Kelly

Margo

General Chihuahua Information

Graceful, alert and swift-moving with a saucy expression, Chihuahuas are highly intelligent and should not be underestimated even though small in size. The breed can be any color – solid, marked or splashed and the coat may be long or short. These sassy little dogs are well known as “purse dogs” like the famous Bruiser in the movie Legally Blonde starring Reese Witherspoon.

Chihuahuas all have large, alert ears, big sensitive eyes, and huge personalities. Inside each little Chihuahua is a miniature king or queen ready to rule their realms, so they need to be taught what is acceptable in human kingdoms and early training and socialization is key. They are intelligent and enthusiastic, so they usually don’t need extensive training.

Chihuahuas are perfect family pets for households that don’t have a lot of extra space, ideal “city” dogs since they do not need much exercise. They can be snippy if not socialized correctly. If you have children, it’s important to buy from a breeder who has socialized their puppies to be around children. Chihuahuas have been bred to be a living teddy bear – who alerts you when someone’s at the door. We think that’s a perfect combination!

Feeding your Chihuahua

Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly feed your pet. Many of the dog foods sold in pet stores include by-products like feet, bones and intestines, chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT, and grains like corn, wheat, gluten and soy, which are often difficult to digest. These ingredients can put unnecessary stress on your pet’s bodily system and can lead to diminished overall health and shortened life span.

We have a healthier alternative for your pet. We choose Life’s Abundance dog food, because it is natural and holistic. Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Puppies & Adult Dogs is made with quality ingredients that are scientifically balanced to support your dog’s overall health. Life’s Abundance isn’t sold in pet stores. Sign up for our Autoship Program today! You get discounted prices and you’ll never again run out of food for your Sweetie Pie. Feel good knowing you’ll be keeping your dog healthy and living longer – away from the Veterinarian’s office.

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We feed our dogs only

because it contains the finest ingredients, like

• A proprietary blend of vitamins & minerals
• High-quality protein from chicken meal for strong muscles
• An antioxidant system including vitamins C & E
• Prebiotic fiber & guaranteed probiotics
• A selection of nutritious vegetables
• Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin & a shiny coat
• Calcium & phosphorus for healthy teeth and strong bones
• Dietary fiber to help maintain a healthy digestive tract

And we think Sweetie Pies deserve the best!

Size and Features

The Chihuahua has a shoulder height of 6-9 in. and weighs 2-6 lbs. Chihuahuas have large erect ears, and tiny feet. The tail may curve over the back or side. The most distinguishable “Chihuahua” characteristic may be it’s “apple” shaped head which generally retains it’s open fontanel for the entirety of their lives. The open fontenel is what gives it the “dent” look as an apple has a dent on its top. Veterinarians not familiar with the breed can sometimes mistake this open fontanel as being hydrocephalus. While the Chihuahua is more prone to hydrocephalus than other breeds, the open fontanel is actually considered a sign of purity in the breed.

Many people looking for Chihuahuas express their interest in the smallest, sometimes referred to as “teacup” or “micro-teacup”. Though these terms are not official breed terms, they have been used to describe those Chihuahuas under 3 lb.

We here at Sweetie Pie Pets do occasionally have these tiny sized pups, however, it is the rarity, and, they are not the right choice for most families. The smaller Chihuahuas are extremely fragile and need 24/7 care. Because of their tiny frames, they do not carry enough “energy” to last throughout the day and must eat every 2-4 hours, for their entire lives. An extremeley tiny Chihuahua cannot even make it through the night without eating and they will always need supplements to keep their blood sugar levels elevated. Most families have busy schedules and must leave their pets at home alone for several hours a day which is why a teacup chihuahua would not be the right fit. If you’re looking for a teacup, please know that you are facing about an around the clock, full time care for the next 10-15 years. Please remember that 4-6 lb Chihuahua is still a very small dog and much more durable.

Chihuahuas are animated and entertaining creatures, famously loyal, who’d happily spend most of their lives curled up in your lap. Though they like to run and play, Chihuahuas are mostly an indoor pet, and do well in apartments. Chihuahuas are fragile and have to be treated with care and kindness—they might not be the best choice for young children. They were bred for the warmth of Mexico and don’t do well in cold weather. They will seek out the sun and love to burrow under blankets to keep toasty, which makes them even more adorable.

Chihuahuas can usually get all the exercise they need by running around indoors. If the dog becomes overweight it should be allowed to walk rather than carried from room to room. Chihuahuas may be taken for short walks but are not an outdoorsy breed.

Kelly Swift holding Chihuahua puppy

Temperament and Character

Chihuahuas are sassy and have absolutely no idea about their classification as the smallest dog breed. If not trained properly from a young age, Chihuahuas can become aggressive. At Sweetie Pie Pets, we make sure to handle and love our pups starting from the day they are born. We train them to love people of all sizes. We teach them to get along with other pets, to play dress up,  and to be used to children. After 8 weeks, most of our pups are ready to go to their new homes where they will need to continue their socialization.

When selecting a Chihuahua for your family, make sure you pick from a responsible breeder who has given lots of attention to their training, and then be sure and continue your pups training. Our favorite episodes of The Dog Whisperer is Chihuahuas from Hell which gives several examples of unsocialized Chihuahuas. There is no excuse for your Chihuahua to behave this way and the Chihuahuas shown in that episode are all examples of unsocialized Chihuahuas.

As long as your Chihuahua is correctly socialized and trained, they can usually live with children and other pets without a problem. They get along particularly well with other Chihuahuas.

However, small children may regard the Chihuahua as a toy, and their teasing can cause your Chihuahua to snap or bite. For this reason, it’s preferable not to leave the Chihuahua with children under the age of 12, unless they are well taught or supervised.

Daughter of our affiliate breeder with our Jewel
I’ve been graced with two Jewels since I started breeding in 2001. This was my first Jewel, she is a smooth coat blue merle with Crystal blue eyes. Jewel lives in one of our loving affiliate breeder homes with her mommy Roxanne and family. Jewel is now retired from breeding and is still the lucky grandma who gets to stay home all day with momma Roxanne and her family!
My nephew with Captain Jack
Captain Jack was one of the first puppies our beautiful Wesley gave us. He got his name for the adorable “patch” over his eye as if he’s a pirate! My nephew loved playing with Captain Jack who has now retired from our breeding program. My nephew and I sure did enjoy playing with all the puppies when he was a little boy. My nephew is now a big 10 year old but he still loves to come to auntie Kelly’s house to see all the puppies. We have so many great memories.

Intelligence and Training

Chihuahuas are very intelligent but they can also be very stubborn so they require some patience from their humans. They are easily crate trained, since they view their crate as their “den” and do not want to soil it. Chihuahuas also respond well to paper training and will remember their bathroom place once established. According to petrix.com Chihuahuas are in the middle of the field among the most intelligent dog breeds. However, they are sometimes not given the credit they truly deserve.

There is some discussion as to the maintenance of Chihuahuas. Granted, they are the smallest dog breed and are susceptible to injury and to issues such as low blood sugar, issues that larger dog breeds don’t deal with. Chihuahuas learn very quickly to avoid being stepped on or sat upon. But be aware, this is more of a learned behavior, and puppies simply haven’t gone through this “trial-and-error.” Chihuahua puppies can be injured very easily and care must be taken to keep them safe from young children.

Another serious issue is their inclination to have low blood sugar. This is a serious and possibly life-threatening condition and is especially common in the smaller ones. Chihuahuas must have continual access to food or you may come home one day to find your dear Chihuahua in a comatose state and will require quick action by the owner. Always have on hand a tube of nutrical, which is a high-calorie protein supplement. They do require daily care.

Find your perfect Sweetie Pie!

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