what is a teacup chihuahua? is this even a legitimate term? get the facts right here!

nadia chihuahua facts, chihuahua Q and A 125 Comments

Royal Canin Chihuahua Puppy Dry Dog Food, 2.5-Pound Bag
teacup chihuahuas

what exactly does the term teacup chihuahua mean and is it a legitimate term for characterizing a specific type of chihuahua?  much controversy exists over this term, so let’s get the chihuahua facts!

the term teacup chihuahua is mainly an american term.  it’s often used to refer to the size of a chihuahua and shouldn’t be used to categorize a specific type of chihuahua as you would reference a short-haired vs a long-haired chihuahua or a deerhead chihuahua vs an applehead chihuahua.

are teacup chihuahuas tiny chihuahuas that fit into a cup?

most chihuahua puppies are born teacup-sized, but they usually grow out of it.  it is important to note that chihuahuas of this size must be handled delicately and dressed accordingly with the proper chihuahua clothes to keep them warm and properly shielded.

many prospective chihuahua buyers are also unaware of the fact that if a chihuahua puppy isn’t nourished properly from birth, they will not grow to their full potential. this undernourishment will keep a chihuahua puppy from growing to their full potential as they reach adulthood.

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patellar luxation: what you should know about this knee problem in chihuahuas

nadia chihuahua facts, chihuahua health concerns 32 Comments

the chihuahua breed is known to have the knee condition known as patellar luxation and is one of the most common health problems associated with chihuahuas.   the knee is a complex structure consisting of muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones.  these components must align properly and interact harmoniously in order to function properly.  three bones are included in the knee: the femur, the tibia, and the patella (kneecap).

the lower front portion of the femur (thigh bone) in a normal chihuahua has two bony ridges that form a fairly deep groove in which the patella is supposed to slide up and down.  these structures limit the patella’s movement to one restricted place, and in doing so, control the activity of the quadriceps muscle.  the entire system is constantly lubricated by joint fluid.  it works so that there is total freedom of motion between the structures.

diagram of the anatomy of a normal knee cap

diagram of the anatomy of a normal knee cap

patellar luxation (or trick knee, subluxation of patella, or floating patella), occurs when the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location.

when the patella is luxated in a chihuahua, the ridges forming the patellar groove are not prominent, and a too-shallow groove is created.  in a chihuahua with shallow grooves, the patella will luxate (jump out of the groove) sideways, especially toward the inside.  this can causes the leg to ‘lock up’ with the foot held off the ground.

chihuahua with a luxating patella on both hind legs

chihuahua with a luxating patella on both hind legs
(like teaka the famous chihuahua has as seen in the video above)

when the patella luxates from the groove of the femur, it usually cannot return to its normal position until the quadriceps muscle relaxes and increases in length.  this is why a chihuahua may be forced to hold their leg up for a few minutes after this occurs because the muscles are contracted, the patella is luxated from its correct position and the joint is held in a flexed or bent position.  pain is caused by the knee cap sliding across the bony ridges of the femur.

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How to STOP Your Chihuahua From Barking! HelpfulTraining Advice!

nadia chihuahua facts

Is your Chihuahua barking all the time and it’s driving you mad and you don’t know what to do about it? Don’t worry, we have the video for you! Making sure Chihuahuas have good manners and are well socialized is key to having the perfect canine companion. This video will give you the training advice you need to stop your Chihuahua from barking.

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Apple Head Chihuahua vs Deer Head – What’s The Difference?

nadia chihuahua facts, chihuahua videos

Chihuahua lovers know an apple head when they see one.

But what exactly is an apple head chihuahua?  What’s the difference between an apple head chihuahua vs a deer head? And how do they get their distinctive head shape?  This video will explain the origins of the apple head in chihuahuas, the molera, and the role it plays.

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Here’s a healthy homemade dog food recipe to make for your Chihuahua!

nadia chihuahua nutrition, chihuahua videos

This video will give you insight into the commercial pet food industry and explains the benefits of giving your chihuahua fresh food – like to decrease their chances of cancer!  You will also learn how to make a healthy recipe that you can make every 2.5-3 weeks and store in the freezer.

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