If you’re used to very social dogs medium-sized dogs, you might be off-put a bit by the personality of some small dog breeds, such as the Chihuahua. If you are planning to get this breed as a pet, you will need to get all the information you can get about it; because it’s an unusual dog, so to speak. Don’t be fooled by a Chihuahua’s diminutive size – it’s got a personality you might get attached to. The Chihuahua has its own special, perhaps possessive way, of show its love for its owner.
The Chihuahua Personality – Gentle, Sweet, Attention-Craving, Fiercely Loyal
If what you have in mind is a small dog that wants to follow you wherever you go, that’s definitely a Chihuahua. And if you love a dog that simply lies in your lap for a long time, that’s Chihuahua. This small feisty breed craves attention, your attention, all the time; so if you want a dog breed that all the time wants you close by an attentive, that’s a Chihuahua.
Be warned, though, unlike other breeds, the Chihuahua tend to be highly suspicious of strangers – at least people it doesn’t know well enough. In that respect, they may bark a lot when other people, pets, and kids are about. That’s the reason it could be difficult to persuade your friends regarding the gentle and sweet nature of this small dog breed. The barking, with some training, can be curbed, so your dog won’t bark at just about anyone and anything.
Should you happen to have pets at home (like your current dog and cat), and little kids not accustomed to handling a fragile a Chihuahua, you are advised to rethink getting this small dog breed. This breed has a protective tendency, and a need to keep people or pets away, owing in part to its fragile physique – fragile bones, large eyes that can get hurt. You want to offset this overprotective nature by socializing the dog at a young age, or at least keeping it exposed to other people and pets periodically, until it gets used to other people around you.
You also need to train your Chihuahua, or else it will try to manipulate its way every chance it gets.
The Chihuahua’s Appearance – Some Common Features
Chihuahuas come in various colors, and combination of colors – sand, fawn, chestnut, steel blue, silver, tan, black, and variegated. Most of them weight between two to six pounds, some as heavy as ten pounds. This small dog breed can reach five to six inches tall when standing on all fours. Some of their cuteness comes from their diminutive size, along with their big standing ears, large attentive eyes, and that pointed muzzle.
Taking Care of Your Chihuahua – Health Issues and Grooming Needs
Chihuahuas can suffer from knee cap dislocation, low blood sugar levels, collapsed trachea, dry corneas, heart valve problems, among other things, including genetic disorders. This breed has fragile bones – do not accidentally drop them, kick them, jam them between doors, or let untrained children handle them.
Chihuahuas come with either long or short coats. The long coated ones requires brushing and combing everyday, this is to prevent tangles and matting. You’ll also need to bathe this type routinely. In contrast, the short haired Chihuahua is less grooming and bathing intensive – just brush it once a week.
If you’re have a big heart for small dogs, a Chihuahua may be the companion dog you need. Small but fiercely loyal, these small dogs can be very emotionally attached to its owner. Be sure to socialize your Chihuahua early on, so their chances of being aggressive towards other dogs and little children can be reduced – Chihuahuas can have a jealous streak, you know.
>HELP<
