Chihuahua – Dog Breed Info

Overview
The precise nature of where the Chihuahua is not entirely sure, and there are many speculations of possible ways they came about. The earliest specimens of Chihuahua were found during the time of the Aztecs, in Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1923, the Chihuahua Club of America was structured – and they were also in charge of writing the standard, which has not been comprehensively changed since then. In 1952, the Club decided to split them into two varieties, with the varieties being depending on the coat.

Temperament
Chihuahuas are energetic, pleasant and intelligent dogs that are also very loyal to their owners. They are very fond of giving affection, but also demand it in return. These dogs have a very imaginative and inquisitive nature, and this enables them to produce ways to get your attention. This breed will do best in a household with older children as they can get injured by younger children. The Chihuahua is appreciated for its loyalty and courage, but they can often become full of themselves and will challenge much larger dogs. These dogs are very wary of strangers, and will always keep an eye on you. The Chihuahua is very alert, vigilant and bold.

Care
The Chihuahuas have smooth short-haired coats that should be brushed gently on an occasional basis. Their coats can also be wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coats should however be brushed on a daily basis with a soft hair brush. Both the long and short haired types of these dogs should be bathed once a month. Great care should be taken to make sure no water gets into the ears of the Chihuahuas. They nails of this breed should be trimmed, and their ears also checked out on a regular basis.

Training
Although these dogs are very trainable, they do however struggle with housebreaking. Seeing that they are so small, many owners will try to train them to go in a litter box. Correct housetraining should however be done outside. But if owners want to use a litter box, constant praise is a must. It is vital for these dogs to be socialised from early onwards, and they should be exposed to many different places and people.

Health problems
Some of the common health problems that are seen in Chihuahuas are patellar luxation, mitral valve heart disease, eye problems, undescended testes, epilepsy, jawbone disorders, rheumatism fractures and dental problems. The Chihuahua is the only dog that is not born with a completely developed skull. They are usually finally formed after 3 to 4 months of age. The Chihuahuas will also need help during whelping, as the puppies have very large heads. This breed usually has a c-section, instead of a natural birth.

Visit the following links for more info on the Chihuahua [http://www.dog-behavior-training.co.uk/chihuahua.html] or a full list of Dog Breeds [http://www.dog-behavior-training.co.uk/dog_breeds.html].

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