Chihuahua

There are various theories regarding the history of Chihuahuas. One of the most popular is that the breed descended from the ancient Techichi dogs that lived during the Toltec civilization. The second theory is that it descended from hairless dogs found in China.

The modern Chihuahuas we know today came from the small dogs in the 1850 from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.They were sold by Mexican merchants and brought to the USA. They were also called Texas dog, Arizona dog and Mexico dog.

Chihuahuas are small and dainty dogs that weigh 4 to 6 pounds and stand 15 to 23 centimetres. Pet Chihuahuas can be oversize with some reaching up to 10 to 12 pounds, which can be a better choice for families with children. However, for show purposes, the smaller kind is preferred. They are known for their large, round eyes and large, erect ears and apple dome head.

The Chihuahua comes in two varieties: the long-coat and short-haired. They are basically the same breed with different hair length. The long-hair Chihuahua has a smoother texture and fluffier appearance, while the short-hair kind can range from having a velvety to a bristly texture. Both require minimal grooming and no trimming, with the long-haired variety shedding less. It can take up to three years before a full long-haired coat grows. All colours and combinations are accepted by the Kennel Club with the exception of merle.

This breed has one of the easiest coat to maintain as it only takes a few minutes per week. Short-haired Chihuahuas can be brushed with a rubber grooming mitt and a pin brush for the long-haired one to remove little clumps. They can be bathed once every 3 to 4 weeks.

Check the eyes for excessive tearing or abnormal eye discharges which may lead to a potential health issue. The eyes should be thoroughly cleaned using a soft and damp cloth or canine eye wipes. As for nail trimming, it should be done every three months. Nails left to grow will cause painful ingrown nails and may affect its gait and skeletal damage. To avoid excessive wax build-up in the ears, make sure ear cleaning is part of the normal grooming routine.

Chihuahuas are known to shiver when they are excited, terrified or cold. On the other hand, these small pooches can have large personalities if you allow them. For instance, they can bully you into giving them a spot on the couch if they know you will budge. Some also become fussy eaters when they know they can get what they want. It is not always warm to strangers, both humans and dogs. They can be unfriendly if not socialised early. They can attack and won’t back down even from large dogs, which can be dangerous considering their tiny stature.

The Chihuahua generally loves children especially if they grow up together. However, supervision is needed especially with very young kids to avoid this tiny breed from getting injured. Conversely, the pooch can fight back when it feels mistreated. This breed is advisable for families with older children who know how to approach and handle dogs.

Chihuahuas are smart and fast learners. They are great in agility and obedience classes. However, they can be stubborn and don’t respond to harsh treatment. Positive reinforcement in the form of praise and rewards can help.

Often small breed toy dogs are stereotyped as “snappy” and bark a lot. However, this is not entirely true. Although dog breeds have certain predispositions, behaviour can be opposite. For instance, the behaviour of a Chihuahua can also be calm and friendly depending on the type of training and socialisation it experienced when young. One huge and significant deciding factor of a Chihuahua’s personality is how it is raised.

• Senior and less active: up to 170 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 205 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 320 calories daily

Pet ownership's more costly than most people think. It does not end with just buying a puppy breed from a good breeder and then feeding it three times a day. Potential dog owners keen on raising and keeping a dog must be able to include being a responsible dog owner in the monthly budget. In the case of a Chihuahua puppy, you must have about £500 - £700 to buy one. Prepare to pay more though if it comes from a reputable breeder.

In its entire lifetime, a Chihuahua can cost you £21,200 - £25,400. If you divide lifetime cost with 18 years (its maximum lifespan), you will be paying along the lines of £1,177 – £1,411 monthly. However, this estimated annual cost does not include pet insurance coverage or special health checks from a veterinarian especially if it includes particular treatment of a disease.