Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is the smallest of all dogs, named for the Chihuahua region in Mexico where it was first bred.

Appearance
The standard recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) is only known as " Chihuahua", but they come in two varieties, the longcoat and the smoothcoat. According to AKC standards, Chihuahua should not weigh more than six pounds, though they often weigh more. They come in many colours, and have large erect ears. Puppies are sometimes mistaken for rodents because of their scrunched faces, extremely small size, and light coats..

Temperament
Although prized for their personality and loyalty, Chihuahuas aren't well-suited as children's pets because of their size and physical fragility. However, their alertness, intelligence and size make them adaptable to a variety of environments, including cities and small apartments(and handbags!). They are prone to being barky and high-strung. Many Chihuahuas tend to focus their love and devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. Male Chihuahuas can be extremely difficult to house-break.

History
They are thought to be descendants of an ancient, similar, but slightly larger breed associated with royalty in Aztec civilizations known as the Techichi. They are the oldest canine breed in North America.

Health
This breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. They are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as seizure disorders and patella luxation. They are also known for their moleras and sensivity to eye infections.

Reagrdless, they ARE a healthy breed, often living longer than 15 years, but do seek out a reputable breeder.

"Teacup" and "Deer-faced" Chihuahuas
In recent years there has been an increase in the use of the terms "teacup" (or tea cup) and "deer" (or deer-faced) to describe Chihuahuas.

Along with "mini" and "tiny toy", "teacup" is sometimes used to describe Chihuahuas and other dogs that are very small. These and other terms are not officially used by any kennel club or reputable breeder. Chihuahuas naturally vary in size, but are all very small so it makes no sense to have a separate Teacup version. Chihuahuas that are runts, often suffer numerous health problems, may have shortened life spans. They are not suitable for breeding, and may require special care.

"Deer" or "deer-faced" are terms that are sometimes used to describe Chihuahuas that do not have the breed-standard apple-domed appearance. These terms are also unofficial and have no real meaning.