The Chihuahua as a Pet

Many people want small-size dogs for various reasons, including the cute factor. The smaller the cuter? If you are considering the pint-sized chihuahua here are some things you should know about them.The chihuahua hails from Mexico, which is probably quite obvious.They come in long- and short-haired versions.They have big bat ears that aid in ridding the chihuahua of excess body heat.These huge ears are flat when they are pups and then stand erect. There is a theory, according to Animal Planet, that the chihuahua's ancestors were a wild Mexican fox instead of the traditional wolf heritage. This is not a proven fact but, it is a reasonable theory.

The chihuahua is not for small children. They are very fragile, even if they don't know it themselves! Also an important note on this breed is the fact that they tend to bond with only one person, which is not to say it can't be a family pet but he is more for the one person who wants "a baby" to spoil rotten! Also important is their training. Training a chihuahua is quite easy if started at a young age and quite hard if only started later.

This breed can be protective of his owner or the one he has bonded with. They think they are big dogs but, must be protected from dangers. Never leave him outside alone or he may become a large bird's dinner! This is basically a fragile but healthy breed that lives 15-20 years. However they are prone to obesity because of owners' tendencies to overfed these adorable little dogs!They do best in warm climates and are sensitive to weather.

By AKC standards the chihuahua, as the world's smallest dog, should be between 2 and 6 pounds. Shedding is very minimal and grooming is a piece of cake.These little dogs love to be pampered and carried around.They want to be the center of attention. He gets enough exercise around the house and yard but will enjoy outings as well.