Chihuahua
#24
Wamiz's Top Breed

While the Chihuahua shares his name with the biggest state in Mexico, he is considered the smallest in the world. Intelligent, brave and affectionate, he is the perfect companion for many pet adopters, especially newcomers. His ability to adapt means that he can accommodate many different lifestyles without any difficulty.
Key facts about the Chihuahua
Origins and history
This dog is believed to be an indigenous breed from northern Mexico, specifically from the area in which Chihuahua is the capital. He was the favourite dog of the Aztec princesses. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Chihuahua was "discovered" by the United States where people went crazy for him, before making his way around the world.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs
Section
Section 6 : Chihuahueno
Physical characteristics of the Chihuahua
Adult size
Female : Between 6 and 8 in
Male : Between 6 and 8 in
Weight
Female : Between 0 and 7 lb
Male : Between 0 and 7 lb
Coat colour
Every colour and shade is accepted and recognised by the breed’s official standards, except for merl.
The most popular and sought after colours are: fawn or brown, chocolate, fawn or brown brindle, cream, silver fawn, silver grey, black and tan or black.
Type of coat
Short or long hair.
- Short-haired Chihuahua: the fur lies close to the body and is soft and shiny with an undercoat.
- Long-haired Chihuahua: the fur is fine, silky, straight or slightly wavy, with a relatively dense undercoat.
Hairless Chihuahuas are not recognised as they do not correspond to the breed’s official standards.
Eye colour
His eyes are generally dark in colour. While light-eyed Chihuahuas are accepted, this characteristic is not very sought after.
Description
The Chi is a miniature dog breed with a stocky body. His apple-shaped head, pointy ears and relatively small muzzle gives him an overall compact look.
Good to know
Similar to cats, this dog is naturally clean and grooms himself regularly. He has the rare trait of having an odourless coat, which makes him a very well-appreciated pet.