How To Know Your Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world and is named after the state Chihuahua in Mexico. There are many types of breeds of this dog and you should know which breed you have. The long haired and the short haired are the official breeds of this dog. However there are many unofficial breeds too that are popular among the dog owners.

The long haired is characterized by erect ears and large eyes. The characteristics of the long haired can be compared to the Pomeranian and often it is mistaken for a Pomeranian. The short haired is the cousin of the long haired dog. The long haired sheds fewer hairs when compared to the short haired. It takes a few years for the long haired to grow the hair to its full length.

It is necessary that you brush the hair of this bred to avoid any tangles. Maintain proper hygiene with regular bath. Due to its small size the pet finds it difficult to keep itself warm. People in warm countries prefer the short haired or is it the other way round. Chihuahua finds it difficult to cope with cold temperatures. It is necessary that you keep them warm. Prepare for the winter season with some good sweaters for your dog. Since they do not have much fat in their body and due to their small size it is difficult for them to keep themselves warm.

Many unofficial breeds of this dog like Toy, Mini and Teacup Chihuahua are available. Among these breeds the Teacup is more popular among the people due to its very small size and its exposure to media through celebrities like Paris Hilton. These small size dog's are easy to train and own in small apartments in the cities. Hence it is popular among the apartment dwellers. It is also a fragile pet and should be taken care of properly. Respiratory and dehydration problems are common in Chihua.

The dog are good companion pets. They enjoy affection, lively, and are adventurous too. They are very much attached to the owners. They are intelligent and learn quickly. It is better to socialize them well as they often mingle with the members of the house. The doggie follow their owners closely in the presence of some strangers. Do not think that it is easy to manage small dogs than the bigger breeds of dogs. You need to spend a lot of time with these small pets than you spend with larger breeds. Delicate care of these pets is necessary to help them lead a healthy lifestyle. If you cannot spend much time with your Chihuahua then it is advisable not to adopt them.

It is necessary that feed your pet moderately so that the weight is normal. Most of the owners tend to over feed the doggie. Limit the snacks given to your pet and keep them active always. It is better to give some in-house exercises to your pet. Conditions like hypoglycemia are also common. Get a good training guide and train your pet properly starting from potty training. Be patient when you train your pet. Do not shout at them as they might avoid you totally. Socializing is an important part of the training given to this dog. If not socialized properly it might bark at all the strangers endlessly.