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Why a Chihuahua Mix May Be The Right Dog For You

If you are looking for a pet to complete your family, adopting a dog may be an option that you can think about. Having a pure bred dog can be nice, but they tend to be expensive. If you have your heart set on a Chihuahua, then you can opt to adopt a Chihuahua mix.

Where to Find A Chihuahua Mix

If you are convinced that a Chihuahua mix is the right dog for you and your family, you can do your research on the internet. When you look on the internet for a Chihuahua mix you will find dogs that are for sale, and dogs that are up for adoption. The best place for you to find the ideal dog for you is to look up a Chihuahua rescue that is in your area. When you deal with a rescue group that is dedicated to Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mix, you will be sure that the dog you are bringing home has been evaluated for any behavioral issues and/or medical conditions.

Why a Chihuahua Mix

You may like all the attributes and the personality of a Chihuahua, but perhaps want a dog that is a little bigger. When you choose a Chihuahua mix, you can get many of the qualities that make owning a Chihuahua special but only in a larger package. You can find many Chihuahuas that are mixed with terrier breeds. This keeps most of the big personality of the little Mexican dog that can easily steal your heart.

Having a Chihuahua mix may be the answer to those who want one of these feisty little dogs but have little children in the house. Many Chihuahuas don’t do well in homes that have children, but a Chihuahua mix can alleviate some of the more undesirable characteristics of a pure bred Chihuahua. The dog may be more comfortable around little people when they are not as small as a typical Chihuahua. Most times Chihuahuas will bite when they are frightened or startled. This problem may because the dog is poorly socialized.

Whatever situations you want your Chihuahua mix to face in life, he should face in his puppy hood, though there will be certain stages in his life where you will have to be careful about introducing new things.

Before you decide to purchase or adopt any dog, you should do plenty of research so you know exactly what you are in for. A dog is a companion who will share your life for many years, and to have a successful owner-dog relationship, it is up to the prospective pet lover to find out all the information they need to know in order to raise a happy, healthy Chihuahua mix that will be part of the family for years to come.

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Sources Of Chihuahua Information

Are you looking for Chihuahua information because you are considering having a Chihuahua as a pet?  You should find information about a Chihuahua before you buy one of these little charmers because it will provide the framework upon which you build your relationship with your Chihuahua.

You can find information about the Chihuahua from print and online sources and you can ask breeders and Chihuahua owners about having a Chihuahua in your life.  If you go to your local library, you will be able to find books on Chihuahuas.

Learning About The Chihuahua

You need Chihuahua information, if you are going to buy a Chihuahua as this knowledge will enable you to care for your Chihuahua with less surprises and more answers to your questions in a timely way.  You will need to understand the feeding requirements, proneness to any illnesses or health conditions, coat care and other facts about general Chihuahua care that will make you a better Chihuahua owner.

You should conduct your research for Chihuahua information before you buy a Chihuahua.  Do not rush into buying one of these tiny dogs before you understand the breed and are sure that it fits into your life.  This dog is a small dog breed and its size affects your relationship with the dog.  The happiness of your Chihuahua and yourself as a Chihuahua owner depends on your knowledge about Chihuahuas.

Different Sources Of Information

Anybody with an interest in learning more about toy and small dogs should look for Chihuahua information.  There are tips and facts that you can learn about the Chihuahua from their owners, such as the fact that many of these little dogs will go under a shirt, rug or blanket for warmth and you must be able to have a visual on the little dog at all times before you sit or lie down.

You should know how to look for Chihuahua information using the resources that are available to you.  You can watch for Chihuahua breeders in your local newspaper in order to contact and question the Chihuahua breeder and you may view the breed as participants of dog shows (live and televised).  You can also look online for a variety of sources of more information including classified ads, breed communities and websites, vet sites and online encyclopaedias.

As an informed person, if you decide to bring a Chihuahua home, you will find enough support to help you whenever you need to talk about your Chihuahua.  You may even start to add your own experiences with your Chihuahua to sources of Chihuahua information in order to help other Chihuahua owners.

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Choosing the Right Chihuahua Breeders before Selecting a Pup

Chihuahuas make adorable pets, and anyone who wants to buy one should go about it systematically. There are numerous Chihuahua breeders in every area and choosing a reputable one is vital. Ask any one you know who owns a specimen of this type of canine to recommend Chihuahua breeders, or check out a few before you decide on your pet.

There are many types of Chihuahua dogs: apple head, tea-cup, long haired, doll faced and shorthaired. Good Chihuahua breeders usually breed only one of these types. Some
Chihuahua breeders specialize in really small varieties. Once a buyer has decided the breed he or she wants, it is best to visit the kennel a few times before finalizing the choice of puppy.

Usually, conscientious Chihuahua breeders want to know more about the family buying the pup. Similarly buyers should ask the concerned Chihuahua breeders a few questions too. After all, a dog is a member of the family, and it is not just a money transaction. A little observation around the home and kennel will help in making the right choice

It is important to find out if the puppies are reared with affection in the home, or if they are outside in the kennel Buyers should look around and see if the area where the dogs spend most of their time is clean and well maintained. Observe if the puppies are playful and friendly, or if the dogs shy away from strangers.

Questions to Ask Chihuahua Breeders

The first thing to ask Chihuahua breeders is for their ID and its verification. Ask if the Chihuahua breeders have puppies available at all times, or if they keep potential buyers on a list, and call them when there is a litter. Next, one should ask to see the parents or at least the mother of the pups. Ask the breeders if the dogs are up to date with all their inoculations. Potential buyers should be able to ask the breeders for help and support after they take the puppy home.

It is good idea to ask for names of other persons who have bought puppies earlier. Potential buyers will thus be aware of any problems others have faced with these Chihuahua breeders. Ask what brand of feed is given to the dogs, and confirm that it is a premium brand. Breeders should allow the entire family of prospective buyers to visit the kennels a few times before making a final selection.

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Those Cute Chihuahua Dogs

Chihuahuas are among the smallest dog breeds in the world. These dogs are named after a place in Mexico, where they were officially discovered. The appearance of the Chihuahua is what probably makes it a very popular companion dog for celebrities and average people alike. The American Kennel Club has set standards for the breed which are the basis for dogs that entered in shows. The Chihuahua must stand at around six to ten inches at their shoulders or withers and weight approximately 2.7 kilograms at the most. House pets and non-show dogs usually exceed these standards since they are allowed to eat too much or the owners do not mind their deviation from the standards.

Chihuahua Appearance

The Chihuahua is a very small dog with an apple sized head accompanied by large eyes and disproportionately large, erect ears. Chihuahuas come in several colors, either solid or a combination of colors. The colors are fawn, black, red, cream, blue and chocolate. Chihuahua coat patterns include the following, piebald spotting, Irish spotting, sable, masks, brindle, extreme white spotting, tan points and merle. Blue is difficult to find in Chihuahuas and therefore some may prize it more. It is difficult to be very specific with their classification of their coats since there are many combinations of colors and patterns that can be achieved, so the American Kennel Club has accepted any combination of colors and patterns for the Chihuahua breed.

There are two kinds of Chihuahuas based of their long hair or short hair. These are known as the smooth coated and the long haired Chihuahua. Most long haired Chihuahuas have thin hair except for some whose coat is dense and thick.

Health and Temperament of the Chihuahua Dog

Chihuahuas are noted for their difficulty in giving birth and their bad teeth. Vets have also noticed that they are prone to hydrocephalus and have a soft spot in their skulls when they are still young but this eventually closes as they grow older. Many owners may have noticed that their Chihuahua has a tendency to tremble but this happens only when they are stress or excited.

Chihuahuas are loving dogs who are devoted to their owners. They are prone to barking and jumping at times but these just need training and discipline to curb.  They have a tendency to bite when frightened or surprised so care must be performed when approaching a strange Chihuahua. They also like to associate with other Chihuahuas more than other breeds maybe because of their size and appearance.

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How To Care For Chihuahua Dogs

Enjoying your pet is easier when you are familiar with how to care for Chihuahua dogs.  There are a few special conditions that your dog is prone to and if you know how to care for Chihuahua dogs, you will not be unprepared.

Housetraining

The Chihuahua is susceptible to cold even when you feel hot.  For this reason, some owners choose to litter or paper train their Chihuahua to use a litter box or paper for its needs because this way they can avoid exposing the dog to winter temperatures.

Feeding

A Chihuahua is good at self-regulating its food intake and overweight Chihuahuas usually have somebody giving them too many rich treats.  A Chihuahua will burn up energy quickly and even though it may only need half a cup of food everyday, tiny sized kibble should be made available to the dog at all times to prevent the Chihuahua from getting low blood sugar.  Your dog should not have an all meat diet and should have vegetables available as a part of its diet.

Some Chihuahuas may be prone to kidney stones so be sure that your Chihuahua drinks lots of water.  If you do not make your own dog food, make sure that when you buy dog food that it does not have by-products because some of the by-products used by unethical dog food manufacturers can include feathers, hooves, road kill, euthanized pets and other things that you do not want to feed your Chihuahua.

Exercising

Though it is tempting to carry your Chihuahua everywhere, your little dog does need exercise.  So, let the Chihuahua walk too.  Carrying a Chihuahua too much can make it fearful and aggressive because the dog expects you to be protecting them from anything and everything and may get aggressive if faced with something or somebody new when they are alone.

You can put your Chihuahua on a harness when you want to walk it though you should make sure the Chihuahua is warm at all times.  It is not suitable to walk a Chihuahua in the winter because it is too cold.  When it is cool out, put a sweater or coat on your Chihuahua.  Chihuahuas should not be allowed to jump up to and from tall heights.  The reason is that the dog’s patella can be seriously injured from such a jump.

Grooming
The longhaired Chihuahua should be brushed daily and the smooth coat Chihuahua can be simply smoothed with a cloth and brushed sometimes.  You can give your Chihuahua a monthly bath but be careful not to get its ears wet.

Basic Manners
The Chihuahua is a very loving breed that can become very attached to only a few people.  It also may not like small children because it senses the danger of letting the child play with it.  As you learn to care for Chihuahua dogs, you will find this dog is happy to stay with its owner all day.

The care for Chihuahua dogs is not much different that it is for other breeds.  A Chihuahua’s small size does create some special considerations that you will become familiar with as you care for Chihuahua dogs.

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