The Chihuahua (help· info) is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where it was discovered in 1850.^[1] The American Kennel Club registered its first Chihuahua in 1905.^[1] Chihuahua refers to: a city in northern Mexico: Chihuahua (city) the state of the same name: Chihuahua (state) the breed of dog that originated there: the Chihuahua (dog) a desert in that state: Chihuahua Desert a type of cheese: Chihuahua (cheese) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 561 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1505 × 1608 pixel, file size: 2. ... Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) (English, World Canine Organization), is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium. ... © The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. ... The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) is the peak body in Australia responsible for promoting excellence in breeding, showing, trialling, obedience, and other canine-related activities and the ownership of temperamentally and physically sound purebred dogs by responsible individuals across Australia. ... The Canadian Kennel Club (or C.K.C.) is the primary registry body for purebred dog pedigrees in Canada. ... The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom is a club aiming to improve the relationships between dogs and their owners. ... The New Zealand Kennel Club is an organisation responsible for dog pedigree registration services in New Zealand. ... The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. ... Image File history File links Chihuahua-pronounciation. ... A breed is a domesticated subspecies or infrasubspecies of an animal. ... Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domestic subspecies of the wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. ... This article is about the state in Mexico; for the city of Chihuahua, see: Chihuahua. ... © The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. ...

Appearance

Chihuahuas are best known for their large eyes, their large, erect ears, and for being the smallest of all dog breeds. The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes two varieties of Chihuahua: the long-coat and the smooth-coat.^[2] © The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. ...

Hair

In the chihuahua there are two types of hair, long-haired and short-haired, also referred to as smooth coat. They are genetically the same breed, and are often present in the same litter, though in many kennel clubs, including the AKC, they are judged in separate categories. The term smooth coat does not mean that the hair is necessarily smooth as the hair can range from having a velvet touch to a whiskery feeling. Long-haired chihuahuas are actually smoother to the touch having a very soft, fine gaurd hairs and a downy undercoat, which gives them their fluffy appearance. Unlike many 'long haired' breeds long-haired chihuahuas require no trimming and minimal grooming. Contrary to popular belief they also typically shed less than their short-haired counterparts. In long-haired chihuahuas it may take up to two or more years before a full long hair coat develops.

Standards

Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height, only a weight and a description of their overall proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between 6 and 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) at the withers. However, some dogs grow as tall as 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm). AKC show dogs (American standard) must weigh no more than 6.0 lb (2.7 kg).^[2] The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and 3.0 kg (3.3 to 6.6 lb), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring.^[3] However, pet-quality Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions rather than show dogs) can, and do, range above these weights, to 10 pounds (4.5 kg), or even more if they have large bone structures or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean, however, that they are not purebred Chihuahuas, it only means that they do not meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversize Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best, and worst, bloodlines. The withers is the highest point on an animals back, on the ridge between its shoulder blades. ... An American Cocker Spaniel show dog with its ears wrapped in preparation for showing A show dog is a purebred dog that is displayed at conformation dog shows to determine how well it conforms to established breed standards. ... Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) (English, World Canine Organization), is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium. ... This article is about animals kept for companionship. ... In a conformation show, judges familiar with specific dog breeds evaluate individual dogs for how well they conform to published breed standards. ...

Colors

A tricolor Chihuahua

The AKC Chihuahua standard] lists under color: "Any color-Solid, marked or splashed".^[2] This allows for all colors from solid blacks to solid whites, spotted, or a variety of other colors and patterns. A few examples are Fawn, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Blue, and Black. Image File history File linksMetadata Misterthemodel2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Misterthemodel2. ...

Patterns, all with or without white markings, include:

• Sable
• Irish spotting
• Piebald spotting
• Extreme white spotting
• Brindle
• Masks
• Merle
• Tan points

Classifying Chihuahua colors can be complicated due to the large number of possibilities. Examples would be a Blue Brindle or a Chocolate and Tan. Colors and patterns can combine and affect each other, resulting in a very high degree of variation. That said, the classic Chihuahua color remains Fawn. No color or pattern is considered more valuable than the others. Although blue is considered rare, it is all just a matter of personal preference. Galgo Español with light brindle coat This article concerns animal colour. ... Blue merle Border Collie puppy Merle is a colour combination in dogs’ coats. ...

Sizes

Although such terms as "teacup," "pocket size," "tiny toy," "miniature," and "standard" have been used to describe different-sized Chihuahuas, the Chihuahua Club of America issued a statement stressing that these descriptions are misleading. Their statement reads:

"Unfortunately, the additional adjectives used to describe the size differences and physical appearances are many and have been misused for so long they now seem legitimate. Teacup, Pocket Size, Tiny Toy, Miniature or Standard - are just a few of the many tags and labels that have been attached to this breed over the years. The Chihuahua Club of America is concerned that these terms may be used to entice prospective buyers into thinking that puppies described in this way are of greater monetary value. They are not and the use of these terms is incorrect and misleading."^[4]

As such, the Chihuahua Club of America and the American Kennel Club only recognizes two types of Chihuahuas - the Long-haired and the Short-haired Chihuahua. Please refer to Chihuahua Club of America Teacup Statement to read the entire release.

Temperament

Chihuahuas and Great Danes.

Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity and personality. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1946x1589, 927 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chihuahua (dog) Great Dane Introduction to evolution Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1946x1589, 927 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chihuahua (dog) Great Dane Introduction to evolution Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital... The Great Dane is a breed of dog known for its giant size and gentle personality. ...

Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament and tendency to bite when frightened. It is recommended that children be school aged or older before adding a Chihuahua to one's home. Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. This can be mitigated through socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs. A family posing for a group photo socializes together. ...

Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury.^[5]

Health

Overfeeding a Chihuahua can be a grave danger to the small dog's health, shortening their life and leading to diabetes.^[6]

This breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders. Image File history File links ChihuahuaPetey. ... Image File history File links ChihuahuaPetey. ... This article is about epileptic seizures. ...

Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also prone to the sometimes painful disease Hydrocephalus. It is often diagnosed by the puppy having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable (since "a large head" is such a broad description). Chihuahua puppies exhibiting Hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets rather than a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of Hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim.

Chihuahuas are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. The Chihuahua Club of America has issued a statement regarding this often deadly misdiagnosis [1]. A molera is a hole in a Chihuahuas head; it is the same as a fontanelle in human babies. ...

Chihuahuas can also be at risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma. Chihuahuas are also prone to eye infections due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance. Chihuahuas also have a tendency to tremble but this is not a health issue, rather it takes place when the dog is stressed or excited. One reason for this may be because small dogs have a higher metabolism than larger dogs and therefore dissipate heat faster. Although figures often vary, as with any breed, the average lifespan for a Chihuahua is approximately 8 to 18 years of age.

Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters, and care must be taken to provide them with adequate nutrition. At the same time, care must be exercised not to overfeed this tiny breed. Overweight Chihuahuas are prone to joint injuries, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and shortened life span.

Clubs

A long-haired Chihuahua.

Because Chihuahuas are such a popular breed, there have been clubs created for them. These clubs talk about the breed, host competitions, etc. Sometimes they have information on adoption for members. A couple of clubs are ones such as the Chihuahua Club of America, (CCA) or the British Chihuahua Club, the latter formed in 1947.^[7] Also, online forums have been made about these dogs. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Famous and Fictional Chihuahuas

• Bruiser (real name: Moonie), Elle Woods' companion in the Legally Blonde movies.
• Ducky, who was named the World's Smallest Living Dog by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007. (Ducky succeeded Danka Kordak of Slovakia, a Chihuahua who measured 5.4 inches tall.)^[8]
• Coco, the dog featured on the television series Dog Whisperer and owned by Cesar Millan.[2]
• Coco, Donna Cabonna´s dog from the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven.
• Lou, a chihuahua featured on the television show The Soup.
• Madame Shirley the Medium is an old-fortune teller chihuahua featured in a TV Show Cartoon, Courage the Cowardly Dog.
• Mimi, Sharon Osbourne's chihuahua.
• Nunu, the "demon chihuahua" who was featured in the Dog Whisperer pilot episode. [3]
• Pepito, Xavier Cugat's chihuahua immortalized in the children's book Pepito the Little Dancing Dog: The Story of Xavier Cugat's Chihuahua.
• Ren Höek, of Ren and Stimpy fame.
• The Spooky Chihuahua from Invader Zim.
• The Taco Bell chihuahua.
• Tinkerbell Hilton and Bambi, companions of Paris Hilton. Tinkerbell is the "author" of "Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries".
• Tito from Oliver & Company.
• Geraldo, Max Shreck's chihuahua in Batman Returns.
• Wheely Willy, a paraplegic chihuahua from Long Beach, California who has become a celebrity as the subject of two bestselling children's books.
• Mammoth Mutt from Krypto the Superdog.
• Sam Witwicky's chihuahua Mojo from Transformers.

Legally Blonde is a 2001 comedy film starring Reese Witherspoon, produced by Marc E. Platt for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios and directed by Robert Luketic. ... Legally Blonde is a 2001 comedy film starring Reese Witherspoon, produced by Marc E. Platt for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios and directed by Robert Luketic. ... The Guinness Book of Records (or in recent editions Guinness World Records, and in previous US editions Guinness Book of World Records) is a book published annually, containing an internationally recognized collection of superlatives: both in terms of human achievement and the extrema of the natural world. ... Cesar Millan (born August 27, 1969) is a professional dog trainer (although in his words, he rehabilitates dogs, trains people). He is best known for his television series, Dog Whisperer, which is beginning its fourth season (Sept. ... Information Date of birth June 14, 1967 ) Episode count 7 Portrayed by Anne-Marie Johnson Donna Evana Cabonna (born June 14, 1967) is a fictional world renowned fashion designer on the Disney Channel Original Series Thats So Raven. ... Disney Channel is known for its original series. ... Thats So Raven is an American Emmy Award-nominated[1] sitcom television series broadcast on the Disney Channel. ... The Soup is an E! Entertainment Television weekly series. ... Courage the Cowardly Dog is an award-winning American animated television series, created by John R. Dilworth, who directed each episode, about a dog named Courage and his owners Muriel Bagge, a kindly old Scottish woman, and Eustace Bagge, a grumpy old farmer, living together in a farmhouse in the... Sharon Rachel Osbourne (née Levy, previously Arden; born 9 October 1952) is an English music manager and promoter, television personality and presenter. ... Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra 1952 Film featurette - Universal Studios Francesc dAsís Xavier Cugat Mingall de Bru i Deulofeu (1 January 1900 – 27 October 1990) was a Catalan-Cuban bandleader whom many consider to have had more to do with the infusion of Latin music into United States... Ren and Stimpy are the eponymous characters of two cartoon television series created by Canadian animator John Kricfalusi. ... // Main characters Zim Zim in a typical pose Main article: Zim (Invader Zim) Zim is a short, green, almost stereotypical looking alien from the planet Irk. ... Invader Zim is an award-winning American animated television series created by alternative cartoonist Jhonen Vasquez that was aired on and produced by Nickelodeon. ... The Taco Bell chihuahua. ... Tinkerbell (born October 31, 2002 in Athens, Greece) is the pet Chihuahua of Paris Hilton. ... Paris Whitney Hilton (born February 17, 1981) is an American celebrity and socialite. ... Oliver & Company is a 1988 animated feature film that was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. ... Christopher Walken as Max Shreck in 1992s Batman Returns. ... Batman Returns is a 1992 superhero thriller film based on the Batman character created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. ... Book cover for How Willy got his Wheels Willy (born circa 1991) is a paraplegic chihuahua from Long Beach, California who has become a celebrity as the subject of two bestselling childrens books. ... Krypto the Superdog Krypto the Superdog is an animated television series produced by DC Comics & Warner Bros. ...

External links

• Chihuahua Club of America
• British Chihuahua Club
• Video of the Taco Bell Chihuahua
• UK Chihuahuas
• AKC Chihuahua page
• Chihuahua Rescue & Transport

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ...

References