A Chihuahua?

Text Box: You need a buddy to go on long hikes or mountain walks. You like to roughhouse and tumble with your 'best friend' You need a guard dog to look over your home while you are away. You child needs a pet to teach him responsibility. You think dogs are not allowed on the furniture. You think dogs should be seen and not heard. You believe that dogs should not be spoiled. You believe that dogs belong outside. You have small children at home.

Text Box: So many potential buyers say "I want a small Chihuahua". No problem. BUT, you must realize that with smallness comes increased headaches. The smaller the Chichi the more likely it will have major health problems and more likely to become injured. Knee problems are foremost -- any Chichi under 3 pounds will probably have knee problems; problems that may require thousands of dollars in operation costs later in his life. If size is what matters most, make a knee assessment a priority at your vet's office -- although the vet will probably tell you that you need to wait until the dog is one year old to be properly assessed. Sorry!

CKC Breed standards require that the Chihuahua should be between 2 to 6 pounds. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with a Chihuahua larger or small than the standard sizes.

Search the web for information on the Chihuahua and you will find that the smaller the dog, the more delicate, fragile, and prone to ill health it will be. As per the official breed standard, there is no such thing as a 'tea cup' Chihuahua. Nevertheless, the name indicates size that is very tiny -- i.e. very fragile and weak, prone to many genetic weakness including Hypoglycemia and heart disease. A 'tea cup' Chihuahua requires constant supervision.

I have seen very many Chihuahuas over 6 pounds -- even one weighing in at 25 pounds (and not because it was overweight). There is nothing wrong with a Chihuahua over 6 pounds. As a matter of fact, many breeders seek out the 6 to 9 pound Chihuahua as a part of their breeding program. The reason is simple: The larger the Chihuahua the less it will cost medically. The larger female Chihuahua can probably deliver her litter without having to undergo a c-section. And they are less prone to Hypoglycemia and other problems common to the Chihuahua.

The larger Chihuahua is also a better match for a family that includes small children. They are more stable and structurally sound and are so able to take the roughness presented by children.

Make no mistake, although larger that the breed standard it is still a Chihuahua, possessing all those wonderful traits that make the Chihuahua such a wonder companion. And because they are larger than the official standard, the purchase price will usually be less than a Chihuahua expected to be within the 'standard' size.

Reasons NOT to have a Chihuahua.

So You Want a 'small' Chihuahua !

Size Really Does Matter!

Lil' Amigo Chihuahuas