All about the breed and buying a pocket mini Chihuahua

Among the smallest dogs in the world, the Chihuahua is especially popular. Animals of this breed have several varieties. Mini Chihuahuas are so called because of their original habitat; the prefix mini indicates the pet’s small stature. Despite the compact dimensions of the dog, its inner world is very rich, the characteristics of this breed are unique.

Origin story

Scientists believe that the history of miniature dogs goes back more than 10 centuries. Images of similar animals are found in ancient rock paintings. Basically, the sketches relate to the culture of ancient Indian tribes - Aztecs, Mayans. And in the oldest temples in Mexico, clay figurines of small dogs were discovered. In addition, during excavations in the Mexican district, the remains of animal skeletons were discovered that outwardly resemble the structure of modern mini-Chihuahuas. It was believed that in the ancient world small dogs enjoyed fame and respect because their remains were discovered near the burial places of leaders and other important people.

When Europeans first saw the dogs, they were amazed at the miniature size of the animals. The Mexicans called the local dogs Techichi, but people from another continent gave them a new name, which came from where the dogs lived: Chihuahua. At first, small Chihuahuas had long hair. But then, after crossing with the Chinese Crested, another variety of mini-Chihuahua appeared - the short-haired one. Moreover, over time the original name has changed somewhat. The dogs began to be called Chihuahuas, the same name has been preserved to this day.

Description of the breed

The breed standard was officially approved in 1923. After this event, all representatives of mini-Chihuahuas must meet certain parameters:

1. The height of an adult animal should be in the range of 15-23 cm. Weight is 1.3-2.5 kg. True, the super mini attachment is only suitable for those individuals whose body weight varies between 0.5-1 kg. This feature gives the little ones a special charm; in addition, representatives of the mini type are in high demand among breeders.
2. The body is slightly elongated, strong and dense. The back is straight, the withers are slightly pronounced. The loin is quite massive. Wide, slightly flattened croup.
3. The chest is massive and wide. The ribs are rounded but not barrel-shaped. The stomach is tucked.
4. The small dense neck ends in a small head. The dog's skull can be in the shape of an apple (this is the dominant feature) or in the shape of a deer's head. She has a high sloping forehead. The transition to the muzzle is clearly marked. The muzzle itself is moderate – neither long nor short. The nose is slightly upturned, medium size. The color of the nose can be any color.
5. The mini-Chihuahua has a rather pronounced shoulder section. The shoulder blades on the back are tightly pressed to the body and do not protrude. The limbs are muscular. The front legs are straight. On the rear, the articular parts are strongly distinguished and have a noticeable angle in the bend.
6. The tail is not set very high, but not low either. Wide at the base, it tapers towards the end, the length is medium. The position of the tail is straight up, to the side or curled into an oval shape.
7. The dog's lips are thin. They are pressed tightly to the gums. The teeth are white and small. Scissor bite.
8. Round big eyes. It seems that they are bulging out. The color of the iris is black or dark brown. The look is inquisitive, expressive. The Chihuahua's eyes resemble black beads.
9. A mini Chihuahua's ears appear large compared to its small head. The shape of the ears is triangular. The ends of the vertically placed ears are rounded.

Depending on the weight and height of the individual in question, certain indicators are taken as the standard. The difference between the mini and standard Chihuahua is only in size. Mini-sneezes weigh 1-1.3 kg, body length is about 25 cm, height at the withers is no more than 14 cm. Ordinary, standard representatives have larger sizes.

Coat and color

The Chihuahua breed has several subspecies:

• long-haired;
• shorthaired

The short-haired type of the breed is more common. The hair on a dog's body is soft, smooth, and shiny. A slight lengthening of the coat can be seen on the body in the neck, chest, abdomen and tail. The undercoat is mostly absent. But even if a short-haired individual has an undercoat layer, it should be dense, but soft. Dogs with coarse hair do not meet the standards and cannot be allowed for breeding.

Individuals with long hair have soft, silky hair. It can be wavy or straight. There are elongated feathers on the ears, paws, and belly. Around the neck, long hairs form a kind of collar. Small Chihuahuas come in a wide range of colors. The most common colors:

• black and tan;
• brown with tan;
• chocolate;
• snow-white;
• blue-black;
• black and white.

It is much less common to find babies with a silvery, bluish or bluish tint to their fur. It is quite difficult to breed a dog of this color. Moreover, the gene that gives the coat blueness carries with it some pain.

Character

The little dog has a proud and capricious character. An insufficiently trained pet can easily run away during a walk (if a leash is not on) or start a fight with another animal (even with a dog many times larger than itself). If you patiently explain the rules of behavior to your dog from early childhood, you can raise a good-natured and balanced animal. The mini Chihuahua loves to run and play a lot. Sometimes even he can forget himself, then he will run until he falls exhausted. Inexperienced breeders are afraid of such moments, but in this case it is worth giving the dog a drink and resting. Chihuahua becomes attached to one owner. Treats other family members calmly, patiently, but at some distance.

Classification into mini and super-mini

If you look at the RKF Chihuahua breed standard, there is no information about the mystical classification of dogs into “mini” and “super-mini”. Yes, officially there are only 2 types of Chihuahuas:

1. smooth-haired;
2. long-haired.

Mini and super mini Chihuahuas are not mentioned in the official standard of the Russian Canine Federation, and do not belong to a separate species.

«Where did this classification come from?

" - you ask. After all, mini Chihuahua and super-mini puppies are actively offered on the Russian market. Indeed, a confusing situation. And believe me, the situation is developing in a similar way in the USA and European countries. Moreover, tiny babies are in great demand, so buyers are willing to pay twice or even three times more than for standard representatives of the breed.

So, who are these mysterious mini Chihuahuas? According to the official breed standard, the maximum weight of a Chihuahua is limited to 3.5 kg. There is no minimum threshold, but the recommended body weight range is 1.5-3 kg. Thus, the weight can be below 1.5 kg. And according to weight categories, cunning breeders established an unofficial classification:

• standard
  - representatives of the breed weighing 1.5-3 kg or more;
• mini
  – dog’s body weight in the range from 1 to 1.5 kg;
• super-mini
  - dystrophies that do not exceed a weight value of 1 kg.

Moreover, in the latter case, the lower the weight, the more expensive the puppy. It is important to understand that what ultimately matters is the weight of the adult, not the puppy, which makes sense. After all, puppies are born with a body weight of 75-150 grams and grow throughout the year. It is difficult at the initial stage to draw a conclusion to which class to classify each of them.

However, if both parents do not exceed 1 kg, then the offspring will most likely be limited to a similar weight category. It is important to understand that no breeder will give reliable information about the final weight of the puppy after adulthood. A puppy passed off as a mini Chihuahua can weigh more than 2 kg after a year. It's impossible to predict.

Care and maintenance

A miniature pet requires a lot of attention. You should not have a mini Chihuahua in a house where there are small children and cats. Unreasonable family members can strangle a dog in their arms or trap it in a door. The cat will easily scratch if the dog starts to bully her. If, nevertheless, a decision has been made to have a small sneeze, then it is necessary to inspect the home interior and eliminate traumatic objects:

• small things and tablets need to be removed higher, otherwise the dog will be able to swallow them;
• On a slippery floor you should lay a carpet or rubberized mat. When a sneeze runs around the rooms in excitement, he may slip and roll all the way to the nearest wall. Due to its tiny size, it has the potential to be seriously injured;
• It is necessary to put limiters on the doors so that when closing you do not accidentally run over the dog;
• any barriers and obstacles should be removed. This dog breed has a love of jumping on high objects. From there, the Chihuahua can easily fall and break.

A smooth-haired dog, just like a long-haired dog, needs increased attention and care from its owner. Long hair is a little more difficult to handle. Overgrown hairs need daily combing and detangling. Periodically, your pet should be taken to a dog grooming salon. Short-haired animals are bathed once every 3 months. Long-haired dogs require washing every 1-1.5 months. The dog's ears and eyes need daily inspection and cleaning.

Chihuahuas often develop tartar on their teeth. Therefore, brushing your teeth should be done as often as possible, preferably daily.

Mini Chihuahuas can get cold in winter and get sick. Therefore, you should take care in advance about purchasing dog clothes for walking.

Feeding

Feeding a mini Chihuahua is a separate rule. Feeding the animal must be strictly according to schedule. Otherwise, there is a risk of poisoning, intestinal blockage, loss of strength and other troubles in the pet’s body. If after a meal there is food left in the bowl, then further portions should be reduced in volume. If there is a need to revise the type of food, then you need to replace some foods with others very carefully, gradually.

The diet of little sneezes should consist of: meat, cereals, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is allowed to add finely chopped greens to dishes. You should not entice your pet with sweets and baked goods, as this breed has a predisposition to obesity.

How to distinguish “mini” from “standard” when purchasing?

I’m wondering if the difference between “mini” and “standard” is only in weight or is there something else... Therefore, I really want to understand the difference. So that when purchasing I can be sure that it is a “mini”.

I just read a few articles and everything talks about “standard”. And I only learned about the “mini” from advertisements for sale and in the forum. And that’s why I still can’t clearly choose between “mini” and “standard”. Although I understand the most important thing is that the “puppy” is healthy. And in the forum there were messages about the poor health of the “mini”, and this is somehow alarming.

The minis are not so much painful as they are more fragile. I jumped off the sofa and broke my leg. A bee bite means anaphylactic shock with a fatal outcome, etc. They require increased attention.

Jeanne I would advise taking the standard. And without any baby faces (more problems with teeth). If you need a smaller one, then look at the mother and father of the dog. 2.500-2.800 kg.

Thank you very much for helping me figure this out. That is, it turns out that “mini” and “baby-fase” are deviations from the breed standard. What about exhibitions?

My Vikkusik is 7.5 m and weighs 1900. She is so tiny. Of course, I was with her at the exhibition. And I saw a Yorkie weighing 1300 there - lovely. she is 1.5 years old. Of course, it’s not worth knitting such dogs, but what a decoration for a girl. It's like drag. stone. I carry it in my purse and my hands don’t get tired. Yorkies definitely need society. Then there will be no problems at exhibitions.

My opinion is this: when we bought our Pepper, it was immediately visible, everything

Source

Training and education

Not all new breeders understand what they can do during the training process with a pocket dog. However, just because she is miniature in size, she does not cease to be an animal. Chihuahuas, like other living creatures, have a character. As you know, all domesticated dogs require special education. Otherwise, there is a possibility of raising a proud, uncontrollable animal.

So, raising a mini-Chihuahua is necessary in order to:

1. Achieve obedience. This is the only way to prevent a dog from acting recklessly.
2. Avoid escapes during periods of walking.
3. Avoid injury. After all, the breed is predisposed to fights. Often the results of clashes are disastrous for small dogs. Unquestioning obedience to the owner will help your Chihuahua avoid unreasonable actions.

Training should begin according to the standard scheme. Usually, the basic program includes teaching the puppy such skills as: sit, voice, lie down, no, and others.

Also, from an early age you need to accustom your pet to a leash and collar. It is necessary to give the dog the opportunity to make independent decisions, but strictly suppress attempts to damage furniture or other interior items. Some Chihuahua owners are sure that climbing on the bed and damaging things are temporary difficulties, the pranks of little puppies. It seems to them that when the dog grows up, it will stop mischievousness. But this is a wrong opinion. If you don't stop your pet from crapping in time, it will become a habit.

A small dog needs socialization, so you need to introduce the Chihuahua to the outside world. You should not keep your pet at home all the time, even if it regularly goes to relieve itself in the litter box. If the owner goes on any trip, he is recommended to take the dog with him.

Character and behavior

Speaking about the breed, it should be noted that by nature, small, cute Chihuahuas are active and cheerful pets. They do not immediately get used to the owner and accept him, but then they remain faithful for life. The puppy of this breed is fearless and courageous, endowed with good reactions, thoughtful, balanced and compliant. As an adult dog grows up, it develops the ability to feel the mood in which the owner came home, and even his physical pain.

The smallest dog should not be left alone on the street, because it thinks too highly of itself, which is why it is capable of barking at larger dogs and running after them. Large animals, children or birds of prey can injure your pet. A Chihuahua cannot be alone at home; in this case, it begins to bark and become mischievous. By raising it correctly, you can ensure that the animal will have an affectionate, easy-going disposition and will love its owner very much.

Related article: How to properly keep and care for a Chihuahua

Diseases and life expectancy

Mini Chihuahuas live for about 15-17 years. Throughout their existence, these small dogs are susceptible to various diseases. In addition, puppies with a bluish color are rejected in nurseries, even if all parameters fully comply with the standards. After all, as already mentioned, such a feature (blue tint) often signals that the individual is sick.

Also, small Chihuahuas are prone to certain pathologies:

• hydrocephalus;
• endocrine disorders;
• heart muscle defects;
• respiratory problems.

Any veterinarian can confirm that the smaller the dog, the more susceptible it is to illness. Therefore, there is no need to be alarmed if you suspect the formation of any pathology. You just need to get vaccinated in a timely manner, periodically show your pet to specialists, and follow the advice of professionals. Because of their small size, Chihuahua girls cannot give birth on their own. During pregnancy there is a risk of death of the fetus or even the female. Whether to sterilize a girl or operate on a pregnant pet in the future - the choice remains with the dog owner.

How to choose a puppy

One litter can contain standard and mini Chihuahuas. It is very difficult to figure out how tall a grown puppy will reach. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a pet for yourself when it reaches 4-5 months or turns into an adult dog. Typically, the smaller the dog, the higher the price. But a puppy can be small simply because there are more than 3 newborns in the litter. They gain weight slowly in the first 3-4 months. But then the height and weight increases quickly, the dog turns into an adult animal.

Where to buy and price

Representatives of mini-Chihuahuas are highly valued. The price for them in various nurseries varies from $300 to $1,500. You should not buy an animal by hand or on the market. Private traders almost never have the appropriate documents for the dog. There is a risk of purchasing a non-purebred or sick dog.

The best nurseries in Russia engaged in breeding mini-Chihuahuas:

• Flower of the Elves in Moscow;
• Mini Crumbs in Moscow;
• Krokha-Dog in Moscow;
• Astra Vitus in Moscow.

If a nursery values ​​its reputation, it will not sell a rejected specimen at an inflated price. Moreover, when purchasing a puppy from an elite club, the new breeder will receive accompanying documents, veterinary certificates, and recommendations. Some nurseries monitor the fate of the surrendered puppy for several more months. They help new owners solve organizational issues, and also advise on the proper care and maintenance of the baby.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Characteristics of the breed should begin with a description of the color, which can be solid or mixed. Animal fur comes in standard brown, white, black, red, red, unusual silver-gray, white-cream, beige, apricot, gray, blue, fawn, chocolate, chestnut and some other colors. The animal has a lean and somewhat elongated physique, small size, an apple-shaped head, somewhat reminiscent of a deer, a short and slightly pointed muzzle.

Similar article: What types of Chihuahua mestizos exist and what is characteristic of them?

The dog's eyes are bulging and wide-set, short nose, radar-shaped ears, small teeth, scissor bite. The animal has a strong back and lowered croup, a deep and wide chest, straight and slightly curved forelimbs and parallel hind limbs, rounded and elongated paws, and a medium-length tail. Representatives of the species are long-haired and short-haired.

Pros and cons of the breed

Description of the breed of small Chihuahuas has its pros and cons:

A dog always makes people smile. However, it is not suitable as a security guard at all. Suitable for living in a city apartment, but in the warm season it will feel great in an enclosure on the territory of a private house.