), Physically fragile, requiring a great deal of supervision and monitoring, The fine line you need to walk, where you need to protect their safety, yet also require them to stand on their own and be well-behaved, Suspiciousness, mindless yapping, and nasty behavior, Being stepped on – good Chihuahua owners learn to shuffle their feet forward and backward rather than stepping up and down, Being sat on when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he likes to sleep, Choking on the tiniest objects – scan your floors frequently for anything that might have fallen, Being conked on the head by a dropped, thrown, or falling object, Leaping or falling from a high bed or high-backed sofa, or through the open slats of a stairwell landing or a raised deck. If you have a blue Chihuahua or are thinking of getting one, read more about color dilution alopecia on my Chihuahua Health page. But truthfully.... Chihuahuas love to have a safe place to run and play on the grass, just like larger dogs do. By in large these are happy dogs, which often show their true colors when at home and distanced from the world, but often they have a bad reputation for being ‘poor company.’ One of the most contagious characteristics of a Chihuahua is their enthusiasm for life. It’ll free up time for you as an owner to have a moment away without worrying about separation anxiety, and it’ll help your Chihuahua develop into the good-natured dog he is supposed to be. As long as your Chihuahua has inherited genes for a normal temperament, how you raise him will determine how he turns out. Receive 25% off your next order when you share your testimonial with us! As many Chihuahua owners will attest, every Chihuahua is an alpha-dog. This creates a confident, stable Chihuahua. First and foremost—especially when your puppy first enters your home—. They can be from 2 to 6 pounds and can stand up from 5 to 7 inches, from shoulder to paw. They’re bold in the way they love, the way they encounter the world, and when you’re trying to train them. Chihuahuas may tremble or shiver when stressed, excited, or cold. Often one or both eyes is blue. with a picture of your pet, your pet’s name, your location, and your Canna-Pet success story. Chocolate, white, black and tan, and blue (it's actually gray, but it's called blue). Some individuals are easy to train, while others are a bit more stubborn. that, a certificate from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of. However this dignified persona and confidence is often what makes them so. But the Papillon's temperament is quite different, tending to be milder-mannered, quicker-moving, more inclined to play fetch, and loves racing on an agility course. Spoiling is a dreadful way to raise a dog; all it does is make the owner feel good, while creating an insecure dog who barks manically whenever he sees something that looks or sounds unfamiliar. While the Chihuahua is small and adaptable, they’re one of the neediest dog breeds in existence. Most Chihuahuas need very little obedience training. They’re incredibly keen to their surroundings, which make them fantastic watch dogs, but on the downside, they are known to bark a lot which can turn into a negative characteristic. They carry him everywhere in their arms, which essentially tells the dog that the world is unsafe for him to walk through. I find many (NOT ALL!) There are actually two varieties of Chihuahua dogs recognized by the AKC and the UK Kennel Club. All things considered—despite their reputation—the Chihuahua is a loving, loyal, committed companion. See All of Michele's Best-Selling Dog Books, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy, Homemade Dog Food Delivered To Your House. Although there are plenty of theories as to their true heritage, no one quite knows exactly what breed(s) paved the way for the little canine. They’re quick to learn, process information, and in their youth navigate themselves into trouble. These measurements can vary between the two types of Chihuahua dog; the apple headed Chihuahua and the deer headed Chihuahua. About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. Gidget “The Taco Bell Chihuahua”, was the famous mascot behind a … Stubborn or eager to please. Remember we talked about single and double coats earlier. They also have a pointed muzzle, and round eyes, that are large and separated. Not good. Dark gray hairs that belong to my Chihuahua. Often not well. a must. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. Don't be too quick to pass up Chihuahuas who are at the top end of of normal, or even oversized individuals. … They have the best chance of living a normal healthy life. They have a propensity to demonstrate poor behavior, and certainly shouldn’t be around small children or unsupervised in the company of other canines, but if they’re given a proper upbringing there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be sociable, affable, and kind to others. Because of all of its sterling qualities, the Papillon is as popular today, as ever. Shi-Chi Cost. Unfortunately, there is a skin problem associated with dilution genes. Are they healthy for those 13-15 years? Just because they’re tiny enough to fit into a purse and live comfortably in a small apartment, doesn’t mean they don’t need to work their bodies. Others have one deer-like feature, but not the other. This can trigger instinctive chasing behavior in breeds such as medium to large terriers, sighthounds, and northern (spitz) breeds like Alaskan Malamutes and Akitas. Compared to Chihuahuas, Maltese have a softer, sweeter temperament, as their ancestry is not terrier, but spaniel. So if possible, try to stick with Chihuahuas who will mature at 4 lbs and up. The last bit to be aware of when it comes to their temperament ties into their jealous personality. The rounded “apple” head is a breed hallmark. Whether a coat is short or long, the double coats shed more than the single coats. The Papillon is similar to a Chihuahua in appearance.... at least similar to a longhaired, tricolored Chihuahua with a slender, graceful build. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy (or adult dog) when you can see the correct training techniques in action. Chihuahua’s are incredibly intelligent and have been compared to having the same personality as terriers. Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies Dog training videos. Yorkies are a nice blend of terrier and toy traits and you clip the coat short for easy maintenance. Chihuahuas are no exception. Instead the Chihuahua seems exactly what they’re supposed to be; a people-pleasing canine that is highly adaptable, often a one-person dog, has dynamite for a temper, and loves their family. The last bit to be aware of when it comes to their temperament ties into their jealous personality. Better to teach him that you are the leader who will take charge of keeping him safe and keeping other dogs away from him. Otherwise whenever he goes to the bathroom, the result is going to be unsanitary, both for the dog and for your house. As a behavioral consultant, the Chihuahua is firmly on my Top 5 list of hardest breeds to housebreak. It's as though the Chihuahua wants to convince the larger dog that he is a force to reckon with rather than a helpless prey animal. Their exclusive personalities often make them a fantastic choice for the singular dog owner, but they certainly add a new light to any household they make their own, and their loyalty and commitment refuses to diminish. The Chihuahua temperament—when properly raised and, —should be loving, excitable, and sociable towards loved ones. They're simply marketing phrases used by clever breeders who want you to think you're getting some kind of extra-special Chihuahua.... one for which you will pay through the nose. If possible, you should keep a Chihuahua with another small breed, ideally another Chihuahua. So keep all of your dog's private parts trimmed short. The Chihuahua is a small breed of dog, very popular for its size. (feeding, vaccinations, neutering, veterinarians, and more). Originating a century ago, these dogs are not for the feint hearted, and not for those that can’t handle sass. Physical Traits. To sum up the personality of a Chihuahua in one word, would be to say they’re bold. The most difficult thing to teach a Chihuahua? No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. Paired with their naturally high-pitched bark, you have a dog that excites at every turn, meaning they can be a nuisance. Chihuahuas are determined, fearless and tenacious. Despite its petite and fragile appearance, the breed is quite bold, even brazen. Long Coat Chihuahuas – a black and a chocolate. Even if a Chihuahua was raised alongside children, they’re smart enough to know when they’re not receiving attention, and they’ll become a bit more domineering. Jan. 9th-12th: National Train Your Dog Month –. Malchi dogs with short hair similar to the Chihuahua need to be groomed minimally with occasional brushing using a brush having firm bristles for the purpose of removing the dead hairs. All of these housebreaking options are detailed in my puppy training book, Respect Training For Puppies. You need to be careful whenever you sit down on your sofa or bed, as there could be a Chihuahua tucked under there. The longer and thicker the coat, the more work it will be. Long Coats are always longer than Smooth Coats, but... Do Smooth Coats and Long Coats have different temperaments? They’ll run around the house with glee, but due to their intelligence—and their keen ears—they’re often alert to all that’s around them. Ask a few people, "Do you think Chihuahuas are nice dogs?" They need to learn only a few basic words, like No, Yes, Come, Wait, and Okay. The nose may be pointed or short, depending on which genes are stronger, and black or brown in color. They’re quick to learn, process information, and in their youth navigate themselves into trouble. Not only that, but puppy classes will only further your pup’s socialization, as he’ll be introduced to other canines learning the same lessons. The curvature begins at the back of the skull, arcs over the skull between the ears, and drops vertically down between the eyes to join the muzzle at about a 90-degree angle. If you want a truly spunky little guy with a low-maintenance coat, and you don't mind some shedding, consider the Toy Fox Terrier. But you should be careful about mixing them with larger dogs. General Chihuahua Dog Behaviors Very courageous dogs: A common temperament of Chihuahua dog breed is its frequently demonstrated courage. Their internal organs are often weak and can fail suddenly – you might come downstairs one morning and find them inexplicably dead in their basket. Despite their small size, Chihuahuas have big personalities and are often fiercely devoted to one of its masters – this devotion can occasionally become over-protective, leading the dog to become snappy or reserved around strangers. Also easier to housebreak! If you’re too firm with this breed, they can often. Appearance . Choose a high quality dog food and feed your Chihuahua about twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. Canna-Pet® produces the only legal, veterinarian-recommended, non-prescription CBD products for animals. A tired dog is a behaved dog you into paying an outrageous price for bad! Lbs and up who weighs at least 2 lbs 25 % off your next when. Healthy ( feeding, vaccinations, neutering, veterinarians, and quite sassy hold... Do not have a particularly good reputation among the most contagious characteristics of a Chihuahua, which means! He 's still a Chihuahua will develop serious separation anxiety a quirky and eccentric personality by. 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