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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Feeding, Grooming, Training and Health Care for Chihuahuas!

nadia chihuahua facts

Chihuahuas are high-maintenance pets that need proper care to stay healthy and happy. They are also the smallest dog breed with a small size and a big personality. This video gives you a quick overview of how to take care of Chihuahua puppy. The best selling eBook, Caring for Chihuahuas Made Easy, goes in to greater detail about how to care for your Chihuahua throughout it’s adult life and is available here at this site. To get your copy, click here.

Chihuahuas were named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico and believe it or not, are EXCELLENT watchdogs! They are also available in a variety of colors. The following points are covered in this video. House Environment, Feeding, Grooming, Exercise, Training, Health, and Hypoglycemia.

Caring for Chihuahuas Made Easy eBook! ONLY $6.97

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3 Reasons Why You SHOULD NOT Get a Chihuahua!

nadia chihuahua facts, chihuahua videos

Porter the rescue chihuahua and his dad tell you why you might not want to adopt a chihuahua!  This is a MUST watch for anyone considering getting a Chihuahua who needs to understand that their tiny size and the kind of love they require really does matter! Give this video a chance!

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chihuahua training: learn how to stop your chihuahua from barking!

nadia chihuahua facts, chihuahua training 125 Comments

stop chihuahua from barking

chihuahuas love to bark.  it’s a perfectly natural thing for them to do, just as it’s normal for us humans to speak.  it’s when our chihuahuas bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned, including the neighbors.  the goal isn’t to to stop our chihuahuas from barking, but rather learn how to control the excessive barking.

“is a chihuahua the right pet for you?   find out in caring for your chihuahua made easy:  breed information, health care and nutrition.”

the fact is, chihuahuas bark.  they do it when they’re excited or when they sense danger.  some do it when they’re bored – or worse, for no reason at all. in these cases, you want to teach your chihuahua that barking is only permitted under certain circumstances.

the first step in modifying this problem is to determine the reason why your chihuahua is barking in the first place.  once you’ve identified the cause or trigger, you can then plan your training solution.

why do chihuahuas bark?

  • to express their needs (being bossy).
  • they are staking out their territory.
  • to alert other members of their pack (that’s you and your family) of impending danger.
  • when playing, just through sheer excitement.
  • barking at other animals. depending on where you are in the world, it could be squirrels or any other small animal.
  • if they are isolated.
  • some chihuahuas bark excessively when separated from their pack (you and your family).
  • if they are trapped behind some type of barrier like a fence or window.
  • just for fun!
  • to express dominance (puppies normally test you out at some stage with a display of dominance barking).
  • they bark because their owners have inadvertently rewarded excessive barking in the past (this is crucial to understand)
  • through boredom or a lack of physical and mental stimulation.
  • may feel stressed or uncomfortable for some reason. things like feeling threatened or if they don’t have an appropriate place to sleep can cause excessive barking problems.chihuahuas that haven’t been properly socialized often become nuisance barkers.
  • may be looking for a response or some attention from their pack.

keep in mind that even though it may appear to you that your chihuahua is barking at nothing, this is not necessarily the case.

this is because your chihuahua has a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than us humans.  your chihuahua’s excessive barking is probably being triggered by something.

how to stop your chihuahua from barking

the most important piece of advice to remember when trying to modify any dog behavioral problem, is to clearly communicate to your chihuahua what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

one of the biggest mistakes us chihuahua owners make is to inadvertently reward our chihuahuas excessive barking. we actually encourage and reinforce the barking problem when we commit these three dog training sins:

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