If you’re interested in buying a Chihuahua you should first know some things about this tiny breed of dogs. The information below can help you learn about a Chihuahua’s appearance, but it can also help inform you about the typical Chihuahua personality and temperament, along with some potential health issues.
Many dog breeds exist today, but Chihuahuas are known as the tiniest breed of all. Chihuahuas are becoming increasingly popular, thanks in large part to television, commercials and photographs of celebrities carrying their tiny dogs around town. The breed is said to have originated in Mexico and their life expectancy can reach 18 or more years of age, which is considered to be the longest life expectancy of any breed of dog. Chihuahuas actually go all the way back to the royal Aztecs of Mexico, who used to keep them as household pets. However, their origins are a bit unclear, and your research will show that not everyone agrees with this theory about the breed’s history.
Longhaired Chihuahuas have a very smooth undercoat and a longer top coat which bears a striking resemblance to human hair. In fact, longhaired Chihuahuas are perfect if you suffer from a dog allergy. Some people tend to confuse longhaired Chihuahuas with Pomeranians, but according to the American Kennel Club, the two are separate, distinct breeds. Both longhaired and shorthaired Chihuahuas are recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Chihuahuas are surely at the top of the list of dog breeds that are lovable and totally devoted to their owners. They are intelligent and alert, and they can often be comical, amusing their owners with their antics. Typically, Chihuahuas are better around adults than with children, but this situation can be changed if the dog is acclimated to being around children from a very early age. Naturally, the children themselves must learn that although a Chihuahua is cute, it’s a living creature that can be easily injured or teased into biting.
There is no difference between the temperaments of a longhaired or shorthaired Chihuahua. The only real difference between the two varieties is the length of the coat. If you’re up to keeping a longhaired Chihuahua’s coat properly groomed, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t choose one.
As long as you give them the warmth, nutritious food, exercise and affection that they need, Chihuahuas make truly wonderful pets. Their small size makes them susceptible to cold temperatures whether their hair is long or short, so owners must keep these dogs comfortably warm to prevent them from catching a chill. Because the length of their coat is the only real difference between longhaired and shorthaired Chihuahuas, the choice is all up to you and depends on which type you prefer. As with any other type of dog, it’s not advisable to get a Chihuahua puppy unless you’re able to give it everything it needs to lead a long, happy and healthy life.
