Tag Archive | "chiwawa dogs"

tri color chihuahua dog

Chihuahua Dog Adoption Guide

Chihuahua dogs can make wonderful pets! 

And Chihuahua dog adoption is an easy way to bring one into your home. Before you do though, it’s very important to understand both the Pros and the Cons of ownership before proceeding adoption or rescue.

The Pros:

  • Chihuahuas are adorable.  They are the perpetual puppy.
  •  These little guys are perfect for apartment dwellers. Because of their pocket size, an apartment provides plenty of room for a Chihuahua to move around during the day.  You’ll still need to take them out for walks though!
  • Known for being “yappy”, Chihuahua’s make great watchdogs.  They are territorial, and although not physically frightening, their consistent warning alarm can be very foreboding for a potential burglar.
  • Chihuahua puppies can be taught to use a litter box or artificial grass area.  This is a huge advantage in the middle of the night or on a rainy day!  There is also a wonderful Dog Training Pad that can be purchased that uses “puppy pads” that are scented to encourage your puppy to go.
  • The short hair variety are easy to groom. The long hair type isn’t that difficult either. They need to be bathed and have their nails clipped monthly, but that is about it.
  • In general, when these little guys have good health and feel loved and cared for by their owners, they have a long lifespan.  They can live anywhere from 10-14 years.

The Cons:

    • Due to their tiny size, Chihuahuas can injure easily. Owners must be very careful not to step on, drop or drop something on top of their little Chi.
    •  Chihuahuas and toddlers don’t mix. Young children may not realize how fragile they are, or may think it is a toy. It’s easy to accidentally drop or step on one. Care must always be taken due to their being so fragile.
    • These dogs do not like cold weather.  They are considered “hairless” and they are true heat-seekers. Most Chi’s hate cold or wet weather and will do just about anything to avoid it.  Care must be taken to ensure your dog has a COVERED bed to snuggle in and warm clothes if brought outside in bad weather.  We like this one.  We like this one best because the top part of the bed, the cover, is heavy enough for the dog to burrow for warmth, and it stays covered.  Some others are too light and do not stay covered.  Or they have a foam insert and it doesn’t actually cover the dog well.
  • Same as number 3 above, these guys due tend to bark – A LOT.  If you live close to neighbors, or can’t tolerate the “warnings”, then this breed may not be your best choice.

Generally, Chihuahuas are friendly, cuddly and fun!  Take care to ensure they are the right choice for your family.  They are one of the most popular breeds abandoned to shelters.  This can be avoided with doing your adoption homework before bringing a  puppy home.

Chiwawa Dogs

Posted in Care, Characteristics, Dogs, Information, Temperament, TrainingComments Off on Chihuahua Dog Adoption Guide

chiwawa dogs - can chihuahuas cure asthma

Can A Chihuahua Cure Asthma?

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.




Posted in CharacteristicsComments Off on Can A Chihuahua Cure Asthma?

chiwawa dogs - Close Up Blue Chihuahua

Blue Chihuahua Pictures

Here is a collection of pictures of my Blue Chihuahua, Rockie, from puppy to adult.Adult Blue Chihuahua Dog Blue Chihuahua Dog Blue Chihuahua and Black and White Chihuahua Blue Chihuahua In Sunshine Blue Chihuahua Puppy Blue Chihuahua Puppy Dog Blue Chihuahua Sunshine Blue Chihuahua Rolling In The Grass Blue Chihuahua Sleeping Blue Chihuahua Standing Blue Chihuahua Warm Blue Chihuahua standing Blue Chihuahua Puppy 9 Weeks Blue Chihuahua Puppy 4 weeks Blue Chihuahua Adult

BlueChihuahua KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA Close Up Blue Chihuahua blue chihuahua dog


Posted in Blue ChihuahuaComments Off on Blue Chihuahua Pictures

blue chihuahua puppy in grass

Housebreaking Your Chihuahua The Easy Way

Chihuahua puppies! What could be cuter? They are so cute and so tiny.  How can you possibly housebreak a dog that is this small?  Let’s take a look at housebreaking your Chihuahua and see how easy it can be. A little helpful fact to note, chiwawa dogs greatly dislike going outside to do their business during anything but warm, sunny weather. And, they can be down right stubborn to go out to potty if it’s raining.

With crate training or pen training you’ll be housebreaking your Chihuahua the easy way. 

Your puppy’s crate should be large enough for the adult dog to stand, sit and stretch out. For your new puppy, it might work best if you start out with a smaller crate. The key goal is to teach your new baby that you don’t mess where you sleep and eat. Ideally, you will place the crate in an area where you will be spending the most time.

Your chiwawa is a pack animal, and he needs to feel part of your family activities.

Place the crate in the kitchen or family room. There are wonderful, inexpensive crates and portable pens that are easy to move with you from room to room. It may seem to be a lot of work, but in the long run, your dog will be well balanced and want to please YOU, his pack leader.

After making the crate comfy, enclose the puppy in his crate at regular one-to-two-hour intervals, and whenever he must be left alone, for up to three or four hours. Then, take him out to a designated outside spot, or “potty pad” area, and say a word like “make” or “potty” and then wait.

When he does as you asked, praise him well!

If possible, at night the crate should go in your bedroom. Not only does this provide comfort to the puppy, it will teach your dog that the pack sleeps here, all night. And in the day we are active. If there is any fussing, you’re there to deal with it. It may seem mean if you are not used to this routine, however your puppy will come to really enjoy his quiet space in his “den” and will willingly go to it upon your request.

Pen training can be done, however it can be harder to train a chiwawa that has been kept in a playpen. This is due to the fact that they have already become accustomed to peeing and pooping in their living/sleeping quarters and it is a hard habit to break.

Try not to take your pup out of his crate when he is whining. This will teach him to do it more, as he has been rewarded for it. Wait until he stops fussing and is calm before you take him out. You can give him a special chew toy or treat just for when he is in the crate. And be sure to include a blanket for your chiwawai baby. They are always on the cold side and love to dig underneath to make a warm den for themselves.

Be sure to give lots of praise when he’s inside his crate, lengthening the periods you leave him in.

Remember, putting your dog into a crate does not of itself house train a dog. To be successful, you want to prevent your puppy from making mistakes, and that means you must be consistent and attentive to your dog. Many people punish a dog for pooping in the house, and they never provide any positive praise when it goes outside. Please praise your baby well when he hits his target outside.

To prevent surprises, don’t let your pup have the run of the house. He needs you to watch him 100% of the time, just as you would a new baby. If you must leave the room, even for a phone call, he goes with you. Just crate him or take him with you.

With consistency and patience your new Chiwawa baby will be potty trained in no time. All the effort you provide in these first few weeks will provide rewards for years to come.




Chiwawa Dogs

Posted in TrainingComments Off on Housebreaking Your Chihuahua The Easy Way

Black and White Chiwawa

Is It Spelled Chihuahua or Chiwawa?

Which is correct, Chihuahua or Chiwawa?  And why is “Chihuahua” so hard to spell?

Many people throughout the world spell Chihuahua, CHIWAWA- the phonetic pronunciation. Our favorite dog, the Chihuahua, originated in state of Chihuahua, Mexico. The ancestor of the breed was the Techichi, a sacred little dog of the ancient Toltecs, which it has been stated, they used in ceremonies and, sorry to say, ate. So, partially because this word is a Spanish word and H’s aren’t pronounced in Spanish. That’s why some people have a hard time remembering how its properly spelled without having the “W” stand in for the “Wa” sound.  I’ve even seen it spelled “Chuwawa”, “Chiihuaua”,” Cheewaua” and “Cheewawa”.  And if you have seen the movie, you know it’s spelled “Chi WOWwa!

I know there are other dog breeds that are tricky to spell as well… “Dachshund” “Rottweiler” and, of course, “Shih Tzu”, but I don’t really care about those breeds.  I’m a loyal Chi fan.  So cheer for my favorite doggie, and that’s how I remembered how to spell it as well.                            C- H- I- HOOOO WHAAA-HOOOO WHAAA!…as the Marines would say!

So, we know that the correct spelling of the breed of dog that we love here on “Chihuahua Dogs” is of course, C H I H U A H U A.  However, we will use them both interchangeably just to be friendly.  There are many people who seek out Chi info using both spellings.  And so, we will use both.


Chiwawa Dogs

Posted in InformationComments Off on Is It Spelled Chihuahua or Chiwawa?

AUT_1164

Chihuahua Temperament Guide

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

 


Posted in TemperamentComments Off on Chihuahua Temperament Guide

chiwawa dogs - tea cup

Teacup Chihuahua

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

 

Posted in CharacteristicsComments Off on Teacup Chihuahua

tan chiwawa puppy

Apple Head Chihuahua

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

Posted in InformationComments Off on Apple Head Chihuahua