Breed: Chihuahua
Average Size: 6 to 10 inches tall and up to 6lbs
Appearance: There are two coat types, long and short. Chihuahua colors can be complicated due to the large number of possibilities. The classic Chihuahua color remains fawn. Merle coloration is a sort of speckled or dappled effect, and often also affects the eye color of the dog but the gene can cause blindness and deafness.
Lifespan: Average 8-22 years old
Habitat: Since Chihuahuas are smaller they can be good pets for apartments or smaller homes but they still need regular exercise and need to be indoor dogs.
Food: There are no special foods needed but Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters so care must be taken to make sure they receive adequate nutrition.
Temperament: Chihuahuas are known for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal. They can also be quite affectionate with their owners. Very quick to learn commands, the clever Chihuahua is easily trained to perform tricks. Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament, and tendency to bite when frightened. . Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. Chihuahuas also tend to prefer the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs.
Special Traits: One unique trait in most Chihuahuas is the tendency to burrow. To sleep they will bury themselves into blankets or clothing. Therefore owners should always check before sitting down. This behavior is believed to come from pre-domesticated Chihuahuas lived in underground burrows.
Other Important Info: Chihuahuas require expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders. Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also prone to the sometimes painful disease, hydrocephalus. It is often diagnosed by the puppy having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable like having patchy skull platelets rather than a solid bone. They are typically lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull having a soft spot called a molera. The molera does fill in with age, but extra care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. Chihuahuas can also be at risk for hypoglycemia. Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma. Chihuahuas are also prone to eye infections due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance. Chihuahuas also have a tendency to tremble but this is not a health issue, rather it takes place when the dog is stressed or excited.
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