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Short-haired Chihuahua

Chihuahua ~ Smooth-coat Chihuahua Family: Canidae

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Canis lupus familiaris Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Popularized by television in cartooning and advertising, when you think of a Chihuahua, the Short-haired Chihuahua variety is the one that most often comes to mind.

  The Chihuahuas is the smallest breed of dog. The Short-haired Chihuahua is one of only two recognize types of Chihuahuas, the other is the Long-haired Chihuahua. Full of personality, Chihuahuas have a spunky and curious nature. They are extremely devoted to their owner, learn quickly, and make a strong-willed yet entertaining companion. Their suspicion of strangers makes them excellent guard dogs.
  The size and prominence of the Chihuahua’s eyes make it prone to eye problems, and they are also susceptible to respiratory problems. These are important things to be aware of when selecting a dog of this breed.

Common Name(s)
  Short-haired Chihuahua, Smooth-coat Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Breed Type
  The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world, and is classified as a toy breed. Toy breeds are most suitable as pets. The Chihuahua is most comfortable in warm climates.

Background
  The Chihuahua is said to have been discovered in Mexico in 1850. They were sometimes bred for food, but they were also used in religious ceremonies and prized by royalty. It is speculated that Chihuahuas are descended from Chinese hairless dogs and ancient Mexican breeds. There are only two recognize types of Chihuahuas, the Long-haired Chihuahua and the Short-haired Chihuahuas, but no distinction is made for registration purposes.

Description
  Chihuahuas are small dogs with large heads and pointed muzzles. They have prominent, dark eyes, and may have short or long hair. They come in a variety of colors, and all are acceptable according to breed standards. Puppies sometimes have a molera, or soft spot in their skull, which may or may not close when they get older. The sizes of males and females are similar, with an average height of 6-9 inches and weight of 2-6 pounds.
  The Short-haired Chihuahua is are also called the Smooth-coat Chihuahua. It's name, however, is no indication of the coat texture as it can be either velvety smooth or rough.

Care and Feeding
  Chihuahuas may be sensitive to some foods. They do best on a diet of things such as poultry and brown rice. Beef is not recommended for the breed. Chihuahuas should be bathed once a month, taking care to keep water out of their ears. The Short-haired Chihuahua only needs occasional brushing, or they can simply be wiped down with a damp cloth. Nails should be trimmed as needed.
  Chihuahuas need annual checkups, and should receive vaccinations as follows:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
• 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
• 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
• Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster
  

  It’s a good idea to minimize dust as much as possible around Short-haired Chihuahuas due to their predisposition to respiratory problems. They do shed moderately, so it will be necessary to vacuum or otherwise remove hair from floors and furnishings on a regular basis.

Housing Your Dog
  Short-haired Chihuahuas are indoor dogs, and they need a warm environment. They appreciate a cozy place to sleep, often curling up under blankets, so it is important to keep an eye out for them. They love to play with small toys.

Social Behaviors
  Chihuahuas are not especially sociable with humans who are not in their families, and they are not recommended for children. They usually get along fairly well with other Chihuahuas, but they may become aggressive around other breeds and different types of pets.

Handling and Training
  Short-haired Chihuahuas are smart and learn quickly, yet their strong will may pose difficulties in training. Positive reinforcement is usually the most effective method. The breed is often difficult to housebreak.

Activities
  Short-haired Chihuahuas need daily walks just as much as any other dog, but they don’t necessarily have to walk as far. They also enjoy playing indoors and out.

Breeding/Reproduction
  Mates for Chihuahuas should be examined for gum problems, rheumatism, and eye problems. Females sometimes need Cesarean sections due to the size of the offspring’s heads.

Common Health Problems
  The design of the Chihuahua’s eyes and nose make both susceptible to problems, including wheezing, colds, and glaucoma. They may also suffer from rheumatism and stress. They should be seen by a vet if they display signs of these problems.

Availability
  Short-haired Chihuahuas can be obtained from breeders or in pet stores. Prices vary greatly, but are generally in the $500-$800 range.

References
“Chihuahua”, Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
“Chihuahua (dog)”, Wikipedia, Copyright 2008
Cusick, William D., “What to Feed a Chihuahua”, Referenced online, 2008
Welton, Michelle, “Chihuahuas: What’s Good About ‘Em? What’s Bad About ‘Em?”, Copyright 2000-2008
“Chihuahua Puppies for Sale”, Copyright PuppyFind.com, LLC, Referenced online, 2008
“The Chihuahua Dictionary”, Bigchihuahua.com, Copyright 1998-2005. Referenced online, 2008

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Latest Comments
Hello, I am Bobby Wheeler. That is a nice chihuahua, I was wondering if you were selling that dog because my mom wants anoher chihuahua for our chihuahua to play with. We really need one! Thank you. Bobby 2008-07-12

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