Chihuahua

The AKC recognized Chihuahua (Chihuahueño) is a tiny dog, weighing 2-6 pounds and standing 6-9 inches. The head of this dog is large, round with prominent eyes. The coat can either be short or long, with wavy or flat hair. The coat comes in an array of colors including, black, white, chestnut, fawn, sand, and silver. The smooth coat is easy to care for; just wiping it with a damp cloth when needed. The longer coat needs to be brushed daily.

Although the Chihuahua will get most of its exercise in the home, the dog still needs to have a walk each day. If not walked daily, the Chihuahua may display a wide array of behavior problems that will result in the dog not being trusted around people that they do not know such as snapping, yapping, and biting. Often called the Mexican Hound, the Chihuahueño is lively and adventurous, and it enjoys affection, making him a good companion dog. They are intelligent, and learn quickly, but like some smaller breeds, they may be difficult to housebreak. This dog should not be allowed to develop Small Dog Syndrome. Without the proper human leadership, this breed can be strong-willed. If the Chihuahua feels that it is above the human owner, bad behaviors may occur, such as food and toy jealousy, aggression toward unfamiliar dogs and occasionally snapping and biting strangers. The life expectancy of this breed is 15 years or longer. They are prone to rheumatism, slipped stifle, colds, gum problems, corneal dryness, and glaucoma. This dog can gains weight easily, so it should not be overfeed.

Chihuahuas are the smallest known breed in the world and is the oldest breed on the North American continent. They are native to Mexico, and were first seen in Europe before the 20th century. This breed was considered sacred to Pre-Columbian Indian nations. They are listed in the Toy category by the AKC.