The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog.
It is named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
The Chihuahua is a tiny but confident dog that loves to give and receive attention. It is valued as a spirited companion especially suited to apartment living.
Chihuahua stands about 15 and 23 cm (6 and 9 in) and weighs 0.5 to 3 kg (1 to 6 pounds).
The coat is variable in color and may be either smooth and glossy or long and soft.
Dogs of any coat type may be identified as either “apple head” or “deer head” Chihuahuas. Apple heads have rounded heads, close-set eyes, and relatively short ears and legs. Deer heads have flat-topped heads, more widely set eyes, larger ears, and longer, more slender legs. Deer heads were the breed standard conformation in the mid-20th century, but current breed standards defined by registries such as the AKC specify the apple-head conformation.
The Chihuahua has a moderate to high energy level and may develop behavioral problems if not given enough activity. Exercise and mental stimulation will help maintain your dog’s mental and physical health. Be aware when you are walking a Chihuahua, as they are known to be aggressive toward larger dogs if not properly trained. You may need to be on alert to remove your dog from potential conflict.
Chihuahuas tend to learn better when being rewarded positive reinforcement, such as a treat or praise. With the proper training a Chihuahua needs, this dog can be extremely intelligent. The way a dog is trained will influence its behavior.
Because Chihuahuas get cold easily they tend to love their dens and will often burrow themselves in pillows, clothes hampers, and blankets. They are often found under the covers or at the bottom of the bed, deep in the dark and safety of what they perceive as their den.
The lifespan for a Chihuahua is usually between 12 and 20 years.
Drawings of Chihuahua-like dogs decorate the artifacts of lost civilizations around the world.
Trading among ancient cultures was more widespread than commonly assumed, so it is no surprise that similar dog types took root in far-flung places. How the Chihuahua type first came to the peoples of Mexico, however, is a secret of prehistory. We do know that when the Toltecs held sway in Mexico about a thousand years ago, their breed of choice was the Techichi, a larger, heavier ancestor of today’s Chi.
Colonial records refer to small, nearly hairless dogs at the beginning of the 19th century, one of which claims 16th-century Conquistadores found them plentiful in the region later known as
Chihuahua.
Small dogs such as Chihuahuas were used as living heating pads during illness or injury. Some believe this practice is where the idea of pain being transferred to animals from humans originated, which gave way to rituals such as burning the deceased with live dogs, such as the Techichi, to exonerate the deceased human’s sins.
Chihuahuas as we know them today remained a rarity until the early 20th century – the American Kennel Club (AKC) did not register a Chihuahua until 1904.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Taco Bell ad campaigns starring the breed boosted its popularity, as did Chihuahuas being featured in reality television series as purse dogs of rich, famous young women.
The shortest dog by height is Chihuahua Miracle Milly. Owned by Vanesa Semier (PRI) from Puerto Rico, Milly was a mere 9.65 cm (3.8 in) to the shoulder, as confirmed in 2013 – that means she is dwarfed by an average can of soda!
The shortest dog by length last verified by GWR was also a Chihuahua. Heaven Sent Brandy from Florida, USA, was just 15.2 cm (6 in) from nose to tail tip in 2005. Brandy was owned by Paulette Keller (USA).
The fastest 5 m on front paws by a dog is 2.39 sec and was achieved by “Konjo” (USA) at Tustin Sports Park, Tustin, California, USA on 22 December 2014.
Chihuahua price usually range between $800 and $1,500.