Description and content of the white chihuahua
Everyone knows the adorable little Chihuahua dogs - this breed is always popular due to its cute, touching appearance and diminutiveness. The variety of colors allows you to choose the color of the pet in accordance with personal preferences. The white Chihuahua is considered especially rare and valuable, the content of which requires the owner to know some of its features.
From the history of the breed
The homeland of the Chihuahua is Mexico and the dog got its name from the North Mexican state of the same name. The ancestors of babies, before their domestication by Indian tribes, lived in the wild. Among the Aztecs, these were sacrificial dogs that accompanied their master even after his departure to another world. The purposeful breeding of Chihuahuas began in the middle of the 19th century, and as a separate breed it was described in 1800.
Characteristics and standards
Due to the tiny size of the animal, some perceive the Chihuahua only as an indoor toy. In fact, these are dogs with a bright personality.
Among their positive features of the breed are the following:
- a variety of attractive coat colors;
- lively and open character;
- love communication, loneliness is not for them;
- quick reaction, activity;
- not only a loyal friend for its owner, but despite its size, it is also an excellent guard;
- does not require large space for the content;
- no difficulty in grooming the coat;
- a good travel companion;
- quick-witted, easily accustomed to the tray;
- hardy, suitable for lovers of long walks;
- playful, puppies lend themselves well to simple training;
- long-liver, lives up to 20 years.
There are few cons, but they also deserve attention:
- very fragile, requires careful handling;
- not suitable as a pet for a child;
- chooses only one owner, the rest of the family will not be an authority for him;
- may show aggression, bully other dogs;
- prone to jealousy.
For the Chihuahua, the smallest dog in the world, the following standards exist:
- growth should not exceed 23 centimeters;
- weight - within 0.5-3 kilograms;
- square body shape;
- the head is round, the muzzle is short and tapers towards the nose;
- ears are erect, triangular;
- eyes are large, dark, rounded;
- the chest is wide;
- tail set high, of medium length;
- The coat can be of two types - long, soft and slightly wavy in long-haired dogs, or smooth, short and shiny in short-haired dogs.
In size, in addition to the standard, the following varieties of Chihuahuas can be distinguished:
- mini - whose weight is in the range from 1 to 1.5 kilograms;
- micro - the smallest species weighing from 0.5 to 1 kilogram;
- deer - long-legged dogs, in physique resemble deer.
White Chihuahua - albinism or standard?
The variety of Chihuahua colors is amazing. The color of the animal can vary from black, brown and fawn to cream, red and brindle, and sometimes the coat is completely exotic shades - lilac, blue and sable.
In Mexico, in the homeland of these dogs, the black and white color is popular, which is called the colondrino. In such animals, small white blotches are scattered over the black background of the coat color, usually located on the chest or paws.
The variety of shades of Chihuahua is due to the fact that there are no rules for crossing these dogs in their history. In this regard, uniform light shades or white color of the pet are much less common, and therefore they are extremely in demand.
The white Chihuahua is especially prized. This color gives the dog even more touching and tenderness. It is not for nothing that many fans of the breed hunt for snow-white puppies, which are considered exclusive. Sometimes the question arises as to whether such a rarity is a deviation from the norm.
It is possible that white puppies appear as a result of a malfunction in the genetic system, since they are characterized by defects inherent in albinos. You should definitely think about this if you want to become a happy owner of a white Chihuahua and pay great attention to examining the puppy when purchasing it.
Actually far away not always a white Chihuahua is an albino. Usually, breeders reject animals with a faulty gene and do not use them in the future for breeding. Therefore, the probability of the birth of an albino is not so great. But for greater assurance, it is best to purchase a puppy from reputable breeders.
When choosing a puppy, you need to carefully check - is the animal deaf, because this kind of malfunction in genes often happens in albinos. In addition, pale blue eyes with no dark fringes, light pink nose, and pink lips that are not darkened around the edges can be a warning sign. All these signs are also characteristic of albinos.
In addition, the puppy should have a thick coat without bald spots, healthy skin, clear eyes and clean ears.A correct scissor bite is required for a white animal. An active, fun and curious behavior of the dog is an important sign of good health. Unwillingness to communicate or aggressiveness indicates a problem with the puppy's psyche.
But do not rush to acquire your dream, even if you are convinced that the puppy is healthy.
The white Chihuahua has one more feature - there is no guarantee that it will retain its exclusive coat color as it matures. At first glance, all white puppies are the same, but if you take a closer look at the coat, you can often see the villi of cream or fawn shades. On this basis, you can distinguish those puppies that, upon reaching 5-6 months, may darken. A real "snowball" will be completely white at any age. Therefore, fans of the white Chihuahua need to be vigilant and carefully examine the pet's coat, so as not to receive an unexpected surprise later.
Care and maintenance
Proper care will ensure your Chihuahua has a long and comfortable life. These dogs are really indoor, they need warmth and the absence of drafts, their keeping on the street is unacceptable. Animals are afraid of the cold, so they need clothes not only for walking, but also for the apartment, if it is cool in it.
Owners should understand that for a white Chihuahua, clothing is a necessary attribute, which is an additional protection of the dog from pollution, since it is recommended to bathe the animal no more than 5 times a year to preserve its fatty layer of the skin.
Depending on the time of year, your pet may need warm, demi-season and lightweight clothing sets. In hot weather, the dog is sensitive to overheating, it must be protected from the bright sun.
In uncomfortable weather, it is not necessary to take the Chihuahua outside for the sake of the toilet, just start a tray for such cases at home. Dogs are easily accustomed to it. Sensitivity to temperature should be considered when choosing a place for a pet. This should be a place protected from batteries and drafts, where the animal will feel safe.
An adult Chihuahua of white color does not require laborious care of its coat. Depending on the length of the dog's coat, it is necessary to comb out - short-haired dogs at least 2-3 times a week with a natural brush, and long-haired dogs - daily, using a comb or comb. Also, the eyes, nose and teeth of an adult animal require regular examination and cleaning. The teeth are cleaned with toys and special dental sticks.
Due to its activity, an adult Chihuahua spends a lot of energy, which must be replenished with quality nutrition. It can be both natural food and ready-made specialized mixtures. Feeding should be done in the morning and evening, food should be warm. It is important that the dog always has enough fresh water to drink. The diet should be rich in protein, therefore The pet can be fed with veal, beef, poultry, fish.
A boiled chicken egg can be given to a dog no more than twice a week. Cereals and vegetable mixtures are used boiled without adding salt. As a source of calcium, it is useful to introduce into the pet's diet dairy products... An adult animal needs 50-80 grams of food per 1 kilogram of weight.
Given the fine mental organization of the Chihuahua, one should not leave him alone for a long time. When leaving home, it is advisable to leave at least one lamp turned on for it. The animal can be very bored and at the same time bark, howl, gnaw on surrounding objects. It is necessary to purchase a variety of toys for the dog, which will occupy its attention in the absence of the owner, and will also help cleanse the oral cavity.
Shouting and using force against an animal is contraindicated. If you need to point out any unwanted action, then you can hit the floor with a newspaper and make the remark in a slightly raised tone.And positive actions must be encouraged with verbal praise and treats.
Considering the characteristics of the white Chihuahua and following the rules of easy care, you will gain a loyal and caring friend, a devoted companion and vigilant watchman. Fall in love with him with all your soul, and this baby will fill your home with joy and happiness.
In the next video you can learn the basic secrets of raising and keeping Chihuahua dogs.