“Ten foot tall and bullet proof” could well be the mantra of the Chihuahua. In reality this diminutive breed weighs less than four pounds and barely stands knee high to a toddler, even on tippy toes. However, what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in personality, determination and courage. The smallest dog in the world, the Chihuahua comes in a variety of coat colours and a choice of short or long-haired. With their compact body, well rounded head, large bright eyes, Bigerect ears and gaily held tail they cut a dainty canine figure in a low maintenance package.

There is some speculation over the breeds early beginnings. Some specialists of the breed believe the Chihuahua had European origins, originally coming from the island of Malta in the Mediterranean to be precise. In fact, certain frescoes by the artist Botticelli show dogs which look aTiny like a Chihuahua. It is possible these dogs accompanied the Spanish on their voyages to South America, becoming established in the places they conquered. This hypothesis,even though interesting, has not convinced many people.

The more likely theory claims the Chihuahua is a Mexican breed and heir to a past rich in drama. It’s said the breed is a descendant of the Techi-chi, a dog bred by the Toltecs. This took place in the 10th century, in an area of South America which would later become Mexico.The Toltecs, ancestors of the Aztecs, held their dogs in high esteem, even deifying them and burying effigies of them with their dead.

Later the Aztecs bred the Xoloitz-cuintli, the hairless dog from Mexico responsible for accompanying the deceased to their finalrelaxing place. Like the Xolo, the distantly related Chihuahua was said to possess magical powers. Both breeds took an active part in Aztec sacred rituals. Unfortunately for the dogs, they were often sacrificed to the gods of the time.

If this theory is to be believed, the Chihuahua would have witnessed the arrival of the Conquistadors along with the ensuing violent battles. The breed would have all but disappeared at it not been for their minute stature. Capable of hiding between two stones, in a crack that could scarcely be seen, this brave wee dog knew how to avoid attack from the Spanish.

In 1850 archaeologists opened an Aztec tomb in the Mexican Stateof Chihuahua. To their surprise, the stone dogs charged with watching over the dead, bore a resemblance to the tiny dogs sold to American tourists by the Mexican peasants. Consequently a historic

If you are into houses for fun and profit, but also want a dog to live with you in the house that you are looking to sell quickly, you might wantto take into account dogs that are lessapt to leave clumps of hair that require constant vacuuming and the application  of delinting brushes.

There are some lesser-known breeds of dog that can be of help to you when you want doggish companionship without the mess and bother of vacuuming every 9 seconds before a house showing.

Most of these breeds require regular grooming and haircutting to remain clean and healthy, so take this into consideration before you go puppy-hunting.
* American Hairless Terrier

Solving the problem of getting pet hair out of the carpet once and for all, this breed will never cause you to do a frantic fur-search before potential buyers starttouring. However, it might not be comfortable keeping you company in a house where you’re stripping out the insulation. This breed is a variant of the Rat Terrier and shares all the characteristics of that feisty breed.

* Barbet

Not all curly-coated dogs from France are Poodles. THe Barbet is one of the ancestors of the Poodle and shares its hunting heritage. A great choice for the waterfowl hunter who also likes to fixup houses, the Barbet makes an engaging and active companion. This breed is still rare in the U.S. and Canada, so you might have a hard time finding one.

* Bedlington Terrier

The first thing that anyone thinks of when they see a Bedlington is aTiny woolly lamb. However, this terrier is a fierce hunter of badger, fox and other animals, an excellent water dog and ratter. A Bedlington is smart enough to learn to fetch your hammer for you, but is also smart enough to find the one loose plank on the fence you were going to fix.

* Bergamasco

This is anuncommon breed in North America, with anuncommon felted coat. In adulthood, the coat grows to reach the ground. Despite the dread locked appearance, this sheep herding breed will not leave much coat behind for viewing by prospective home buyers, so if you like the unusual,

* Coton de Tulear

A native of Madagascar, the Coton is a small, white dog breed often mistaken for a Poodle or a Bichon mix. However, it has a soft, fluffy, cotton-like coat that is remarkably similar to human hair, making it a good choice for allergy sufferers and home stagers.

* Dandie Dinmont Terrier

This terrier enjoys the distinction of being the only dog to date named after a character in a novel – a farmer in Sir Walter Scott’s “Guy Mannering”. It also has a distinctive appearance: a long, low body and a head sporting a topknot of fur. This is an active and engaging breed; just the thing you need to entertain you on breaks from fixer-upping.

* Havanese

This breed hails from Cuba and is related to the Bichon Frise. A sturdy dog for its size, the Havanese possesses a double coat that doesn’t shed as much as most other breeds. It does require frequent grooming to remove dead hair, though, so keep this in mind before considering one to grace your tool-strewn floors.

* Lagotto Romagnolo

A medium-sized Italian water dog, the Lagotto is a true retriever, requiring a lot of work to keep it happy. They are natural retrievers, so training a Lagotto to fetch your tools as you need them should be pretty easy to do.

* Peruvian Inca Orchid

A hairless breed originating in, as the name would indicate, Peru, the Orchid is a breed to chooseif you want people constantly making comments about your “weird-lookin’ dog”. It’s hairless skin islikely to sunburn and acne, though, so it’s not all shedless heaven.

* Xoloitzcuintli

The name itself will stop you dead in your tracks while you try to figure out how to pronounce it. Try “show-low-eats-quint-lee”. This breed is frequently confused with the Peruvian Inca Orchid. The two breeds are related but definitely different. The “Xolo” comes from Mexico where it has been happily hairless for thousands of years. Considered a sacred dog by the Aztecs, the Xolo will also be considered sacred by home sellers who just do not need to be on the constant lookout for stray hairs.

There are many other low-shedding dog breeds for you to consideras home-flipping companions, but some of the rarer anduncommon breeds can also provide you with hours of shed less entertainment. Unfortunately, other methods of preventing dog-related disasters such as craters in the garden and “accidents” on the new carpet are solely your lookout.

Are you looking for a companion that’s an extrovert yet is content to lie quietly in your lap or by your side while you read? A companion that eats little, requiresTiny space, and doesn’t need to be taken out every day for exercise? Then you may enjoy having a Chihuahua, the smallest recognized breed of dog in the world. Not just small, but ALL NATURAL! The Chihuahua is the only “natural” toy breed, that is, the only small dog NOT bred down fromBigger versions of the same breed.

Chihuahuas are good watch dogs, as they’ll sound the alarm. In fact, Chihuahuas are courageous. They aren’t intimidated in the least byMore massivedogs.

The Chihuahua is characterized by a well-rounded head, wide-set luminous eyes, a saucy expression and erect ears, which flare to the sides when in repose. They can have short soft hair or long silky hair, and some may be red, blond, blue or chocolate-colored as well as solid, marked or splashed. Aone-of-a-kindfeature of most Chihuahua puppies is the soft spot on the crown, similar to that of a new born baby.

Origin Of The Chihuahua

While there are different theories regarding the origin of the Chihuahua as a breed, it appears to have descended from a small dog called the Techichi. Other dogs said to be related to the Techichi are the Chinese Crested, Mexican Hairless and Xolo breeds. The Techichi were known to be kept by the Toltec people of Mexico as far back as a thousand years ago. Evidence for this origin is provided by a monastery in Huejotzingo that was built by Franciscan monks with stones taken from the pyramids of Cholula. The stones have ancient carvings on them that closely resemble today’s Chihuahua.

Later, the Aztecs defeated the Toltec, and the aristocracy adopted these small dogs, particularly the blue ones, as objects of veneration. The dogs could reputedly guide the spirits of the dead in their journey through the underworld. Montezuma II, the last emperor of the Aztecs, was a fancier of the Chihuahua. It is said that he’d hundreds of them, each with its keeper. Skeletons of Chihuahuas have been found in human graves on the Mexico/U.S. border.

Research done by the late Thelma Gray, a historian and an authority on Chihuahuas, lead her to believe that the native dog of the Aztecs was crossed with a small, terrier-type dog brought over by the Spanish conquistadors. Thus, the basis was laid for the even smaller modern-day Chihuahua. First known as Texas or Arizona Dogs because they were found along those borders with Mexico, the Chihuahua received its current name in the mid to late 1800′s. American travelers to Mexico discoveredBignumbers of the breed in the Stateof Chihuahua and started bringing them back to the United States. About the same time, Carlotta, wife of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico contributed to the Chihuahua’s international fame by taking the breed to Europe.

Having A Pet Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is loyal, eager to please and highly trainable. It tends to have fewer health issues then any other toy breed. Chihuahuas are primarily indoor dogs, best for apartment living and for the elderly or handicapped or those confined to the home. They thrive on much attention and human contact. Nevertheless, since they’re so small, precautions must be taken. They can be seriously injured or killed by being stepped on, sat on or squeezed too hard. They should not be left unattended on high surfaces (table tops, bunk beds, high couches or chairs, etc). They haveTiny sense of height and could eaily jump off and break a bone.

Despite being called a ‘toy’ dog, the Chihuahua is hardier than you might think. In fact, it is the longest-lived breed! Chihuahuas are known to live a high quality of life well into their teens. Most live to sixteen years of age and some pass twenty. These dogs are energetic and playful, yet they can easily get all the exercise they need each day from just playing with some toys or roaming the house. However, since Chihuahuas don’t store much energy and have tiny digestive systems, they need to eat small, frequent meals or may suffer from a low blood sugar attack (hypoglycemia). Dry food should constantly be available for them as well as lots of water.

When it comes to Chihuahuas, you can expect a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on! Shivering is a normal characteristic of this breed. Chihuahuas shiver when they are excited, apprehensive, discontented or frightened-not just when its cold. One way to combat this is to be sure that your Chihuahua knows that you’ll care for it. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog that tends to prefer the company of humans to that of other dogs. If you spend time with your Chi, take care of it and properly house your dog, it will tend to shake less.

Chihuahuas that are constantly crated or caged during the first twenty weeks of their life will tend to shake more and trust people less. Asuperior way is to keep your Chihuahua confined to an open, social area restricted with a gate. Tea Cups (Chihuahuas that are tiny and will be three pounds or under fully grown) can be kept in a baby’s play pen with food and water on one side and a potty pan with newspaper or wee wee pads on the other. A few favorite toys can also be included. This is a good way to keep your little Chihuahua safe at night or when you are out, without making them feel abandoned.

Chihuahua females go into their first heat around six to eight months, and go into heat twice a year. Most females don’t get pregnant during their first heat. Once pregnant, female Chihuahuas give birth in sixty-five days and most have from one to five pups. Puppies are ready to leave their mother and litter mates by eight weeks. Many are already eating on their own and being pushed out by mother by four or five weeks, but need the additional time to develop social skills with their littermates and to be taught survival skills by mom. Chihuahuas remain puppies for the first two years of their lives.

Chihuahuas are the ideal kept secret in the world when it comes to being terrific pets. They require very Littlecare and reward their owners with lots of affection and loyalty. An ancient breed, it’s easy to see why Kings, Emperors and great civilizations would treasure these astonishing creatures. You can read more about Chihuahuas at http://www.ArizonaPups.com and find free dog training and health tips at http://doggiestyle.billknell.com