Skip to main content

Chihuahua

Smooth-coated Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world, and it also has some roots that date back over a millennium. It is believed that this modern breed descended from the Techichi, a dog favored by the Toltecs. Images of these dogs appear around 800CE, with additional possible representations going back a thousand years earlier.

The modern breed comes from the state of Chihuahua, with the progenitor being found near the ruins of Casas Grandes in 1850. Over the next fifty years the breed would be developed, and by 1904 it was recognized by the AKC.

The modern standards describe a dog that stands between 6 and 10in tall, and weighs up to 6.6lbs (3kg). Despite what you may see from some breeders, "Teacup" and "Miniature" are not standard designations-- they are terms often used as marketing gimmicks by those trying to sell puppies.
Long-coated Chihuahua

Chichuahuas come with two different coat lengths-- long-haired and short-haired, and can have just about any color combination you can think of. Many breed clubs do not allow merle dogs, as that gene is linked to a number of health conditions.

Chihuahua temperament varies with the dog. On the whole they tend to be very brave and loyal to their owner, but some can take that protective nature and turn it into aggression if not properly trained. They are also not recommended for people with small children, as their size can put them at risk from rough play, and these interactions can make them nippy and high-strung. However, good training and socialization can lead to a very well-adjusted little dog, and they continue to be one of the most popular breeds in the world.

Status : Domesticated
Location : Mexico
Size : Height up to 10in (30cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Canidae -- Genus : Canis -- Species : C. lupus -- Subspecies : C. l. familiaris

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bornean Orangutan

The Bornean Orangutan is one of two extant Orangutan species in the world. It is the third largest primate (after Gorillas) and is the largest primarily tree-dwelling animal in the world. Males are substantially larger than females, and average at around 165lbs. Bornean Orangutans are largely solitary. A handful might live within a small range but they will seldom interact with one another. Males and females only meet up to breed, which happens only once every several years. A young Orangutan will stay with it's mother for about five years, and the females tend to go about eight years between births. That is the longest interim period of any animal! Sadly, the Bornean Orangutans are in a lot of trouble. They need large forests in order to thrive, and deforestation and habitat degradation has left many homeless. They are also hunted for meat and for traditional medicines. Conservation areas are being established to help these guys in the wild, and it is believed that there are a...

Halloween Crab

Gecarcinus quadratus The Halloween Crab goes by many names, including the Red Land Crab, Whitespot Crab, and Moon Crab. I personally like Halloween Crab though, since it really reflects the interesting colors. They have black carapaces, orange-red legs, and purple claws! Halloween Crabs live in the Pacific coast mangroves and forests of Central and South America. They actually live in the forests as adults, and return to the ocean in order to reproduce. Did you know that they live as far away as 18 miles (30km)  from water? Not where you normally think Crabs to be! While living in the forest, the Crabs forage nocturnally for different plant matter, including leaves and sapling. They also dig long burrows into the ground for protection. These burrows can measure nearly 5 ft long! Halloween Crabs are sometimes kept in captivity, and can be very tricky pets due to their excellent climbing skills. IUCN Status :  Not Listed ...

Four!

For anyone who was counting, yesterday was our birthday-- four years! Four years filled with animals from A to Z, more than 1,100 of them! I can't thank my readers enough, it's been wonderful! And in celebration of that milestone... I'm taking a break. Hopefully not forever, but for a little bit at least. In the mean time I plan on getting a new layout out, along with some updates to some of the older articles. I'll post updates here and on the Facebook page, I'm also brainstorming some new animal-related projects, so keep an eye out! Thanks again for four awesome years!