Showing posts with label chihuahua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chihuahua. Show all posts

Monday, April 14, 2008

What To Know Prior To Owning A Chihuahua

Millions of individuals around the world are dog lovers. Unfortunately many of these individuals live in residences that prevent them from being a dog owner. For some no pets are allowed by their landlord, while others have too small of a space for a dog. However, many individuals with small spaces are discovering they can own a Chihuahua, which is actually the smallest dog in the world. Before you bring a Chihuahua home to your small or large living space you should learn what to expect.

One of things many individuals underestimate about Chihuahuas is the size of space they actually need. Chihuahua dogs love to run and play as they have lots of energy and are very interactive. This is why it is important for you to take your Chihuahua outside every day to ensure he or she gets enough room to run around without being limited by space.
Chihuahuas are dogs that don’t like to be left alone, as they prefer to be around people or other Chihuahua dogs. Many individuals choose to place their Chihuahua in a daycare facility specifically designed for dogs during the days when they are at work to prevent their dog from getting lonely.

Others choose to purchase an additional Chihuahua dog to prevent their original pet from becoming lonely while they are gone all day. This is a good option for individuals that may not be able to afford the cost of daycare for their dog. However the cost to care for an extra dog may be just as much as the cost of daycare. If individuals decide to purchase two dogs they should do this when the dogs are young and before they become possessive. In addition, owners should also ensure all dogs are fixed when they are young since Chihuahuas are particularly vulnerable to attack when in heat.
Chihuahuas are one of the most possessive breeds of dogs on the planet even though they are the smallest. They often become very close to their owner or primary caregiver and can launch into attack mode when they feel someone invading the person's space. This is why many Chihuahua dogs will attack family and friends of their owner even if the owner has been welcoming and friendly to the visitor. To overcome this Chihuahuas need strict obedience that is consistent.

While you may be turned off by a dog that growls and barks at everyone, Chihuahuas can actually make great pets as they are very intelligent and have some great qualities. However their possessive behavior should cause some individuals and families to consider whether or not they really are the best pet for them. Finding a dog that fits your family's needs and wants can ensure that the new addition to your family fits perfectly.

Bringing a Chihuahua home can be very exciting and rewarding if you know what to expect of the dog in advance. This article can provide you Chihuahua information about the behaviors and traits of this breed so you know what to expect when they become your pet.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Deciding If A Chihuahua Is Right For You

The Chihuahua dog makes an excellent companion because of their loyalty and need to be close to their owner, while their size makes them a convenient pet for many households. Some owners have even been able to let Chihuahuas ride inside the pocket of their coat, in a purse or tote bag or simple just carried under the owners arm. Chihuahuas enjoy outdoor activities and are easy to travel with.

Although at home the Chihuahua dog can be a bit curious and mischievous. When left alone for a long period of time the dog will often find something to get into and make a mess. The Chihuahua gets along well with their own breed but often doesn't get along with other dog breeds. So if you have a Chihuahua it is best to only have the breed or choose very carefully before finding another breed of dog to add to the household.
The Chihuahua dog has become very popular due to movies and advertisements such as the Taco Bell commercials. This means that you can now easily find a poorly bred Chihuahua that won't fit in with your household. The self-confidence and easy trainability of the breed causes many families to think they are perfect for their household. Although you can get a dog that was bred without a concern for their health and temperament if you buy from pet stores, newspapers or on the internet and you will have no way of knowing whether or not the dog will work with your household. Many good breeders will refuse to place a dog in a household with a child under the age of twelve. But the number of puppies from good breeders is limited due to their small litter size. Before determining if the breed is right for your household you should carefully consider their temperament.
When it comes to caring for your Chihuahua dog you need to focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming. At each meal Chihuahuas only need a small amount of food. About two to three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy biscuits is all that most Chihuahuas require. It is best to have two or three small meals rather than just one large daily feeding. Some larger sized Chihuahuas can eat up to a half can of dog food. Most people don't know that the Chihuahua is actually capable of walking long distances, although they won't object if you want to carry them around either. Typically the Chihuahua gets the majority of their exercise from playing around the house. This is why the dog is an excellent choice for the elderly. When it comes to grooming you should use a soft brush and rub them down with a wet towel or glove to make their coat shine. Trim their nails regularly and keep their ears clean.

The Chihuahua is excellent for some households, but isn't right for everyone. Carefully consider Chihuahua information to make sure they are right for your household.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Chihuahua: A Long History As An Excellent Pet

The Chihuahua breed has a long and distinguished history as a dog. The breed originally came from the ancient Techichi breed of dog that belong to the Toltec Civilization near Mexico City. This ancient breed of dog was larger than today’s modern breed and was also mute. The breed became a sacred icon of the upper class members of society and as a religious symbol when they were used in ceremonies to help guide dead spirits after the Aztec empire conquered the Toltecs.

By the time the Chihuahua breed was discovered in the United States in the 1850s it had been crossed with a hairless breed from the Orient, which led to the modern breed we see today. The Chihuahua was discovered in the Chihuahua state of Mexico, which is located near Texas and New Mexico, this is also where the name for the breed comes from. The breed was then added to the American Kennel Club in 1904.
Officially the American Kennel Club describes the Chihuahua breed as graceful, alert and agile with a compact and terrier like quality. Although every dog of this breed has its own unique personality some Chihuahuas can be terrier like to the extreme and be very grumpy, haughty or even nasty if they are provoke. However, more often then not the Chihuahua is a dog with curiosity, intelligence and loyalty that makes them a wonderful companion.

The Chihuahua still may not be a suitable pet for households with small or noisy children due to the chance that they can be clannish at times and occasionally a dog may be suspicious of people other than their owner. But for the individual or elderly couple they can be an excellent pet that loves to be pampered and are good for apartment living or those with limited incomes. It is best to get a feel for the temperament of a Chihuahua before determining if this is the right breed for you.
Despite the Chihuahuas small size, they often aren’t aware of it. Many times a Chihuahua will be much bolder than other dogs that are three times or more their size. Because of their fierce loyalty to only one or two individuals the breed will often become highly protective of their owners. It is because of this nature that they are often wary of strangers or any new guests that are introduced to the household that the Chihuahua considers it's personal domain.

While the Chihuahua doesn’t make a good guard dog, it is this personality trait that makes them an excellent watchdog. Human contact is necessary for a Chihuahua such as touching, petting and general attention. The breed will often resort to attention getting tricks if they don’t get the attention they want. This makes the breed seem too needy for some, but you can get so much back if you just give the Chihuahua love, affection and care.


Know the temperament of your Chihuahua dog before determining if they are right for your household. Chihuahua information can help you determine if this bold breed is right for you.

Chihuahua Rescue