Chihuahua Types - There’s A Type Of Chihuahua For Everyone
Have you wondered where your adorable little Chihuahua dog breed was first discovered? The word Chihuahua actually means “dry and sandy place”, and you would be correct if you guessed Chihuaua, Mexico. The cute short-legged breed is noted as once being sacred to the Aztec Indian tribes and although we typically think of the Chihuahua as one type of dog, there are actually several types of Chihuahua.
The smallest of dog breeds, there are far more Chihuahua types than people realize. Their popularity has really grown in recent years with all the publicity of celebrities and their pet Chi’s. Although these dogs are small in stature small, they have quite a big personality!
Chihuahua types are distinguished by their color, and the shape of their heads. They come in a variety of shades, including cream, fawn, chocolate, silver, blue, and black. Their heads are classified as appleheads, which have a round skull, close-set eyes, and a short muzzle, and deer heads, which bear a striking resemblance to a tiny Doberman Pinscher.
The American Kennel Club recognizes long-haired and short-haired types of Chihuahuas. The smooth coat of the short-haired type sheds very little. Their tail is sometimes curved. Long-haired Chihuahuas can have flat or curly hair, and it is quite soft, with extra fluff around the tail and ears.
The terms “teacup” and “mini” when applied to Chihuahuas are merely commercial designations used to try to elicit high prices from the buyer. All Chihuahuas are genetically a toy breed, and breeding to produce the tiniest dog possible is a long-established custom. Don’t be fooled into paying more for a Chihuahua merely because of its description.
The 10th most popular breed in the US, the Chihuahua is quite intelligent. Standing 6-9 inches tall they weigh up to six pounds. Although short in stature they are very protective of their owners and territorial. The Taco Bell commercials has made the tan shorthaired Chihuahua, most popular Chihuahua type.
If you live in an apartment, you couldn’t do better than to get one of these tiny dogs. They are wonderful companions and live a long life, in many cases getting to be 16 years or older. Shorthaired companions may need a little extra warmth, sometimes burrowing under covers to maintain their body heat while asleep. My friend has a Chihuahua that will growl whenever anyone has the audacity to uncover her.
It is believed that Chihuahuas may be the oldest breed of dog to exist in the American continents. A slighter larger breed of Chihuahua existed in the 2nd century BC, and was known as a symbol of the upper class. It was probably bred with miniature Chinese dogs which the Spanish introduced to the New World.
Whichever type of Chihuahua dog you find, you owe it to yourself to think about taking one of these small devoted dogs home with you; you will find them to be entertaining and companionable pets for many years to come. In addition, once you buy one Chihuahua, you will want to get another!
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