Teacup chihuahua dog breed information and photos

It is important to note that the teacup chihuahua is not a dog breed in its own right. Instead, it is a common term used to refer to smaller chihuahuas, which are sometimes sold by unscrupulous individuals at a premium because of the increased interest in them compared to their bigger counterparts. As a result, interested individuals should make sure to exercise care and caution when searching for a teacup chihuahua so as to minimize their chances of being fooled into paying more than what they should have paid.

Regardless, the chihuahua is one of those dog breeds that are so old that its origins can be traced to prehistoric times. To be exact, its origins can be traced to the Toltec civilization of Mexico, which are better-known to us through the semi-mythological accounts of their successors rather than the small number of Toltec ruins that have survived to the present. Whatever the role of the chihuahua in that particular civilization, it is clear that it was important, as shown by the fact that recognizable signs of its presence can be found not just in Mexico but also in much of the rest of Mesoamerica.

As a result, when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico, they found such dogs in great numbers in the territories that they had carved out of native polities, though it is interesting to note that these were used as sources of food as much as sources of companionship. Something that might have been because the Mesoamericans had a serious lack of other domestic animals.

Description

Chihuahuas can be separated into two sorts. First, there are smooth-coat chihuahuas, which live up to their name by having short hair that results in smooth-looking coats. Second, there are long-coat chihuahuas, which are notable for the length of their hairs compared to their cousins.

Furthermore, it is important to note that both smooth-coat and long-coat chihuahuas can be separated into apple head chihuahuas and deer head chihuahuas. The first kind of chihuahua tends to have a rounded head with close-set eyes as well as shorter ears and legs. In contrast, the second kind of chihuahua tends to have a flat-topped head with wider-set eyes as well as longer ears and legs. Deer head chihuahuas used to be more popular, but in recent times, apple head chihuahuas have overtaken their counterparts in the hearts of interested individuals.

Regardless, chihuahuas are supposed to be the smallest dog breed out there, but there is a fair amount of variation among them. For example, most chihuahuas stand somewhere between 6 and 9 inches, but there are some that have been known to reach heights of 12 to 15 inches. Furthermore, different kennel clubs have stated different ideal weights such as 4 to 6 pounds for the British and 3.3 to 6.6 pounds for the French, but pet chihuahuas often exceed these targets because of either bigger bone structures or a simple matter of too much food but not enough exercise. This entire matter is complicated by the fact that chihuahuas see so much variation that different dogs from the same litter can grow up to different sizes.

There is no universal definition for a teacup chihuahua. At most, people can agree that it is a chihuahua that is smaller than usual. As a result, the standard size of the chihuahua as stipulated by the kennel clubs is a useful standard to judge by, though it is important to remember that this is a figure that differs from country to country.

Temperament

Some chihuahuas are brave and cheerful companions, while other chihuahuas are clannish creatures that can become snappish at those who are not known to them. A lot of this has to do with how they are raised, meaning that interested individuals should make sure to train them and treat them in much the same way that they would train and treat bigger dogs belonging to bigger dog breeds. After all, they need discipline and stimulation as much as their counterparts, though those who provide them with such things will find them to be fast learners.

Health Issues

Chihuahuas have a lot of potential health issues. For example, the dog breed is known to suffer from higher-than-normal rates of hydrocephalus, which is when the dog has a much larger-than-normal head with corresponding consequences for their health. Furthermore, chihuahuas are known for issues that range from heart murmurs and pulmonic stenosis to low blood sugar, collapsed tracheas, and soft spots in their skulls, with eye-related injuries being particularly common because of their large, protruding eyes. Finally, it should be mentioned that the dog breed often suffers from serious injuries to their joints, which are worsened by their tendencies to be babied. After all, chihuahuas might be smaller than other dog breeds, but they still need the same things as other dogs to maintain their health, meaning that over-affectionate owners can end up harming them through their expressions of that same sentiment.

Teacup chihuahuas suffer from these problems even more than their standard-sized counterparts. After all, their unusual size exacerbates the existing problems with the dog breed, while the fact that a fair number of them are the smallest and weakest members of their litters results in them facing life-long problems. As a result, people who are interested in owning a teacup chihuahua should make sure to visit a veterinarian on a regular basis, both to inform themselves about the potential issues and to keep a close eye on their pets in case those potential issues turn into real problems.

Life Expectancy

Chihuahuas can be expected to live between 12 and 20 years. Unfortunately, since teacup chihuahuas tend to be the most frail examples of the dog breed, their owners should expect the lower end of this range.

Size

As mentioned, chihuahuas see a fair amount of variation, but a height of 6 to 9 inches as well as a weight of 2 to 6 pounds should be regarded as about average.

Recognition

Chihuahuas are one of the most famous dog breeds that can be found in the entire world, which in turn, means that they have widespread recognition. For example, the American Canine Association, the American Kennel Club, and the National Kennel Club are but some of the organizations in the United States that recognize the dog breed, while the Australian National Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club, and the Kennel Club of Great Britain are but some of their foreign counterparts. However, the teacup chihuahua is not a recognized dog breed but an informal term, which is something that interested individuals should keep in mind.