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"Small Dog Breed Catalog"
Small Dog Breed Catalog: Page 14
of 56
Chihuahua Dog Breed
The Chihuahua is considered to be the world's tiniest dog, weighing
from 2 to 6 pounds. He is perceptive, intelligent, intensely loyal
and passionate, very affordable to keep, and extremely protective of
his house - which makes him an excellent miniature guard dog. And
because he is a tiny dog, he easily gets the approval of many
landlords; therefore, he is the ideal dog to own for those who live in
apartments and small houses.
The adult Chihuahua normally takes a few weeks before he shows his
true personality, which keeps his owner under careful observation.
Some Chihuahuas give their owners an impression that they are shy,
although what they are actually doing is sizing up their owner to see
which one of them is to be the leader in the home.
Brief history: The Chihuahua got its name from the state of Chihuahua
in Mexico where he is believed to be the sacred dog of the Incas.
There is a theory that Chihuahuas were once fierce little dogs that
lived in holes in the ground, which could well account for their
inclination to huddle together in every warm nook and cranny.
Feeding: Chihuahuas only need a small portion of food in each meal.
The requirement of a very small Chihuahua should be 2-3oz of cooked
minced beef of a high-quality brand of dog food, along with a handful
of puppy biscuits. These dogs do best on 2 or 3 small meals rather
than 1 large daily feeding. Bigger sizes Chihuahuas are able to eat
up to ' can (13.3oz size) of high-quality dog food or the equivalent
portion of home-made dog food, and a handful of biscuits.
Exercise requirement: Contrary to what many people believe, the
Chihuahua is ready and able to walk as far as most owners would wish,
though he will not object to an occasional ride in a shopping cart
either. He gets most of his needed exercise from running around
inside the house as he is playing. The fact that he only requires
moderate exercise makes this dog a great choice of pet for the
elderly.
Grooming: The Chihuahua should be groomed using a soft brush. A rub
down with a glove or wet towel makes his coat shine. His nail needs
to be trimmed regularly and the ears need to be kept clean.
Health care: This dog is not as fragile as one might think, but he
does not like the cold and appreciates a thick covering to keep him
warm outdoors. He is absolutely not designed for kennel living. Be
careful with his molera, a small opening on top of the skull. His
molera, unlike that of the human baby, may never fill in and a blow on
the head could be fatal. They also have the tendency to shiver.
Copyright 2006 by Jay Jennings. All rights reserved.
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