About Chihuahua Puppies

Adoption

• Adopting a Chihuahua puppy must be done carefully. Seek out a reputable breeder. The breeder should not object to showing you the parents and siblings. Your Chihuahua puppy should not be available for adoption until he is between 10 and 12 weeks for age. He needs to spend the first eight weeks feeding from his mother and learning how to be a Chihuahua. The breeder should use the remaining two to four weeks to wean the pups on to solid food and start basic house-training skills. Puppies taken from their mothers and litter mates sooner are more likely to suffer health problems and lack behavioral skills.

Appearance

• The breed comes in all colors, including white, black, brown and fawn, either solid or marked. The Chihuahua coat can be long or short. The long-coat variety is either smooth and straight or slightly curly. The short-coat Chihuahua's hair is thick and glossy. She has a seemingly out-of-proportion, apple-shaped head, luminous eyes and over-sized, pointy ears. Chihuahuas are the smallest of all dog breeds. Your puppy will only weigh 1-1/2 pounds or less when she first comes home.

Care

• Chihuahua puppies do better in homes without noisy children or other pets. They prefer to be an "only child."

  The Chihuahua puppy requires minimal grooming; shampoo monthly with a mild dog shampoo and brush once a week to remove shedding hair. Do not shampoo the puppy until he is about three months old. Until then, you can wipe him with a warm, damp washcloth if he gets messy. Be sure to dry him well.

  Chihuahua puppies lose body heat easily. Supply your pup with a warm, soft bed. Place the bed in a protected area, away from the hubbub of activity. He will sleep a lot in the beginning.

  A Chihuahua pup may be small, but he still has exercise needs. Take him on a short, daily walk. Some gentle play, consisting of moving him around on his back and rolling a ball across the floor, completes his exercise routine. Most of the time, he will be content curled up on your lap.

  Feed your pup a quality food meant for small-breed puppies. It is usually best to initially feed the brand the breeder used. You can gradually change him over as he matures.

Training

• Training for the Chihuahua puppy must begin early in life. This breed's willful nature can sometimes make house-training difficult. A firm but gentle approach to training works best. The puppy must be taught early that her owner is the one in charge. A dog crate can be a huge help in the house-training process. She can be placed in the crate at night and while you are away for short periods. It also helps keep her out of danger.

Warnings

• Chihuahua puppies are easily injured. Never leave them alone with small children who may fall onto them or handle them roughly. Puppies should never be outside alone where wild animals may seek them as prey. Chihuahua pups are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures. Dress the pup warmly when he goes outside in cold weather and bring him back in quickly.