Chihuahuas are extremely Smart, Loyal, and Loving Animals.  They are Classified as Toys.  Chihuahuas are a Toy Breed.  They are the smallest of all breeds.  There is no such thing as a Tea Cup, Pocket, Micro, or Mini Chihuahua.  If a Breeder is advertising a Tea Cup, Micro, Mini, or anything like that they are trying to steal your heart and money from your purse or wallet.  The Breed Standard weight for Chihuahuas is between 2 and 6 lbs.  When the pup is born the breeder records their weight.  From their birth weight is how their adult weight is estimated, although there is no exact science to this.  Quality Chihuahuas live a very long life so do not get one if you can not care for them throughout their life.  Chihuahuas can live 14 to 22 years.  As long as you get one from a responsible breeder that breeds for soundness, temperament, and conformation.   Please do not ever buy a dog from a Pet Store.  These dogs almost always come from Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders.  No Reputable Breeder will sell their dogs to a pet store.  Many dogs that come from Puppy Mills/Pet Stores have major psychological and behavioral issues.  This is because they have lived their entire lives in a cage and have never been socialized.  These animals have never been nurtured or shown love, they have been isolated from the world, and they have never had the exercise that they need.  Those dogs are very hard to house train because they have been confined in a cage where they lay in their own feces and urine. They often bite because they are afraid of humans.  They do not understand that humans can be good.  It is very sad.   They often have underlying health issues.  Be weary of a breeder either online or locally that breed more than 1 or 2 breeds of dogs. This is a major Red Flag for a puppy mill.   Most breeders can only concentrate on 1 or 2  breeds, anymore than that is just too much for a person or family to dedicate themselves to.  I am not saying all breeders that breed more than 2 breeds are definitely a puppy mill, but in my experience, that has been the case.   Just be aware that's all.  If you see an advertisement for a dog for sale for 100-500 dollars be very careful as well.  Remember you get what you pay for.  I have heard stories of families paying 400 for a dog and then spending 2000+ trying to save the puppy.  Save your money and your tears by getting your newest family member from a responsible, reputable quality dog breeder.  The Responsible Breeder will want to match the puppy with the family.  If that responsible breeder does not have a pet that will suit you they will point you in the direction of someone who does.  If you get your dog from a good breeder they will be happy to answer any question you have.  They will want you to be happy.  They will also offer you help throughout the dogs life if any questions arise.  A good breeder breeds for the betterment of the breed, for soundness and temperament.  I love chihuahuas and toy breeds.  I breed in hopes that I pass on the beauty and sweet qualities in which my dogs possess.  I breed for the betterment of chihuahuas.   I have some of the sweetest and friendliest chihuahuas you could ever meet.  I want that to be shared with my chihuahuas offspring, to bless more families like mine is blessed.  Just know that breeders of  quality dogs  do not profit from their dogs.  Between quality champion sired studs and bitches ,vets bills,  high quality food,  and supplies, along with dog shows I am in the negative from my dogs, and I am fine with that.  I know many people think breeders make all kinds of money.  That is the furthest from the truth.  Realize that a bitch only has about 4 or 5 litters of pups before she is spayed.  You can only breed a bitch until she is 4 or 5 years old.  It all depends on the breeders breeding program of course, but most breeders do one heat bred, then one heat not bred and so on.  A bitch only has 2 heats per year.  Quality dogs are not cheap.   But quality dogs are worth every penny.   I was in the mall the other day and saw a  poor quality chihuahua for sale for 1800.00, no papers, no family or medical history, and I am sure riddled with issues.  Do yourself a favor and get your newest family member from a Quality Breeder.  If you are not willing to pay the price for a quality animal will you be willing to pay for all its needs, high quality food and top veterinarian care?          

Molera

The Chihuahua Molera  or open Fontanel is the exaxt same as the soft spot that a baby has when born.  It can vary in size and shape, and is located on  the front, top of the head where the bone plates come together.  The molera in chihuahuas is not a defect, but a characteristic of the Chihuahua breed.

The chihuahua molera/fontanel is found in a high percentage of toy dogs but most often in Chihuahuas;  both smoothcoat Chihuahuas, and longcoat Chihuahuas . The Chihuahua molera is present at birth.  Most of the time it will get smaller as the Chihuahua gets older, to about the size of a dime, or it will close completely.  Sometimes it will remain with the Chihuahua its entire life. This is not any reason for alarm, the chihuahua will still live a healthy, normal life.  Make sure you find a vet that has experience with chihuahuas for all your chihuahua needs and for the health of your chihuahua in general. It is extremely important.  Some vets are not familiar with the chihuahua breed.  

 Backwards Sneeze

The Backwards Sneeze also referred to as Honking or Reverse Sneeze is when the Chihuahua appears to be gasping for air.   They make almost a honking type noise.  This is a very, very, common occurrence in toy dogs and Chihuahuas and there is no reason for alarm.  This often happens when they get excited.  It is completely normal for them to get bouts of it.  It will go away in a couple seconds.  Its is easy to get them to stop by simply opening their mouth to get them to breathe through their mouth.  This will get it to subside.  Many individuals that are not familiar with Chihuahuas have been alarmed by this when they first hear it,  they think its respiratory problems, but it is not.  There is absolutely nothing to be worried about.  Its totally normal and not harmful in any way.

Hypoglycemia in Chihuahuas and the best food for your Chihuahua

I am explaining hypoglycemia not because it is something that occurs often.  I have never had a chihuahua have hypoglycemia.  I am just explaining this for educational and preventative purposes.  

Hypoglycemia is a blood sugar disorder that often affects toy breed dogs like Chihuahuas. Mostly young puppies suffer from this when there are extremely low sugar levels in their blood.  As a result the puppy's brain becomes empty of essential needed nutrients. The effects of hypoglycemia could be fatal if not treated immediately. In some cases low blood sugar can also cause coma in puppies when the sugar is not properly replenished.

Even healthy Chihuahua puppies can develop this problem but this is not very often. Absence of fat in their body, which they could have used for energy, might cause hypoglycemia as well. Inadequate sugar produced by the liver, that could have been used as energy, is also one of the factors for hypoglycemia.  Usually if a completely healthy puppy develops hypoglycemia it is due to lack of proper food and diet.  They need to be fed often.  Be sure to have them on an excellent puppy food such as Royal Canin or Wellness puppy food.  I also like Halo Holistic Puppy Food.  I mix all 3 of these foods together and my puppies and dogs LOVE it.  I also boil or bake chicken for them a couple times a week , they can not ever get enough of it!  They love it like nothing else.  It is very good for them.

Some Chihuahuas suffer from stress due to the change of their home or if traveling.  Most Chihuahua puppies are very playful that they use all their energy quickly.  Missing meals quite often may cause hypoglycemia in Chihuahuas.  If you have your puppy shipped be sure to have Honey, Karo Syrup, or Nutrical on hand to administer as soon as they get off the plane.  Often when going to their new home they do no eat right away.  Giving one of those Syrups will help them to have the right amount of sugar in their blood.  It will help keep them lively and not tire easily.

Several symptoms may indicate that the puppies actually suffer from hypoglycemia. These include excessive sleeping, depression, weakness, staggering, seizures, restlessness, disoriented looks and glassy eyes. Chihuahuas  might get brain damage if hypoglycemia is not treated as a medical emergency.

Chihuahua puppies 5 to 16 weeks of age are most susceptible to Hypoglycemia.  When they are first weaned from their mothers.  They can become weak if they are not getting enough food and their energy can be weakened.  They need to be watched when eating to make sure each puppy is eating and getting sufficient intake of vitamins and nutrients. 

If the puppy becomes unconscious due to hypoglycemia, give them Nutrical , Karo Syrup,  Honey , or Nutristat. Just put some on your finger and  put some in their mouth gently.  This will often help them regain consciousness. If the puppy continues to have attacks of hypoglycemia, then a vet should be called right away.

Remember to watch your chihuahua puppy as they eat, especially if you have more than 1 chihuahua.  Sometimes 1 of the chihuahuas eats more than the others so be sure they are all getting their much needed food. This is really only necessary when they are young pups.  As they get used to their home and new family they normally eat just fine.  Don't get overwhelmed this is not something you will have to do forever it is only at the beginning. 

Some Chihuahuas are just picky eaters so you should keep them on the food that they like as long as its a Healthy Food.  I feed my dogs only the Best foods.  If you get a pup from me I will include a sample of the food they have been eating while with me.  If you get a pup from another breeder make sure you research the food they eat.  Some breeders do not feed the best food so just be careful.  Like I said earlier I really like Royal Canin, Wellness, and Halo Dog Foods.  They are made with the best natural ingredients.  Feeding Natural foods will help your dog live the most healthy and long life possible.  Feeding cheap foods like puppy chow is no good for your dog.  They have terrible ingredients that are not good for your dog.  Feeding the right foods will help your dog from getting heart disease and cancer.