, resulting in a very high degree of variation. That said, the classic Chihuahua color remains Fawn. No color or pattern is considered more valuable than the others. Although blue is considered rare, it is all just a matter of personal preference.
Temperament
Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity and personality. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal.
Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament and tendency to bite when frightened. It is recommended that children be 12 years or older before adding a chihuahua to one's home. Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. This can be mitigated through socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs.
Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury.[About Chihuahuas, British Chihuahua Club, retrieved on July 29, 2007.]
Health
Overfeeding a Chihuahua can be a grave danger to the small dog's health, shortening their life and leading to diabetes.
[1]
Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also prone to the sometimes painful disease Hydrocephalus. It is often diagnosed by the puppy having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable (since "a large head" is such a broad description). Chihuahua puppies exhibiting Hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets rather than a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of Hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim.
Chihuahuas are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. The Chihuahua Club of America has issued a statement regarding this often deadly misdiagnosis [1].
Chihuahuas can also be at risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma.
Chihuahuas are also prone to eye infections due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance. Chihuahuas also have a tendency to tremble but this is not a health issue, rather it takes place when the dog is stressed or excited. One reason for this may be because small dogs have a higher metabolism than larger dogs and therefore dissipate heat faster. Although figures often vary, as with any breed, the average lifespan for a Chihuahua is approximately 8 to 18 years of age.
Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters, and care must be taken to provide them with adequate nutrition. At the same time, care must be exercised not to overfeed this tiny breed. Overweight Chihuahuas are prone to joint injuries, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and shortened life span.
Clubs
A long-haired Chihuahua.
Because Chihuahuas are such a popular breed, there have been clubs created for them. These clubs talk about the breed, host competitions, etc. Sometimes they have information on adoption for members.
A couple of clubs are ones such as the Chihuahua Club of America, (CCA) or the British Chihuahua Club, the latter formed in 1947.[ Also, online forums have been made about these dogs.]
Famous Chihuahuas
★ Bruiser (real name: Moonie), Elle Woods' companion in the ''Legally Blonde'' movies.
★ Ducky, who was named the ''World's Smallest Living Dog'' by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007. (Ducky succeeded Danka Kordak of Slovakia, a Chihuahua who measured 5.4 inches tall.)[2]
★ Coco, Donna Cabonna´s dog from the Disney Channel Original Series ''That's So Raven''.
★ Lou, a chihuahua featured on the television show ''The Soup''.
★ Madame Shirley the Medium is an old-fortune teller chihuahua featured in a TV Show Cartoon, ''Courage the Cowardly Dog''.
★ Mimi, Sharon Osbourne's chihuahua.
★ Pepito, Xavier Cugat's chihuahua immortalized in the children's book ''Pepito the Little Dancing Dog: The Story of Xavier Cugat's Chihuahua''.
★ Ren Höek, of ''Ren and Stimpy'' fame.
★ The Spooky Chihuahua from ''Invader Zim''.
★ The Taco Bell chihuahua.
★ Tinkerbell Hilton and Bambi, companions of Paris Hilton. Tinkerbell is the "author" of "Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries".
★ Tito from ''Oliver & Company''.
★ Geraldo, Max Shreck's chihuahua in ''Batman Returns''.
★ Wheely Willy, a paraplegic chihuahua from Long Beach, California who has become a celebrity as the subject of two bestselling children's books.
★ Mammoth Mutt from ''Krypto the Superdog''.
External links
★ Chihuahua Club of America
★ British Chihuahua Club
★ Chihuahua Puppies Guide
★
★ Video of the Taco Bell Chihuahua
★ UK Chihuahuas
★ AKC Chihuahua page
★ Tiny Chihuahua saves life of 1-year-old boy
References
1. Pet Health 101 - Chihuahua, retrieved on July 29, 2007
2. It's Ducky: He Set a World Record Retrieved on August 6, 2007.
العربية
ä¸å›½
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिनà¥à¤¦à¥€
Italiano
日本語
Português
РуÑÑкий
Español
