Top 10 Newest Chihuahuas Available for Adoption in the U.S.

They may be the smallest of the dog breeds, but Chihuahuas pack a whole lot of personality into their tiny frames.

The Chihuahua we are familiar with today traces its roots back to the 1850s where it was discovered in the Mexican state the breed takes its name from. How it ended up there in the first place is more of a mystery. One theory is that the modern Chihuahua has descended from the big eared, round headed dogs depicted in Toltec carvings dating all the way back to the 9th century. These dogs were called Techichi which is a perfect name for your Chihuahua if you're in need of one.

When the Toltecs were conquered by the Aztecs, the Techichi were brought into the Aztec society and were highly revered for their purported abilities to see into the future, heal the sick, and guide souls to the underworld. If this theory holds true, the diminutive bedazzled collar wearing, purse "Princesses" of today were once the inhabitants of the temples of the mighty Aztec warriors and participants in Aztec rituals.

A second less fantastic theory is that Chihuahuas are the result of cross breeding between native dogs and small hairless dogs brought from China to Mexico by Spanish traders.

Either way, the Chihuahua has come a long way from its roots.

Today's Chihuahua is a hearty breed oftentimes living into its late teens and sometimes much longer. A typical Chihuahua ranges from 3 to 10 pounds, can have a smooth or long coat, and can come in a variety of colorations.

Perhaps harkening back to their warrior roots, Chihuahuas are bold, confident, and make surprisingly good watch-dogs providing you want a dog that will alert you to danger even if they can't do much about it after the fact. Chihuahuas also thrive on affection and companionship, oftentimes bonding strongly to a single person. When adopting a chihuahua, be prepared to have a little creature that will return your love and affection with unwavering devotion.

Because of their small size, people often feel Chihuahuas are low maintenance and easy to care for. While this is not necessarily untrue when compared to some other breeds, it does not mean properly caring for your Chihuahua will not be a serious investment of your time. Proper care will help ensure your little friend lives a long, healthy, and happy life. Ultimately, a Chihuahua is still a dog that has the wants and needs of larger breeds.

Like with all dog breeds, proper nutrition and health care is essential for your Chihuahua. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise will help keep your dog happy today and can help avoid injuries and other adverse conditions in the future. Regular veterinary visits will help with the early diagnosis of potential problems and hopefully allow them to be addressed before they become too serious. Proper oral care will help your Chihuahua's teeth last longer and has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease which is a common cause of death in small, long lived breeds.

After their physical needs are met, a Chihuahua will still need proper attention and socialization. Providing your dog with love and attention is the easy part since they are so keen to reciprocate. Working on your dog's manners and social skills is more difficult and is often where owners fall short. Chihuahuas have gained a reputation for being aggressive and out of control largely because so many of them are raised without proper boundaries. Because of their size, they get away with things that larger dogs would never get away with which can create a little monster, albeit a cute and affectionate one.

As is the case with larger breeds, a well behaved Chihuahua is one who gets exercise and training. Training (housetraining, crate training, manners, tricks), walks, playtime, socialization with other dogs, and socialization with other people will all contribute to a happy and trustworthy pet.

If you have a small space in your home and a large space in your heart, a Chihuahua may be the perfect thing to fill them. Because of their popularity and the fact that so many people get them who are not willing or able to give them proper care (a discussion for a different day), finding a Chihuahua for adoption is incredibly easy. This list is created using animals listed on PetFinder.com and will give you a taste for what is out there, but there are so many more Chihuahuas hoping to find a forever home currently residing in shelters across the country. So even if this list does not show any results for your area, it is almost certain there is a Chihuahua waiting to be adopted in a shelter near you.
Source: https://www.petfinder.com, Created on 5/19/2020
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