Chihuahua

The Chihuahua ranks among the smallest dog breeds anywhere in the world. A typical adult tips the scales at under 6 lb and stands somewhere between 5 and 8 inches at the shoulder. For all that, the breed carries itself with a bold, alert confidence that catches out anyone expecting a timid lapdog.

Chihuahuas attach themselves fiercely to their people, and it is common for a dog to settle on one favourite in the household. They keep a sharp eye on anything unfamiliar and will bark to say so, which makes them surprisingly good little watchdogs. Two coat types exist, smooth and long, and the breed appears in a huge range of colours.

Their size makes Chihuahuas a natural fit for flats and smaller homes. They get by on far less space and exercise than a bigger dog would need, though they still need a daily walk, some training and regular company to stay settled and confident.

Who suits a Chihuahua

A Chihuahua suits someone after a small, portable companion who can offer it consistent time and attention. It is a sound choice for apartment or flat dwellers, people living alone, and older owners who want a dog with modest exercise needs. Households with very young children are less suitable, since the breed is delicate and can be hurt by rough handling.

Most agree the Chihuahua is a native Mexican breed, most likely descended from the Techichi, a small companion dog kept by central Mexican peoples long before Europeans arrived. Carvings and pottery from these cultures depict small dogs with features close to today's Chihuahua.

The breed's name comes from the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Around the mid-19th century, American visitors are said to have bought small dogs from the region, and interest in the type spread once they were brought north.

The American Kennel Club registered its first Chihuahua in 1904, a step that helped settle the breed standard and build its popularity in the United States. The earliest registered dogs were mostly smooth-coated, with the long-coated variety recognised later on.

By the middle of the 20th century the Chihuahua had become one of the most popular toy breeds in North America, and it has stayed a fixture in Ireland too: the Irish Kennel Club (IKC), the national registry for pedigree dogs here, lists the Chihuahua among its recognised toy breeds. Both coat varieties are judged to the same standard, differing only in coat length.

The Chihuahua has a small, well-balanced body, slightly longer than it is tall. Its defining feature is the apple-shaped head with a clear stop, set off by large, fully erect ears and round, expressive eyes. The tail is moderately long and carried up or curled over the back.

Coat and colours

The smooth coat lies close to the body, soft and glossy. The long coat is soft too, flat or slightly wavy, with feathering on the ears, legs and tail. Colour is unrestricted under the standard, so dogs turn up in fawn, black, white, chocolate, cream, blue and countless combinations, including merle in some registries. Coat type has no bearing on temperament, only on how much grooming a dog needs.

The Chihuahua is deeply affectionate and fiercely loyal, and it often singles out one favourite person to stick close to. Within the family it is playful and devoted. Around strangers it tends to be guarded and will bark to announce a visitor, which keeps it alert but occasionally a bit noisy for the neighbours.

Confidence runs through the breed, sometimes to the point where a Chihuahua will square up to a dog many times its size. Early socialisation goes a long way towards softening that suspicion and cutting down on nervy or snappy behaviour. Around other pets, a well-socialised Chihuahua can settle in fine, although it often prefers the company of its own kind.

With children, the breed does best around gentle, older kids who understand how fragile it is. Rough or sudden handling can frighten a Chihuahua and provoke a defensive nip.

Grooming

• Brush a smooth coat weekly and a long coat two to three times a week to stop it tangling.
• Bath the dog about once a month, or when it is dirty, using a mild dog shampoo.
• Trim nails every two to three weeks, as small dogs often do not wear them down naturally.
• Brush teeth several times a week, since toy breeds are prone to dental disease.
• Check and clean the large ears regularly to keep wax from building up.

Exercise

• Aim for 20 to 30 minutes of activity a day, split into short bursts.
• Indoor play and short walks cover most of what the dog needs.
• Go easy in very hot or cold weather, given how little body mass the dog carries.
• Fit a harness rather than a collar, to protect the delicate windpipe.

Environment

The Chihuahua suits apartment living and smaller homes well. It feels the cold fast, and Ireland's damp, cool climate is a real change from the warm conditions the breed comes from in Mexico, so a jumper on winter walks and a warm bed indoors make a real difference. The breed likes to stay close to its owner and does not cope well with being left alone for long stretches.

The Chihuahua's metabolism runs fast for its size, and the breed can be prone to low blood sugar, particularly as a puppy. Pick a complete food made for small or toy breeds, with kibble small enough to chew comfortably. Measure portions carefully, because even a small amount of overfeeding shows up as weight gain on such a tiny frame.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to roughly 10 percent of daily calories at most. Small training treats, or a few pieces of the dog's own kibble held back from its meal, work well. Most Chihuahuas on a complete diet need no supplements, though a vet may recommend dental or joint support for individual dogs. Fresh water should be available at all times.

The Chihuahua is on the whole a healthy, long-lived breed, typically reaching 14 to 16 years of age. Most of its health risks trace back to its small size: crowded teeth, a fragile skeleton, and a tendency toward low blood sugar in young or particularly small dogs. Responsible breeding and routine veterinary care keep most of these risks in check.

Preventive care

• Book an annual check-up with the vet, moving to twice a year for older dogs.
• Keep up routine dental cleaning alongside daily care at home.
• Stay current on vaccinations and parasite prevention.
• Hold a healthy weight to protect the joints and heart.
• Buy from breeders who screen their dogs for patella and heart conditions.

The Chihuahua is a bright little dog, capable of picking up a good range of commands and tricks. It can also be strong-willed, and many owners find housetraining the slowest part of raising one, partly because such a small bladder needs frequent trips outside. Short, consistent sessions and a clear routine bring the best results. Since the breed can turn timid or sharp under pressure, harsh corrections tend to backfire, making a dog more fearful or snappy rather than better behaved.

Basics

1. Start socialisation early, introducing people, sounds and other dogs gently.
2. Set a fixed toileting schedule and reward every success outside.
3. Teach name recognition and a reliable recall.
4. Practise sit, stay and come in short five-minute sessions.
5. Get the dog used to calm handling, so vet visits and grooming stay stress-free.
6. Discourage excessive barking by rewarding quiet rather than reacting to the noise.

Breeding Chihuahuas takes care, since the breed's small size raises the risk of a difficult birth. Females can reach sexual maturity within their first year, but responsible breeders hold off until a bitch is fully physically mature and has cleared health screening for patella and heart conditions before any mating goes ahead.

Gestation runs to about 63 days, and litters tend to be small, commonly one to three pups. Narrow pelvic dimensions in some lines mean a caesarean section comes up more often in this breed than in larger dogs, so veterinary supervision around the due date matters.

Newborn pups are tiny and vulnerable to chilling and low blood sugar. They need a warm, draught-free whelping area, frequent nursing and close monitoring of weight gain. Pups should stay with the dam until at least eight weeks old, with gentle early handling to help socialisation along.

How to register a Chihuahua in Ireland

A dog warden with a scanner can only follow the record, and a Chihuahua whose record is current is home the same day. Register your dog free with United Pet Club: your contact details, his photo, and his chip number together on one profile that never lapses and never bills you.

The implant is the vet's job; the record is down to you, and the 2015 rules assume you'll keep it current. Register the microchip free on the lifetime plan: whatever brand the vet reached for is grand, a house move costs nothing to record, and the number stays searchable day and night. Create your free account and have the pair of jobs done before the tea goes cold.