How do I start showing my Chihuahua? What are the breed standards?

Hello there and thank you for posting your question! Chihuahuas can be great dogs! With this particular breed, I would say that they tend to be scared of other people or dogs typically. Dental disease is also a big problem in this breed. I would suggest getting his teeth cleaned once to twice a year to prevent periodontal disease if you are able to. Make sure you keep the nails trimmed regularly as they can grow fast and if not taken care of, can grow into the paw pads. If you haven't gotten him on any heartworm prevention I would also do this. If he is over the age of seven, I would make sure a blood panel is checked with him once per year. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am also available via phone and text consultation if needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Chihuahuas can be great pets! They tend to be a little anxious about their feet and mouths sometimes, so diligent practice at home is very helpful to the veterinary team. (Of course some chihuahua's could care less and are happy to see us!) From a medical standpoint, I will note that they are prone to significant dental disease. Usually from age 2 or 3 on, they will need a professional, anesthetised dental cleaning with the veterinarian every 9-12 months. The only exceptions I have seen to this are the chihuahuas whose teeth are brushed 4-6 times weekly. If you can commit to that, you can save yourself the frequent dental cleanings. Chihuahua's may be slightly more prone to heart murmurs later in life, though this infrequently causes a problem. Otherwise, they tend to be very healthy, long-lived dogs (I would estimate my average chihuahua patient lives to about 14) and are a great choice! Best wishes to you and your fur family!

Chihuahuas are, by nature, noisy little guys. It's likely that they evolved to become excessive barkers because their small size makes barking one of the few ways they can gain attention. For more facts and characteristics about Chihuahuas, visit PetCoach's breed page: www.petcoach.co/breed/chihuahua

Your Chihuahua sound like most Chihuahuas I see every day. Be patient and gentle. Once puppy vaccines are over, consider enlisting in puppy or behavior classes. Expose your puppy to new stimulus slowly but repetitively.. Positive reinforcement might be a key element. A treat given by a new person may go a long way.

Chihuahua are typically healthy dogs but a few common problems associated with the breed include patella luxations, collapsing trachea, and dental disease. The best thing would be to have him examined by a vet for a check-up to identify any abnormalities. I also recommend having him neutered.

You have a deer head chihuahua. There are two main types, deer head and apple head. The deer head is also called a Mexican style chihuahua and is closer to the indigenous original type of the breed. The apple head chihuahua is the show line of the breed. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Chihuahuas are loving devoted dogs when properly trained. They can be protective, and aggressive if spoiled, not socialized or have not had obedience training. I would not recommend this breed for a new dog owner or in a house with small children, since they often will bite and can be stubborn. They also can have some medical issues such as luxating patellas and sometimes back problems. One of the best personality small dogs is a Shih Tzu. They are great family dogs, are affectionate and live a long time. They do need to be groomed though to keep the coat from matting. Many people clip them to keep the fur short and manageable. I'm glad you are researching dog breeds before you get a dog to make sure it is a good match. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.