The Brown Chihuahua is one of the best know dog breeds in the world. They are tiny, have the biggest personalities, and will absolutely steal your heart the moment you meet them.
The most striking and well-known feature of the Chihuahua is its small size. But how big is the smallest dog in the world? The answer is — it depends. They usually weigh around 4-5 lbs. And according to the American Kennel Club standard, a Chihuahua can’t weigh more than 6 lbs. When it comes to height, they are 6 to 9 inches tall.
There are numerous other characteristic features of a Chihuahua. The face with the big eyes and the upright bat ears is particularly striking. They give the dog a cute look, which is underlined once again by the small pointed nose.
With regard to the fur, there is a differentiation within the breed in the long-haired and short-haired Brown Chihuahua. The former has slightly wavy hair and characteristic fringes on the ears. The short-haired Chihuahuas have a dense fur that rests against the body.
The character of the brown Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a lively, happy and at the same time cuddly dog. His self-confidence is almost notorious. They feel like they are much bigger than they are. This is often called “small dog syndrome”.
The Brown Chihuahua is very playful and cuddly. He likes to be close to humans and wants attention. It is interesting that there seems to be a difference between the long-haired and short-haired chihuahuas. The former are considered calmer, while the short-haired animals tend to lead the pack.
If the Chihuahua wants to be paid more attention to, he often demands this loudly. Some owners even report that the animals pretend to be injured in order to get more attention.
The appearance of the Chihuahua is often vigourous towards other dogs, but the animals are still very sociable. They like to live together with other animals and they will behave peacefully towards them. As a result, the Chihuahua is very popular as a family dog and also gets along well with children. The owners should only not make one mistake: to underestimate the animal because of its size.
Attitude of a Chihuahua: This must be taken into account
As the smallest breed of dog in the world, the Chihuahua has got the reputation of a lap dog – which is additionally transported by pictures of celebrities with their “chi” in their pocket. In fact, however, the breed is just as interested in activity as any other. The Chihuahua loves movement, for example while walking and playing ball. If you want, you can even do dog sports with the small animal. Care must always be taken into account the physical conditions.
The Chihuahua is characterized by his high energy and speed. But he is less persistent and not very strong because of his small body.
Holders should also take into account and promote the intelligence of the animals. The Chihuahua is happy when he is confronted with tasks that he is supposed to solve. Intelligence toys for dogs are ideal here.
Caution should be exercised during walks and excursions in the cold season. Although many dogs like to be outside even in snow, due to the small body and the short fur, they cool down quickly. Jackets and coats for dogs are therefore not chichi, but important accessories for Chihuahuas in winter.
Diseases and health at Chihuahua
There are no specific Chihuahua diseases, but certain complaints that can become dangerous. These include vomiting and diarrhea. The problem is that the dogs have hardly any reserves because of their small body and can dehydrate quickly. Owners should therefore pay attention to appropriate symptoms and consult a veterinarian in case of doubt.
Ears, in which ear mites, for example, can nest, are also considered susceptible. The reason for this is the large surface area. In order to protect the Chihuahua from infestation as much as possible, regular monitoring of the ears is important. If sore spots or reddish deposits can be detected, certain veterinary preparations will help. In case of ear infection, the animals also often shake their heads or scratch each other.
Otherwise, the little dogs enjoy good health. This is also reflected in the Brown Chihuahua life expectancy of 14 to 18 years.
For health and well-being: the right care for Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are low maintenance. In particular, the short-haired animals only need the usual care: occasional examination of the skin, ears and paws. With the long-haired dogs, the fur may matt. To prevent this, owners should brush and comb their animals regularly. The right size is important when choosing a brush. Since the dog is small, the tines should be short and rounded.
Occasionally, it can also be read that Chihuahuas must be bathed regularly. However, bathing is only really necessary if the fur is visibly dirty.
It is more important to pay attention to dental hygiene. So that the small teeth do not attach tartar, there are chews and dog toothbrushes.
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