The Chihuahua has a very compact body and is described as being small and dainty with a highly spirited intelligence while their behavior is neither snappy nor withdrawn. Overall, the temperament of a Chihuahua should be alert, quick, lively and very courageous. For a Chihuahua the most important part of the breed standard is that the skull is apple shaped with their tail carried very high and of moderate length.

Ideally the tail should be curved or at the least form the shape of a semicircle with the tip pointing down in the direction of the loin region. Regarding proportions the standard Chihuahua should be greater in length than their height at the withers. It is highly desirable that the breed be almost square in appearance, but a slightly longer body is tolerated in female Chihuahua’s for the purpose of reproduction. The American Kennel Club set these standards for the Chihuahua.

When it comes to the Chihuahua standard the skull must be well rounded with an “apple dome” shape. The cheeks and jaws should be lean. The muzzle is moderately short with a slight point and definite stop. The eyes are set well apart and are both large and round, but not protruding. The center of the eye should be on a plane with the lowest point of the ear.

Dark or ruby is the preferred eye color, but some lighter shades are permitted. The ears should be large and flaring with an angle of about forty-five degrees to help add breadth between the ears. The jaw should be strong with a complete and regular scissor bite, meaning the upper teeth should closely overlap the lower teeth and be set square to the jaws. Medium length neck with a slight arch is desired in the Chihuahua standard.

The Chihuahua standard states that their stride should have good reach and drive while being springy, long, energetic and active. When viewed from the back the Chihuahua hind legs should move almost parallel to each other so that the foot prints of the hind feet fit directly into those that are left by the front feet.

Often when they increase speed the limbs will show a tendency to converge towards the center point of gravity or a single track. The dog should have free and springy movement while keeping their head raised and firm with no visible effort.

For shorthaired dogs the coat should be glossy with a soft texture. For the longhaired Chihuahua the coat should be fine, silky and smooth or slightly wavy. All shades and color combinations are allowed by the standard.

The ideal weight for a Chihuahua according to the standard is between 1.5 and 3 kg. Lighter weights are permitted but weights over 3 kg are disqualified.

Bringing a little Chihuahua into your family represents a lot of responsibility that you will have for the little dog. As a toy breed they are prone to many Chihuahua health problems and as a responsible owner it is up to you to familiarize yourself with potential symptoms as much as you can. You will need to know what is standard behavior for a Chihuahua and what classifies as a symptom to a Chihuahua health problem if you are going to truly care for your new pet.

You are going to want to have a long talk with your vet about what to look for in your Chihuahua before you bring the little dog home so that your vet can take you through normal Chihuahua behavior and what to look for if something is wrong. Not only can your vet help you, but also your breeder can also be a vast fountain of knowledge on the care of your Chihuahua and will probably give you information to take home.

Chihuahua health problems are like any other breed’s problems in that some will appear right when they are born and other conditions take time to develop or can be contracted over time. One condition of the Chihuahua is weak leg tendons and ligaments that cause the kneecap to float in and out of place on the dog’s leg. This can be very painful and if you notice that your Chihuahua is having difficulty walking at times then this could be the source of the problem and it requires medical attention for your Chihuahua from the vet immediately.

When male Chihuahua pups are born their testicles are up in their abdomen. Almost right after birth a healthy male Chihuahua will have its testicles drop from the abdomen and if it doesn’t happen at birth then it needs to happen by the time they reach adulthood. If you notice that this trait is lacking in your Chihuahua then you will want to get them to the vet right away, as this is the sign of a very serious health issue that your vet will want to take care of as soon as possible.

Some Chihuahua health problems you can easily see and others you cannot and it is the ones you cannot see that can sometimes be the most serious. The brain in any animal has fluid flowing to and from it at all times and in a Chihuahua one of the health issues is a blockage of this brain fluid causing swelling on the brain and major health issues.

Fluids go back and forth from the brain to the body in any animal and in the Chihuahua these fluids can sometimes get blocked causing a swelling around the brain and severe discomfort for the dog. This can usually be found with regular appointments to the vet but if you notice your dog behaving strangely then get it to the vet right away.

A Chihuahua has a series of health issues that are exclusive to it and then some that are common among toy breeds of dogs. For example, a Chihuahua shares a condition also found in breeds like a Basset Hound in that crystal can form in their urine causing blockages and major problems.

Either way it is important to monitor your Chihuahua’s health at all times as you never know what could happen and you should always make sure you get your dog to regular vet appointments.

When thinking about Chihuahua health, it is vital to understand that just as it is important for you to only put healthy things in your body, it is important for them to receive important nutrients as well. You have already invested a lot of time, energy, and love into your pet so Chihuahua care is already at the top of your priority list. Generally, it is not that people do not want to feed their dogs the best; they just simply do not know what it is that is the best choice.

Remember, that it is important that you provide your dog with the best choice available whether you are cooking dog food at home or buying dog food from a pet store. Take the time to research everything you can on Chihuahua health as what is good for some types of dogs, may not be so good for the type of dog in your home. Understand the Chihuahua’s special needs and cater to them and you will have a long and rewarding life with them.

One of the many reasons why a Chihuahua needs a properly well balanced diet is the same for humans. In order to live life to our fullest potential, we need nutrients that are suitable to what our natural environment is. Chihuahua health is just as important as anyone else’s and it is essential that they have a diet that would have been present in the food they would eat in the wild. The foods you feed your Chihuahua must not be foreign to their bodies and they must be able to digest them easily.

The reason that the right amount and types of nutrients is so important is because their ancestors were able to feast on the right foods for years. Therefore, their descendants need that same food as well. The food mixture needs to be as close to what they would have in their natural environment, even though they do not live there. Just as people need a balanced diet suitable to what their system can handle, these dogs need the same.

When Chihuahua health is not taken seriously, it can lead to a whole host of problems. There are cases where a poor diet leads to liver or kidney disease or failure. And even the least serious of problems such as itchy or dry skin can still put a large amount of stress on your little dog.

These conditions hurt your dog and you as well as your heart and pocketbook. Consider the cost you would save every month by purchasing cheaper, and not very healthy, dog food.

After all, if your Chihuahua health is not up to par, then you may end up with a very sick dog who is suffering from all sorts of things which leads to an expensive vet bill. Your Chihuahua can suffer from dry and itchy skin due to liver or kidney problems, along with many other illnesses.

And most of these problems can be avoided by simply feeding your Chihuahua a proper and healthy diet in the first place.

Chihuahua breeding has become a popular business, and this can work both for and against you when you are on the hunt for the perfect Chihuahua puppy. On a positive note, if you are serious about wanting a puppy from a responsible Chihuahua breeder you will be able to find a breeder that has the perfect dog for you. The down side is that there is Chihuahua breeding going on that is not done in a responsible fashion, and the result can be unhealthy, unfriendly ugly dogs - probably not what you are hoping for in a family pet.

This is why it is so important to take your time in shopping for a reputable Chihuahua breeder who will be able to provide dogs that are healthy and attractive. Finding a good breeder is not as hard as it sounds, as long as you know the guidelines to look for when you are searching for the best breeder for you.

There are plenty of steps that you can take to ensure that the breeder that you select practices responsible Chihuahua breeding. First, check with your state or national Chihuahua clubs for a listing of reputable breeders in your area. The American Kennel Club is another good source for responsible breeders of all kinds of dogs. Your veterinarian may have names of good Chihuahua breeders and friends with Chihuahuas might be able to guide you in the right direction as well. Publications will also have listings in them for Chihuahua breeders, so check your local pet supply store for these magazines and trade publications. If you go to dog events like obedience classes and agility trials, you might be able to collect names of breeders as well.

Another good source for finding Chihuahua breeding sources is over the Internet, but caution should be used in this situation. Make sure that you can talk to the breeder you select over the phone, and ask for plenty of documentation before sending any money for your puppy.

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.

He will screen all of his dogs for Luxating Patella and eye diseases, since these are common hereditary problems in this breed. If a dog tests positive for either of these issues, a responsible Chihuahua breeder will not breed those dogs.

The breeding area should be clean, and the puppies should appear clean and healthy. Your breeder should be concerned about the home that his puppy is going to, and not merely interested in making a sale.

If you follow these guidelines, your chances of finding a person who is responsible in Chihuahua breeding is good, and you will be able to purchase a puppy that will bring you years of enjoyment.

When you decide to do business with a Chihuahua breeder you aren’t buying a lamp from someone you will never see again, you are buying a pet that you will be raising in partnership with your breeder. Make sure you do a thorough check of your breeder before you do business with them, as you need to be completely comfortable that they are the right breeder for you. A reputable breeder will not try and hide anything from you and a reputable breeder will insist that you do all of your own researching so that you find that breeder that is perfect for you.

The first thing you can do to weed out the shady breeders is to check and see what national breeding registry each are listed with. The gold standard is the American Kennel Club but there are other registries so find out which one your breeder is associated with so you can see what kind of breeding standards they use when doing their business. Also check to make sure they are really listed with the registry, do not take their word for it. Remember you are checking someone out so do your own work.

You will never get better advice about any aspect of your dog’s life than from your vet. If you do not have a vet yet then the time to strike up a relationship with a vet is when you are looking for a Chihuahua breeder. Your vet may have opinions on the breeders you are considering and may also have breeders to recommend to you that they have done a great deal of business with in the past. Always consult with your vet prior to dealing with any Chihuahua breeder.

As dark as it may sound you would also benefit from a visit to the local law enforcement authorities to ask about breeders you are considering. If a breeder has a history with the local law enforcement then it may be a good idea to avoid getting involved with that breeder for your good and for the good of your future pup.

As important as any of the people mentioned in this article are to talk to about prospective Chihuahua breeders the one group that you need to make sure you talk to a lot is the breeders themselves. Find out what their policies and beliefs about breeding are and ask if they will be available to you after the sale is done.

A pet becomes a family member so make sure you are making the right choice and ask your prospective Chihuahua breeders a lot of questions.

Choosing a good breeder is the most important step to getting a Chihuahua for you and your family. It is up to you to do the research and find out if the breeders you are considering are people you want to do business with or not.

You need to do the right thing and make sure that you are choosing the right breeder for you and your family because in the end that relationship between you and your breeder is what is most important.

When you start looking for a Chihuahua breeder to get your dog from then you are going to want to find out all the important things about that breeder before you do business with them. To do this you need to know what to ask a prospective Chihuahua breeder so that you can tell if they are reputable and if they know the business of properly raising and breeding Chihuahuas as well. Make sure you ask any questions you have, as a reputable breeder will expect questions.

The first thing you want to know from any Chihuahua breeder is what national registry they are listed with. If they are listed with one they will have proof to show you. If they can offer no proof then you will want to check their claims for yourself on the Internet. A listing on a breeder registry means that they adhere to the standards of good breeding so ask about it.

When you leave the Chihuahua breeder’s property with your new pup the relationship should not end there. The relationship with a good breeder goes on well into the life of your new Chihuahua and the breeder should always be available for consultation on any issues that concern you. If the breeder you are talking to seems less than helpful or less than interested in being helpful then it is probably a good idea to find a new breeder to talk to.

A great source for any information you might need to know about your new pet can come from your vet. You will need a vet when you get a new pup so if you haven’t picked a vet out yet then do so and discuss prospective breeders with your vet to find out what they think of the breeders you are considering. Your vet will steer you in the right direction and make sure that you deal with a breeder that you will be happy with.

A good Chihuahua breeder is going to have an interest in the ongoing good health and happiness of all the animals they breed so discuss with your breeder their policy of taking back a dog that is not wanted.

The breeder will not offer a cash refund but they will offer the dog a second chance at a new owner and offer the old owner a chance to do the right thing and not leave their little pet abandoned to die.

Ask a lot of questions of any breeder you are considering. A reputable and good breeder will expect a lot of questions and the tougher questions are not going to hurt a good breeder’s feelings so ask anything you want.

So pay attention when you talk to your breeder and not only should you hear the answers but pay attention to how they act also, as this will also voluntarily tell you many things you need to know.