Meet The Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog in the world with the heart of a lion.
He comes in as many colours as you can possibly find within the dog world.
Sometimes presenting himself with the much sought after characteristic ruby eyes,
which gleam in certain lights.
This pocket sized little fellow can have a long coat or a smooth coat and only sheds
a minimum of hair around the house.
It is often said that he is an asset to asthma sufferers, which of course has never
been proven, but many swear it is true.
The Chihuahua is an ancient breed and proudly carries a legend as the little holy dog
of the Aztec Indians. The story goes like this: -
When an Aztec Indian Chief died, all his belongings including his little dog were
burnt and that when the Indian crossed the nine deadly rivers of the fearful
underworld. His little Holy dog would be waiting on the farthest bank for his master.
As soon as the little dog recognized him he would swim across the turbulent
waters and guide his masters soul to safety.
The Chihuahua has become more recent legend in the USA where the breed was developed
for exhibition, having been discovered in Mexico from where he got his title, being
named after the state of Chihuahua.
His popularity has grown from strength to strength and fortunately his size has
remained the same for all these years, making him so unique and much sought after.
He has many attributes that appeal to all ages.
- He is a fun maker/comedian, possesses a keen sense of humor and is very cheeky
- He is very affectionate, totally cuddly and loveable
- He is of very independent nature/active/inquisitive
- Loving and loyal to his master and family
- He is a "big" dog in a little body (but he never realizes just how small he
really is)
He does not necessarily greet strangers warmly, however some do. He should be
approached with the same respect you would afford a large dog, as the Chi is totally
unaware of his actual size (or lack of) and has at times certain protective qualities,
which only endear him to his owner even more.
If you are a person with an image deficit and feel the need to make a definite
statement by taking guard dogs for walks, the Chi will try and fit the bill but is
probably not the breed for you. However if you are a lonely soul, his companionship
will certainly liven things up and we guarantee he will always keep you smiling.
The Chihuahua doesn't eat an awful lot, but does require small amounts fairly often
as he is an extrovert and very active for his size. Due to his smallness of body he
burns up energy quicker than most other dogs and needs refueling regularly.
Where is the best place to purchase a Chihuahua and how much should I pay for a
quality Chihuahua is the question? ALWAYS buy from a registered breeder who is a
member of their states controlling canine body and follows a strict code of ethics.
Start by contacting the States controlling body or the Chihuahua Club nearest you.
Ask as many questions as are necessary and if you are still keen to have one….
Put in an order. If there are no puppies available be prepared to wait, as litter
sizes are so small it is quite hard to meet demand. Remember also that a puppy may
well live for 12 to 16 years so be sure of your choice.
Beware of bargains in newspapers and deal only with registered breeders who are
responsible and prepared to guarantee a vet check and inoculations.
View both parents if possible.
You can expect to pay from $1000 to $1500 for a well-bred puppy with no on going
high vet bills.
Having purchased a puppy, it is then up to you to be responsible and liaise with
your breeder and vet, keep your puppy well fed, comfortable, loved and above all
else always keep him warm, remember this is a breed that comes from a hot climate
and he hates cold weather. Chihuahuas should live indoors, and why not? They don't
take up much room and can easily be contained, seek advice from your breeder who
will be delighted to hear from you regarding your puppy's progress.
When you collect your puppy to take home your breeder will give you his pedigree
issued by the canine controlling body in your state, a diet sheet, his inoculation
certificates, worming program and plenty of sensible advice.
If you do decide to purchase a Chihuahua, you have our very best wishes, and we
trust you will grow to love the breed as much as we do.
Reproduced with the kind permission of the author
Mrs. Gloria Rhodes -
Licenced All Breeds Judge & Long time breeder of Toy Poodles & Chihuahuas,
WANTIRNA VIC AUSTRALIA
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