The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog recognized by the KC, weighing 3 to 6 pounds. It is also regarded
as the longest lived. Many of them live 16 to 18 years and beyond. The smooth coat and the long coat are considered as the
same breed in europe and USA however the UK KC do not allow smooth coat to longcoat breeding, you can however have a long
coat puppy from 2 smooth coat parents and the UK KC will register the puppy as such but you can not have a smooth coat
puppy from two long coat parents.
The Chihuahua was discovered in Mexico in the mid 19th century. It is said that
Montezuma, the last of the Aztec rulers, and General Santa Ana, the Mexican dictator, both kept large numbers of Chihuahuas.
The first Chihuahua officially registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club) was Midget, in 1904. By 1915, thirty were
registered. WWII took a toll on Chihuahua breeding and by 1949, only eight were on record. After the war, the breed rose quickly
in popularity and in 2004, more than 24,000 were registered.
Chihuahua litters consist, on average, of three puppies
and most are born with a 'molera', or 'soft spot' (open fontanel) like a human baby, which closes as
they mature but occasionally, the fontanel remains. In this case, they are quite vulnerable to even a light bump to the head,
and owners must take special care that the dog is handled carefully.
All breeds have tendencies to certain disorders
and Chihuahuas are no different. Weak knee or patellar luxation (dislocation of the knee cap) and hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) seem to pick on the Chihuahua breed.
When choosing a Chihuahua, it may be wise to choose two, since they seem
to recognize their own breed and enjoy the companionship of other Chis. Although they are happy in an only dog house or smilarly
they are happy also with big dogs as we ourselves have proven with ours. So in reality they are very easy going
little dogs that just enjoy being loved and cuddled. The tiny dogs require a minimum of space, care and expense and make loving
lap dogs. Where shedding is a problem, the long coat would be preferred. These wonderful little dogs can easily be paper
or litter trained in the case of an owner who is unable to take the dog outside. Chihuahuas do not like the cold but
have learnt to snuggle and love to burrow under covers or sunbathe.
They usually, but not always, bond with one person
and are quite protective, despite their small size. They tend to have a 'big dog' personality in their tiny packaging
and some have earned the reputation of being yappy and snappy with strangers, but that's not always the case. Chihuahuas
are quite intelligent and loyal and early socialization and proper training can mold them into wonderful family dogs.
About Breeding and improving the Chihuahua breed
Over the years the Chihuahua has not changed all that much
considering other breeds that have change considerably.
Three things that has changed:
- there appears
to be more emphasis on shorter muzzles and more of a pronounced domed head.
- Shorter legs
- and as a result
of shorter legs smaller dogs in general
Below we have a few pictures of the old type of Chihuahua and also a picture
of the modern Chihuahua. Note that the old type has more of a "deer" head with slightly long muzzle, still sporting
the lovely large ears which the breed is renouned for.
