anyone else's actions regarding the information on this web site. I am not a Veterinarian, nor do I portray myself to be one, so if you have medical questions please call your Vet first and foremost. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Aren't Chihuahuas expensive? If they have their American Kennel Club official certificate papers, yes -- they can run high - maybe even up to $5000.00 if the dog is a Champion. The papers (which the breeder provides) mean that the parents of your Chi are registered with the AKC and that the puppy is registerable. Additionally, some breeders provide pedigree papers which trace the family history beyond the immediate parents. These papers are vital if you plan to enter your new dog into exhibitions and competitions. These certificates and papers ensure that the dog is a purebred; however, I hasten to add that just because a dog has papers, doesn't mean it qualifies for exhibitions and competitions. (See AKC Chihuahua Breed Standards.) Additionally, papers do not necessarily insure that the breeding Chis were well cared for or that they are free from genetic defect. Chihuahuas who do not have their papers are not significantly different than those with papers. Moreover, they can be bought for much less. (I bought my first one for $200.00 without papers.) Papers are not important, but meeting the breeder and seeing the conditions in which the dog was raised is. You should also expect to see the parents (or at least the mother) of the puppy you are thinking of buying so that you can verify that the parents are sound and of good temperament. 2. What is their life-span? Toy breeds live the longest of any size dog. Expect a life-span of 11-18 years, although the latter is rare. 3. How much exercise do they require? Not much. This little breed has short bursts of energy each day which quickly die down. You should provide toys for your Chi to keep it occupied. Old slippers are ideal, as well as stuffed toys with squeakers inside. You can certainly take your Chi on walks. (You'll make many an acquaintance due to the diminutive and unusual appearance of your Chihuahua!) When buying a leash for your Chihuahua, remember that its neck is rather small and delicate compared to other dog's necks. You cannot (and, indeed, should not) yank your dog around by the leash if s/he has a neck collar on. I recommend the body-harness for two reasons: safety and comfort. If fitted right, it will give your Chi a secure and comfortable walk, and harnesses also ensure your dog cannot escape -- a real concern if you live in an urban area. There are two kinds of body harnesses: one kind goes over the head of the dog and buckles under the torso in an H-design. This is good, but an even better harness is the Y-design, which doesn't touch the throat at all. 4. Do they require special dog food? No. They have the same nutritional needs as most dogs. I feed mine Diamond small bites, and my Chihuahua's seems to sort of enjoy cracking each one with their jaws. Chihuahuas prefer several small meals per day, rather than one big meal. I leave a bowl of dogfood out for my Chi's and they seems to eat about three small meals a day. 5. I've heard they're nervous, high-strung dogs. Is that true? Yes some are high-strung dogs. I define "high-strung" as follows: barks easily, does not adapt easily to change in environment, is suspicious of strangers and will growl at them, and flips in circles and jumps around when excited (like when you come home after a five-minute absence, for instance). However, with the person that they have bonded with (i.e., their master[s]), they do not display most of these characteristics; in fact, they display radically different personalities. Chihuahuas are truly the "Jekyll- and-Hyde" of dog breeds: your friends will see the worst side of them and never believe you when you tell them that your Chi is really a gentle, sweet-natured dog. There is good news, though. If you socialize your Chi at an early age, they will be less stressed when new environments and people are introduced to them in adulthood. Proper socialization is critical, then, and at the earliest age possible. I try to breed for excellent temperament that adapts well. 6. Are they good with children? Generally, no. Be careful when walking your Chihuahua to keep your Chi well away from toddlers and young children, who are often uninhibited and will approach your dog. Again, this is general good advice; some Chihuahuas are friendly around children (usually as a result of de-sensitization). In this case and others, the master's knowledge of his or her Chihuahua and good judgement should prevail. 7. I'm allergic to dogs, but I heard Chihuahuas won't bother me; is that true? Opinion seems to vary on this point. Some say it's an old-wives' tale, while others swear that, although they're allergic to dogs, Chihuahuas did not bother them. The best way for someone who has allergies to find out if they can own a Chihuahua is for them to simply spend some time around one. Some people are allergic to dog hair, while others are allergic to saliva. Since Chihuahua's are known to lick the face of their master alot, you'd best be sure you're not allergic to the latter before investing in this breed. If a Chihuahua happens to "work" for some allergic individuals, great, but it's more likely that an allergic person will need a breed with a wiry/curly coat plus no undercoat: poodles, bichons, and some terriers. Even those breeds don't work for some allergic people, so it depends on the individual. 8. What are the differences between the smoothcoats and the longcoats? The issue of whether or not there is a difference in personality seems to be a topic of debate within the Chihuahua community. Some claim that there is no difference in personality; others swear that longcoats have a tendency to be "soft-tempered" while smoothcoats are more prone to aggressive behaviour. Let's set aside the personality issue and focus on physical and maintenance differences. Smoothcoats tend to have coats that are much coarser than longcoats -- almost like bristles in some cases. Smoothcoats also shed more than longcoats. However, longcoats can shed as well. Heavily coated longhairs require brushing about once a month, but this can be a pleasureable exercise for both Chi and master rather than a chore. As far as bathing is concerned, as a general rule, the longcoats will need to be bathed more frequently, and it'll be a longer process (both washing and drying). The bib -- the furry part of the chest -- can easily get dirty and matted. Longcoats can also occasionally get fecal matter stuck on their "pants." You'll have to either bathe your dog or cut the bit off with scissors when this happens. Some Chihuahua owners swear by long-hairs and wouldn't have anything else; it is as much a matter of personal taste as is coat color. 9. Is it safe to take your Chihuahua on a cold weather walk? Owners must be very sensitive to the fact that short-haired Chihuahuas, and even long-haired ones, are vulnerable to the cold. In temperatures of 35-40 degrees Farenheit, I would recommend dressing your Chihuahua in a special dog sweater for brief walks. Walking your Chihuahua in temperatures below 35 degrees Farenheit is strongly discouraged, especially when there is a wind-chill factor. In this, as in other aspects of dog maintenance, keep your dogs' health top priority, not your own desire. In some cold regions, an indoor heater will be necessary to keep your Chi comfortable. 10. Are they sociable with other dogs? Generally speaking, no. However, there are many exceptions and many people have written me telling me of just how sociable their Chihuahua is with other breeds. So I'm inclined to say that Chihuahuas can be very curious and friendly towards other dogs. Chis are very sociable with their own kind. So several Chihuahuas can be quite happy living in the same household. That includes two or more males sharing the same house. 11. Aren't Chihuahuas kind of dim? It is understandable how this breed has developed this reputation. In public, some bark at the slightest provocation, and will not stop sometimes even when the "threat" is gone. Chihuahuas are actually a very intelligent and alert breed. 12. Can Chihuahuas be trained? As you might suspect from the answer to number nine above, yes, they can be trained. The purpose of this FAQ is not to outline or advocate any training method, especially since there are other resources on the internet that deal with this topic extensively. One such document, "Training Your Dog," can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/training.html. 13. Is my Chihuahua a dog or a mole? It is a characteristic of the Chihuahua to prefer to sleep under a cloth or blanket. They will even get under pillows in order to feel snug. If you are raising a pup, be sure to provide them with a soft towel or blanket in their sleeping area so they can burrow underneath it. So don't be surprised if your Chihuahua scrambles under your blankets at night, even though your house or apartment may not be particularly cold. This is known as the "moley-effect." (1). 14. Does my Chihuahua expect a suntan? Chihuahuas are quite the sun-worshipers. They prefer to bask in the sun for hours and have been known to lie in a spot of sun no larger than the size of a half-dollar (2). Unfortunately, they are not sensible in this regard and will stay in the sun even when panting begins. Watch your Chihuahua in hot weather to be sure that they don't suffer from heat stroke. 15. My Chihuahua's shivering. Is this because s/he's cold? Chihuahuas do shiver when they're cold, but they also shiver when they are wary, excited, unhappy, or frightened. This is a result of having a high metabolism, and is a normal characteristic of this breed. 16. Is there a Chihuahua mailing list? Yes. It's for discussion of all aspects of owning and caring for Chihuahuas. If you are thinking of buying one, this is a friendly, well-informed group that can field your questions. with the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE Chihuahuas@OneList.com firstname lastname There's even a home page for the list, complete with pictures of subscriber's Chis. http://www.panix.com/~piglet/chihuahua/ 17. Is there a Chihuahua Home Page? Other online information? Yes. The URL is: http://www.icon-stl.net/~jbpeck/chp/chp.html Be forewarned: most of it is fiction, but it's all in the name of good fun. Also, consider the following: http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=chiring;list" The Chihuahua Web Ring 18. Is there a Chihuahua Rescue center? Yes. The name and address of The National Chihuahua Breed Rescue Chairperson is: Sharon Hermosillo 1004 Willow Street San Jose, CA 95125 The phone number is: 408-251-6470. To find out how to retrieve a document that lists Chihuahua rescue organizations, see Internet Resources (below). Readers are also directed to the newsgroup rec.pets.dogs.rescue for information. RESOURCES A Note about Resources I regret that most of these resources are U.S.-based, and some of them may be out of date. Please email me if you see inaccurate information. Imagine the prestige of being listed on this FAQ's Acknowlegements section! :)) 1. Internet rec.pets.dogs.activities rec.pets.dogs.behavior rec.pets.dogs.breeds rec.pets.dogs.health rec.pets.dogs.info (moderated) rec.pets.dogs.misc rec.pets.dogs.rescue The Breed FAQ Homepage: http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/ This page houses or has links to all the breed FAQs on the net. Dog Resources: http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/ Contains inforation to everything from kennel clubs to getting a new puppy to training. A valuable resource on the Web. The Dog Owner's Guide: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/ The electronic version of the tabliod newspaper, this site has articles that ran in previous issues. (For information on how to subscribe, see Magazines.) 2. Books American Kennel Club, The Complete Dog Book 17th Ed., Howell Book House Inc., 1985. (ISBN 0-87605-463- 7) Bulanda, Susan, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dogs, Doral Pub. Inc., 1992-93 edition. (ISBN 0-944875-26-2) Coile, D. Caroline, PhD., Chihuahuas: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual, 1995 Barron's Educational Series. Harmar, Hilary, The Complete Chihuahua Encyclopedia, Arco Publishing Company Inc., New York. (might be out of print) (ISBN 0-668-02910-2). Kay, William J., The Complete Book of Dog Health, Howell Book House, 1985. (ISBN 0-87605-455-6) Nicholas, Anna Katherine, The Chihuahua, T.F.H Publications, Inc., One T.F.H. Plaza, Neptune City, NJ 07753. Pisano, Beverly (Ed.), Chihuahuas, T.F.H. Publications, Ltd., 1983. (ISBN 0-87666-701-9) Terry, E. Ruth, The New Chihuahua, Howellm Bookhouse, Mcmillian Publishing Co., 866 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Thurmer, Tressa E., Pet Chihuahuas, All-Pets Books, Inc. Watson, James et. al., The Complete Chihuahua, Howell Book House Inc., (might be out of print) (ISBN 0- 87605-100-X) 3. Clubs CHIHUAHUA CLUBS Chihuahua Club of Canada Angela Bartnik 2114 Dublin St. New Westminster, BC Canada V3M 3A9 Tel: (604) 521-0922 Chihuahua Club of Alabama Helen J. Herron Tel: (205) 661-6097 The Chihuahua Club of America, Inc. Ms. Lynnie Bunten Secretary 5019 Village Trail San Antonio, Texas 78218 (210) 657-9462 (voice or fax) Chihuahua Club of Greater Phoenix Brook Kay Albright Tel: (602) 820-9706 Chihuahua Club of Atlanta Deb Barnett Tel: (404) 924-1434 Chihuahua Club of British Columbia Edna St.Hilaire 2114 Dublin St. New Westminster, BC V3M 3A9 Tel: (604) 521-0922 Chihuahua Club of Northern California Jo Anne Beams Tel: (160) 991-0127 Southern California Chihuahua Club Galann Lease Tel: (909)928-1108 The Tampa Bay Chihuahua Club Myrle Hale Tel: (813) 986-2943 Land of Lincoln Chihuahua Club of Illinois Pat Feller Tel: (217) 243-2050 Chihuahua Club of Mid-Jersey Annette Mellinger Tel: (908) 583-3887 Ponchartrain Fanciers Kristin P. Musgrove Louisiana Tel: (504) 751-8074 Chihuahua Club of Maryland Susan Ritenour Strasburg, VA Tel: (703) 465-4738 Chihuahua Club of Michigan Margaret Head, Tel: (517) 531-5828 Chihuahua Club of Greater Milwaukee Linda George Tel: (414) 542-3213 Heart of New England Chihuahua Club Nancy Shonbeck New Hampshire Tel: (603) 352-6752 Chihuahua Club of Greater New York Viola Burgos Tel: (516) 928-4312 Chihuahua Club of Oklahoma Betty Greenwood Tel: (918) 371-4570 Nashville Chihuahua Club Judy Nelson Nashville, TN Tel: (615) 361-5348 Dallas Chihuahua Club Neta Lee Wizig Tel: (214) 691-0891 Houston Chihuahua Club Randall L. Carr Tel: (713) 391-1431 Texas Chihuahua Club Lynnie Bunten San Antonio, TX Tel: (210) 657-9462 Central Virginia Chihuahua Club Sandra M. Whittle Tel: (804) 790-1618 Evergreen Chihuahua Club Anita Noll Yakima, WA Tel: (509) 965-0694 If you don't see a club for your state, post your question to rec.pets.dogs.breeds or write to a national dog association. GENERAL DOG CLUBS American Kennel Club 5580 Centerview Dr. Raleigh, NC 27606 Tel: (919) 233-9767 Dog Lovers Club Fran Frolich PO Box 59 Bellrose, NY 11426-0059 New York City Coalition For Dogs 51 MacDougal St. #120 New York, NY 10012 Tel: (212) 243-5460 Owner Handlers Association of America RD 1 Box 755 Millerstown, PA 17062 Tel: (717) 589-3098 USA Loves Dogs Club 2537 Wells Ave. Sarasota, FL 34232 Tel: (800) 553-6475 4. Magazines Terrier & Toy Magazine Southern Publishing PO Box 20 Holly Hill, FL 32117-0020 $20.00/year for a subscription. Top Notch Toys Magazine Doll-McGinnis Enterprises 8848 Beverly Hills Lakeland, FL 33809 (813) 858-3839 $40.00/year for a subscription. 1 breed highlighted each month; Chihuahuas featured once a year. Dog World PO Box 6500 Chicago, IL 60680 (800) 247-8080 (credit card orders) US: $28.00/yr. (12 issues). "The World's Largest All Breed Dog Magazine" PetDogs P.O. Box B163 Hudderfied HD4 7YZ ENGLAND "The Magazine for Owners of Mixed-breed and Pedigrees" |