About Chihuahuas:

This is a charming, curious, alert, and clean breed. Extremely affectionate toward those it considers family and is reserved with others. The Chihuahua prefers to be the head of the household, but it will tolerate others, once adjusted. It can be very temperamental. The history of the Chihuahua is quite speculative. The modern breed, discovered in about 1850 in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, is believed to have descended from a small dog known to the Toltec Indians of Mexico in the 9th century. Some authorities think the Aztecs developed the Chihuahua by crossing a breed called techichi with a small, hairless dog that came to Mexico from Asia. Others trace the breed to the Spanish dogs that accompanied Hernando Cortes and his armies in 1519. According to Indian legends, these little dogs had great religious significance. Archeologists working in Mexico and the southern United States have in fact unearthed dog bones buried in graves alongside their masters. It is said that dogs with blue coats were sacred, while those with red coats were sacrificed on the funeral pyre in the belief that the sins of their masters would be transferred to the dog, allowing the soul to make the trip to the hereafter untarnished.

Care and Exercise:

Ears, nails, and teeth must be attended to weekly. For both coat varieties, brushing with a medium or soft brush twice a week will make frequent bathing unnecessary. Minimal exercise needed; allowing dog to move about freely in apartment or room is sufficient. Avoid overexposure to extreme weather conditions, since this breed lacks the resistance of larger dogs. Coat needs a great deal of attention. It stains easily, particularly around eyes and mouth. Bathing essential at least once a week. Brushing unclean hair is detrimental, making it harder to keep dog clean later. Coat may discolor. For show purposes, the hair on head may be done in topknot and tied with a ribbon, or it may be left hanging; it should be brushed out and redone every day. Nonshow pets can be trimmed, but some of the dog’s beauty is lost with trimming. Breed requires little exercise and in fact should not go outdoors in bad weather, but be paper-trained. Indoor play provides sufficient exercise. Avoid excess heat and chills. Low body bulk leaves all toys vulnerable to the effects of weather.

Recommended Households:

The ultimate lapdog, this breed responds well to comfort and companionship. It is definitely not an outdoor dog, although it does like a short run in warm weather. Quick to learn, and easily paper-trained. Because it is fragile, the Chihuahua is not for small children.

Click here to view all available Chihuahuas at Uncle Bill’s Pet Centers.