Medical care :

Here are a few tricks to look at before getting your puppy. The Chihuahua is a highly intelligent little dog that has lots of spirit!

Thinking about getting a merle colored puppy?

Based on information about the merle gene in Dachshunds, all merles that are brought into the world have a 36.8% chance of developing some sort of hearing loss, resulting from either slight hardness of hearing to total deafness. Merle chihuahuas is now a disqualification in Canada and has been also voted a disqualification in the USA.

Thinking of buying the tinyest chihuahua ever at a high price?

Unfortunately, very small Chihuahuas (3lbs and less) have more health problems because of their extra tiny size. From my experience, tiny chihuahuas often have dental problems and also have high risk of hypoglycemia. They are also fragile, and can be hurt much more easily. The small Chihuahua itself might appear healthy as a pup, but might have problems later on in its life, and possibly a shorter lifespan. I am not saying not to buy a tiny chihuahua but please be aware of any health problems you might encounter by owning a small Chihuahua, although many small Chihuahuas are healthy.


Cleanliness

In order for you to show your dog cleanliness, we suggest you to get a small dog pen and add a cat litter inside. You can add newspaper or simply cat litter in your litter box. Make sure the litter you purchase is not more than 2 inches high. During the day when you are not home, your puppy will get use to going in his or her litter. When you are home, take your puppy out of its pen for about 30 minutes at a time and start gradually increasing. Leave your puppy free to go in and out of its litter at all times. You will soon notice him or doing his thing in his litter!

Food and Water

Your puppy or dog should always have fresh water. We feed Royal Canin for small breed for our Chihuahuas and recommend you to do the same. It is an excellent source of nutrient for your dog. We do suggest not to give table scraps , it can lead your dog to obesity. Your puppy should have access to his food at all times in our out of its dog pen. When adult, you can feed him twice a day.

Hypoglycemia

Yoda 2006-2008 1.5pounds adult

(Died of hypoglycemia at the age of2)

Chihuahuas can have hypoglycemia due to their tiny size. The sugar level in their blood can be too low if the puppy has not been eating enough or if has had too much stress or has just went to his new home and misses his family. You can notice hypoglycemia if your dog when he has not been eaten enough. You have to make sure it eats well all the time. You can stimulate his appetite by feeding him in your hands or you can add water to his food or even give him soft canned food to stimulate his appetite.

Here are a few symptoms of hypoglycemia: If your dog looks weak and lifeless , feels like jello ,if after a nap it is still very mellow and seems like it always wants to sleep or if your dog does not react as quickly as it used to you can give a bit of sugar, corn syrup, honey or maple syrup put it on your dogs gums or tongue. He should react quickly and get more active. If you pup does not regain energy, bring him immediately to your veterinarian. Hypoglycemia can be deadly. It needs to be seen right away. You can also give caloric supplements for your puppy. You can find this in a pet store or at your veterinarian. It is very high in minerals and energy.

The Molera:

The chihuahua as developed in Mexico and the United States has displayed a "soft spot" on the top of the head. In the Chihuahua this spot, or fontanel, is known as a MOLERA; and is the same as that found in human babies. In the past, this molera was accepted as a mark of purity in the breed, and it is still mentioned in most Chihuahua breed standards the world over. It is important to note that while many Chihuahua puppies are born without the molera, there are probably just as many with one and its presence is nothing to become alarmed over. As shown in the illustration below, the molera in a Chihuahua will occur on the top of the head and may vary in shape and size when present.

Unfortunately, many lay people and some Veterinarians not familiar with the Chihuahua, have tried to link the mere presence of a molera with the condition known as hydrocephalus. This has caused many newcomers to the breed serious concern and undue worry. The truth is that a domed head with a molera present does not predispose the Chihuahua to this condition. Along with the observations of devoted breeders over the years, there is adequate medical evidence to support this statement.

In "Diseases of the Brain" 1989, Green and Braund stated that many clinically normal toy breeds may have open fontanelles without associated hydrocephalus. Drs. Walters and Rivers, Veterinarians at the University of Minnesota concluded that there did not appear to be any relationship between the presence or size of a fontanelle and the condition of hydrocephalus. Dr. Alexander do Lahunta of Cornell University in New York, one of the top neurologists in this country, stated that it would be wrong to conclude that any opening is abnormal

While it would be impossible to list all of the medical documentation in this paper, these few included here are perfectly clear; the presence of a molera does not mean the dog has a medical problem. The Chihuahua is a little dog! They belong in the house, at their owner's side, returning all the love they deserve to receive. With or without a molera, the healthy Chihuahua that is loved and given proper Veterinary care will live well into its teens as an irresistible member of the family.
(This explanation of the molera in Chihuahuas was excerted from the Chihuahua Club of America handbook

Furniture et heights :

In order to eliminate unlikely wounds, we have a few suggestions for you.

Don't leave your puppy on a chair, table or sofa ,he can fall and this can result in death. Stairs are also very dangerous. A little trick I have is that when I play with my pups I sit on the floor and it then teaches him that this is not the only place where he will be comfortable in the house ! When older, your dog will then be mature enough to go up and down the stairs or on a sofa without risk.

Behavior

The chihuahua is a very small dog but don't let this fool you it has lots of character! It has unfortunately with time given him a bad reputation. The problem is not the dog but more his education. You cannot treat your chihuahua like a baby he needs guidelines and limits also. Here are a few important tips :
The more your chihuahua is located high compare to you, meaning in your arms or in front of your face, the more it will think that he can lead you and will then think he is the boss. This will accent his aggressiveness in regards with others, even your family. He will think that he is the master. If he barks or is aggressive in your arms, put him right down on the floor and tell him no!!!. You cannot accept this temperament. If he does not stop barking, put him in his pen. Do not let him win this situation. Please remember that chihuahuas are dogs not babies and they need to be on the floor like any other dogs.

The chihuahuas is the smallest dog in the world (2 to 5 pounds). We are showing you here a weight chart so you could understand better their weight and help you choose the right puppy for you.