Does any one know any thing about chihuahuas as pets?

Question

I kinda want a chihuahua but how are they as pets?And can you bring them on plane in the front with you?Thank you XoXoX

Answer 1

They make WONDERFUL PETS!!!! I was a breeder for 5 years. I would love to chat with you more about them anytime. As for the plane im not sure if they can come with you, I know they can be shipped.

Answer 2

They're sweet. As for taking them on a plane, you'd probably have to check that with the airline. Different airlines have different rules on some of that stuff. I'll almost guarantee though, that the dog would have to be in a kennel on the plane. Fortunately a chihuahua is small enough that it would require a very small enclosure that would probably fit under the seat. But I can't imagine ANY airline letting you have a loose animal on the plane, even if you were holding it and it was leashed.

Answer 3

Chihuahuas are a one person type of dog. They become very jealous of others and have a tendency to a little fiesty. Many years ago, my mother had a chihuahua and when she met my father, the dog was so heartbroken (that she no longer received all the attention) that he ripped up my mother's rug and choked himself to death(he was only 4 ). And there were other things he did leading up to his death. Just think about what type of dog is good for you!

Answer 4

If you put a harness or clothing on them, they freeze and won't move! And they get really bad teary eyes in the summer.

Answer 5

chi's are great pets but they bark a lot and may not tolerate other animals well....but you have a chance at it if you get him/her as a pup

Answer 6

Go here it tells about your dog http://www.chihuahualand.com

Answer 7

ya a chiuaua bit me and i had 2 getr surgery i hate chiuauas they r so mean

Answer 8

their cuddle buddies! their like babies. so.. treat them like a getle few week old baby

Answer 9

The Chihuahua (help·info) is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named for the Chihuahua State in Mexico.

[edit] History
There is much speculation as to where the chihuahua originated or who are its ancestors. There are three ruling theories as to how the Chihuahua came into existence:

Chihuahuas were originally thought to be descendants of an ancient, similar, but slightly larger breed associated with royalty in Aztec civilizations known as the Techichi.
The Chihuahuas were brought to the New World by Spanish conquistadors. On the island of Malta lived a small breed of dog that had a natural molera (soft spot on the top of the skull.) Having a molera is very rare in other breeds of dogs outside of the chihuahua. Also, a 1482 painting by Sondro Botticelli depicts a dog that is very similar to the chihuahua. Though this painting was done before Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World, Europeans could have brought the chihuahua over to the Americas nonetheless.
The Chinese were knowns for "developing" miniatures of larger breeds of dogs. They could have "developed" a dog similar to the chihuahua, then the Spanish obtained some of them, and then they traveled to Mexico with the dogs.

[edit] Appearance

A tricolor ChihuahuaChihuahuas are best known for their large eyes; small size; and large, erect ears. The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes two varieties of Chihuahua: the long-coat and the smooth-coat. Many long-coat Chihuahuas have very thin hair, but other long coats have a very dense, thick coat. Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height, only a weight and a description of their overall proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between six and ten inches at the withers. However, some dogs grow as tall as twelve to fifteen inches. AKC show dogs must weigh no more than six lb (2.7 kg); the FCI standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and three kg (3.3 to 6.6 lb), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring. However, pet-quality Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions rather than show dogs) can, and do, range above these weights, to ten pounds or even more if they have large bone structures or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean they are not purebred Chihuahuas, it only means that they do not meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversize Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best, and worst, bloodlines.

The AKC Chihuahua standard lists under color: "Any color-Solid, marked or splashed". This allows for all colors from solid blacks to solid whites, spotted, or a variety of other colors and patterns. A few examples are Fawn, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Blue, and Black. Patterns include Sable, Irish spotting, Piebald spotting, Extreme white spotting, Brindle, Masks, Merle, and Tan points, all with or with out white markings. Chihuahua colors can get complicated due to the vast number of possibilities. Examples would be a Blue Brindle or a Chocolate and Tan. Colors and patterns can combine and effect each other for an almost infinite rainbow of possibilities. That said, the classic Chihuahua color remains Fawn. No color or pattern is considered rare or more valuable than the others, it is all just a matter of personal preferences.


[edit] Temperament

Chihuahuas challenging Great Danes; the smallest breed often exhibits great daring.Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity and personality. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal.

Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament and tendency to bite when frightened. Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. This can be mitigated through socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs. Chihuahuas also seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury. Chihuahuas are sensitive to the cold due to their small body size. Chihuahua owners often dress their dogs in sweaters or coats in cold weather. However, longer-haired chihuahuas may be fine without additional protection and in the summer may still be known to pant.


[edit] Health

A long-coat Chihuahua
A Chihuahua in submissive stateThis breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders.

Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also prone to the sometimes painful condition known as patella luxation and collapsing trachea.

Another genetic abnormality in Chihuahuas and toy breeds is hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. This condition surfaces in young puppies and often results in the death of a puppy by the time that it reaches six months of age. It is thought that this disease is often diagnosed by the pup having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable (since "a large head" is such a broad description). Chihuahua puppies exhibiting hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets rather than a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim.

Chihuahuas are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. The Chihuahua Club of America has issued a statement regarding this often deadly misdiagnosis [1].

Chihuahuas can also be at risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma. Chihuahuas are also prone to eye infections due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance. Chihuahuas also have a tendency to tremble but this is not a health issue, rather it takes place when the dog is stressed or excited. One reason for this may because small dogs have a higher metabolism than larger dogs and therefore dissipate heat faster. Although figures often vary, as with any breed, the average lifespan for a Chihuahua is approximately 8 to 18 years of age.


[edit] Nutrition
Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters, and care must be taken to provide them with adequate nutrition. At the same time, care must be exercised not to overfeed this tiny breed. Overweight Chihuahuas are prone to joint injuries, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and shortened life span.


[edit] Famous Chihuahuas
Shinya, drummer of the Japanese band Dir en grey has a chihuahua named Miyu that he takes everywhere with him.

Taquito is the University of Puerto Rico's School of Medicine Volleyball MascotGidget, the Taco Bell mascot.
Bruiser (Real Name: Moonie), Elle Woods' companion in the Legally Blonde movies.
Ren Höek, of Ren and Stimpy fame.
Wheely Willy, a motivational "speaker".
Tito from Oliver & Company.
Taquito, the University of Puerto Rico's School of Medicine volleyball mascot.
The Spooky Chihuahua from Invader Zim.
Pepito, Xavier Cugat's chihuahua immortalized in the children's book Pepito the Little Dancing Dog: The Story of Xavier Cugat's Chihuahua.
Godzilla, a South Texas chihuahua that has won many awards in regional dog shows, and is now famous in its statewide commercials.
Coco, pet of Cesar Millan, actor/dog behaviorist of "The Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic Channel.
Shisshin, ending in Absolute Boy
Paris Hilton's companions Tinkerbell Hilton and Bambi. Tinkerbell Hilton is the "author" of "Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries".
Pancho, the "heart-broken" dog of the Fullers in the movie Big Momma's House 2.
Lou, a chihuahua featured on the television show The Soup.
Madame Shirley the Medium is an old-fortune teller chihuahua featured in a TV Show Cartoon, Courage the Cowardly Dog.
PETCO Inc. named Tiger, America's Fastest Chihuahua in the PETCO's Unleashed Fastest Chihuahua Races (The 2006 Unleashed Finals were held in San Diego at PETCO Park on 9/05/06).
Dino Dobie, Black and Brown chihuahua companion of child actress Hailey Anne Nelson.
Chuck Liddell has a pet chihuahua named Beans.
Sharon Osbourne has a chihuahua named "Martini".

[edit] Chihuahua Types
Longhaired Chihuahua

Shorthaired Chihuahua