How Chihuahuas Can Make The Perfect Pets

The Chihuahua (pronounced "Chee-wa-wa") is one of the oldest and most popular dog breeds in the world. He is also the smallest canine bred today. At his maximum height, he stands only 9 inches at the shoulders; however, most Chihuahuas are usually in around 6-8 inches high. Commonly referred to as a "Chi", the Chihuahua is a native of Mexico and comes in different colors and two coat varieties: smooth hair and long haired.

Chihuahuas live up to 18 years, are devoted to their owners, and are pumped full of attitude. For such a pint size dog, the Chihuahua has a serious personality, and isnt afraid to show it off; he is completely oblivious to his size although his fearless behavior can be quite endearing at times, it can also get the Chi into plenty of trouble if he is not properly socialized and trained.

You see, without the proper training and socialization, the Chihuahua can become aggressive and excessively suspicious towards strangers and overprotective of their owner. Furthermore, he won't show discretion towards larger dogs and will attempt to stand his ground. All dogs require guidance starting from puppy hood - Chis are no exception.

Chihuahuas are relatively easy to train as long as training is consistent and you are persistent. They are quite intelligent but are also willful. Even though they are sweet and loveable, this dog must be shown his place and controlled.

Chihuahuas tend to favor their owner over everyone else, and are not exceptionally sociable with strangers. A Chihuahua won't think twice about snapping at a teasing child, and they also aren't wild about other family pets, but will be able to tolerate most if raised with them as a puppy. That being said, they get along well with their own kind.

Like all of his canine cousins, the Chi loves to play and needs a certain amount of exercise to keep his muscles strong, and to maintain his healthy bodyweight of 2-4 pounds.

This breed loves to go out for walks, and will be happy to travel anywhere with their owner. However, because Chis have small legs and can't walk for an extended period of time, many owners purchase dog carriers for their pooch. Many dog carriers today are highly fashionable, and allow you to comfortably carry your Chi so you can take him with you wherever you go.

In addition to the pet carrier, something else one needs to keep in mind when owning a Chihuahua is that they are sensitive to cool temperatures. Therefore, they should be provided with proper attire on cold days, such as a jacket or sweater.

Moreover, aside from being sensitive to cool climates, Chihuahuas are also prone to other health issues you should be aware of such as hypoglycemia, knee problems and molera. Molera is a term for the soft spot in the centre of a Chis head where the skull has not fully closed. Due to this condition, a single blow to the head could kill a Chihuahua. Thus, Chihuahuas are small dogs that can easily be injured if sat on or handled roughly. For this reason, the Chihuahua is not a good mix with younger children that could unintentionally harm the dog.

When it all comes down to it, Chihuahuas make ideal pets for families with older, responsible children (above the age of 10), and anyone who is looking for a solid companion that they can give their love and attention to.

One couldn't ask for a more loyal and loving companion than the dynamic and unique Chihuahua.

Richard Cussons cares about all dogs and the Chihuahua is a favorite. You can find out more about Chihuahuas at http://www.chihuahuasavvy.com/

First Aid For Your Dog

Most people understand or know a bit of first aid for humans but many dog owners are not as familiar with the basic first aid for their dogs. While several of the techniques are very similar it is important to review them and to keep basic first aid supplies for dogs in your house or with you when you are on an outing. A small first aid supply kit kept in your car can be a live saver for your pet.

There are several fairly common issues that can arise when you are out with your dog that require first aid attention. As with all injuries it is important to get the dog to a vet as soon as possible.

Heat stroke many dogs, especially those with short muzzles (brach cephalic) dogs such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Boxers and Pekingese can suffer from heat stroke. This occurs because the nasal passages are not long enough to allow proper cooling of the air. If you notice your dog begins to wheeze or even stagger and cough immediately discontinue the activity and get the dog into the shade or in a cool area. Sponge the dog with cool water and encourage them to drink small amounts.

Burns burns are relatively rare on dogs but occasionally happen when camping and when there are fires. Be sure to immediately apply a wet, cold compress to the burn area and apply gentle pressure. Do not use a dry cloth as it can cause problems if the area seals over with the cloth in the tissue. A moist cloth will prevent this from happening as much as possible. Never use butter or other fatty or oily substance on a burn. Keep the area clean and free from debris until it can be treated by a vet.

Cuts cuts to the body, head and feet should immediately be covered with a sterile bandage or cloth and gentle pressure applied to stop the bleeding. The dog should be immobilized in a blanket or towel to prevent any movement. Wrapping a dog in a towel or blanket can be difficult and it usually requires more than one person, especially if the dog is panicking or in pain.

Objects stuck in the mouth or throat often dogs will find bit of bone or even sticks that splinter and cause choking. If your dog is pawing at its mouth, drooling or salivating excessively or constantly working its jaw there may well be something stuck in the back of the mouth or throat. Do not attempt to pull out the object, rather immobilize the dogs muzzle using a strip of cloth or a muzzle. Never make the bandage too tight as this can cause breathing problems. Immobilize the dog and take them to a vet immediately.

Eating Poisonous substances Locate the item the dog ate and bring it with you to the vet. Do not attempt to force the dog to vomit as this can burn the esophagus and stomach and cause further complications. Immediately transport the dog to a vet. Calling ahead to let the vet know what the dog has eaten helps the vet prepare for the emergency. In addition the vet may be able to give further instructions on what to do.

Frostbite dogs that are left too long in cold conditions can get frostbite, usually on their ears, tails and feet. Bring the dog immediately indoors and apply warm, not hot, compresses to the area. Do not use a hair dryer or other direct heat source. Immediately take the dog to the vet to avoid tissue loss and permanent damage.

Many vets, colleges and grooming and training professionals offer courses in pet first aid. Plan to attend one and learn more about what you can do to help your dog in an emergency situation.

Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog beds, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.

Serious Dog Urine Cleaning Products from a Surprising Source

Nobody enjoys thinking about dog urine stains and odor, but it happens. Even older dogs have accidents. (And let's also admit that dogs sometimes do it on purpose in order to mark their territory - no accident involved).

I'm thinking about this unpleasant subject at the moment because I just moved, and a very distinctive stain showed that a medium-sized dog recently lifted his leg on my new porch. To prevent my own dog from re-marking the house when I moved him to his new home, I had to find a good dog urine cleaning product, and fast.

With the help of my local pet store owner, (who also runs a house cleaning service), I found a great product - but not at her pet store.

So where did my friendly pet store owner take me to find a serious dog urine cleaning product? She led me next door, to the auto supply house. She asked the proprietor to search his shelves for a product that would be good enough to remove the smell and stain from my porch wall, but which would not be so strong that it would remove the paint. The product he had in stock was called Unbelievable!, from CORE Products Co., Inc., (but the man at the auto parts store said there are other brands that work as well).

The product was developed for professional cleaners, and works to remove pet and food stains (and odors) from a car's upholstery and carpet. The product costs far less than the enzyme product I recently purchased from a veterinarian, and it worked immediately. I just sprayed it on the siding where the dog lifted his leg, and the stain disappeared instantly, along with the smell. I'll be trying it on that suspicious spot on the carpet in a few minutes.

The first product that most people turn in these situations is enzyme-based cleaning products that can be purchased at grocery and pet stores. I recently had an opportunity to use an enzyme product on a borrowed cat carrier that had been sprayed by the owner's cat, and most of the odor did go away, eventually.

However, the enzyme product, which I purchased from a veterinarian, was expensive. It also took a long time to work, and my cats could still tell that the carrier had been sprayed, even though my own human nose could no longer detect it.

The product I purchased from the auto parts store worked better, and faster. And it cost less. So, the next time you have a need for a dog urine cleaner, don't head for the pet store - go to the auto supply store, and ask for a product that works on urine stains and odors. You'll save money by not buying an expensive enzyme product from the pet store or vet's, and you'll be happier with the results.

Copyright 2006 Jonni Good

Jonni Good is the owner of a large and popular website that is totally devoted to helping you adopt an older dog at your local humane society. You'll find a list of local animal shelters, and many articles about selecting exactly the right dog for your family. http://www.older-dog.com