What Were Chihuahuas Bred For?
What were Chihuahuas bred for?
In theory, the Chihuahua was bred for hunting and used as a companion.
The Chihuahua received its name because it is from Mexico and its original homeland was in the state of Chihuahua. The breed originated there in what is now Mexico City.
The Aztecs, who lived in modern-day Mexico over 500 years ago, had a dog they called Techichi. A now extinct dog breed and ancestor of the Chihuahua. And so began the history of one of our beloved breeds.
They were also used for rodent control by Native Americans living on the American continent before European Colonization (1492). As a result, they are the most popular breed in both Mexico and the USA.
Chihuahua is a Mexican breed of dog still popular within the United States. This dog breed is also relatively small, so it may be the perfect size for someone who lives in an apartment or small house.
The Chihuahua is often believed to be an ancient breed, dating back thousands of years; however, this has never been substantiated. Theories about its origins range from being descended from a now-extinct race of dogs or that it descended specifically from the Techichi. Its meaning has also been variously claimed to come from “chí-Hua-hui” or simply “Mexican dog.”
One of the earliest written accounts of the Chihuahua was from American traveler and writer John Russell Bartlett, who wrote in 1852: “The smallest size is a large rat-dog, weighing some four pounds; it is a lively, playful creature… There are several varieties of this celebrated dog: the common long-tailed one… is the most elegant of the kind, being very lively and playful…”
The first written description of what is now known as a Chihuahua came from Hernán Cortés, who arrived in New Spain (Mexico) during the Spanish conquest in 1519. His secretary mentioned the Mexican Techichi dog in his journal.
The first illustrations of Chihuahuas (then spelled with a “u”) were in an 1874 book entitled ‘Costumes Historiques des Peuples Civilisés du Mexique et de l’Amérique Centrale’. These images depicted the Mexican Techichi dogs and were assumed to be two different breeds, the Techichi and a Chihuahua. In 1884, Meyers Kleines Lexicon described a dog named ‘Chihuahue’. An image in this book shows that it was then imagined to be a distinct breed, with long hair and ears. The name ‘Chiuaua’ appeared for the first time in 1886 in a volume on the races of dogs.
The Chihuahua as it is known today was primarily developed in Mexico City in the late 19th century. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed for registration beginning in 1904. The Chihuahua has remained popular into the 21st century; it is the fifth most popular purebred in the United States as of 2012.
The earliest credible evidence of the development of this breed comes from paintings by Fray Juan Duran dated 1585 and 1620. In 1892, a book about Chihuahuas was published in New York, which described both long- and short-haired Chihuahuas. Illustrations depicted both types as having “drooping ears.”
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$20.00 – $29.00 inc. VatSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
$20.00 – $29.00 inc. VatSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
$20.00 – $29.00 inc. VatSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Average Lifespan Of A Chihuahua
Chihuahuas have a life expectancy of 15-20 years.
How to Train a Chihuahua?
Is it even possible to train this ‘little lion’? Chihuahuas are known for their confident and stubborn personalities. The smallest dog breed in the world is famous for having a huge attitude, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be trained!
Training any dog takes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Teaching your basic chihuahua commands will help him feel more secure when you’re out of his sight or in an unfamiliar place. It also shows everyone else respects as well. Early training is vital to molding a well-behaved pet who walks by your side on leashes, sits quietly and waits patiently at thresholds, goes to bed without problems, and comes immediately on command whenever they hear it! Training helps ensure that your Chihuahua won’t become an annoying or threatening problem in your neighborhood.
Rather than living with a dog who follows you around begging for affection, would you rather have a well-behaved companion who listens to you? Training his ‘stay’ command will allow him to stay in one location without your constant supervision and wait patiently until it’s time for him to move again. It takes much less effort and stress on your part! You know that awkward moment when you say “Come” and he keeps sitting there, staring at you? Don’t worry about feeling embarrassed by having someone walk by and think, “I could make more money off of her dog than she could.” Think twice before making the decision not to train! A disobedient dog will be met with disappointment from the person who loves him and does not deserve it. Training your Chihuahua will ensure that he is a good citizen in the community, as well as someone you can trust at all times!
Chihuahuas are intelligent, playful little dogs who love attention and giving kisses. Chihuahuas tend to get along well with other animals because they have endearing personalities and are very tolerant. They also like every human being equally and have no favorites regarding attention-seeking behavior. There’s nothing cute about a lonely dog or one that constantly fights over love! Teaching your Chihuahua some basic commands will make him feel more secure when you’re not around and out of his sight. It will also show everyone else respect as well.
The best age to start training your Chihuahua is at about 9 weeks. This is when they begin to understand that you are the leader in their pack, but it’s not too late for you to help mold them into a wonderful canine companion with the following training methods: Sit down (lie down), stay, and come. Once they know these basic commands, you can build on this skill set by teaching other fun tricks! Start slow and be patient… repetition will pay off in the long run!
What can a chihuahua eat?
The best snacks for dogs are high protein, low fat, and good nutritional balance. No matter what your dog’s favorite is, it is important to keep him happy and fit with a good diet. Dogs are carnivores and should be fed a meat-based diet. Treats should only account for 5% of your dog’s daily food intake, so go easy on the snacks! The benefits of healthy, balanced treats include:
Healthier skin and coat with proper protein/fat ratio Good teeth from eating crunchy treats better digestion from fiber in fruits and veggies, and a longer life span. Your dog will like you more if you give them snacks!
Good treats include:
Dry roasted chicken feet, Dry roasted lamb ears, Poultry skins, Bacon bits and pieces, Chicken jerky, Bully sticks, Lamb chews. If you choose to give your dog cooked meats, make sure it is fully cooked before feeding, as they may carry parasites from raw meat. Some foods considered healthy for humans are toxic to dogs; grapes and raisins are two examples. Chocolate can also be harmful to them as well as coffee grounds. Never feed raw pork.
How to take care of a chihuahua?
Owning a pet can be very exciting. However, it is also responsible and crucial that you know well what kind of responsibility you are taking on. For example, a chihuahua is among the most popular pets in America today, but if you take it home without any preparation, then your excitement may turn into disappointment. So here are some essential tips to ensure that you have a healthy and happy little puppy in your home.
Feed your Chihuahua a good type of food: A healthy dog has always been one of the key components of an enjoyable life with your pet. For this to happen, proper feeding is required. Make sure that whatever food you choose for them is complete as they cannot produce everything they need. There are plenty of products available specially designed for smaller pets like a chihuahua.
You’ll be able to find complete, balanced food, and most importantly, it will not cause any health problems later on.
Provide healthy treats: All dogs love to have a treat or two occasionally, and the same goes for your Chihuahua. However, it is always important that you check what kind of treats they can have without having any adverse effects on their health in the future.
Only give them a treat when there is an occasion as too much of these may make them overweight, which will affect their health in the long run.
Always take them to a vet: A chihuahua may have certain diseases or health problems that they need special attention for at an early stage. Before buying one, make sure you research their health condition and then find the right veterinarian for them. Once you get them, it is essential to visit a vet regularly to check any ongoing issue and keep it away from getting worse in the future.
Walk them frequently: As mentioned before, these dogs are very small in size, which means they don’t have a lot of energy compared to other bigger breeds. However, this should not stop you from taking them out since there are different dog leash types available in the market. Choose one that is strong enough to hold them but also comfortable for them.
It is always essential to keep your pet busy, especially if they are mostly left at home by themselves most of the time. Therefore, you should invest in a good dog toy that will help keep them entertained and happy while waiting for their master’s return. Remember that an unoccupied dog may get bored or lonely, leading to mischievous behavior like chewing on your couch or digging up the floor.
Invest in a harness: You should make sure that you choose the correct size when it comes to chihuahua harnesses, as these tiny dogs have delicate necks and throats. Adjust it properly and make sure that it isn’t too tight on your pet. On top of that, they can easily slip out if there is no proper adjustment which can be dangerous for them, especially when you are walking in an open area.
Keep them clean: A dog full of fur may look cute, but this is one of the most notorious signs that it has not been taken care of properly. The best way to clean your Chihuahua is to bathe them once a week or when needed. They don’t need any fancy products, and you can even use human shampoo on them. It is also important to brush their fur at least once a day, making it soft and keeping the dirt away from accumulating up there.