Facts About Chihuahua Puppies
Chihuahuas are among the most popular dog breeds due to their small size, their vivacious personalities, and their unique facial features. These traits make them seem eternally puppy-like.
But what are Chihuahuas like as puppies? It turns out that Chi babies have a number of characteristics that set them apart from other puppies.
Breed Characteristics
Chihuahua puppies come in different sizes and shapes. For example, some are known for their apple shaped head and large eyes, while others may appear to be more fox-like in appearance like the deer head chihuahua. There are also several different variations when it comes to their coloring as well and can be either long haired or short haired.
Temperament
Chihuahuas feel as if they just know everything and tend to stay on top of everything going on in the household. They are highly confident, energetic, and regal. They have a very big attitude and personality to match. They are also fiercely loyal and protective over their owners.
Grooming
Depending on the coat of your baby chihuahua, they may require different grooming needs. A chihuahua baby with a smooth coat and short hair requires minimal grooming and is low maintenance. Periodic brushing may be all that is needed. Longer coat chihuahua babies, however, want weekly brushings to help keep tangles and mats at bay. So, a long haired chihuahua is definitely going to be a bit more work.
Training
Your new chihuahua pup responds best to positive training. They are also well aware of just how cute they are and will definitely try to use that to their advantage whenever possible. Make sure your guidance is firm but loving, and they will excel in training.
Energy Levels
Yes, chihuahua pups seem to be full of energy, but because of their small size, all that energy is easily dispelled inside the home. Just running from room to room to their owners in the home is a good amount of exercise. Short walks around the block can also help keep their energy levels under control. If they seem tired or they begin panting heavily, then they are probably tired. Pick them up and walk them home or until they stop panting.
Check out our main post that showcases all our Chihuahua fact articles!
BABY CHIHUAHUA FACTS:
THEIR SIZE
As we all know, baby Chihuahua puppies are ridiculously tiny! The chihuahua is also known as the world’s smallest dog!
Ever wondered exactly how small they could be? Well, they can weigh as little as 2.5 ounces when they are born.
To put that into perspective, the average lemon weighs about 3 or 4 ounces.
Their small size is part of what makes Chihuahua puppies so endearing to people.
Even the largest Chihuahua newborns do not usually exceed 5.5 ounces in weight. Then you also have a teacup chihuahua who will grow up to be even smaller in size compared to a different dog breed and other chihuahua types.
During their first few weeks of life, Chihuahua puppies grow rapidly, more than doubling in size.
They are usually finished growing by the time they are about 18 months old.
THEIR BIRTH
Even though baby Chihuahuas are extremely small, mother Chihuahuas often have a difficult time giving birth.
This is partly because the puppies’ heads are proportionally large and partly because the bone structure of adult Chihuahuas is unusually small.
The mother’s pelvis is often simply too small for her to be able to give birth naturally.
Baby chihuahuas are usually born in litters of two to five, and a cesarean section is often required to get them out.
THEIR FEISTINESS
Litters of baby Chihuahuas may be small, but that doesn’t mean that the possibility of sibling rivalry is eliminated.
In fact, Chihuahua puppies can be somewhat aggressive towards their siblings and may bully each other. They may fight for dominance, with the larger puppies in the litter often coming out on top.
The social dynamics in a litter of puppies may affect the development of each puppy’s personality.
For example, exceptionally small puppies who get picked on by their siblings may grow up to be more timid and docile.
CHUBBY PUPPIES
It is normal for baby Chihuahuas to be a little bit chubby. While they are growing, very young Chihuahua puppies can have proportionally big tummies.
There is usually no reason to be worried about this. The puppies tend to slim down as they transition into adulthood, so enjoy seeing them with their adorable round tummies while they last.
If a puppy is over six months old and still seems a little chunky, it may be time to cut back on the amount of food the puppy is consuming.
Making sure the puppy is getting enough activity is also important. Baby Chihuahuas are usually full of energy and are happy to get extra playtime.
If you have a young Chihuahua and are not sure if it is getting the appropriate amount of food and exercise to maintain a healthy weight, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian.
THE MOLERA
Baby Chihuahuas have very fragile heads. This is because they are born with a hole in the skull, known as a molera.
Chihuahua puppies typically have this hole until they are about six months old. If they still have it by the time they are a year old, then they will have it for life. My Lucy has this issue.
Even though the molera is normal and extremely common in Chihuahuas, it can make the puppy vulnerable to injuries.
It is important for people to be mindful of this when handling Chihuahua puppies that are six months old or younger. Be especially gentle when petting a baby Chihuahua’s head, and do not press on its head.
Of course, it is a good idea to be gentle when handling any kind of puppy!
FLOPPY EARS
Did you know that chihuahua babies are born with floppy ears? Most of the time, their ears will become erect as they grow older. If yours has grown and is no longer a puppy and its ears are still floppy, then you have a rare Chi dog.
Once out of the womb, their ears are floppy. Their ears begin to stand up around 3 months of age; however, some may take longer than others for this to happen. When teething starts, some Chi puppies will experience their erect ears flopping or dropping temporarily.
ATTENTION AND SUPERVISION
To due their small size, it is important that chihuahuas are not left outside unattended at any time. Hawks, coyotes, and other predators may easily mistake them as prey due to their small size. While the chihuahuas are babies, it is also a good idea to keep small children away to help avoid accidental injury to the puppies.
HYPOGLYCEMIA
Another health risk that affects baby Chihuahuas is hypoglycemia. This is a medical term that means that the puppy’s blood sugar has dropped too low.
Every Chihuahua owner should be aware of the symptoms: fatigue, lack of coordination, lack of focus, and convulsive movements.
Baby Chihuahuas are at risk for this because they are so small. Feeding the puppies often can help.
Young Chihuahuas that are less than three months old should eat at minimum three times a day, but some puppies may need to eat more often than that.
Owners of Chihuahua puppies can keep sugar syrup around to put in the puppy’s mouth in the case of a hypoglycemic emergency.
Despite having a few scary health risks like those mentioned above, Chihuahua puppies are one of the healthiest dog breeds!
Hypoglycemia becomes less of a threat as they age, and the molera that the puppies are born with usually closes most of the way by the time the dogs become adults.
Fascinating chihuahua facts – how many did you know?
If you decide to adopt a young Chihuahua puppy, you can expect to keep him or her around for up to 18 years and sometimes even longer. This is just the average chihuahua lifespan that has been reported.
Be prepared for the commitment, but also be prepared to fall in love. The Chihuahua puppy you adopt may not be a baby forever, but he or she will always be your baby.
