Fun Facts About Chihuahuas

Chihuahua Appreciation Day is coming up on May 14th. These tiny dogs have some big hearts, and plenty of devoted fans. A vet lists some fun facts about the Chihuahua below.

Namesake

The Chihuahua is originally from Mexico, and is named after the Mexican state Chihuahua. These devoted little pups have been around for a very long time; they were around in pre-Columbian times, and were even kept by Aztecs. In fact,16th-century conquistadors noted seeing a lot of small dogs with thin coats.

Colors

These pint-sized pups can wear almost any fur color, and can sport a variety of cute patterns, including solid, splashed, or marked. There is an exception here, though; the merle coloring is no longer officially allowed by many professional breed associations. This is because the genetics responsible for those pretty coats has been linked to serious health problems, such as hearing and vision issues.

They Can Be Feisty

Don’t let your canine pal’s size (or lack thereof) make you think that training isn’t important. Many Chihuahuas sometimes get a bit of a Napoleon complex, and seem to see themselves as much larger than they are. Some are even aggressive. Even the tiniest dogs need to learn proper manners.

AKC Welcome

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds out there. According to breed standards, they should weigh no more than 6 pounds, though it’s not uncommon for some to be a little bigger than that. Although Chihuahuas are a fairly ancient breed, they were fairly rare in the States until the early 1900’s. They were officially welcomed into the ranks of the AKC way back in 1904. Since then, Fido has proven to be quite popular, and consistently makes the AKC’s list of top 20 breeds. 

Personality

This is one area where Fido really shines. Like many other small dogs, Chihuahuas are super affectionate, and absolutely love to snuggle up with their humans. These guys can often be found curled up in their owners’ laps. 

Longevity

Chihuahuas can be quite long-lived, and can get up to age 20 with proper care. That’s quite old for a dog! Make sure you are ready for a long term commitment! 

Workouts

Fido is quite playful, and is often very energetic. However, that doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of time walking your canine friend. Fido can get a good workout in just by running around the house on those little legs!

As your local animal clinic, we’re here to help. Contact us anytime!