Height: 6 - 9 inches

Weight: 2 - 6 lbs

Colors: Any color or mixture

Coat:

• Long: Long, soft to touch, slight waviness is permissible
  
• Short: Short, dense, soft to touch

Temperament:

• Chihuahuas are bold playful With Children: Yes, If children are gentle
  
• With Pets: Yes, lives happily with others
  
• Special Skills: Family pet

Watch-dog: Very High

Guard-dog: Very Low

Care and Training:

• Short haired Chihuahua should be brushed gently or wiped with a damp cloth
• The long haired Chihuahua should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush
  
• Bathe only when necessary. Check ears regularly and keep nails trimmed
  
• Should be socialized early
  
• Minimal exercise is required for both variety of Chihuahuas
  

Learning Rate: High

Activity: Moderate

Living Environment: Must live indoors, but enjoys outdoor activity

Health Issues: Eye problems, collapsing trachea and dislocating kneecaps.

Life Span: Well into teen years

Litter Size: 1 - 4

Country of Origin: Mexico

History:

Discovered in Mexico about 100 years ago. The true origins of their ancestors is still a mystery. It is said they were bred from the small dogs know among the Toltecs of Mexico in the ninth century. Others believed the Chihuahua was the sacred dog of the Aztecs and thirdly there is a possibility they may have existed in Egypt some 3,000 years ago.

First Registered by the AKC: 1904
AKC Group: Toy
Class: Toy
Registries: AKC, CKC, FCI (Group 9), KC (GB)

The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world and was named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. Chihuahuas are graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with a saucy expression. Two distinct breed types, one with a long coat of soft texture, the other with a short coat. Identical otherwise, both can be whelped in the same litter. Adored for their small size, the Chihuahua is a bright eyed, dainty dog who is perfect for apartment living. The Chihuahua's size makes it a wonderful dog for people who live in small city apartments. The breed is very hardy and adaptable and Chihuahua's are good travelers and can easily go anywhere with their owners.

The Chihuahua is a good companion dog. Courageous, extremely lively, proud and enterprising, it gives and demands affection. Bold and saucy, it moves swiftly to avoid being stepped on. Chihuahua's are strong-willed, intensely loyal and become very attached to their owners. they are intelligent, learn quickly, and respond well to proper, gentle (positive reinforcement) training. They are best when well-socialized with people and other animals.

The Chihuahua does not like colder weather and may shiver. They appreciate a warm sweater on cooler days. A body harness is safer than a collar.

They live to be about 15 or more years in age.