Chihuahua dogs are small and faithful friends of a person who will not leave anyone indifferent. They are incredibly sincerely attached to their master, have a bold disposition and a persistent character. A chihuahua puppy will be a good companion, accompanying his master on all walks and events. Having decided to buy a little friend, you need to study in detail all the features of this breed, because it is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.
Chihuahua breed history
Many people think that chihuahuas are descended from desert foxes. But genetics have proven that all dogs are descended from wolves. Chihuahuas have nothing to do with fox genes. The story of these dogs begins in Mexico, Chihuahua. If you believe the documentary sources of the time, this breed appeared in the 18th century. It was then that she began to be mentioned in many letters. It is assumed that the small size Chihuahua puppies owe to the European decorative dogs, which at that time were massively imported by the Spaniards.
Chihuahua - The Most Popular Pocket Dog
This breed came to America in 1850. Dogs quickly became popular throughout the United States. People liked their character, activity and affection for the owners. It was American breeders who bred a long-haired variety of these pets. At the moment, Chihuahua is one of the most famous breeds in the world. Photos of Chihuahua puppies can be seen almost everywhere. Due to their small size, they are very popular with breeders and nurseries. Unfortunately, many are irresponsible to the breed. They do not pay due attention to the exterior of the dogs, their character and external data. Previously, this breed was considered medicinal and was even used in rituals. Chihuahuas now have the title of companion dogs.
Little chihuahua in the house
Breeders and kennels give the Chihuahua puppy to their new owners no earlier than 2.5 months. At about this age, he is ready to leave his mother, although it will be difficult for him to survive. Before the baby appears in the house, much needs to be prepared for his arrival. The puppy will need a bed, a tray for the toilet for the first time, bowls for food and water, harness, as well as all kinds of toys and bones. Looking at the photos of Chihuahua puppies, you can see how tiny they are, so don't take them away from your mother too soon.
If the baby is less than four months old, at first he may whine at night, calling his mother to him. He will have to devote all his time to the puppy so that moving does not seem to him such stress. If the Chihuahua will have no one to leave with, it is better to take a short vacation at work to look after him. It will be necessary to remove all cutting objects from the floor, lift the wires and power supplies. A small chihuahua puppy must not be allowed to jump from a great height. Walking on the street can only be practiced after all vaccinations done by age. Walking time should be started from 15 minutes a day, constantly increasing during the week.
Even a small puppy of a Chihuahua must not forget to train. They learn very quickly and form their own habits. When caring for a baby, it is important not to miss the moment when you need to take up training.
Chihuahua breed description
When choosing a dog in a kennel or at a breeder, you need to know what external data a puppy should have. Features of the appearance of the breed:
- round head, like an apple;
- dark, bright eyes;
- ears should be erect, wide and large;
- the case is sturdy and compact;
- the neck is thick, massive;
- wide and deep chest;
- the ribs are bent in the correct shape;
- a tight stomach;
- high set tail;
- limbs straight, shoulders with good angles of the shoulder-shoulder joint;
- elbows tightly pressed to the body;
- paws are small, oval, pads are well formed.
The character of a chihuahua, even in puppyhood, should be lively, active and agile. A healthy dog will be interested in everything, sniff unfamiliar objects and constantly play. When choosing a puppy in a kennel or a breeder, first of all, you need to ask for documents for the dog. The baby should have a passport, family tree and a medical card, which contains information about all vaccinations given by age.
Chihuahua character
Since these dogs grow up quickly, the character of the puppy will form very quickly. By the age of 12 months, the pet will fully form its habits, from which it will be impossible to wean, therefore, you need to raise a chihuahua from puppyhood. When a Chihuahua puppy is a month old, naturally they cannot be taught anything. It is recommended to do this only from 3 months. The dog must know who the owner of the house is and obey it.
Many mistakenly believe that a small companion dog does not need training, as it does not pose a danger to anyone. This opinion is extremely incorrect. Despite its modest size, a chihuahua is a real dog that needs training and training. If they are neglected, a capricious, constantly barking and aggressive dog will grow out of the puppy, who will feel like a master in any place and room. These dogs are very indifferent to children, therefore they do not recommend having them if there is a small child living in the house who might inadvertently offend a pet - a chihuahua can even bite a baby.
Breed features
One of the most interesting features of the breed is the ability to feel the mood of a person. A dog will never approach a person who is annoyed, angry or aggressive. But to the one who came with good intentions, the dog will run up with pleasure. Chihuahua quickly adapts to any conditions. They do not need a lot of space, even in a small apartment the dog will feel comfortable. Their main condition for happiness is the presence of the owner nearby. Without it, the pet will be bored and sad. That is why these dogs have been nicknamed the best companions. They will calmly accompany the owner wherever possible, without creating unnecessary problems.
Chihuahuas are very temperamental dogs. They respond to everything that happens around them. In the house where this baby lives, nothing will be left without attention. They can show their emotions with a loud bark. To prevent this from happening all the time, you need to raise a dog from birth. Then she will learn to cast her voice only in special situations.
Smooth Chihuahua Type
This breed is the most common breed. The long-haired type of Chihuahua was bred artificially, and these dogs were smooth-haired by nature. Soft, smooth, silky coat is considered ideal. On the neck and tail, it is slightly longer than on the muzzle and stomach. Unfortunately, many breeders deviate from the standard and get dogs with a hard coat instead of a smooth one.
Smooth-haired chihuahuas can be double or single type. If the dog has an undercoat, then it is very soft, short and dense, in contrast to the main cover.
Long haired chihuahua
This type of dog has a long coat, but it does not touch the ground while walking. The coat can be straight or wavy, always light and soft. Long-haired chihuahuas have a pronounced plume on the tail, legs and neck. On the face, the coat is usually short.
Like smooth-haired, these dogs come in both double and single hair types. If the dog has an undercoat, then it will be soft, short and quite rare. Thickness of the coat may vary depending on the season, but a long-haired chihuahua should not walk with sparse coat. If the dog's coat has thinned, this is an occasion for a visit to the veterinarian. During participation in exhibitions, the pet should not be trimmed or do any hairstyles. The coat should be as nature intended.
Many owners note that long-haired Chihuahua puppies are kinder and calmer, while smooth-haired puppies are very active and even a little aggressive in expressing their emotions. In fact, the type of coat has almost no effect on the character of the dog. The main thing is how she was raised. Only love and daily activities with the owner influence the character of the Chihuahua.
Chihuahua puppy care
It’s easy to take care of this breed. Even a long-haired type of dog does not require special hair care. Some dogs need eye care and care. This is especially true for white, cream and red chihuahuas. The dog’s eyes can flow, forming dark smudges of brown color on the coat, which are then not so easy to remove.
Tearing of the eyes may be associated with improper nutrition, poor intestinal microflora, bacteria or impaired lacrimal canal. In any case, you need to try to deal with this problem. Do not forget to wipe your dog’s eyes daily with a special solution that can be bought at a veterinary clinic. Any Chihuahua puppies are clean, any owner will say. They will need to be washed no more than 1 time per month.
Chihuahuas rarely eat solid food, so from birth they must be accustomed to daily brushing. If you do not train this dog from an early age, then it will be extremely difficult to do. The same can be said for clipping. All procedures must be carried out in a relaxed atmosphere. You can’t shout at a Chihuahua and force him to sit on his hands while brushing his teeth or cutting a claw. Everything needs to be done gently and without haste. If the baby is constantly undergoing procedures as an adult, the pet will not resist this.
Chihuahua content
These dogs love outdoor walks with their beloved host. They can walk all day long. They also like to sit in the carrier when the owner is busy with important things and can not keep track of the pet. The main thing for them in this case is to always see their owner.
You can not always wear a chihuahua in his arms, this will entail a violation of the development of the skeleton and will affect the limbs of the dog badly. Even Chihuahua mini puppies love to move. They can not be locked in the house, like a domestic cat. Chihuahuas are full-fledged dogs that need daily walks and training. Owners who forget about it, spoil the nature of their pets and create a bad reputation for pocket and helpless dogs. But even this breed cannot live on the street. They do not tolerate cold and can catch a cold from hypothermia.
By their nature, Chihuahuas need the constant presence of a person. However, this is not always possible when the owner is forced to go to work daily. The best friend after a person for a Chihuahua will be another Chihuahua. Even being of different ages, they will make friends and will love each other, like relatives.
Chihuahua puppy feeding
Dogs of this breed have a very fast metabolism, so they need frequent feeding. Particular attention should be paid to feed quality. Thinking about how to feed a Chihuahua puppy, you need to carefully study the advice of famous veterinarians. Some owners prefer to feed their pet natural food. But in this case, it is necessary to adhere to the exact dosage of calories, to calculate the intake of all vitamins and minerals. Such a calculation is not possible for a person who devotes much time to work and family. Fortunately, there is an alternative to live food - a dry, balanced food intended for small dog breeds.
What should be dry food
Dry food should not be cheap. To determine its quality, just go through a large supermarket. The food that is widely available in every store is obviously not suitable for feeding a chihuahua. Also, do not pay attention to dog food, which is constantly advertised on TV. Active advertising is done only for economy-class feeds. A good feed is always advised by a veterinarian. It is sold exclusively at pet stores.
Cost of chihuahua
Not everyone can afford to buy a dog of this breed. Chihuahua puppies do not get free. A dog with a good pedigree and all the necessary documents will cost from 80,000 rubles. At this price, he will meet all breed standards. You can also not worry about his health. Poor kennels sometimes sell sick puppies, while lowering their price under the guise of stocks. In order not to fall into these, you need to study in detail the history of the kennel, in which you plan to buy a dog.
You can purchase the desired pet from the breeder. You can buy a Chihuahua puppy from them inexpensively. It will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than in a nursery - from 30 to 60 thousand rubles and more. This price range is explained by great competition among breeders. In addition, a Chihuahua for 30 thousand is unlikely to meet all breed standards. Outwardly, it may look perfect, but an experienced dog breeder will always notice deviations from the standard that ordinary people may not see. Most often this is revealed at the exhibition, where the owner comes with his chihuahua. On Avito Chihuahua puppies can even cost 10 thousand rubles, but they will be very far from the real breed.
Having decided to make a little friend, you must remember that he will require a lot of attention. Chihuahuas are strongly attached to their master and can hardly endure his long absence.