Chihuahua Breed description: Character & Co

Breed characteristics and temperament of the Chi - dog

The Chihuahua is described in the breed standard as a lively and alert dog, but nonetheless restless and, despite being so small, courageous. They are not afraid of larger dogs. Their vigilance especially is highly developed. Whenever a stranger stands in front of them in their territory, e.g. at the door of their flat, they are set off. However, loud barking or exaggerated growling should be prevented from the beginning. Even if they mostly focus on one single person, Chihuahuas are also suitable as family dogs. They integrate well into the family, are child-friendly and, if trained correctly, also behave friendly and lovable towards other people. The focus must be on their training - unfortunately this is often neglected because the dogs look so small and cute. But every dog can and wants to be trained and they want to know their place in the pack. Please don't turn the Chihuahua dogs into handbag dogs like Paris Hilton did.

Care and health

The coat care of the Tschiwawa dog, as it is often misspelled, is simple. Comb the coat once a week and that's it. The life expectancy of a healthy dog lies between 12 and 15 years. Chihuahuas are however prone to developing the following diseases:

• Malpositioned teeth: The most common tooth misalignment is a Canininus crowding (canines in the lower jaw are too close together). An early orthodontic treatment can help here.
• Baby teeth persistence: Some baby teeth have not yet fallen out, although the permanent teeth are already growing back. Tartar formation, gum inflammation and tooth loss are imminent. The best prevention against tartar and other dental diseases is brushing their teeth daily with a special dog toothpaste.
• Urinary stones: Chihuahuas tend to form urinary stones. The reason is a genetic defect of the dogs. This can be counteracted by a specific low-purine diet, preferably dry food. Dog food rich in purine such as offal, meat and sausage should be avoided.
• Diabetes mellitus: This disorder of insulin production leads to severe physical damage if left untreated (e.g. no regular insulin injections). Dietary measures can also help. In your diet, you should preferably rely on dog food free from sugar and wheat.

If you too have developed a liking for these little dogs, there are the following options:

• Buying a Chihuahua: This option is probably the most common. However when buying a Chihuahua, you should definitely visit a reputable breeder. You can find a list of serious breeders here: Breeders in Germany. But you can also try your luck on here: Chihuahuas.
• Chihuahua:  safe alternative of finding a Chihuahua is going to an animal shelter. The reasons that Chihuahuas end up in shelters are many different ones. A common reason for example is that the owner moves to a different home or country and cannot take their dog with them. Another reason can be that the owner develops a dog allergy. Other reasons can be incompatibility with children, divorce, feeling overwhelmed with the dog or the death of the dog's owner. The affected dogs then end up in shelters without it being their own fault. In this case you can prove yourself as a rescue angel and put an end to the distress of one of these animals. Don't worry, Chihuahuas are very adaptable and quickly get used to their new owners.
• Chihuahua breeding: You should leave this option to professional breeders