Chihuahua - Articles - Zimbio

Should I Get a Chihuahua?

Sun, 7 Jul 2008 04:25:33 GMT

posted by roosterbob
Owning a Chihuahua might seem like an easy task to some people, however with it comes a lot of responsibility. You must take care of him or her, and give them plenty of attention daily. So, before owning one, you should ask yourself if you are prepared for a Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas are a unique dog breed. They are the smallest dog in the world, but they have a heart of a lion. This means they are a good choice if you need a guard dog in your house. They are often alerted at slight noises, and will start barking. However, Chihuahuas also have a tendency to pick fights with dogs much larger than they are. If you have larger dogs in the house, be sure to keep them separate until they are used to each other.

Because they are so small, Chihuahuas get cold much quicker and easier than other dogs. During the winter, you will want to get some Chihuahua clothes to help them warm. Something like a warm sweater, or even a shirt, will help keep their body temperature up. You can find Chihuahua clothes is different sizes, shapes, designs, and colors. Find some clothes that really reflects your Chihuahuas attitude!

You may have heard somewhere that Chihuahuas are hard to potty-train. The real truth is that if done correctly, you wont have a problem. You will have to spend time, and lots of it, taking your Chihuahua outside to potty. If you aren't prepared to do this, then don't get a Chihuahua. However, once they are fully potty-trained, they will usually remain so.

Being so small comes with certain health complications. Chihuahuas are prone to certain conditions, such as hypoglycemia, and should be checked out by a Veterinarian regularly.

This goes without saying, but remember, every day you will have to water and feed your Chihuahua. Be sure you are willing to do this before you decide to own a Chihuahua. There are owners every year who give their Chihuahuas away to a shelter because they can't or simply don't want to feed and water them.

Even with all the responsibility, you will find that the love and joy a Chihuahua brings, greatly outweighs the hardships.

What You Need To Know About Chihuahua Breeding

Fri, 19 Jul 2008 04:12:00 GMT

posted by your-holistic-life
By Sandra Dean
Have you decided that a Chihuahua puppy is the perfect dog for you? If so, then it is time to get savvy to the ins and outs of Chihuahua breeding to ensure that you find a puppy that is healthy, good-tempered and attractive. There are all types of Chihuahua breeders in the world, and some will be responsible and careful in the way they care for and breed their dogs and others will not. Fortunately, there are some guidelines that you can use to determine whether a Chihuahua breeder is one that you can work with - or one you should run far away from.

When you begin the hunt for a reputable Chihuahua breeder, take the time to ask plenty of questions and conduct the proper research into each breeder that you consider. By selecting your Chihuahua breeder carefully, you will be much more likely to purchase the friendly, healthy dog that you are hoping for.

There are plenty of guidelines that you can use when searching for the best source of Chihuahua breeding. First, it's not what you know but whom you know, so go to the people that you trust for recommendations on the best Chihuahua breeders. State or national Chihuahua clubs are one of the best places to start, since they will have listings for reputable Chihuahua breeders. You can also get references at dog events, from publications and through your veterinarian. Breeders also know other breeders, so if you find one breeder who doesn't currently have puppies available, ask for the name of another.

Another good place to hunt for Chihuahua breeders is on the Internet. If you can find a breeder in your area, you will be able to visit and check out the location and dogs for yourself. If not, you will want to take a few extra precautions to ensure that the breeder you select practices responsible Chihuahua breeding so that you will be able to get the healthy dog that you are looking for.

Finding a Chihuahua breeder will be only half the battle, however. Once you have the name of some breeders you might be interested in, you will then want to do your homework to make sure that the people on your list practice responsibleb Chihuahua breeding.

If he has dogs that have tested positive for these issues, they should not be used in the breeding process. Responsible breeders will also let you meet with one or both of the parents of your puppy if possible, so that you can see the dog's temperament and appearance.

Some of the practical aspects that you will want to explore with your Chihuahua breeder is whether the area that the dogs are kept in is clean and well maintained, and if the dogs look healthy and act friendly.

By checking out Chihuahua breeding practices, you have a better chance of purchasing a healthy animal.

The Basics of Owning a Chihuahua

Thu, 20 Jun 2008 12:45:00 GMT

posted by roosterbob
If you are thinking of owning a Chihuahua, there are many things you must be aware of and prepare for. Remember, Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world, and this means they require extra special care and attention.

Be sure to feed your new Chihuahua premium food. Oftentimes the lower quality food will lack important vitamins and minerals, and it can even cause them to loose some of the shine to their coats. Spending a couple extra bucks will help keep your Chihuahua looking nice and healthy!

Chihuahuas are small, and this means smaller amounts of toxic chemicals can affect them more. So make sure you keep all your cleaning sprays, pesticides, fertalizer, bleach, etc. in a safe area away from your Chihuahuas. It's also a good idea to keep your carpet and floors clean. Chihuahuas sometimes like to lick the floor, and they can lick up dirt and other things they shouldn't by doing so.

You will need a crate for your Chihuahua to sleep in at night. Don't worry, it's not cruel. In fact, your Chihuahua should actually enjoy the security and comfort of being in it, and it will keep them from going potty during the night.

Chihuahuas get cold very easily, especially in the winter. Be sure to get some Chihuahua clothes to help keep them warm during the cold days and nights. Something as simple as a shirt can provide a valuable layer of warmth for your tiny Chihuahua.

Owning a Chihuahua is a fun and joyous experience. Take your time training them, and give them the attention they deserve. I wish you and your new Chihuahua the best of luck!

Choosing Reputable Chihuahua Breeders

Mon, 1 Jul 2008 07:02:00 GMT

posted by your-holistic-life
By Sandra Dean
The rise in popularity of Chihuahuas as pets has led to a problem for many individuals as they attempt to find Chihuahua breeders in their area. Individuals and families often want Chihuahua as pets, yet they can't seem to find individuals that breed them and provide top-quality care in their first few weeks of life. If you are experiencing trouble finding Chihuahua breeders there are some resources that can provide you with the information you seek.

Most individuals searching for Chihuahua breeders take their search to the Internet since it can easily identify Chihuahua breeders in your area or all over the United States. This makes it very easy to find your pet Chihuahua. If you are specifically looking for Chihuahua breeders in your area but can't find any through the Internet, you should contact some of the local veterinarians in your area. They often have breeders that bring their dogs in for checkups, shots and more.

Individuals should ensure that they select a Chihuahua from reputable Chihuahua breeders. Instead of being concerned with how the cute the dog is, you should be concerned with how the dog has been raised by the breeder. Care and treatment of Chihuahuas are important when they are little to ensure they don't develop health or behavior problems as they age.

You should always visit Chihuahua breeders in their home or the primary place where the dogs are cared for. The dogs should be happy and excited when you are visiting since you are someone new. The area where the dogs are kept should be warm and inviting, and you should stray away from Chihuahua breeders that keep puppies outside or in a kennel setting. In addition the breeder should provide you with the dog's medical history as well as Chihuahua information that will allow you to continue the excellent care the dog has received in the breeder's home.

You can easily identify reputable breeders based on the information they require you to provide before you take the dog home. Chihuahua breeders care about their dogs and want to know they are going to a safe, loving home.

Some breeders even go to the extent of a home visit to ensure your home is warm and inviting. They also look to see that there is ample room for the pup to run around in and play.

Chihuahuas are one of the best breeds to choose for individuals and families wanting a small dog as a pet in their home. You can find Chihuahuas that will make excellent pets by selecting them from Chihuahua breeders that are highly reputable.

If you or members of your family are planning to get a Chihuahua ensure that you find one that's right for you by selecting him or her from a reputable Chihuahua breeder.

Recognizing An Honest Chihuahua Breeder

Thu, 27 Jun 2008 18:47:00 GMT

posted by your-holistic-life
By Sandra Dean
One of the most popular small breed dogs in the world is the Chihuahua. Ever since the sweet, little face of one of these adorable dogs graced our televisions to ask us if we wanted some tacos, the world has gone crazy with people looking for the perfect little pup. Unfortunately, this has created a wide open market for the dishonest Chihuahua breeder who is looking to make a quick dollar. These unscrupulous breeders are churning out pups by the dozen in breeding centers known as puppy mills.

When you buy a Chihuahua from a pet store you are putting money into the pocket of a Chihuahua breeder who cares more about the money they can make from breeding several hundred dogs each year, than they do about the quality of life they are giving those animals. By refusing to buy a puppy from a pet store, and only purchasing your new dog from a respected Chihuahua breeder, you will be doing your part to help put these mills out of business.

The conditions in which the pups are bred in these puppy mills are nothing short of animal cruelty. Sometimes hundreds of females and pups are all living together in cramped conditions, often having to go without food or water for days. These conditions are rarely sanitary, and it is not unusual to find several dead pups and adult females each day. Even worse than the conditions the dogs are forced to live in, are the conditions under which the females are bred.

Worse yet is the fact that a dishonest Chihuahua breeder will not take each litter of pups to a quality vet to receive the proper medical attention that small breed puppies need. By the time the pups reach the pet store they can be quite sick and often dying. Many an unsuspecting would-be owner has found himself or herself with a brand new puppy that costs them thousands of dollars in veterinarian bills, only to die shortly thereafter.

When you make the decision to only purchase Chihuahua puppies from a respected Chihuahua breeder you can rest assured that you are doing your part to help put these puppy mills out of business. With every puppy that is purchased from a pet store, another puppy mill makes a profit and continues their cycle of cruelty to animals.

Even though the pups in the window may look cute and healthy, chances are they have come from one of these unrespectable Chihuahua breeders, and are much sicker than you think.

An honest Chihuahua breeder would never supply a single puppy to a pet store. They understand that it takes love and patience to care for these little dogs. And they treat them with all the love and respect they deserve.

If you aren't sure how to find an honest Chihuahua breeder, talk to your vet about some of the Chihuahua breeders that he or she respects and knows. But above all - never buy a pup from a pet store.