Chihuahua

The two coat varieties of the Chihuahua have slightly different grooming needs. The smooth-coat Chihuahua will need only occasional brushing and regular baths to look dapper, while the longhaired variety should have his coat brushed at least once a week to avoid any tangles or mats.

Both varieties should have their nails trimmed regularly. Good dental care is necessary and should include brushing your dog's teeth, and the vet might also recommend treats designed as part of a tooth-care program. Check the Chihuahua's ears regularly, and remove any excess wax or debris to avoid ear infections.

Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear down the toenails naturally.

Even tiny Chihuahuas need exercise, but not much. A short walk once or (younger dogs) twice a day is enough or some playtime indoors if the weather is not good. Don't overdo it with this dog, and be aware of health issues that can affect them having a pleasant walk.

With this said, Chihuahuapuppies should not be given too much exercise because their joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them could result in causing a dog a few problems later on in their lives. They should not be allowed to jump up or off furniture nor should they be allowed to run up and down the stairs because this puts too much pressure on their still growing joints and limbs

• A short walk (10 - 15 minutes)

• Easy, short games of fetch or chase in the house

A good, balanced diet is always a safe bet when it comes to feeding your Chihuahua. This breed does well with a mix of protein, grain, and vegetables. When giving out treats, moderation is essential - since the Chihuahua is so small, even the tiniest bit of extra weight can make a huge difference in its health.

If you get a Samoyed puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy or finicky eaters, but this does not mean you can feed them a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Like many large breeds, Saint Bernard can experience bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach distends and twists. The causes of bloat aren't fully understood, but experts agree that multiple, small meals per day and preventing vigorous exercise around mealtimes may help reduce the chances of it happening.

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Run, don't walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the breed is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur in her lines.

The Chihuahua is a long-lived breed with an average life expectancy of 15 years or more. The breed is known for having open fontanels, called a "molera," which is a soft spot on the top of the skull.

Breed health concerns may include collapsing tracheas,eye problems, hypoglycemia, mitral valve disease, medial patellar luxation, congenital elbow luxation, pulmonary stenosis,patent ductus arteriosus,melanoma, hydrocephalus, endocardiosis, pattern baldness,cryptorchidism, testicular neoplasia, foramen magnum dysplasia, andseizures.

When it comes to basic tricks, Chihuahuas are easy to train. Since this dog will love to please its owners, it will willingly sit, shake and roll over… as long as your Chihuahua is rewarded with a treat, of course. You'll find that training is one of the best and most fun parts of owning a Chihuahua.

House training, on the other hand, is not as easy with Chihuahua. This will take some extra time, as it has a hard time learning where to go. Although some people use litter boxes or pee pads, this can be difficult. In the long run, you should train your Chihuahua to do its business outdoors, if possible.

Puppies should be properly socialized to develop the amiable, outgoing personality that is characteristic of the breed. They're successful in performance and companion events such as earthdog, barn hunt, obedience, and agility.

Likenesses of Chihuahua-like dogs decorate the artifacts of lost civilizations around the world. Trading among ancient cultures was more widespread than commonly assumed, so it is no surprise that similar dog types took root in far-flung places. How the Chihuahua type first came to the peoples of Mexico, however, is a secret of prehistory. We do know that when the Toltecs held sway in Mexico about a thousand years ago, their breed of choice was the Techichi, a larger, heavier ancestor of today's Chi.

Modern Chihuahuas hail from Chihuahua, Mexico. They are the smallest dog breed and the oldest North American breed. They rocketed to popularity in the U.S when famous Latin musician Xavier Cugat made a Chihuahua his constant public companion, and remain extremely popular to this day. Famous Chihuahuas include the Taco Bell Chihuahua, Ren from 'Ren and Stimpy', and Ducky, the 2007 'Guinness Book of World Records' winner for 'World's Smallest Living Dog'.