Chihuahua
Group: Toy
Size: Small
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: More than once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Flat, Small or Large House
Garden size: Not required
Lifespan: Over 12 Years
Exercise: Up to 30 minutes per day
Their tiny body is slightly longer than it is tall. Their head is very round with large round eyes and large erect ears. There are two types - Long Coated and Smooth Coated, they come in all colours.
They come from Mexico and were bred to be a pet that was prized for its size. They are full of energy and cheerful. They are willful but intelligent so perfectly trainable but their size inclines people to let them get away with things they would not allow a larger dog to do.
Loyal to their owner, they need to be trained to accept strangers and children in particular. They need to be taught to tolerate other animals. Although very active indoors, they need the opportunity for outdoors exercise too but the smooth coated types will need a coat in cold weather. Neither coat type needs undue brushing.
They are prone to rheumatism, gum and eye problems. They are born with a molera, an unclosed section of the skull which usually closes but remains open in some dogs making them more susceptible to injury.