| The Chihuahua is considered the smallest dog in the | | | | Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and |
| world. She is smart, and an excellent choice for an | | | | tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and |
| apartment. She may not be good with very young | | | | periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead |
| children as she is fragile. She is a great companion and | | | | to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious |
| is generally happy to live with other pets. She is a | | | | disease. Her toenails may need to be examined for |
| very good watch dog. *Good With Children? Yes, she | | | | growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear |
| is good with older, gentle, behaved children. As a | | | | feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. |
| reminder, never leave a young child unsupervised | | | | *Life Span. The Chihuahua can live between 13 and |
| with a puppy or dog. *Good With Other Pets? Yes, | | | | 16 years with proper nutrition, medical care and |
| she is good with other pets. *Approximate Adult Size. | | | | excellent living conditions. *Chihuahua History. The |
| The approximate adult size (two years old or older) | | | | Chihuahua has a clouded origin, some saying that |
| of the Chihuahua is 6 to 9 inches to the withers | | | | they are from the Aztecs, some Egyptian and some |
| (highest point of the shoulder) and 2 to 6 pounds. | | | | say they are from Mexican Toltecs. The modern |
| *Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have | | | | discovery of this breed was in Mexico about 100 |
| certain inherited health problems associated with that | | | | years ago. They were first registered by the |
| specific breed and the Chihuahua is no exception. Be | | | | American Kennel Association in 1904. |
| on the look out for corneal dryness, dislocating | | | | Some Registries: *Chihuahua Club of America *UKC |
| kneecaps and collapsing trachea. This disease list is an | | | | United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC |
| informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be | | | | Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry |
| significant threats, please contact your veterinarian | | | | Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation |
| for a complete list. She should visit the veterinarian | | | | Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand |
| several times in the first year for shots, boosters | | | | Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain |
| and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the | | | | *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = |
| veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she | | | | American Canine Registry |
| gets older, six years and on, she should visit the | | | | Litter Size: 1 to 4 Chihuahua puppies |
| veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. | | | | Category: Southern |
| Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets. | | | | Terms To Describe: Swift, alert, graceful, saucy, bold, |
| *Grooming. The Chihuahua has two coat varieties, | | | | playful, *SPECIAL GOOD POINTS Very good watch |
| short/smooth and long/soft. She should be brushed | | | | dog. Great companion dog. Needs little exercise |
| regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and | | | | *SPECIAL BAD POINTS She may tend to snore. She |
| healthy coat and help you keep a closer eye on her | | | | does not like cold. Can be very noisy. Can be difficult |
| health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. | | | | to housebreak. Not a guard dog. |
| Bathe monthly and keep water out of her ears. Her | | | | *Every dog is an individual so not everything in this |
| teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with | | | | information may be correct for your dog. This |
| toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. | | | | information is meant as a good faith guideline only. |