The Molera

"SOFTSPOT"

The Chihuahua was developed in Mexico and the United States,

 it has displayed a "soft spot" on the top of the head. 

 In the Chihuahua, this spot is know as a MOLERA;

 and is the same as found in human babies. 

This molera is accepted as a mark of purity in the breed.

  It is also know as fontanel.

 

Please note that while many Chihuahua puppies are born without the molera,

 there are as many born with one and its presence is nothing to become alarmed about.

The molera will occur on the top of the head

 and may have a variety of shapes and size if present. 

Many lay people and some veterinarians who are not familar with the Chihuahua,

 try to link the mere presence with a medical conditions known as Hydrocephalus.

  This has caused many new comers serious concern and undue worry. 

 Observations from many devoted breeders and adequate medical evidence

show  support to these moleras are nothing to worry about.

 

HYDROCEPHALUS

This a congenital condition as well as a result of trauma or brain tumor.

This condition is caused when excess fluid is found around the brain, the

body may form too much fluid, it cannot drain from the central nervous system.

Within the brain fluid-filled spaces called ventricles are filled with too much fluid causing the brain

to swell and increase pressure causing brain damage.  These dogs typically have a limited life span.

Where the severity differs, few dogs live past two years of age.  Treatment is expensive and is often unsuccessful.    No dog should be bred with this condition, and should be removed form breeding programs.

In gereral, most
Chihuahuas are healthy and live to 15 years old or longer.  Most are lost when they are puppies due to factures and accidents because they are so small and fragile.

 

Vaccinosis:  Dicuss vaccines and dosages with your vet to determine the correct dose for his size.  Because they are so small, their tolerance to "normal" doses are much lower and can cause reactions in these small babies.

Feeding

I feed all my babies Iams tiny bites and Eukanuba small bites.

  I free feed because they eat so little and with proper excercise 

they don't tend to get overweight. If I have a puppy

that doesn't want to eat, I'll feed them Bil-Jack puppy. 

I always keep fresh water and use treats very seldom. 

If I do use treats I use Pup-a-roni,

which I cut into very tiny pieces . 

 This way they don't get spoiled and will continue to eat their dry food.

  The dry food tends to lead to less tooth decay and plaque buildup. 

 Always feed your babies a high quailty dog food, be sure to read the

labels to determine the

correct proportions of  proteins, carbohydrates,

fats and vitamins and minerals contained.

Be sure that the first ingrediant on the label

is meat (BEEF, LAMB, OR CHICKEN), if it isn't

then you are feeding your puppy corn, wheat or barley, soy-meal,

or a combination of all.

 this way you know that they are getting all the nutrients and vitamins

 that they need. I also give my dogs Cod Liver Oil softgels to

keep their coats  soft and shinny.  It also helps their skin from becomming dry.

Remember that puppies need three basic things to thrive:

good nutrition, warmth and companionship.  They must not

be deprived  of any of these.

 

                                

WHERE DO PETS COME FROM?

 

Adam and Eve said, "Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day.  Now we do not see you any more.  We are lonesome here, and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us."

 God said," I will create a companion for you that will be with you and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me.   Regardless of how selfish or childish or unloveable you may be, this new companion will accept you as are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves."

 God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.  It was a good animal, God was pleased.

The new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve, and he wagged his tail.

Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

God said,  I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him " DOG."

 

 

 

 

 

                        

 

Avoid The Myth!!!

Chihuahuas were named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, they are the tiniest  breed in the world. Believed to have been sacred by Pre-Columbian Indians,they may be the oldest breed native  to North America.  Chihuahuas were first reconized by the AKC in 1904.  Although the chihuahua has a mysterious past, they go back about 2000 years and longed believed to be Mexican, some believe the orientals  may have had some conections with this breed, highly know for the art of "shrinking" ie: (Bonsai Trees)  they had proto-chihuahuas called Techichi, these were introduced to Mexico around 10 AD in the Toltec civilization and became a favorite of the royalty for companionship.  They were also popular as sacrificial animals,  Every time a hauman was sacrificed to their Gods, his dog would go with him.  The Techcih was s short-legged dumpy dog by compasrision of today's graceful, happy Chihuahua . The Chihuahua known today is believed to have been perfected around the early 1850's and was no longer revered by royalty, there for they were downgraded to being smuggled by peddlers. There is only one Chihuahua breed.  They come in two Coat varieties (Smooth and Longhaired), that is the only difference. There is a hairless version around today known as the Xoloitzcuintle, or Mexican Hairless. 

 They do not come if different weight varieties.  For show standards purposes, they should weigh between 2 and 6 pounds, some are so small that they can stand on all fours in a palm of a hand.

but many Chihuahuas go up to 10 or 12 pounds,

 whatever their weight, they are simlply called Chihuahuas.

Some breeders use cutesy phases as "Marketing terms" for the different weights,

these are "TEACUP Chihuahuas", "POCKET CHIHUAHUAS",

Standard Chihuahuas", and MINIATURE Chihuahuas"

, also they are sometimes called "DEER LEGGED or DEER HEAD. 

 Unfortunately these adjectives have been missused  for so long

that they now seem legitimate,

The Chihuahua Club of America is concerend

that these terms may be used to entice perspective buyers

 into thinking that these puppies are of greater monetary value.

  They are not, and the use of these terms is incorrect and misleading,

as with all living things, there will be size variance

 between individual dogs within this breed. 

 The ideal Chihuahua should mature at 4 pounds

 (these will weigh 2-3 pounds at 10 to 12 weeks old)

 and should continue to grow until six months old,

by then they should be almost grown.

  A long haired Chi will not get its full coat until 2 years of age.

The only thing the a breeder can count on,

 is that if you breed two short haired Chi's,

 you get short haired puppies,

unless there is a long hair in the background,

 two long haired Chi's ,

you get long haired puppies,

or if you breed long haired Chi and a short haired Chi,

you can get a mixture,

 some can be short haired

 and others long haired or a

combination of the two.

Sweetpea

 

 

 

 This breed falls into the TOY GROUP, this group was bred specifically to be companion animals.

They are bred to be small, portable and good-natured. 

 They make ideal apartment or small-house pets. 

Toys Breeds are alert and vigorous, fine-boned and and well balanced.

The term companion animal means that the puppy needs "human company". 

They are the happiest when allowed to be an integral part of the household,

 they thrive and learn ,when they are included in the household routine at an early age,

training is easier when this unique bond is formed from the beginning.

 

 

Reverse Sneezing

 

"Reverse Sneezing" happens when the pharynx (back of throat) goes into spams.

You will see your baby stretch out its neck, stand still and gasp and wheeze.  It's not painful, just scary, when you first see this happen.  Chihuahuas and other small toy breeds are prone to this condition.    Reverse sneezing tends to be evident at an early age, but with good health care habits you can help your dog in many ways, clean teeth, exercise and proper diets help alot.  Collars may aggrivating,  and you at not time should tug sharply on its leash, as this could lead to breathing problems, or collapsed trachea.   This sneezing can be triggered by excitement, cold air,and dust. There are simple remedies that can help when this occurs, pinch the dogs nostrils so it has to open it mouth to breath, gentle reasurrance and sometimes the use of a "command" word, such as "treat", "play" will control this sneeze.  You can also stroke the dogs throat, cup your hand around it's nose, and sometimes just picking it up and blowing into its face will help.  Your main objective is to get the dog to swallow, this will cease the sneezing.  Don't panic!!!!

Listen to your instincts, if this seems to be more than a reverse sneeze, then take your baby to the vet, that way they can be treated with steriods, long-term medications or sometimes surgery.  this is very rare if it becomes cronic or life threathing.