Chihuahuas are intelligent, alert, and loyal companions.  He is tremendously loyal and always will want to be close to his owner.  Chihuahuas are very intelligent, energetic, and loving companions, but they can be a bit stubborn and loud at times.

The Chihuahua is the world's smallest dog.

Chihuahua holds two distinctions among pure-bred dogs: he is the smallest and the longest lived dog in the world.

Country of Origin: Mexico
Group: Toy
Use today: Companion
Life Span: Well into teen years
Color: Any color; solid, marked or splashed.

Chihuahuas are hardy and surprisingly long-lived.

This breed also tends to be bossy and easily spoiled.  

          

Although some history exists in regards to dogs similar to the modern day Chihuahua, the origin of Chihuahuas seem somewhat shrouded in mystery.

It is thought that the modern day Chihuahua originated from the cross breeding of Asiatic hairless dogs, but this has not been proven. It wasn't until about the late 1800s that the Chihuahua that we know today made an appearance in the civilized world. A few were found in Mexico around 1850 and named after the Mexican state they were found in - Chihuahua.

Originally the Chihuahua was a short-haired breed, but there are also long-haired Chihuahuas now, both kinds in various colors.

One of a Chihuahuas most noticed traits is its determination to burrow under blankets, sheets, pillows, etc., most anything soft so that it can get warm. This is quite normal and common. Many owners have told me that their Chihuahua will also sleep snuggled up against them and help keep them warm on the coldest nights! It's actually a mutual benefit if you are one who will let a little dog sleep at the base of your bed or snuggled against your legs.

There are differences in appearance between chihuahuas, more than other breeds, or at least more apparent than other breeds.

Some are thinner than others, some have heads that differ in various degrees from the breed standard description, some are smaller than or larger than the 3 - 6 pound range that is eligible for showing in dog shows.  Terms such as 'applehead', 'deer type', 'teacup', etc. describe differences in appearance, but they are not different breeds of chihuahuas.

Have you heard these phrases? Teacup Chihuahuas. Miniature Chihuahuas. Pocket Chihuahuas. Standard Chihuahuas. Some breeders use these cutesy phrases as "marketing terms" for the different weights that Chihuahuas come in. All of these phrases are made-up. There is only ONE Chihuahua breed. They do come in two COAT varieties (smooth and longhaired), but not in different weight varieties. For show purposes, they should be 2 to 6 pounds, but many Chihuahuas go up to 10 or 12 pounds. Whatever their weight, they are simply called Chihuahua.

These dogs are not great with children unless they were raised with them. Chihuahuas are high strung and have a low tolerance. They don’t cope well with the antics and rambunctiousness of little children. They can be snippy and will bite a child if provoked. This breed is better suited to busy people without children and for elder people who are looking for a companion and little maintenance (these dogs require little exercise, are great apartment dwellers and can be trained to use the litter box.)

These dogs will pick a fight with much larger dogs, since they sincerely believe that they have the size and strength of a Rottweiler. In fact, the Chihuahua is a wonderful guard dog and will also take on human intruders.