If you love Chihuahuas, of course you'll want to know more about them. These fascinating animals originated in Chihuahua, Mexico and were objects of worship to the ancient Aztecs. The word "chihuahua" means an arid, sandy place and there are actually several types of Chihuahua dogs.
The Chihuahua in part due to their portable size have become quite popular lately and their popularity continues to grow. Although the Chihuahua is known as the smallest of the dog breeds, but what many people don't realize is there are different Chihuahua types. This little powerhouse has a huge heart so don't be fooled by its tiny size!
Chihuahuas come in all sorts of colors, including chocolate, cream, silver, blue, black and fawn. Their heads can be shaped like deer or they can have apple heads. Applehead Chihuahuas have a very round head, a small snout, and close-set eyes. The ones with deer heads have an elongated nose similar to Doberman Pinschers.
The American Kennel Club recognizes long-haired and short-haired types of Chihuahuas. The smooth coat of the short-haired type sheds very little. Their tail is sometimes curved. Long-haired Chihuahuas can have flat or curly hair, and it is quite soft, with extra fluff around the tail and ears.
The terms "teacup" and "mini" when applied to Chihuahuas are merely commercial designations used to try to elicit high prices from the buyer. All Chihuahuas are genetically a toy breed, and breeding to produce the tiniest dog possible is a long-established custom. Don't be fooled into paying more for a Chihuahua merely because of its description.
It's easy to understand why Chihuahuas are the 10th most popular dog in the United States, since they're such an intelligent dog, and fiercely protective of their owners. Standard Chihuahuas today weight six pounds or less, and are six to nine inches tall. The darling tan dog that starred in the Taco Bell commercial is representative of the most popular type of Chihuahua.
If you live in an apartment, you couldn't do better than to get one of these tiny dogs. They are wonderful companions and live a long life, in many cases getting to be 16 years or older. Shorthaired companions may need a little extra warmth, sometimes burrowing under covers to maintain their body heat while asleep. My friend has a Chihuahua that will growl whenever anyone has the audacity to uncover her.
It is believed that Chihuahuas may be the oldest breed of dog to exist in the American continents. A slighter larger breed of Chihuahua existed in the 2nd century BC, and was known as a symbol of the upper class. It was probably bred with miniature Chinese dogs which the Spanish introduced to the New World.
Whichever type of Chihuahua dog you find, you owe it to yourself to think about taking one of these small devoted dogs home with you; you will find them to be entertaining and companionable pets for many years to come. In addition, once you buy one Chihuahua, you will want to get another!
