Introduction
| What is it? Well, the FAQ stands for Frequently- Asked - Questions. This is where Bigchihuahua.com has its information about Chihuahuas. you can browse through our questions below about Chihuahuas. If you don't find your question or answer here, please send us email at the email address below so that we may add your question. If it isn't here, it probably ought to be! Our FAQ will be an on-going FAQ which is frequently updated. If you don't find an answer here, please email us and check back in a few days and we should have an answer for your question(s). Our FAQ is arranged by questions below. Just select the question and then click on it to read the answer to the question. We will post all reasonable questions and try to provide a good answer for them. If you have any problems or questions, please EMAIL us. We'd be glad to help! |
| 1. I
see that word "Chihuahua", but how do I pronounce it? 2. What is a Chihuahua? 3. Where does a Chihuahua originate from? 4. Is there more than one breed of Chihuahua? 5. Can asthmatic people benefit from being around a Chihuahua? 6. What is the average lifespan of the Chihuahua? 7. Does the Chihuahua require any special foods? 8. Are there any foods that I should not feed my Chihuahua? 9. My Chihuahua shivers a lot. What does this mean? 10. I've noticed my Chihuahua nudges under blankets, etc. Is this normal? 11. Are Chihuahuas prone to any specific illnesses or conditions? 12. Are Chihuahuas sociable? 13. Do Chihuahuas get along with other dogs? 14. Would a Chihuahua be a good pet for a child? 15. If I bought a Chihuahua, how much would it cost? 16. What is the AKC standard for a Chihuahua? 17. Do Chihuahuas like the sun? 18. What about traveling with my Chihuahua? 19. What is the best type of collar for a Chihuahua? 20. How do I house-break my Chihuahua? 21. What benefits are there to spaying or neutering my pet? 22. How often should I carry my Chihuahua to the Vet? 23. What are Nyla-bones? 24. How much attention should I give my Chihuahua? 25. What is a puppy mill? 26. What should I name my Chihuahua? 27. What should I know about adopting a Chihuahua? 28. Should I buy a Chihuahua through the internet? 29. How can I get a question posted to the Chihuahua FAQ? 30. How Do I find a good Dog Breeder? |
| 1. The word Chihuahua is most often pronounced
like - 'ch-wah-wah'. TOP |
2. A Chihuahua is a canine; dog. It is often
referred to as a member of the toy breeds. It has wide set eyes, large ears most often
erect on adult dogs but semi - floppy on pups. They are small, most often in the 3-9 pound
range. 4-6 pounds for an adult dog is common. One photo is below. Some other photos are
available at our Friends page. TOP |
| 3. Although some history exists in regards to
dogs similar to the modern day Chihuahua, the origin of Chihuahuas seem somewhat shrouded
in mystery. Some claim the dog originated in Mexico during ancient times, while others say
that Chihuahuas were developed in China. Some long ago Chinese practices included breeding
animals into miniaturized versions of their ancestors. Authorities have found a lot of
answers relating to the chi's origin in old Mexico. The Olmec tribes were thought to be
the "mother" of Mexico and were known to eat dogs during their time and by the
age of the Toltec tribe, it became quite common to eat canine.There is evidence that they
ate a plump, thick-necked dog with short erect ears and tail and it was clear it was bred
for the table, being particularly for the noble. From Toltec carvings dating back to the
9th century, it is evident that they had a small dog which clearly looked similar to the
modern day Chihuahua. This dog was known in that age and day as the Techichi and that
breed is believed to be the ancestor of most of the Mexican & central American breeds
of canines. The Aztecs made full use of the Chihuahua like dog and historical evidence
shows that the dog appeared to be used in religious activities and other activities not
related to companion- ship. In the early 1500s, the arrival of Hernando Cortes quickly
halted the flourishing Aztec civilization. It was during this time that the Techichi was
believed to become feral. What is known about the Techichi is that it was bigger than the
modern day Chihuahua and had long hair. It is thought that the modern day Chihuahua
originated from the cross breeding of Asiatic hairless dogs, but this has not been proven.
It wasn't until about the late 1800s that the Chihuahua that we know today made an
appearance in the civilized world. A few were found in Mexico around 1850 and named after
the Mexican state they were found in - Chihuahua. They remained rare until the early
1900s. Chihuahuas started gaining notoriety after being shown on television and in the
early 1960s, it peaked as an A K C breed and was ranked 3rd in 1964. The American Kennel
Club publishes the Official Dog Book, showing the
official standard and some history of the dog. It isn't a general dog care book, but if
you are interested in AKC breed standards, you can buy the book at: The Complete Dog Book The American Kennel Club, 1997 (19th revised Edition) Howell House Books, Hardback TOP |
| 4. Contrary to a popular myth, there is only one
breed of Chihuahua. However, there are two interbred varieties of the little dog; they
come in short hair and long hair and most canine colors of blonde, tan, brown, black and
white and some spotted. Mendelian genetics plays a major role in the color of new born
puppies. Further information about that is available at: Chihuahuas, A Complete Pet Owner's Manual Author: Caroline Coile, Ph.D. Purchase it HERE TOP |
| 5. There has been a myth floating around that a
Chihuahua in the house can cure or lessen a person's asthma. There is no scientific or
other evidence for this. It's just an old 'wives' tale. TOP |
| 6. Some FAQS report that the average lifespan of
a Chihuahua is 11-18 years. I would say that 18 years is abnormal. Small dogs do have the
longest lifespan. There are many factors that go into guessing an average lifespan. Some
of this data is factual from Veterinarian's records. Some is plain guessing and what is in
my experience, I would estimate the life span closer to 8-14 years. If a dog is very well
cared for and the dog remains healthy, it should live at least 10 years. This is based on
the thought that this pet is an average sized Chihuahua. Very small Chihuahuas seem to
have a decreased lifespan. I welcome any additional thoughts here. Please EMAIL me. TOP |
| 7. The Chihuahua doesn't require any special
foods because of it's particular breed. It will remain healthy eating a variety of
available pet food on the market. We feed our Chihuahua a "soft and moist" food
produced by a major pet food company. You have to remember though, that as your pet goes
through different age cycles, they have different requirements. You would not want to feed
adult dog feed to a puppy. Also, please note that your dog should be given some hard dog
food that he/she must chew regularly. This will aid in keeping their gums and teeth more
healthy. By all means, please give your dog chew -bones and other bones that aid in
keeping the dog's gums and teeth healthy. This is discussed more in another question in
the Chihuahua FAQ. TOP |
| 8. There are some foods that humans eat that can
result in your pets' death, even if it is healthy. One such food is chocolate.This attacks
a dog's heart and can result in cardiac arrest. Another food that should not be fed to
your dog is onion and garlic. These can make your pet sick. My best advice to you, is to
call or visit your Vet and ask him or her what foods you should not feed your pet. You'll
be very suprised at the different foods that should not be fed to your dog. Another source
of this information can be found in: Chihuahuas, A Complete Pet Owner's Manual Author: Caroline Coile, Ph.D. Purchase it HERE. Also included in that book is information concerning some poisonous plants and hazards to be informed about. TOP |
| 9. Most dogs are nervous by nature. Nervousness
can make the dog shiver or appear to shake, as if it is cold. However, the Chihuahua is a
very small dog, making it even more nervous than most, plus, because of its small size, it
does get cold much faster. This would explain the Chihuahuas burrowing nature. It likes to
stay under some soft cover. TOP |
| 10. One of a Chihuahuas most noticed traits is
its determination to burrow under blankets, sheets, pillows, etc., most anything soft so
that it can get warm. This is quite normal and common. Many owners have told me that their
Chihuahua will also sleep snuggled up against them and help keep them warm on the coldest
nights! It's actually a mutual benefit if you are one who will let a little dog sleep at
the base of your bed or snuggled against your legs. TOP |
| 11. Young Chihuahuas have a soft spot on their
head that must be watched carefully and not allowed to be injured. This is referred to as
the open fontanel (molera).Larger chis normally lose this open spot when they reach
adulthood. Other common disorders include weak knee or patellar luxation (dislocation of
the knee cap), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Don't be alarmed though. All dog breeds
have a list of things that can become disorders or conditions. Some Chihuahuas have also
been known to perform reverse coughing. This really scared me when my Chihuahua first did
this. However, the pet has a great Vet and was good at explaining the problem letting me
know it was not as bad as it appeared. It's basically that the palate sticks together in
the back or is soft and keeps the dog from breathing well, so the dog clears its throat
and opens the air path. If you chi has experienced this, I'd like to hear about it and
what you first did. Please email me HERE TOP |
| 12. Most Chihuahuas are sociable in the sense
that they interact with their family and mostly with their master. Chihuahuas are
basically shy around other breeds of dogs but recognize and tend to get along with their
own kind. A Chihuahua is not a good pet for a small child who tends to be rough sometimes
with pets. Sometimes, the dog will become intolerable of the toddler. They make excellent
house pets for single people, seniors and most anybody else. The rule of thumb is that the
chi needs plenty of attention and never ending love! TOP |
| 13. Chihuahuas are pretty shy dogs. If they were
raised around a larger dog, it may feel well adjusted and get along ok with the other dog.
Generally however, a Chihuahua gets along well best with its own kind. TOP |
| 14. A Chihuahua is a well adjusted dog. It will
thrive in a family with children - as long as the children have been taught to not
rough-house the dog. Younger children frequently do not understand that picking a dog up
and holding it upside down is painful to the dog. In my opinion, I would wait until the
children are a little older, perhaps (7 or 8 years old) before introducing a Chihuahua
into the family. TOP |
| 15. Purchasing a Chihuahua requires careful
planning and research. Unregistered Chihuahuas can cost $100.00 or more whereas AKC
registered chis can sometimes bring up to $600.00 or more. My advice is to purchase from a
reputable breeder and never from a pet shop at the mall or puppy mill. You'll get a better
quality Chihuahua and a more reasonable price. TOP |
| 16. The AKC standard for the Chihuahua is a
description of what a Chihuahua should look like, its size and appearance and how much it
weighs. The standard includes the following: General Appearance Size, proportion, substance Head Neck, topline, body Forequarters Hindquarters Coat Color Gait Temperament Disqualifications: * Any dog over 6 pounds in weight. * Broken-down or cropped ears. * Cropped tail, bobtail. * In long coats, too thin a coat that resembles bareness. The standards can be found in the following book if you care to purchase it. It is published by the American Kennel Club and typically just includes breed standards: The Complete Dog Book The American Kennel Club, 1997 (19th revised Edition) Howell House Books, Hardback TOP |
| 17. A Chihuahua will go to great pains to get
into the sun or a sunny spot. The sun's warmth really entices the little dog. I have seen
our Chihuahuas find even a tiny ray of sun and lay there until the ray was gone. They'll
also find the heat vents in your home. While they should enjoy some sun, please note that
you still need to be cautious that the dog doesn't get too much sun. TOP |
| 18. If you plan on traveling with your
Chihuahua, you will want to keep a few things in mind. In several states in the U.S.,
there are rabies quarantines. If you are going to bring your pet into or out of a state,
you will need to visit your Vet and get him or her to inspect your dog. The Vet will
provide a document which includes the pets present vaccination record and a statement
about the health of the dog. These documents are usually limited in time frame by a
beginning and ending date - usually the dates of travel. This will also hold true for
airline flights. If you intend to travel with your pet on an airline, I would highly
recommend that you call the airlines well in advance of the flight to reserve a place on
the flight for your pet as flights are usually restricted to one or two pets per flight
maximum. You will also need the health/travel document when you purchase the pets'
tickets. You must usually do that when you check in for the flight. Be sure to have you
pet in an approved pet carrier that will fit nicely under the seat in front of you.
Samsonite makes a fine mesh - carrier with a side pocket for papers, etc. It will open
from the top and one end. Before the flight, familiarize you pet with the carrier. Leave
it open, let your pet walk into it and get comfortable with it. Once the flight day
arrives - you'll be glad you did! You pet will make much less fuss. Our Chihuahua has been
all over the United States in this fashion. On an ending note, I do not recommend your pet
being transported as cargo. Many pets have passed over the Rainbow Bridge with this method
of transport! TOP |
| 19. I think that the best collar for a Chihuahua
is the harness. The Chihuahua is a delicate little dog, although he or she may display a
'big dog' attitude. It is easy for a collar around his neck to cause his/her trachea to
collapse or damage his or her neck. The harness equalizes the restraint on the dog and is
a much better choice, whether you are just going in the back yard, or across the
neighborhood. TOP |
| 20. I personally think house breaking Chihuahuas
is a bigger task than other larger dogs. I have had both and have always had more troubles
with the Chihuahua. Especially with the male. A male likes to mark his territory with
urine. I house broke mine with the following method: At a young age, a put down newspaper
that the dog could go to. I would put this close to a door exit in our home. As a puppy,
when he/she would start to relieve himself/herself, I would pick the puppy up gently and
place him/her on the paper. There were a few instances when I didn't quite make it in
time, so I would have to clean up the puppies urine stains. I usually did this with
vinegar water. It would leave a vinegar-like smell and the puppy or adult dog doesn't like
this much. As the puppy grew a bit older, I would attempt to get the dog outside and would
also supply newspaper. It soon learned what it should do. Occasionally a puppy or dog
will slip and urinate and or defecate in the house. The one thing you do not want to do is
to rub your puppy or dog's nose in that during or after the fact. Your dog is not going to
understand why you would do that and it will make matters worse. Housebreaking takes time
and patience. If you practice these methods, you will soon find you have a trained house
broken pet. TOP |
| 21. Many pet authorities and owners advocate
spaying or neutering your pet. Your pets' health will obviously benefit by this. Some male
Chihuahuas do not "drop" meaning their testicles do not fall to the sac. This
can lead to cancer. Spaying your female can have ultimate health benefits also. There is a
lot of care and nurturing going into your female Chihuahua having little ones, not to
mention the fact that health care costs during the pregnancy could be high and your pets
health could be put into jeopardy. Well known, professional and competent breeders should
be left to breeding. This way, the Chihuahua breed will get better and better. TOP |
| 22. You Chihuahua should have at least a yearly
visit to your Vet for an annual checkup. I recommend at least every 6 months. Ours really
doesn't care much for that Vet! Once I open the door to the clinic, my pet tries to stand
his ground and tells me with that, "I ain't going in there! That man stuck a needle
in my butt last time!". While you are there, make sure that your pet is vaccinated
against the variety of common diseases which your dog could face. Also have the dog tested
for parasites and heart worms. Once it is clear your pet doesn't have heart worms, it is a
must to make sure your dog gets the heart worm maintenance tablets. For a Chihuahua, these
are small and can easily be hidden in a piece of meat. We have used the Interceptor TM
tablets for several years regularly. Our pet has never been positive for heart worms. Sure
a Vet cost money to go to. But our pet, probably like your is a member of our family and
we love that little fellow and want him around a long time! TOP |
| 23. What is a Nyla-Bone? Well, it's a rubber
like chew bone for our pet. Although it is not rubber, it has the feel of soft
plastic/rubber. It has little raised spots that aid the massaging of his gums and teeth.
It helps to keep his teeth and gums healthy! Plus, it is also a toy for your Chihuahua.
Throw it and your pet will have fun going to catch it! Our pet is very possessive of his
nyla bone! These can be purchased at most pet product houses and stores. Ask for it by
name. TOP |
| 24. Showing your dog attention is a must. If I
am away from the den area of our house, our pet will come look for me regularly so that I
will pet him. Attention is a thing that must be balanced out - not too little and not too
much. This is a chore that you will have to learn as your dog will show you. There are
times our chi doesn't want attention and he usually lets me know with a mumble. If he does
need attention however, He usually comes to me and lets me know this. Sadly, there are
some dogs that suffer from loneliness. Don't let this be your dog. If it is, take him or
her to the Vet as there is new found treatment for this. TOP |
| 25. Puppy Mill. The latter is a SAD word. Puppy
mills are where dogs are bred regardless of their health. I would liken it to a
corporation. Either you make money - are you are gone. Usually, females here are bred and
have as many puppies as possible until they can no longer or pregnancy results in death.
You will find these kinds of puppies available at pet shops at malls and some other pet
shops. These pets are usually very expensive but not close to the quality of a pet you
could have if you purchased from a reputable breeder. My advice - please do the Chihuahua
breed a favor by not purchasing from puppy mills. Instead, visit dog shows and find out
the names of local breeders. Check them out thoroughly before purchasing a pet from them. TOP |
| 26. Looking for a name for your pet? There is a
good book on the market that will aid you in determining a name for your new pet. It can
be purchased at: Don't Call Me Rover!! Author: Rita Blockton Avon Books Buy This Book Here TOP |
| 27. Instead of spending a lot of time telling you about adoption resources, I will point you to a good start for adoption information. One of the best places to start is: www.chihuahua-rescue.com. Here, you will find the necessary information to help you decide whether you wish to adopt or not. In addition to this information, please keep in mind that other users here on bigchihuahua.com have also had such experience. You might join the BIGCHI List and ask a question to the list. TOP |
| 28. I will keep the advice to the point here - It is never a good idea to buy a pet through the internet. Avoid these with all costs. If you do see information regarding a dog breeder, he or she may be worth pursuing if they are in your area. We actively promote dog breeders to leave their information here so we can make it readily available to our readers. We feel that dog breeders are much more responsible and the quality of dog you end up with is worth the time you spend locating a reputable breeder. TOP |
| 29. If you want your question posted to this FAQ, just email us! You can find an email link at the bottom of this page. Your questions are always appreciated and important to us! TOP |
| 30. Your best bet to locate local Chihuahua breeders, is to contact the American Kennel Club to locate local club affiliates in your area. From that point, contact the local club and inquire about Chihuahua breeders. Some larger areas, such as the one we are located near (Houston, Texas) do have a Chihuahua Owners club. In the near future, we will be trying to compile a list of reputable dog breeders and hopefully, there will be one listed close to you. You can also request our email FAQ by sending an email to AUTOFAQ@bigchihuahua.com with subject line: AUTOFAQ. It is
more frequently updated. TOP |