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Author:
C. Covington

            Face it, over the years Chihuahuas have gotten a bad rap. “Anklebiters” (hey they can’t help that they’re vertically challenged)are valued pets only to a select few, often passed over in favor of those breeds which are larger, heavier and meaner. Certainly Chihuahuas are not as capable of intimidating a burglar as a pit bull (although anyone who has ever seen a Chihuahua in full attack mode probably felt a cold thrill of fear travel up their spine), nor can they leap four feet in the air. Yet for the right person they make a loyal, loving pet.

            Chihuahuas were first discovered in Mexico, although scientists have not yet ascertained if this is their true country of origin. It is very difficult to mistake the physical appearance of a Chihuahua for anything else; their pointy ears a large, “buggy” eyes classify them as the unique breed that they are. Their height is small, rarely over ten inches from head to toe. Unlike many other breeds it is not healthy for a Chihuahua to carry any extra weight on their frame; their bodies are simply not prepared to handle the excess fat. The average weight for a Chihuahua is five to ten pounds; owners who wish to show their pets professionally will need to maintain their weight at around six pounds. This is less than the weight of the average human newborn.

            There are two distinct breeds of Chihuahua, long haired and short haired, with short haired animals making up the majority of the population. These dogs generally sport coats in various shades of brown, black or grey, although it is not unheard of for a Chihuahua to have a coat that is white with dark markings. All of these assorted colorings and markings are permitted in the show ring.

            Chihuahuas have a temperament unlike any other, fiercely loyal and intolerant of rough handling. Chihuahuas are not considered to be good pets for families that possess small children because of their ferocity; there have been documented cases of Chihuahuas attacking the children of their owners because they were unhappy with their treatment at their hands, or were jealous of the amount of attention their owners lavished on the child (Chihuahuas are fiercely territorial).

As with many exotic breeds the health of Chihuahuas in the United States can be a very tenuous thing. They are prone to certain genetic complications, as well as to joint problems due to their small stature (how would they get the food from the end table without jumping on the couch?). It is essential that all Chihuahua owners ensure that their pet is under the care of a licensed veterinarian, and that they know where their pet can receive emergency care at anytime.

            Chihuahuas are a breed that is as intriguing as it is exotic, and they have long held a tremendous fascination for pet owners around the world. To purchase a Chihuahua would-be owners can contact a pet store or any of the private breeders across the country.

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