The Chihuahua is the smallest recognized breed of the American Kennel Club.
The Chihuahua breed standard sets 6 pounds as the maximum weight. The term "teacup" does not exist either in the American Kennel Club standard nor the Chihuahua Club of America. The use of the term often comes from people breeding and selling undersized dogs, even though the Chihuahua Club of America states the term incorrectly implies that such a classification exists and deserves a higher sale price. When you acquire a Chihuahua that grows considerably less than the standard size, it needs all the precautions of any toy breed and extra care.
Warmth
Toy dogs, especially young puppies, have difficulty maintaining body heat, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Your Chihuahua requires housing with enough warmth to prevent chilling, making outside living or unheated spaces, such as a garage, porch or doghouse, generally unsuitable. Even long-coat Chihuahuas cannot generate and maintain heat adequately to withstand cold environments. A Chihuahua often shivers when excited and not just when cold; however, increase the heat if the dog shivers at other times.
Safety
Housing, including areas for the dog to potty and play, should provide no access to other animals or unsupervised children. Your dog's tiny size makes it easily injured. Evaluate fencing and indoor spaces to block or repair openings to which the dog may escape or get into and become trapped. Make sure the housing provides no places for the dog to get up on and jump off due to common Chihuahua problems that increase injury risks, such as knee joint weakness and tiny bones that break easily, advises editor, writer and trainer Norma Bennett Woolf, of the Dog Owner's Guide. Preventing flea infestation in the housing area is critical for tiny dogs that cannot tolerate the blood loss, warns Mar Vista Animal Hospital.
Socialization
Your Chihuahua needs an area for playing and for interactions with people for healthy development. Housing the dog in a room or area away from you causes stress and lack of adequate bonding. Setting up a playpen or gated area near the family provides a way to confine the dog without isolating it. Make sure to remove items potentially dangerous items or objects the dog can destroy.
Observation
Housing needs for your dog require that someone can observe the dog on a regular basis. When your dog goes outside, birds of prey, coyotes and other animals pose dangers to your dog, warns Woolf. Doors allowing the dog to go outside without supervision create safety risks for a tiny Chihuahua. Routine supervision allows you to check for a medical problem before the condition becomes dangerous for a tiny dog. Hypoglycemia -- low blood sugar -- causes symptoms, such as listlessness, stumbling and seizures, according to Mar Vista Animal Hospital. Chihuahuas sometimes develop idiopathic hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, causing bloody diarrhea and vomiting, according to veterinarian Holly Nash of Drs. Foster and Smith. Conditions, such as diarrhea and dehydration, need monitoring, as tiny dogs may collapse quickly after onset.
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