Chihuahuas' colors can be brindle (gray with darker streaks or spots), blond, black, brown, fawn (brown-yellow) or blue. Chihuahuas are very sensitive to the elements. They can suffer from heatstroke because of their love for the sun, so be careful about leaving them outdoors.
Instructions
1. Have your Chihuahua vaccinated, and follow with yearly booster vaccinations to maintain the dog's immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog.
2. Feed your Chihuahua dog food in which the first ingredient is meat. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Fiber content should be 4 percent or less.
3. Feed your Chihuahua three small meals a day. They prefer this to one large meal.
4. Brush a short-coated Chihuahua occasionally with a soft-bristle brush, or wipe her down with a soft cloth. Brush long-coated dogs daily.
5. Bathe your Chihuahua monthly, being careful not to get water in her ears, as this leads to infections. Longhaired Chihuahuas will need more bathing than shorthaired dogs.
6. Exercise your Chihuahua daily if possible. However, this breed tends to have quick bursts of energy and may not need to go on extensive walks. An apartment to romp around in is usually enough exercise for a Chihuahua.
7. Consider buying a body harness instead of a collar to protect your dog's neck on walks. This will also help prevent collapsed trachea and soft palate.
8. Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand, and socialize her at an early age with children and other dogs.
9. Pet your Chihuahua often. This breed requires a lot of human attention and love.
10. Dress your Chihuahua in a sweater if walking her in temperatures below 40 degrees F. Chihuahuas are very sensitive to cold temperatures and probably shouldn't be walked if it's below 35 degrees F, or if there's a wind chill factor.
11. Note that Chihuahuas can suffer from weak knees, colds, corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma. Talk to the breeder to find out what type of screening has been done for these health problems.
12. Be prepared to enjoy a full 11 to 18 years with your Chihuahua, as this is the breed's average life expectancy.
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