Frequently Asked Questions
What's A Teacup?
A very small Chihuahua is sometimes referred to as a "teacup" or a "tiny teacup" for the
exceptionally small ones. There are breeders who use these terms to make you think you are
getting something special and will charge more these "teacups". Please don't be fooled,
just as in other breeds some will be smaller than the usual size and some will be bigger.
You shouldn't be paying more for a smaller size Chihuahua, in fact what you will be getting is
a dog that will be susceptible to a lot of health problems not to mention its fragility will
make it prone to a lot of nasty accidents which often lead to a shortened lifespan.
Are Chihuahuas Bad Tempered?
Chihuahuas are described as having terrier-like qualities which generally mean they are
high strung and don't take easily to strangers. Just like people differ in character and
personality the same is true of Chihuahuas. Some may have an inborn aggressiveness
while others are quite docile and submissive in nature (in layman's terms referred to
as "the weenies"). As with all dogs a lot depends on the effort you put into training.
Train it properly, socialize your new puppy as soon as possible by introducing it
to other people and dogs and chances are you will have a well behaved poochie.
Do Chihuahuas Bark Constantly?
No more so than other dogs. What make other dogs bark are the same things that make
Chihuahuas bark.
Again, it all comes down to training. Teach your dog to stay
quiet and it will.
Are Chihuahuas Easily Trained?
Ever notice how for some people things come easily and for others it's a real struggle? Well
that's the same with dogs, including Chihuahuas. Some catch on easily and for others it takes a
while, but all are trainable and all have the potential to put on a little show for your guests,
showing off what you taught them to do.
Harness or Collar?
Chihuahuas should never where a collar, only a harness. Toy dogs such as the
Chihuahua have very delicate throats and are susceptible to a condition called a collapsing
trachea (a weakened windpipe) which causes breathing propblems. A collar puts
pressure on the throat and can play apart in setting off the condition or worsening an existing
one. So always use a harness when taking poochie for a walk.
Are Chihuahuas Good With Kids?
That's a tough one. A tiny dog and small kids sometimes don't make a good match. Simply
put its' small size together with active kids around can get poochie easily hurt, but that
doesn't mean if you have kids Chihuahuas are out of the question. As far as Chihuahuas taking
to kids goes, they become attached and loyal to anyone who is a part of the household. You
should however consider getting one that will reach 5 or more pounds when grown. Teach your
kids to have respect for and gentleness towards animals and under no circumstances should you
leave a toddler or infant alone with a dog, any dog, no matter whether it's friendly and
good natured, or a puppy or whatever.
Do Chihuahuas Live Shorter Than Other Dogs?
No. The average lifespan of dogs is around 12-15 years. Generally Chihuahuas live to be around
15 and it's not unusual for them to live into the late teens.
What's That Snorting Sound?
Those with not only Chihuahuas but those with other toy breeds are
probably familiar with that snorting sound
many of them sometimes make, sort of giving the impression like they have something stuck up
their nose and they're trying to blow it out. It's often referred to as "reverse sneeezing"
or "reverse coughing". The reason it happens to toy dogs and not to
other breeds is because small dogs have much narrower airways and at times, such as when they
get overly excited, more air gets taken in than their little bodies can handle, or so I heard. In
any case it's usually harmless and nothing to be concerned about,
but if it is persistent it could be a sign of collapsing trachea
a problem which should be checked out.
Susceptible To What Health Problems?
Every breed has specific health problems that are common to it and Chihuahuas are no
exception. This does not mean your Chihuahua will get any of them, most well-bred
Chihuahuas live their lives in relatively good health. Now that that's out of the way,
health problems particular to Chihuahuas are:
- Luxating Patella
This is mainly a genetic disorder of the knee joints.
A dog with this condition is susceptible to knee injury very easily.
It can be painful and may require
surgery to correct.
- Hypoglycemia
This is a low blood suger problem more common in Chihuahuas that are too small.
It's charcterized by a sleepy, pooped out poochie. Petstores and the vet can give you
stuff to remedy its' effects.
- Collapsing Trachea
It's a condition of the airways in the throat causing breathing problems.
It's characterized by a weezing, snorting sound and coughing. But please note that occasional snorting called "reverse sneezing", in Chihuahuas is normal and is not considered a health problem.
So how can you tell the difference? The snorting in
collapsing trachea is chronic, resembles snoring with bouts of dry coughing. Reverse sneezing on the otherhand
is more rhythmic and lasts only a few minutes. A dog with a collapsing trachea needs medical attention because the condition can become life threatening. Many dogs respond to medication and sometimes it can be corrected with surgery.
(see What's That Snorting Sound?).
- Heart Problems
Heart problems in Chihuahuas are by far caused by breeding dogs to be undersized, the so called
teacups. People love tiny dogs and the tinier the cuter. This has spurned some breeders to
breed dogs that are smaller than the average size of a Chihuahua and the end result is an
unhealthy dog. If you're planning on getting a Chihuahua please don't look for the smallest
one you can find, even a Chihuahua larger than average is still a very small dog.
