Chihuahua Rescues

If it were a perfect world, all Chihuahuas would be loved and taken care of equally, but unfortunately this is not the case. Many of them end up in Chihuahua rescues for a variety of different reasons. Some may be strays found on the streets, others may have been abused or neglected by their owners, and some of them may have just been dropped off by owners who don't think they could handle the responsibility of owning a Chihuahua. However, with all this hardship comes the chance for a start of a new life.

There are many rescues scattered throughout the nation. Some of them specialize in certain dog breeds, such as the Chihuahua. These Chihuahua rescues have a better knowledge and understanding of this complicated dog breed, allowing them to better treat any problems they may have.

Chihuahua rescues can be a great place to adopt a new pet. You may think these Chihuahuas will all be troublemakers given their background, but once you actually visit a Chihuahua rescue, you will see that most of them are gentle, loving creatures.

If you want to adopt a Chihuahua from a rescue, do an online search for a Chihuahua rescue near your residence. Take a visit there and ask the staff there about the Chihuahuas. They will be more than happy to help match you with a Chihuahua of your choice. Remember to ask important questions, such as how old are they, where they came from, and if they have had their shots.

Believe it or not, many Chihuahua rescues are kept in foster homes. This basically means volunteers allow the Chihuahuas to stay in their home so they can give them better attention and care. Usually Chihuahuas in foster homes are more likely be trained than those who aren't. This is because they are being trained not to potty in the house, and not to destroy things while they are in foster care.

Before taking in your adopted Chihuahua, make sure you have everything they will need. This can be food, blankets, toys, and a crate. When you first bring them into your house, you have them sleep in their crate at nighttime to help prevent any potty accidents from happening.

If this is your first time ever owning a Chihuahua, you need to make sure you have a safe home for him. Take away anything your new Chihuahua could possibly hurt themselves with. Things such as chemicals, pesticides, and other toxins should be stored out of reach from any pets. Remember, Chihuahuas are tiny and poisons will affect them more than larger dogs.

The best part of adopting a Chihuahua rescue is that you are giving them another chance at a better life. Chihuahuas rely on us to keep them healthy and safe, and if you give them love, they will return it to you. I have rescued three Chihuahuas in my life, and I think of them as family now. So, visit your Chihuahua rescue today and you may find a new best friend you thought you would never have.

roosterbob

Is The Chihuahua The Perfect Dog For You?

If you want a dog that is loyal, lively, intelligent and you can carry around in your pocket than the Chihuahua might be for you!

This tiny dog that originates from Mexico was actually introduced to the rest of the world by the Chinese. It Can weigh under 2 1/2 pounds and is one of the smallest breed of dogs. Thought to be a sacred dog of pre-Colombian Indians this breed is fiercely loyal and bonds with his owner.

These little dogs can come in almost any color combination and are often seen in a tan and black combination, fawn and brown. One of the more desirable colors is chocolate which is a dark milk chocolate color and they can also be a chestnut color, silver color or a blue as well as multicolored. This dog has a short stout body with a round apple shaped head the dark eyes and the large years that stand erect. One of the interesting aspects of Chihuahua puppies is that their skull plates do meet leaving a hole called a molera. This will eventually closes by the time they become adults but you will need to be careful with your Chihuahua puppy.

The Chihuahua is energetic and loving. Chihuahuas are often seen licking their owners face and while they love to give affection they also love to receive it. Most Chihuahuas will bond with their owner and be wary of strangers and other animals. If you want your Chihuahua to get along good with people and animals you should socialize him from an early age and be sure he's handled by lots of people. Chihuahuas do seem to like other Chihuahuas however, so if you want more than one pet you might consider getting two Chihuahuas! As you might imagine Chihuahuas need to be weary of other moving objects as they are so tiny and can easily be hurt. For this reason Chihuahuas and small children are not a good mix. The Chihuahua, although he may seem feisty, is very delicate and can easily hurt by a small child that doesn't know any better.

Although Chihuahuas are very smart they may be a little difficult to train especially when it comes to housebreaking. Many owners simply paper train them or you could use a dog litter box as they are tiny enough to make this worthwhile. But being as they are intelligent they can learn many tricks and obedience if you take the time to train them with positive reinforcement. Chihuahuas, or any dog for that matter, do not respond well to yelling and hitting and this should never be used as a method of training.

The Chihuahua can be a bit noisy and is also aggressive even for its tiny size. As you can imagine a larger dog may seem very threatening to your tiny Chihuahua but he will stand up to it with great courage. Therefore you should protect your Chihuahua from such threats even if the other dog is friendly.

Although Chihuahuas are tiny and they do make good apartment pets they do need some exercise. Playing with your Chihuahua and taking him for a walk will help him remain fit and in good health. When walking your Chihuahua it's best to use a harness as opposed to a collar said their tiny wind pipes can become crushed with a collar. Just remember, if it is cold out, please dress your Chihuahua in a sweater as these dogs do not take well to the cold.

Chihuahuas are long-lived for small dogs and can live up to 15 years with the proper care. Since their eyes are large care needs to be taken that they don't become damaged and Chihuahuas can also be prone to glaucoma and dryness of the eyes. Due to a short snout the Chihuahua can also be wheezy. You also need to be careful with these tiny dogs that you do not overfeed them and you do not feed them anything that is toxic as a little teeny bit of chocolate or fertilizer or anything toxic can have drastic results. Not to mention that a little bit of overfeeding can result in an overweight and unhealthy dog.

The short coated dogs are easy to groom and care for and shed very little. You should brush your Chihuahua every week or so and give him a bath to keep them smelling great. Make sure to give your dog the appropriate vet care including yearly checkups and immunizations and you will have a loyal and affectionate friend for many years to come.

Lee Dobbins

The Chihuahua Becomes Popular!

When Xavier Cugat, the rumba king, appeared with his Chihuahuas in movies and on television in the late 1930s and 1940s the Chihuahua breed received great exposure and became quite popular.

Because of the Chihuahua's exposure in movies and television, the Chihuahua began one of the most meteoric rises in numbers of any breed in American Kennel Club history. The Chihuahua reached its peak in 1964 and became the third most popular breed in the United States. About a century after its discovery, the Chihuahua became one of the most recognizable breeds. The AKC now registered an average of 40,000 Chihuahuas each year. Both long and short haired Chihuahuas are popular as lap dogs around the world.

For many people Chihuahua is the only dog for them. However, Chihuahuas are not for everyone. Chihuahuas can be quite challenging.

Size of the Chihuahua

For many people the size of a dog is most important. The Chihuahua's small size makes it convenient for matters such as space, food bills, grooming and exercise. However, small dogs don't make effective protection dogs, they run underfoot and people can easily trip over them. They can be easily injured by falling objects, larger dogs, and wild children. They are more susceptible to cold weather, missed meals and certain health problems. They are, however, extra cute dressed in t-shirts, coats, dresses, shirts and just about any kind of clothing on the dog market today.

Chihuahuas are not a good choice for homes filled with children or heavy-footed adults. Chihuahuas cannot live outdoors. They cannot withstand cold weather and need a lot of companionship with humans. Even long coated Chihuahuas cannot cope with cold weather.

Temperament of the Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are intelligent, willing to please and make trustworthy companions. They are one-family or one-person dogs. They can become devoted to the point of becoming "clingy." They are definitely lap dogs. The Chihuahua can be bold and quick witted. Watch out for intruder's ankles who trespass with the Chihuahua's approval. Expose your Chihuahua to visitors at an early age so they will learn to accept them graciously. Chihuahuas are usually "barkers." They usually bond well with other Chihuahua housemates. They are among the most devoted of all dogs. They bond deeply with their family forming a lifelong commitment to their people. It can be particularly devastating to a Chihuahua to be uprooted from loved ones. Do not get a Chihuahua unless you plan on keeping him for a lifetime.

Connie Limon

Chihuahua And Choosing The Right One for you

Everyone is surely going to get excited when trying to select a Chihuahua. Truly a man's best friend, you can rely on your Chihuahua in giving you company, cuddling up together and some can even guard your house. You need to review your personal lifestyle and needs when adopting a Chihuahua. It is a major decision whether or not you would choose to have a puppy or an adult as a pet. Before deciding on which Chihuahua to adopt, here is some useful information that might help you decide.

About Chihuahua Puppies

• Bringing up a Chihuahua puppy is an advantage because this means that you would guide its growth and well being. You would have the chance to raise it up according to what you want. This means you can ensure that it is properly nurtured with the right dog food, ensure that necessary dog shots are given and prevent heartworm at this early stage. Having your Chihuahua puppy personally trained is also a plus since you can teach him exactly what you want.

• You should adopt a Chihuahua puppy when it is at least 10 weeks old. Chihuahua puppies need a lot of time to be cared for by their mothers. This is a crucial stage for them. They somehow gain a psychological advantage for both Chihuahua puppy and for the mother Chihuahua as well.

• A Chihuahua puppy can easily adjust to new surroundings as compared to an adult Chihuahua. Although most Chihuahua puppies may cause minimal to major damage to your personal stuff while they are in the stage of teething. They need to be housebroken and house training needs a lot of time, effort and patience from the owner.

• There is no assurance of what a Chihuahua puppy would look like when it gets old. Also, his temperament might change when he grows up.

• Most pet owners love how Chihuahua puppies can be entertaining. They are very cute and adorable pets that is a hit for both children and grown ups. Chihuahua puppies can be easily regarded as one of the family.

About an adult Chihuahua

• You would have less of a fuss taking care of an adult Chihuahua. They already have this established behavior that you can easily adopt too. By being with the adult Chihuahua more often, you would have more or less an idea of what its temperament is.

• You need to get as much information that you can when adopting an adult Chihuahua. Take note of its habits and mood swings. You can acquire information from the previous owners of the Chihuahua. Some adult Chihuahuas may have some behavior issues. It is important to take note of them.

• It may take some time and effort for an adult Chihuahua to be completely comfortable with a new owner.

• Take note that you need to introduce an adult Chihuahua to your children and other household members. This would help the Chihuahua be familiar with them and helps them refrain from biting or barking thinking that they maybe strangers.

• Adult Chihuahuas may not need your full attention unlike Chihuahua puppies need and would require lesser trips to the veterinary.

• For a fully grown Chihuahua, physique and behavior is basically not a variable anymore. What you see is basically what you get.

• Most adult Chihuahuas are housebroken already so they would cause lesser damage to your belongings and don't wake up at night like most puppies do. Usually, they have grown out of the impulse of chewing things.

• An older Chihuahua can easily adapt to other pets, like other dogs or cats, if you have a group of them at your household.

Selecting a Chihuahua is not an easy task. Everyone loves sweet looking Chihuahua puppies, but not everyone can stand up to the tiresome house training. Though most would appreciate the bonding shared with them.

Adult Chihuahuas need no great amount of guidance but can still turn out to be a lovable pet. Whichever you think is the right pet for you, just keep in mind that taking care of them requires a lot of time and effort. In return, they would always keep you company and has ready smile with an excited wag of tail waiting for you everyday.

John Williams

Different Types of Chihuahuas and Their Details

Applehead, Appleheaded, Appledome, Apple-dome, Apple Chihuahuas: The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a baby Chihuahua's head. The dome of the skull is broader than the jaw, giving rise to the description "applehead". It takes into account that the top of the head has a slight depression. This depression is called a molera (Spanish for fontanel) and corresponds to the "soft spot" on a baby's head. Some Chis have it--some don't.

This is a "normal" Chihuahua. Applehead or Appledome refer to the 90 degree rise off the nose (muzzle) of the forehead. A Chihuahua will often have protruded eyes. These are features of a "standard" Chihuahua. A Chihuahua with a sloping forehead will often have eyes that are more recessed. Some people prefer this "look", but technically it is not a preferred genetic trait because it does not adhere to the standard as established by the AKC. As with all purebred dogs, a Chihuahua "quality" is measured against a standard... This "quality" refers to the quality of the genes, not the physical health on the Chihuahua. Oftentimes these unique characteristics make some Chihuahuas more or less expensive.

Deer head , Deer Chihuahuas: A deer chihuahua has a sloped forehead... not an "apple-dome", a 90 degree angle off the bridge of the nose... a deer chihuahua may also have deer-like slender, delicate paws... making them look like little deer. I've only seen it in smoothcoats, but I suppose there's no reason it couldn't occur in longcoats. Some folks prefer this look, although it does not represent the "Chihuahua Standard".

Teacup Chihuahuas: NOBODY HAS TEACUPS!!! They is no such thing! "Teacup" is a marketing term... it is a cute name used to sway your dollars... that's it. Small sized Chihuahuas are actually called teacup Chihuahuas - but there is no such breed in reality.Many backyard breeders specifically breed these small sized Chihuahuas and name them as Teacup Chihuahuas - and sell them at premium prices. But it has been seen, because of their tiny size, these small sized Chihuahuas are even more fragile and suffer from various genetic problems.

Tricolor Chihuahuas: They are so called because of 3 colors present in their coat.

Long Coat Chihuahuas: As the name suggests, they have a long coat. Some people believe that these long-coated Chihuahuas are a bit more reserved than the smooth coat ones. They are also called Long Hair Chihuahuas.

Smooth Coat Chihuahuas: They have short hairs. They are also called Short Hair Chihuahuas.

Nancy Richards