How to Identify a Purebred Chihuahua and Care Precautions
The Chihuahua, also called the mini dog, Chi-wa-wa, or teacup dog, is a fairly common breed among pet dogs, small in size and well-proportioned in build, and is deeply loved by everyone. Chihuahuas can be divided into long-haired and short-haired varieties, have low demands for living space, and do not need long-term outdoor exercise, making them fairly home-oriented, but they are extremely possessive of their owners, so if you cannot stand this point, you need to consider whether you want to keep this breed. So how can you tell whether a Chihuahua is purebred? What are the care precautions?
1. How can you tell whether a Chihuahua is purebred?
1. Weight and appearance
Generally, a purebred Chihuahua's weight should preferably not exceed six pounds, and the proportions of its whole body look like a rectangle, with the length from shoulder to hip being a little greater than the height at the shoulder. If you choose to keep a male Chihuahua, it is better to choose one with a shorter body.
The head of a purebred Chihuahua is best apple-shaped, with bright, lively eyes that do not bulge out. A Chihuahua's ears should be erect and fairly large; when resting, the ears will be separated, and when it stays alert, they will remain standing upright.
The neck of a purebred Chihuahua is best slightly curved and able to join well with the shoulders, and the back should present a level, streamlined shape. The tail is moderate in length, carried high or outward, and sickle-shaped.
2. Look at the limbs
The front limbs of a purebred Chihuahua are fairly straight, so that the elbows can move without restriction; for the hind limbs, the distance should be appropriate and the muscles fairly well developed, neither too close together nor too far apart.
3. Look at the coat
The long-haired Chihuahua's coat is very smooth, slightly wavy, and fairly soft in texture, and it is best if it has an undercoat; the short-haired type's coat is very smooth, soft, and tight.
4. Look at the walking posture
A purebred Chihuahua walks fairly quickly with a firm gait; viewed from behind, the legs remain parallel, and after the hind foot lands, the front foot follows closely; viewed from the side, the stride length is appropriate.
5. Look at the temperament
A purebred Chihuahua has a fairly stubborn temperament and very high emotional intelligence, and is very brave and not timid.
1. What are the care precautions for Chihuahuas?
1. Make sure it feels secure
Because the Chihuahua's body is fairly small, its temperament is also not very stable, and it is very easily frightened and then barks wildly; this is also a sign that it does not feel secure. If the owner can usually spend more time with it and help it build a sense of security, then the phenomenon of barking wildly may be reduced.
2. Train it in behavioral rules
Because the Chihuahua is easily frightened, if you take it out, it is also fairly likely to accidentally hurt others, especially when it encounters a large dog, when it may even attack it, and worse still, it may attack its owner. Therefore, from the very beginning of keeping a Chihuahua, you should train it in behavioral rules to reduce the occurrence of bad situations.
3. Do a good job of environmental hygiene
During the seasonal coat change, shedding is very likely to occur, so you should do a good job of cleaning some hidden places at home to avoid the phenomenon of being allergic to the hair. Doing a good job of hygiene can not only let you live comfortably, but also reduce the chance of the dog getting sick.