Chihuahuas are among the smallest dog breeds in the world. These dogs are named after a place in Mexico, where they were officially discovered. The appearance of the Chihuahua is what probably makes it a very popular companion dog for celebrities and average people alike. The American Kennel Club has set standards for the breed which are the basis for dogs that entered in shows. The Chihuahua must stand at around six to ten inches at their shoulders or withers and weight approximately 2.7 kilograms at the most. House pets and non-show dogs usually exceed these standards since they are allowed to eat too much or the owners do not mind their deviation from the standards.
Chihuahua Appearance
The Chihuahua is a very small dog with an apple sized head accompanied by large eyes and disproportionately large, erect ears. Chihuahuas come in several colors, either solid or a combination of colors. The colors are fawn, black, red, cream, blue and chocolate. Chihuahua coat patterns include the following, piebald spotting, Irish spotting, sable, masks, brindle, extreme white spotting, tan points and merle. Blue is difficult to find in Chihuahuas and therefore some may prize it more. It is difficult to be very specific with their classification of their coats since there are many combinations of colors and patterns that can be achieved, so the American Kennel Club has accepted any combination of colors and patterns for the Chihuahua breed.
There are two kinds of Chihuahuas based of their long hair or short hair. These are known as the smooth coated and the long haired Chihuahua. Most long haired Chihuahuas have thin hair except for some whose coat is dense and thick.
NEWS FLASH - 2012-02-04Bearded Collies As Show Dogs, Herders and Pets! Will This Be the Breed of Your Top Dog?
The magnificent Bearded Collie, a Scottish breed of herding dog, makes an excellent pet or show dog. Acquiring the right breed and the right dog for you and your lifestyle should be a research project. If you are attracted to the "Beardie," then learn what you can to make your purchase and your experience the best one possible. To begin your research, here's a brief guide to the characteristics, the history and the support organizations for the Bearded Collie breed.
Organic Dog Treats - Why They Are So Good
Your dog is your best friend loyal to the core and he deserves the very best treats. Why would you ever feed him those cardboard smelling treats from a box when you can feed him healthy organic dog food? There are many benefits to feeding your dog organic food.
Australian Shepherds
Australian Shepherds - also known as Aussies, are a medium sized, robust, well-balanced, rustic dog. Australian Shepherds are easy-going, and believe-it- or- not they remain puppy-like even in their adult years! Aussies are courageous so they make good watchdog for the home. They also love to play that's why they are excellent even for active children. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train.
Health and Temperament of the Chihuahua Dog
Chihuahuas are noted for their difficulty in giving birth and their bad teeth. Vets have also noticed that they are prone to hydrocephalus and have a soft spot in their skulls when they are still young but this eventually closes as they grow older. Many owners may have noticed that their Chihuahua has a tendency to tremble but this happens only when they are stress or excited.
Chihuahuas are loving dogs who are devoted to their owners. They are prone to barking and jumping at times but these just need training and discipline to curb. They have a tendency to bite when frightened or surprised so care must be performed when approaching a strange Chihuahua. They also like to associate with other Chihuahuas more than other breeds maybe because of their size and appearance.
