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A Little Bit About The Chihuahua
by: Connie Limon
The Chihuahua is know by no other name and has been popular north and south
of the Rio Grande for many years. It is the oldest purebred canine native to the
North American continent.
The Chihuahua's origin is filled with tales and extends back to the Toltec
civilization of Mexico in the ninth century. Discovery of the earliest
Chihuahuas were in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Ancestors of the Chihuahua
could include a small hairless Chinese dog, which could account for the size
reduction of the original Chihuahua. The ancient people in Mexico first
developed a prairie dog or gopher, which was mute, longhaired and larger than
the present-day Chihuahua.
Tales are many about the uses of this tiny dog in Toltec and later Aztec
religious rites. Nearly all Chihuahua fanciers accept one fact: This is that the
modern Chihuahua that was discovered in Chihuahua, Mexico, in the mid-1800s
stands apart from all other canines. This tiny breed prefers its own kind to all
other dogs. The Chihuahua can be sociable with other dogs, but most definitely
still is more content when surrounded by other Chihuahuas. Because of this fact
it probably is not a good idea to own other pets if you desire to own a
Chihuahua. Your household will be better of with multiple Chihuahuas if that is
your chosen breed.
The Chihuahua has no claims of ties to royalty and any hunting abilities or
heritage. The Chihuahua is known primarily as a wonderful little social able
human companion and that is the main purpose of the Chihuahua today and in time
past. The Chihuahua is quite content to have no work assigned to it. He fits
nicely even in the smallest spaces and is content to spend his days lying in the
sun or being pampered by its humans. The Chihuahua makes a perfect pocket pal
and can travel with you just about anywhere almost invisible to strangers. The
Chihuahua is not a big eater; therefore, food expense for the Chihuahua is quite
minimal. He actually requires no kind of special care beyond a warm place to
sleep and his treasured humans.
Chihuahua is usually most comfortable with senior adults and other adult
families. They do not fit well into homes with preschoolers, toddlers or young
adolescents. Preschoolers may try to grab at the Chihuahua, toddlers are likely
to step on it or fall over it and young adolescents in their busy rush of a day
may injure it.
Personality
The Chihuahua will usually claim ownership of one family member with whom it
bonds tightly. He is brave, loyal, affectionate and intelligent that can be
highly sensitive and stubborn. He does not do well walking on a leash and being
taken for long walks. It is just easier to pick up the Chihuahua and carry him
on your walk rather than have him in a collar and on a leash. They are mostly
house companions and adornments. Some are able to learn tricks and may even
enjoy performing for guests.
Appearance
The Chihuahua has no height standard but usually stands about 5 inches tall and
weighs no more than 6 pounds. Its skull is described as an apple dome shape,
with or without a spot spot. Its muzzle is short and pointed. The Chihuahua is
shown in smooth- and longhaired varieties. The smooth variety’s coat should be
soft, glossy and close. The longhaired variety coat has a soft texture with or
without waves or curls, its ears are edged with fringes, and its tail, feet,
legs and neck are well feathered. Colors are any color or combination of colors,
solid, marked, or splashed.
Grooming
You will need a cushioned bristle brush and a medium-toothed comb for both the
smooth coat and long haired varieties. The long haired Chihuahua is easy to
maintain with weekly brushing. The short haired coat also benefits from weekly
brushings. You can use a chamois cloth to bring the coat up to a shine in the
short haired Chihuahua. |
