Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “chihuahua facts”
“teaka the famous chihuahua snoozing – how can something so small snore so loud!”
snoring is a common occurrence in chihuahuas and has nothing to do with a collapsed trachea. it is attributed to their short muzzle and sometimes it is loud enough to wake the house up. it can be incredibly funny when you have visitors as no one can believe that such a small dog can make that much noise.
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.
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.
we have all heard the term teacup chihuahua, but what do the terms apple head and deerhead mean when it comes to describing characteristics of the chihuahua breed and what exactly makes an apple head chihuahua different from a deerhead chihuahua?
the term apple head is used to describe any chihuahua with a round or ‘dome-like’ head similar to the shape of an apple. the upper part of the chihuahua’s skull is wider than the lower part in the jaw area.
if you look close at the top of the skull of most chihuahuas, you will notice that it is slightly sunken in just like the top of an apple. this area is called molera, a spanish word for ‘fontanel’, or any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus and it is similar to the ‘soft spot’ that human babies have on their heads upon birth.
according to chihuahua breed standards, the term apple head is required in the description of the ‘head’ of a chihuahua that includes an apple domed skull with either the presence or absence of molera. it is also used when referencing chihuahua puppies at an age where it is noticeable.
the term deer head is used to describe any chihuahua that does not have the characteristic apple shaped head. deer head chihuahuas tend to have a longer noses and a head shape similar to that of a miniature young deer. they also tend to have less chihuahua health problems.
is the chihuahua the right pet for you?
the chihuahua, with its apple-head skull and large luminous eyes, can wear a remarkably human expression at times and will want to be with you most, if not all of the time.
warning: don’t buy a chihuahua if you don’t have the emotional real estate in your heart or the time for the complete love and attention of this furry little pet. they are like children.
chihuahuas can be smooth coat or long coat, apple head or dear head, blue coat or merle coat, there is no chihuahua breed standard distinction made between the two in the united states since both smooth coat and long coat can occur in a litter. experienced chihuahua owners say that each dog of this breed has their own unique personality; this is a very individualistic breed.
a few generalizations can be made. chihuahuas are graceful, energetic, and swift-moving canines. they have often been described as having “terrier-like” qualities; that is, the qualities of being alert, observant, and keen on interacting with their masters. they are extremely loyal and get attached to one or two persons.
these tiny and sometimes teacup size dogs are certainly unaware of their diminutive stature: they can be bold with other dogs much larger than themselves, and protective of their masters. they are fiercely loyal to their masters and wary of any strangers or new guests introduced into the household, which the chihuahua considers to be its personal domain. for these reasons, chihuahuas make good watch dogs (not guard dogs!).
the chihuahua needs a great deal of human contact: touching, petting, and general attention. if the chihuahua does not get this, she or he will use various attention-getting tricks until you give her/him attention. like using paws to lightly scratch the hand, a signal that says, “pet me now!” some owners who have had other, more independent breeds may find the chihuahua too needy. however, they give a lot of love and affection in return for your care.
keeping more than one chihuahua can greatly ease the dog’s stress when left alone each day if the owner works. they will compete for your attention when you get home though. because they are by nature gentle, loyal, and sweet-tempered, chihuahuas are ideal for single people, the elderly, the handicapped, and shut-ins.
chihuahuas will keep you company for hours by lying on your lap or beside your torso if in bed, and treat you like royalty. no one with a chihuahua in their household will ever be truly alone. they are quite happy in apartments, as long as there is enough to play with and explore.
opinions differ on how to bathe a chihuahua. some say that bathing too often removes the natural oils from the coat, and thus dandruff will result and the coat will look dull. others say that shampooing on occasion with certain brands of shampoo can actually enhance the sheen of the coat. chihuahuas should be bathed at least twice a month, otherwise they develop an unpleasant smell. this is actually due to the skin cells that humans sloth off onto the chihuahua! so humans are the main contributors to that smell that can develop.
when bathing, take care not to get water into their ears, as an infection can develop. you will need to trim their nails at least once a month too. on the smaller dogs, cat claw trimmers can be used. it’s good to start a nail trimming routine early on so that your dog becomes accustomed to your handling its paws not to mention getting used to the clippers. owners should also be aware that chihuahuas are prone to knee problems like luxating patellas or “weak knees.” this can occur as they get older. if it causes difficulty in walking, take your dog to the vet.
what exactly is a blue chihuahua and what makes a blue chihuahua puppy different from other chihuahua puppies? all chihuahuas are special and unique in their own way, but blue chihuahuas are best described as a chihuahua puppy that is bred to have a dull silver-grey-coat with a tinge of blue.
a blue chihuahua is rare and can be an apple head chihuahua or a deerhead chihuahua and is produced from mating a black and tan chihuahua, a chocolate, or even a fawn parent, but the parents must carry the recessive blue gene in their line of heritage. the blue in a blue chihuahua can also be part of a merle patterned – tri-colored or multicolored coat.
the chihuahua club of america warns that coat color in chihuahuas is often linked to genes with undesirable traits or birth defects. the merle pattern and blue coat color can often come with common health problems. this is another reason that blue chihuahuas are rare.
like teacup chihuahuas, much controversy exists around the subject of breeding blue chihuahuas by blue chihuahua breeders as hidden defects on the gene that is linked to the blue color can result in serious coat problems and other health issues. for these reasons, it is advised to never breed a blue chihuahua with another blue chihuahua.
