This breed has remained very popular for many years due to its pretty appearance, intelligence and cheerful character. The graceful chihuahua mini dog has always been of particular interest to dog breeders, as the smallest representative of the canine world.
Material Content:
Origin and Description of the Mini Chihuahua
The small dogs of the Mexican state of Chihuahua have a unique history of origin: their distant ancestors of the Techichi were considered sacred animals from the ancient Mayans, Taltecs and Aztecs. According to one of the most fantastic legends, chihuahuas are messengers from outer space, because they have an open fontanel on their heads. The first detailed description of the breed was made at the end of the XIX century, and registration in the AKC took place in 1904.
Chihuahua is a compact in size, agile dog. The head is shaped like an apple. The tail is rather long, raised and slightly bent. The color of the coat can be any. A variety of shades and color combinations are acceptable. There are smooth-haired representatives of the breed and long-haired. The standard indicates weight, but does not indicate size restrictions, so the height at the withers may also be different.
Description of the Chihuahua breed by weight category:
- Supermini are dogs weighing up to 1.5 kg.
- Mini - weigh from 1.6 to 2 kg.
- Fine standard - body weight 1.8 - 2.2 kg.
- The maximum allowable weight is 3 kg.
Minicars and superminics are born in litters from parents of normal size. The weight of the dog depends not only on its size, but, first of all, on the skeleton.
If the sneeze has a strong skeleton, as evidenced by thick legs, a large head, a wide chest and back, he can weigh 3 kg, but his height will be no more than 20 cm.
Life span
Despite their size, dogs of this breed are very hardy. They are immune to disease and easily adapt to any climate. Chihuahuas live on an average size of 17 years or more.
Miniature representatives of the breed can weigh from 0.5 to 1.5 kg. Small dogs live less than their large counterparts. Males that weigh about 1 kg can be infertile, and females weighing less than 2.5 kg are undesirable for breeding.
How to choose a dwarf dog
When buying a minicar and a superminic, you need to pay attention to the fontanel. It is dogs weighing less than 1.5 kg that are often born and live with an open fontanel. This is not a pathology, rather a pedigree sign, but the fontanel may be different. Normally, it is no more than a pea, located on the top of the head.
A separate discussion is if the fontanel in the puppy is open from ear to ear, and there is no bone on the crown of the head. This is a sign of congenital pathology, possibly hydrocephalus. Such a disease is genetic, characteristic of dwarf dog breeds. It is necessary to pay attention to the behavior of the puppy. In a sick animal, coordination of movements is impaired. Sometimes sick puppies are given for nothing or at a lower price, because treatment is very expensive and not effective.
Content and features of care
Anyone who starts a Chihuahua never regrets it and often buys a second pet of the same breed.
Dogs are very unpretentious. They are distinguished by good health and kind, cheerful character. These are wonderful companions, loyal brave friends.
Before you bring a puppy home, you need to prepare a place for him and everything you need:
- sunbed on the floor;
- waterproof disposable or reusable diapers, on which he will go to the toilet;
- bowls for food and water;
- toys.
All wires and "extra" things must be removed from the accessibility zone. At 3 months, puppies of a mini chihuahua gnaw at everything - they have permanent teeth. You can buy them at the pet shop special bones that they can chew.
It is also important to buy a good harness or collar and leash so that you can quickly pick up the dog in your arms on the street during danger. For cold weather, it is advisable to have warm dog clothes - the minicars are very cold.
Chihuahua can be trained. It is necessary to raise any breed, regardless of size, then living with a four-legged friend will be comfortable and pleasant. A dog that knows simple commands will behave well in any situation. In order for the pet to show its cheerful and restless nature, it is necessary to gain its trust.
How to feed a pet
Small chihuahuas and puppies can suffer from hypoglycemia. Signs of this dangerous condition:
- drowsiness;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- head tilting;
- cramps.
If the owner is nearby, he can provide quick help - rub sweet corn syrup into the gums of the pet to quickly increase blood sugar. If no one is around, the dog may die. Therefore, the bowl of food for the mini chihuahua should always be filled. The breed is not voracious and will not eat too much.
It is clear that natural food in a bowl for the whole day should not be left.
Only high-quality dry food is suitable, for example, Royal Canin for a Chihuahua. In a stable bowl, there should always be clean drinking water next to it.
If the water bowl is light, plastic, the dog can turn it over during the game and will not be able to drink all day.
Do not give chihuahua food from your table. A pretty face with pitiful eyes will definitely beg him. Small breeds have weak pancreas and liver. What a person thinks is “yummy” (a piece of sausage, meat cutlet, fried chicken) will be poison for the sneeze.
If the owner has a lot of experience and a lot of free time, he can choose natural feeding for his baby. It is desirable that the time intervals between meals was no more than 5 hours during the day, and the basis of the diet was lean meat.
Pros and cons of the breed
The breed of dwarf dogs Chihuahua is considered the smallest of all existing on the globe.
She has many advantages:
- She is very attached to her master and trusts only him to the end.
- The nature is very sociable.
- Loves all people, especially children.
- Clever, inquisitive and obedient.
- Has the courage of a big dog.
- It is distinguished by good health.
- Very sweet and pretty.
The miniature chihuahua can still find many advantages, and fragility is the only minus - there are many dangers that threaten the dog with careless handling.
Some people think that long-haired chihuahuas are more good-natured than short-haired brethren. But these are rather personal sympathies than truth. This little dog has the heart of a true friend who is ready to give his master love, devotion and tenderness.
