Kaci's Chihuahua Land!!!
The Basics of Knowing A Chihuahua:
CHOOSING: There are 4 types of chihuahua's: Double Smoothcoat, Single Smoothcoat, Double Longcoat, and Single Longcoat. I recommend going with the Single Smoothcoat. They require less grooming, though all chihuahua's require it. The differences between Double and Single coats are the Insulating Coat beneath the Top Coat. Single Smoothcoats tend to get cold easier, and have little or no hair on the belly or ears. How do you know the difference? Double Smoothcoats have scruffier hair aroung the neck and body. Longcoats, however, tend to knot or tangle easily, requiring much grooming. Double longcoats are fluffier, while Single Longcoats have longer hair aroung belly, legs, and neck.
GROOMING: When it comes time for grooming, I suggest using a shampoo made for dogs only. Because of pH differences in our skins, Chihuahua's have very delicate skin. So don't use your L'Oreal on him! Baths are not needed often. Water can dry out your little Chi's skin causing scratching, inflamatory or irritation. Try to avoid using shampoo aroung ears, eyes, and mouth. In most cases, using a soft, wet cloth will work. But before plopping your Chi into the sink, give him/her a good brushing and combing first. This will comb away excess hairs, resulting in a shinier and healthier looking coat. While washing your Chi, a sprayer in the kitchen sink works great! After your little Chi has had a good sudsing, towel blot his fur and gently comb him. Don't let your Chi go outside, or he'll come back as an icecube!!
FEEDING: You may not be aware of this, but the so-called "Top Of the Line" labels could be affecting your Chi's health. Okay, okay. I know I'm not the little expert here, but I was just as unaware as you probably are right now. Brand labels such as Nature's Recipe, Iams, Pedigree, and Hill's Science Diet are "commercial diets" which provide NO nutrition benefits for your Chi!! Commercial Diets consist of chicken beaks, feet, lungs, intestines, animal digest, 4D meat, and moldy grains. These companies try to make their food as cheap as possible, using the rejected poultry and grains from people food. Do you know how awful this is? Other byproducts are: straw, corncobs, peanut hulls, rice flour, rice glutten, and wheat mids. YUCK! And if you see Ethoxyquin in the food, remember that that can promote cancer. And BHA and BHT can cause extreme dysfunctions. So what do you feed your Chi? Food. Just plain food: Fresh chicken, turkey, beef, raw vegetables and fruit, brown rice & oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, gratted cheddar, boiled eggs, raw honey, and garlic.
WHY: How do you know if a Chi is right for you? Well, be sure you don't have small kids around the house. Chi's hate fast and loud squeals, and will snap at kids, or you! You need an aware eye and feet. We all have had our faults, but if you stepped on your Chi, wouldn't that be the worst??!!?? You also need to spend time with Chi's. Relaxing time, playing time, and family time. You can't just leave it alone. Just like other dogs, they need their attention and exercise. And by the way, they are just like a smaller version of the Dobermen Pincher or Rottweiler.
NAMING: Spanish names are common in Chihuahua's. Like, to add "little" to a name, add "ita" or "ito". Like the name Pancha (My Chi's name!) say Panchita. Which is Little Pancha. You'll know the right name when you come across it.
COLOR: There are several colors to choose from, such as: cream, fawn, gold, white, and red. This includes spots, splashes,marks, and solids. Black is also common in chihuahua's. Some of them resemble Dobermen Pinchers. (See Below!)
Other Chihuahua Sites:
A page which helped me out a lot with my chihuahua!
I am hoping to help others give their chihuahua's the best care possible and finding one that's right for you.
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