Types of color, maintenance and training of smooth-haired Chihuahuas

Dogs have been human companions for many centuries. Devoted animals not only protect their owner's home, but they also help with farming and simply serve as a source of joy. Modern conditions of city apartments often do not make it possible to breed large breeds, which require increased attention, a lot of time and a special diet.

Experienced dog handlers recommend paying attention to small animals that require much less space and financial costs for feeding, but will bring no less positive emotions and can get rid of loneliness. One of these breeds is the sleek-haired Chihuahua, which has a funny look and willful temperament.

The smooth-haired Chihuahua is a short-haired breed that was brought from Mexico to Europe by the Spaniards. Ancient Mexican tribes used a small animal as a talisman and worshiped him as a deity.The genetic roots of this breed go back centuries and are similar to sand foxes.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the funny animal interested American residents and became widespread in America, and already in the 20th century, the Chihuahua breed received official recognition and was registered in cynological registers.

Chihuahua is a small sacred animal that has a wayward character. The standard weight of an adult dog ranges from 1 kg to 3 kg, and the height at the withers should not exceed 20 cm. The life span of the dog is 16 years.

The shape of the skull resembles an apple with a pronounced transition from the frontal zone to the muzzle and large eyes. The animal has a shiny and smooth coat that can be brown, black, white and multi-colored. On a wide chest, you can see the rounded ribs. On the back of the body there is a semicircular protruding tail.

Puberty in males begins by 12 months, in females - closer to two years. If the owners do not plan to breed animals, it is imperative to sterilize the dogs until puberty. This procedure will make the pets less aggressive and more obedient. One female is able to give birth to no more than 3 puppies. Childbirth should take place under the strict supervision of doctors or owners.

A funny animal with a toy appearance, it has a capricious and aggressive character. Novice dog breeders should pay special attention to this feature and not let the animal out of their field of vision during a walk. When developing a training technique, you must take into account the following character traits:

• fast reaction;
• guard instincts;
• strong nervous system;
• lack of rancor;
• a jealous attitude towards the owner.

After completing any task the animal must definitely receive an assessment of its actions. If everything is done well, the pet must be pleased with a tasty treat; for disobedience, the owner must make a remark in a stern voice. The training time can drag on for a long period and require patience, endurance and sequence of actions from the owner.

Despite the difficult nature, Chihuahua does not enter into conflicts with other inhabitants of the house if they do not climb to it. Particular attention should be paid to the communication of children with a pet, which by hugs, cuddles and excessive attention can provoke the animal's aggression.

Advantages:

• unpretentiousness;
• small size;
• loyalty to the owner;
• unusual and original appearance;
• long period of life.

Disadvantages:

• intolerance to cold weather;
• the need to purchase a winter wardrobe;
• feeding with high quality feed;
• shivering from cold, fear, or strong emotions;
• difficulty of training;
• loud barking;
• limiting contact with large dogs and small children;
• territory label;
• the difficulty of training to the tray;
• a constant desire to win a leading position in the family.

A wide variety of colors provoked the emergence of several varieties of individuals of this breed.

• Ginger... This color range includes both light and dark shades. In nature, there are practically no dogs of a pure red color, most of them have white shapeless spots.
• Black... A common color that always has a splash of white and gray on the chest and limbs.
• Chocolate. A popular color that has a red tint. Animals can be either pure brown or have a color tricolor.

Pets can also be brindle, purple and blue.

The greatest demand is for dogs of white color, cream, chocolate, black, silver and red tints.

An unacceptable color deviation is a marbled color. Puppies with this shade are born with physical disabilities and often die in the first hours of life.

Little puppies are funny creatures that are very small in size. Features of newborn dogs:

• blindness;
• inability to walk;
• the presence of hanging ears and a short tail, which is tightly pressed to the body;
• soft and small nail plates;
• pink nose;
• lack of mustache.

Professional dog handlers do not recommend purchasing pets in spontaneous markets from unknown sellers. In order to buy a purebred dog, you need to contact licensed breeders who are professionally engaged in breeding and have all the permits.

Before buying a pet, you need to carefully examine the room where it was kept, and the food with which it was fed. In the presence of sanitary and hygienic deviations, it is better to refuse this purchase. Breeders must show the animal's passport and tell about its parents and the number of individuals in the litter, which should not exceed 5 pieces.

Signs of a healthy puppy:

• activity;
• a good appetite;
• curiosity;
• smooth and shiny coat;
• well-fed physique;
• the presence of a cold and moist nose;
• clean skin;
• lack of signs of skin diseases;
• compliance with all breed standards;
• the presence of strong and healthy limbs;
• absence of purulent and mucous discharge from the nose and eyes;
• constant tension of the auricles;
• overlap of the lower jaw of the upper.

In the case of the slightest deviations, you must refuse to buy and not listen to the persuasion of the sellers.

Before purchasing a pet, owners need to carefully study the features of their diet, the balance of which determines the physical condition of the pet. The compiled menu should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Dog handlers distinguish two ways of feeding:

• ready-made feed;
• natural products.

Experienced dog breeders recommend using ready-made premium food, the composition of which is as balanced as possible and contains all the necessary nutrients for a given breed, The main disadvantage of such a diet is the high cost of products, which not every owner can afford.

When self-compiling a diet, special attention should be paid meat, fish products, cottage cheese, eggs, cereals, vegetables and fruits. The menu used should contain a sufficient amount of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Feeding your pet is permissible only with boiled and steamed foods.

The initial diet for newborn puppies should be breast milk. As the puppies grow, it is necessary to start introducing cottage cheese, boiled and chopped meat. Babies need six meals a day.

Fatty, salty, smoked, sweet and fried foods can lead to food poisoning, and sometimes even to the death of a pet.

For harmonious growth and development, the animal must have constant access to clean and fresh filtered or spring water. Experts do not recommend using boiled water or tap water.

Creating comfortable living conditions for a pet is the main task of every owner.

The main problems that every owner of this breed will immediately face are the difficulty of training the pet to the litter box and the constant label of the territory. These difficulties are caused by a number of reasons:

• features of the structure of the bladder;
• the desire to choose a secluded place for the toilet;
• the genetic need to define the boundaries of their territory.

In the summer season, the pet needs daily walks, and with the onset of cold weather, the time spent in the air must be significantly limited. Before visiting the street, the dog must be dressed in accordance with the temperature regime. Warm clothes will help the gentle pet not only to keep warm, but also to prevent the development of colds.

Every morning you should start by rubbing your eyes and examining the auricles. An obligatory hygiene procedure is clipping the nails as needed. To maintain the coat in good condition without shedding, it is necessary comb the pet every day with a special massage comb (furminator). This procedure is mandatory especially for dwarf breeds that do not shed.

After each visit to the street, it is necessary to wash the paws, and every 7 days it is necessary to completely bathe the animal. For water procedures, you need to purchase special shampoos and conditioners, which will not only make the coat smooth and shiny, but also prevent the appearance of various parasites.

A pet is not only a sea of ​​happiness and joy, but also a huge responsibility for a living being. Before buying a breed you like, you need to carefully study its diet, care and breeding features, and also allocate enough time to communicate with the pet.

For the characteristics of the Chihuahua breed, see below.