As we all know, Chihuahuas belong to the toy breed classification. So they make good lap dogs. But did you know that these little dogs have big voices or should I say high-pitched vocals? Let’s look at some more of these interesting facts about Chihuahuas.
First, I should mention that this breed is low maintenance with respect to exercising. Those little legs tire very quickly, just running around your living room. A good play session should do it, or bringing out the cat for your little Chihuahua to chase might be all that is needed.
Extra long walks are not a good idea unless you are prepared to carry your little pooch a good part of the way.
So this is one breed that is ideally suited to apartment living, provided you can control the yapping. A big yard is not a must for these dogs. They are very contented with small spaces.
I’m sure the apartment suitability wouldn’t surprise you at all but you might be unaware of some of the facts about Chihuahuas that are listed in the next section..
But before going through that list, you might be intrigued to watch the cute little Chihuahuas that star in this video. If you are sitting on the fence and not sure if a Chi is the right dog breed for you, then this video will probably convince you.
Interesting Breed Facts About Chihuahuas
- Chihuahuas tend to be one-owner dogs. So you can expect to receive a lot of affection from these little yappers, not to mention demanding attention.
- Their size is diminutive. Their height is often about 8 inches or approximately 20 cm but can be as small as 5 inches (just under 13 cm). They can weigh up to 6 lbs or approximately 2.7 kg
- The Chihuahua is named after a state in Mexico. It is interesting that the smallest dog breed takes its name from the largest Mexican state.
- Chihuahuas are normally pregnant for about 63 days, just like other breeds. But they have a high rate of caesarean births.
- Their trademark ears normally stand up straight.
- There are known health problems that can affect this breed but If you do your research, you should be able to buy a very healthy little Chihuahua.
The known health issues include:- eye difficulties
- heart weakness
- kneecap problems
- There are 2 varieties of the Chihuahua breed, so classified according to their coat types: smooth or long. Some have a double under coat others don’t. There doesn’t seem to be a hard and fast rule with respect to whether or not they have a single or double coat.
- They make great guard dogs.
- Most Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot on the top of their skull. This opening usually closes up as the pup grows but is known to persist for life in some dogs.
- Longevity is a real plus in Chihuahuas, with many living anywhere between 15 to 20 years of age.
- We often hear about Teacup Chihuahuas, but the Teacups are not an officially recognized variety.
You can read many more interesting facts about Chihuahuas here.
Grooming Needs of the Chihuahua
The smooth, short coat type is the easiest to keep spruced up with a good brush every now and then and a bath just as needed. But grooming the long haired Chihuahua is almost as easy to manage. You just need to be vigilant for possible matting. A weekly brushing should take care of that.
And talking of low maintenance, this is one of the lowest shedding of breeds.
Otherwise, the remaining grooming tasks ae similar to any breed:
Pampering Your Chihuahua with an At-Home Spa
This video below shows how to treat your little long haired Chi to a special, pampering session at home.
And don’t forget to treat yourself as a proud Chihuahua dog owner to a cute t-shirt or relevant face mask:
