Eight Interesting Facts About Chihuahuas
Of all the dog breeds in the world, the ever-energetic Chihuahua breed has a mysterious history. This breed weighs a maximum of 6.5 pounds and stands about 15 cm tall. Chihuahuas derive their name from a Mexican state of the same name where the dog was found somewhere around the early 18th century. Some historians say that this breed was tamed by the Aztecs or the Incas, while others say that they can be traced to the league of Spanish dogs, going as far as the early 15th century. The first Chihuahuas stepped into our country in the early 19th century. It is intriguing to note that the first public appearance of this dog was in 1890 when the President of Mexico presented the dog (concealed in a bouquet) to opera singer Adelina Patti. It is also interesting to note that there are myriad theories of origin for this breed.
- They live for 14-18 years, and this is considered the longest lifespan for canines.
- They are one of the top three preferred breeds in our country.
- Regardless of its size, the breed is rather active as they are often excited and are forever ready to play.
- They are also becoming popular as service dogs. They act as therapy dogs and lead the blind. This breed is also very helpful for children with special needs
- They get along well with other animals, especially cats. There are endless videos of friendly moments between Chihuahua and cats. They could give serious friendship goals to humans.
- This breed has the highest number of cesarean births than any other dog breed. Chihuahua puppies have a large head compared to their body size which makes a normal delivery difficult.
- This breed is found to have a huge range of colors. They can be solid or two-toned or sometimes three-toned as well.
- They face the same problems as any other small sized breed. They are fragile and have to be treated with care at all times. Dog owners are required to take Chihuahuas for around 20 minutes of walk every day, and never more than twice a day. The leading causes of the death for this breed are cardiovascular diseases, trauma, and infection.
While the breed has an intriguing history, the fact remains that they need to be given adequate care, considering they are a small breed and susceptible to a lot of threats.