Chihuahua Dogs

Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the bronchial tubes that affects more than 17 million Americans and causes more than 5,000 deaths per year. It is also the most common chronic childhood disorder, affecting 6.3 million children (approximately 1 in 13 school-aged kids). How did the idea begin that a dog could  cure such a serious disorder? Can a chihuahua cure asthma?

The rumor is surprisingly widespread.  That is, that the Chihuahua dog can cure Asthma. There seem to be two versions of this rumor. One being that something unique about these dogs “kills” asthma. The other is that somehow Chihuahuas act in regards to Asthma the way a sponge acts in regards to water. Namely, that it “pulls” out the illness in some fashion and transfer it to themselves. As a result, many families of asthmatic children have purchased these little dogs as family pets. It is said that for this “cure” to work, the sick child must sleep with the Chihuahua. Others stating that the dog must actually lie on the child’s chest.

At least part of the rumor stems from the belief that this passed down from from the Aztecs, where the Chihuahua dog has its origin.  Some say that the Aztecs revered the Chihuahua as the “ruler of the nose” and believed it had certain power to cure various ailments, as well as Asthma. Impressive as that sounds, there’s little proof that states the Aztecs had anything to do with the origins of this rumor. There is much proof showing the Aztecs had Chihuahua dogs in their daily life. And while there is evidence that at one time Chihuahuas provided a food source for the Aztecs, there is also proof that Chihuahuas were regarded as a type of spiritual guide that could assist an Aztec in the afterlife. This process involved the dog “absorbing” the sins of the person who’d died. This information is similar to the notion that Chihuahuas absorb the Asthmas out of the sick person. It is likely that this may be where the Aztec connection to the rumor stems from.

A more common explanation of the rumor may stem from the fact that many Chihuahuas appear to wheeze and honk while breathing and it sounds like the definitive “wheeze” some an Asthmatic trying to catch his breath. For the superstitious or for those desperate to help a loved one, the belief that the dog is drawing the asthma out of their family member and taking it on himself might have been very comforting.

The belief about chihuahuas curing Asthma has been around for a very long time. It has even been noted in medical journals in the 1950’s. One of the reasons this rumor persists may have to do with the fact that many children “outgrow” their Asthma symptoms by the time they are adults. Looking for reasons why this would occur, lead some to assume that it occurred more frequently in the homes of people who happened to own Chihuahuas.

Unfortunately though, the Chihuahua cure doesn’t work. Due to Chihuahuas having less hair, it is true that they are less likely to provoke allergies than some other breeds, however, owning a Chihuahua will not cure Asthma. Luckily however, there are several medications that are very effective at both preventing the onset of an Asthma attack and minimizing the effects during.

You’ve seen them on TV.  You’ve seen them in movies.  Chihuahua dogs wearing little outfits.  Chihuahua dogs wearing little shoes. Chihuahua dogs wearing Halloween costumes.  So, we ask: “Are Chihuahua clothes silly or helpful?  Many people have the opinion that buying your puppy clothes is something done just for fun or entertainment or as a joke, but certainly not for any practical reason.  Well, the truth is Chihuahua dogs can be a bit fragile due to it’s very small size. It should also be noted that a Chi is more comfortable living in warmer climates. This explains its lack of fur when compared to other kinds of dogs. If you weren’t already aware, the Chihuahuas place of origin is Chihuahua, Mexico. So, whether it’s their ancestry or their lack of fur, Chihuahua dogs as a species tend to be cold, a lot!

If your home is fully air-conditioned, you will likely notice your puppy shaking and shivering at times. Even when the outside weather is warm, your Chihuahua may still feel very cold if you place it in an air-conditioned room.

So, warmth and protection from the elements are just a few reasons why you might buy clothes to protect your doggy. Puppy clothes such as a sweater or a jacket or foot protection can be really helpful in keeping your dog warm and comfy.

Dog clothes are usually sized by weight.  You obviously don’t want them too small, nor too large, so there may be a bit of trial and error involved.  You don’t want your dog to become tangled in his clothes.

There are of course endless options to choose from, but make sure the material is soft and safe be patient when introducing the items to your dog.  And always take pictures!You’ve seen them on TV.  You’ve seen them in movies.  Chihuahua dogs wearing little outfits, little or Halloween costumes.  Many people have the opinion that buying Chihuahua clothes is something done just for fun or entertainment.  Well, the truth is Chihuahua dogs can be a bit fragile due to their small size.  If you weren’t already aware, their place of origin is Chihuahua, Mexico. So, whether it’s their ancestry or their lack of fur, Chiwawa dogs as a species tend to be cold, a lot!

If your home is air-conditioned, you will likely notice your puppy shaking and shivering at times. Even when the outside weather is warm, your dog may still feel very cold if you place it in an air-conditioned room.

So, warmth and protection from the elements are just a few reasons why you might buy clothes to protect your fur-less friend.  Chihuahua clothes such as a sweater or foot protection can be really helpful in keeping your dog warm and comfy.

There are of course endless options to choose from, but make sure the material is soft and safe be patient when introducing the items to your dog.  We like this one – It is nice and warm for our doggies.
And always take pictures!

Chiwawa Dogs

The Chihuahua is the smallest of the toy breeds. An energetic, small and fragile dog, the Chihuahua typically has a rounded skull (often called an “apple head”) and large, dark eyes. The two types are the smooth-coated Chihuahua and long-coated Chihuahua. Usually 8 inches tall or less, and weighing between 2-3 lbs., the chiwawa comes in both short and long hair varieties.  Coat colors range from white through cream, sable, sand, blue to black or black and tan combined.

Chihuahua Temperament and Traits

Owners describe their dogs as energetic, clever, and protective.  They usually become very attached to their owners and reserved or even aggressive around strangers, and may even snap around children if not used to them.

While owners say Chihuahua dogs can be trained, it might take more time compared with other breeds. Chi’s can be a little stuborn.  Some owners report difficulties in house-training males.  The tend to want to mark their territory and it is a difficult habit to break.

Health & Lifespan

While not as fragile as their tiny size may suggest, Chihuahua dogs can have some health problems, some are hereditary. Chihuahua teeth are prone to a build up of tartar. Regular brushing at home or ultrasonic cleaning by your vet will help. Special chew strips can help clean their teeth and remove tartar.
Collapsing tracheas are common and can cause a characteristic cough that sounds like “honking”. Their prominent, large eyes can also be prone to injury and possible infection. The Chiwawa dog has an average life span of 12-14 years.

Ideal Owners

Chihuahuas dogs do very well with adult owners and in homes with additional small dogs.  It can be very dangerous to bring a Chihuahua puppy into a family with small children as they are very susceptible to being injured if squeezed or dropped. They can be raised indoors, but they also love to get outside for walks and to dig in the dirt.  Chihuahuas adore sleeping in the sun – whether it’s a sunny window or a back patio, sunbathing is one of their favorite pass-times.

Watchdogs

Mosts Chihuahua dogs love to bark, and as a breed can be considered “yappy”.  This is not always the case of course, but it does make them a great little watchdog if uninvited visitors appear.

Breeding

Due to their small size, breeding Chihuahua puppies can be dangerous to try without the assistance of a good breeder.  Caesareans are common. Litters usually consist of one to three pups.

Grooming

Their toenails need to be tended to frequently as they grow very fast.  Clipping a Chihuahua toenails may seem like an easy task, but my experience is that they hate it. The right tool for the job makes all the difference however.

As far as grooming goes, the short hair Chi is really a very low maintenance dog with a weekly brushing being about the only task required.  The long hair variety requires a bit more time to keep their lovely long hair looking great, but it’s worth it.

Chihuahuas are wonderful little companions with BIG personalities.

 Chiwawa Dogs

Over the past few years Chihuahuas, particularly the type with the nickname of the Teacup Chihuahua, have shown an amazing growth in popularity. Many people tend to have a keen interest in these cute little guys. The Chihuahua breed is the smallest of the toy breeds and it looks like a puppy all it’s life. This makes a lot of people fascinated by them. If you are on of them, here are a few facts about the so-called “Teacup” Chihuahua dog including teacup chihuahua characteristics and traits.

Firstly however, you should know that the “Teacup” Chihuahua is not really a specific breed. In reality these mini dogs are actually the ones that never reached the ideal body weight of a normal Chi or were puppies that were specifically bred to be that small. Some unprofessional breeders may try to have you believe otherwise, and pay much more for a “teacup”, but actually, it is only a nickname. So buyer beware. If you have your heart set on buying one (as opposed to obtaining one through a Chihuahua rescue organization) it’s always beneficial to do your research and find a reputable breeder, not just seller you might find in the classifieds who may be underfeeding puppies in an effort to keep them “teacup” sized. While some sellers may be honest and genuinely concerned about the health of your puppy and your purchase, many others are more interested in selling potentially ill dogs to unsuspecting families. One last point on “teacup” Chi’s. Some people think that if both parents of the puppy are both “teacup” sizes, then the puppy will be as well. It’s possible, however, there is no guarantee that those pups will be that small as well. It’s a gamble.

Chihuahua dogs are lively and energetic and generally a sturdy dog, even though they are so small. They do have a few health issues consistent with the breed and it’s a good idea to be educated on any possible health issues that may occur. Do to there small size, Chihuahuas can become dehydrated very easily. Especially young pups. Common sense dictates that you must ensure they always have clean, fresh water available 24 hours a day. I always make it easy on my Chi’s and have water in all the rooms I allow my dogs access to, especially if they are still puppies. They can also fall prey to low blood sugar very easily. This is mainly an issue for the pups again, so having small amounts of food available when they are young is a good idea – especially if you have your dog with you on a trip or outing.

New puppy owners may be surprised on day to hear their little dog making a sound that is reminiscent of a barking seal. This “honking” sound is a symptom of a very common issue for small dogs called a “collapsing trachea”. It is usually not a serious condition, although in some dogs it can become life threatening. In our dogs case, he usually “honked” when he got too excited, and simply calming him down was the key to minimizing any distress. However, since you should always have any puppy evaluated by a good veterinarian, that would be a great time to ask their opinion. They can fully guide a new owner on what to look for and how to treat this condition, should it arise.

While all these warnings may sound dubious, the reality of having a new Chihuahua is a wonderful event for a well prepared household. With a lot of care and bit of wariness, you will make this an easy transition for your new teacup.

Chiwawa Dogs

The term “Apple Head” is a fairly descriptive nick name given to some Chiwawa dogs. This is due to their heads being somewhat rounded, and shaped like apples. “Apple Head” Chiwawa dogs are small in size and it may long or short hair. This particular dog is seen in various colors.

As far as Apple Head traits are concerned, you should expect an energetic little friend who will likely display a lot of attitude. These little guys are generally smart, look adorable and usually become very loyal to you, their master.

Once you’ve decided to adopt a Chiwawa dog, there are some things you’ll want to buy before you bring your little guy home. First on my list would be a soft, covered bed as Chiwawa dogs love to bury themselves under the warm covers to sleep. This is especially true at night. We live in a warm climate, and our Chi’s can often be found lying in the sun even on the hottest days.

Additionally, I would purchase a harness designed for small dogs together with its leash. Your chiwawa might damage his trachea using a regular collar. This causes the dog to making a choking sound, or “honk”. So a harness which protects them from this type of damage will provide you with good piece of mind.

Potty training or crate training should begin from the very first day that your baby arrives home. During winter, it may helpful to provide an indoor potty tray with specially scented potty pads to use in the house. A chiwawa is particularly sensitive to changes of weather. Even when you feel warm, your little puppy may feel cold.

Make sure that your little Apple Head is fed three times a day (or leave some dry food out all day) as Chiwawa puppies can easily become hypoglycemic, but keep the portions small as your little guy has a very small tummy.

Apple Head Chihuahua or not, bringing a new Chiwawa puppy into your life can be a fun and exciting time. Make sure to take pictures. It’s so nice to look back once they have grown up!

Chiwawa Dogs