Chihuahuas are renowned for their diminutive size and large, round eyes. However, there are plenty of additional interesting Chihuahua facts, ranging from the breed’s history to its celebrity companionship. This guide discusses the history and characteristics of Chihuahuas, how big they can grow, and how to maintain their health and extend their lives.
Chihuahua Origins: The History of Chihuahuas
Although the origins and history of Chihuahuas are the subjects of discussion, it does seem likely that this breed emerged in Mexico.
Chihuahua is the name of a Mexican state that shares borders with Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. It is believed that these dogs entered the United States because they were sold to visitors crossing the border.
There is speculation that Chihuahuas trace their ancestry back to the Toltecs, an ancient tribe within ancient Mexico, who bred the Techichi as pet animals. The Techichi was the maiden name of the Chihuahua, a little, deaf dog from the Toltec people of Mexico maintained as far back as the ninth century A.D.
According to Toltec belief, Techichi were sacred animals that guided the soul to the afterlife. This superstition led to the burial of many Techichi with their masters. Chihuahuas may have ancestors older than the Techichis as part of their heritage.
Artifacts depicting little, large-eyed dogs similar to Chihuahuas were discovered in El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States. They date to approximately 100 A.D. and may have been a part of a kid’s toy.
Physical Attributes of Chihuahuas
In addition to their diminutive stature, Chihuahuas are distinguishable by additional physical traits. For example, they typically possess huge, spherical eyes that might protrude from their heads. In addition, their ears are erect rather than lying flat or flapping around.
There are a wide variety of colors and patterns available for Chihuahuas, including solid, spotted, and a variety of other colors as well. Black, white, brown, fawn, and red are some of the most typical Chihuahua colors.
Species of Chihuahua
Chihuahuas come in two varieties:
- Smooth Coat (short-haired) and
- Long Coat.
As suggested by their respective titles, their primary distinction is the length of their fur. Chihuahua owners naturally question if their Chihuahua sheds fur when determining which breed is best for them.
Long-Coated Chihuahuas often shed more than their Smooth-Coated counterparts. They may also require additional brushing and grooming to keep their fur pristine.
In addition to varied coat lengths, Chihuahuas exhibit two distinct head forms. There are Apple Heads with full, spherical heads resembling apples and Deer Heads with a narrower face resembling a deer.
Chihuahua Lifespan
Chihuahuas may appear little and delicate, yet they can live as long as other small toy breeds. It is proven that smaller dog breeds live longer than their larger counterparts.
A healthy Chihuahua, for instance, may live up to 15 or even 20 years, although medium and large dogs typically live between 10 and 13 years.
Personality Traits of the Chihuahua
The personality of Chihuahuas is defined more by environmental, experiential, health, and age factors than by breed.
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed, with Yorkshire Terriers a close second. People naturally question, “How large do Chihuahuas get?” They can be between 6 and 9 inches tall and weigh between 2 and 6 pounds on average.
If you speak with the owners of Chihuahuas, you will discover that their personalities can vary widely. They are fun and outgoing, shy and apprehensive, sassy and playful, serious and reserved, or a combination of these characteristics.
Chihuahuas are known to like the company of other Chihuahuas, so living with another Chihuahua may be ideal for them.
How Big Does a Chihuahua Get?
Chihuahuas are distinctive due to their diminutive size. Unlike many dog breeds, the Chihuahua’s birth weight is more important than its gender in determining its final size.
If you do not know your Chihuahua’s birth weight, use their current weight and age to determine which column they fit into and their predicted adult size.
At Six Months
Depending on their predicted adult size, a 6-month-old Chihuahua will weigh between 1.5 and 4.5 pounds and be between 5 and 8 inches tall. They will also have gained most of their mature weight, between 1.5 and 4.5 ounces.
At Nine Months
Around nine months of age, a Chihuahua will be fully grown. They may continue to gain a small amount of weight between 10 months and 1 year, but this gain should not be considered. Your Chihuahua is probably fully grown if it is older than nine months.
The paws of a puppy might indicate whether or not it still needs to grow. Examine the size of your Chihuahua’s paws relative to their legs and torso size. If their paws appear somewhat big, they are likely still growing into them.
In addition, if you got your Chihuahua from a breeder, you can inquire about the expected adult size of your dog.
Your breeder should be able to provide an exact estimate depending on the size of prior litters and the parents of your Chihuahua.
A Mature Chihuahua
Chihuahuas shouldn’t weigh more than six pounds and be between five and eight inches tall at maturity.
A Chihuahua can weigh as little as two and six pounds, even though hereditary and environmental variables can impact their overall size. The body of a Chihuahua should be slightly longer than it is tall.
How to Maintain a Chihuahua’s Health and Life Longevity
Regular care is essential for ensuring your Chihuahua has a long and healthy life. Start by regularly bringing your Chihuahua to the veterinarian to ensure their health and test for potential health problems.
- Chihuahuas are susceptible to special health issues.
- Chihuahuas are susceptible to obesity, which may go undetected if their coat is longer.
- Chihuahuas are susceptible to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
- Frequent meals may be required to prevent blood sugar drops.
- In addition to urinary stones, luxating patellas, and cancer, other prevalent Chihuahua health issues include urinary stones and luxating patellas.
Medical bills are the last thing that should interfere with your capacity to properly care for your dog, which is why pet insurance is a lifesaver.
Pet insurance provides comfort in the event of an accident. This is essential to your Chihuahua’s long-term health are routine veterinary care charges, such as vaccines and dental care, which are covered by several pet insurance policies’ wellness add-ons.
Prevention is the best thing you can do for your Chihuahua, along with regular exercise and good nutrition.
Good nutrition and regular exercise are important for your Chihuahua. Chihuahuas should be taken for a walk of at least half an hour every day. This will help to keep them fit and healthy and also allows them to socialize with other dogs.
A diet rich in protein is essential for a Chihuahua. They should always have access to fresh water, but they mustn’t have access to salty foods or drinks, as this can cause kidney problems.
Please consult your veterinarian for a customized plan for your puppy, and continue to bring them in for routine tests and checks.
Conclusion
Chihuahuas are a small dog breed, but they can grow up to be a big part of your life! Their size may be small, but their energy level is anything but even though they are small and might not appear as strong as other breeds.
The average Chihuahua weighs roughly 6 pounds and stands 5-8 inches tall. They have long, smooth coats. The ears of a Chihuahua can be erect or floppy. Some adult dogs may have patches of white fur on their coat.
