Chihuahua – Dogster

Weighing just under 6 pounds, the Chihuahua fits easily in the arms of a family. But don’t be fooled: He’s just small in stature, not character. Chihuahuas are aggressive, loyal, obstinate and (let’s just call it that!) quite full. Perhaps their pride today comes from their precious heritage. Chihuahua’s predecessors were, after all, considered sacred.

Where do Chihuahuas come from?

Although the stories of the breed’s origins are unclear, historians generally agree that the Chihuahua originated in present-day Mexico, possibly descended from the ancient Techichi breed. Famous for serving sacred and friendship purposes, the Chihuahua was very popular with the Aztecs; The Montezuma II seems to have hundreds of them. Chihuahuas were originally venerated, sacrificed, mummified, and buried with their owners. One of their supposed missions was to help their deceased owners safely navigate the world of the dead. And while the Aztecs may have valued the early Chihuahuas, they may also have eaten some of them. Eek!

How to train a Chihuahua

Today, most Chihuahuas still retain the noble temperament of their ancestors and tend to believe that they are the stars of the family. Despite being a Toy breed, the Chihuahua has a very distinctive personality: He is confident, self-directed, spirited, and sometimes reckless. He often gives his love to someone special. Most Chihuahuas certainly won’t run up and kiss strangers.

Chihuahuas are strong-willed and mentally demanding extensive socialization and training. The biggest obstacle to a Chihuahua’s training is the human misconception that it cannot be trained or that it is too difficult to train. Some people may also mistakenly believe that it is not necessary to train such a small dog. Untrained, untrained and misbehaving Chihuahuas contribute to the breed’s reputation for being angry, aggressive, biting or barking. Therefore, a well-trained, socialized Chihuahua is a valuable breed ambassador to discredit this reputation.

Chihuahuas can excel in obedience, focus, freedom, and agility. Of course, training this breed requires patience, humor and lots of encouragement. After all, he is not a work dog for me, I will do whatever you ask. Owners need more variety to keep the dog focused and let him believe he is leading the training sessions.

Due to its size and height, teaching a Chihuahua to walk on a leash can be challenging. A very light lanyard and collar (or often a harness), as well as a soft hand, are important. Although only moderate exercise is needed, a daily walk will keep the Chihuahua healthy and satisfied. And just because he fits in a purse or a pack doesn’t mean he should be carried around all day. Walking provides exercise but also provides an opportunity for the dog to have polite contact with outsiders. Widespread socialization will reduce his naturally suspicious personality.

Understanding Chihuahua behaviors

1. Barking: Apparently for their size, most Chihuahuas wear protective helmets, with plenty of barking accompanying them. In fact, Chihuahuas often bark at anything that looks new or different. So yes, they are sometimes considered “good.” But like any breed, the Chihuahua can learn to stop barking unnecessarily. Again, the problem is the human tendency to expect too little of a Chihuahua.
2. Mouse Trap Training: It’s also a bit of a myth that Chihuahuas aren’t inherently fond of rat trap training. Anatomically, the Chihuahua is no different from any other breed. The problem might instead be how difficult it is to recognize the “I’m on my duty” body position in such a small dog or to notice small, minor accidents left on the floor. home.
3. Socializing: While not usually a carefree dog park fan, Chihuahuas can enjoy hours of playtime with close friends. Owners must carefully monitor play (especially with larger dogs) to reduce accidental roughness; Tiny Chihuahuas are very vulnerable.

With other animals in the family, Chihuahuas often prefer to be the guardians. Many Chihuahuas tolerate cats, but that is not what is given.

4. Play with young children: Although sociable Chihuahuas can get along well with older, well-mannered children, Chihuahuas are generally not well suited to families with young children. Well-intentioned children can accidentally hurt a small dog. Chihuahuas may also retaliate when young children spontaneously pull, tug, hug too tightly, or try to pick them up.
5. Jumping: Because they can injure themselves, Chihuahuas are not allowed to jump from their owners’ hands or from tall furniture.

How much exercise does a Chihuahua need?

The Chihuahua’s moderate activity requirements work well for families living in apartments. This breed is also suitable for older, less active people. Short walks, foraging sessions, or indoor games can tire Chihuahuas, and then they’re ready to go back to cuddling.

The breed’s size makes him an easy companion. They take up little room in a car, and they also fit people who carry airplane dogs under the saddle. Only a handful of dog breeds can move!

How much does a Chihuahua weigh?

Chihuahuas are small dogs that weigh less than 6 pounds. Here is some information about the size and appearance of the Chihuahua:

• Teacup Chihuahua: In the breed standard, there is no such thing as a teacup, pocket toy, or miniature Chihuahua. Of course, the breed comes in a variety of sizes, but the standard is simply under 6 pounds.
• Apple-Headed Chihuahua or Deer: The round apple-headed Chihuahua is a telltale sign of this breed. The deer-headed Chihuahua has more sloping facial features and a narrower, more angular head. Such Chihuahuas do not meet the breed’s head shape standards, but they can be registered as AKC purebreds if the parents are also registered.

Why is my Chihuahua shaking?

If the Chihuahua is shivering, it may be cold. This breed is sensitive to cold weather and may need a coat to stay warm in the winter. But Chihuahuas can also shake when feeling excited, upset, or scared. A Chihuahua that gets along well, has been through many situations and meets many new people may tremble with anxiety less than a sheltered Chihuahua. Of course, shaking can occur with various medical conditions, so owners need to discuss their dog’s shaking with their veterinarian.

How much do Chihuahuas eat?

Small dogs eat more than large dogs. A 5-pound Chihuahua typically eats about a cup of kibble a day. Does that mean that a 100-pound dog (20 times as heavy) eats 20 cups a day? No. Large dogs eat proportionally less. A 100-pound dog may eat only five cups a day.

An interesting fact about Chihuahua

The Chihuahua breed is named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, the largest state (by area) in Mexico. Chihuahuas are one of the most misspelled breed names. In English, it is often pronounced “Chee – wa- wuh.”