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10 Small But Mighty Facts about Chihuahuas

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Chihuahua Appreciation Day

May 14th is International Chihuahua Appreciation Day. Whether you’ve got a chi of your own or you’re a fan of all four-legged friends, celebrate with us by learning ten fast facts about these pocket-sized pups.

1. Chihuahuas are great listeners.
Chihuahuas are ranked among the top ten breeds when it comes to their sense of hearing thanks to their proportionally large, satellite-shaped ears.

2. Chihuahuas can be deers or apples.
Purebred Chihuahuas that meet AKC breed standards have an “apple head” or a round head with a short snout and can be categorized as “brachycephalic” or flat-faced dogs, like the Pug. Those that do not come from purebred show lines may have a “deer” shaped head with a longer snout, and their eyes usually do not bulge as much as those of an “applehead.” A dog with an in-between head shape is sometimes informally called a “pear head.”

3. Some still have their soft spot.
Human babies and many baby animals are born with a fontanelle or soft spot at the top of their skull where the bones have not yet fused. This allows them to squeeze through the birth canal but also leaves their brain tissue vulnerable to impact and injury. In most mammals, the skull fuses together in weeks or months after birth. In Chihuahuas, it’s not uncommon for the soft spot to remain open for their entire life.

4. Warm snuggles are a must.
Chihuahuas tremble when they’re cold, and due to their higher ratio of surface area in proportion to their body, they lose heat more easily than larger dogs. The short-haired variety is especially prone to shivering even in mild weather.

5. Chihuahuas are excellent watchdogs.
With their sensational sense of hearing, plus their alert, protective attitude, Chihuahuas have earned a long-standing reputation for their work as watchdogs. Their bark is surprisingly loud for their size, and they do not stop barking until the danger has passed or until their owner has called them off. Often kept in packs, their chorus of yapping is usually enough to ward off intruders. Naturally, they do not make the best guard dogs, as their bark is, as you’d expect, much bigger than their bite.

6. Chihuahuas can fool computers.
What first started as an internet meme became an exercise in artificial intelligence research. Photos of golden-brown Chihuahuas with big, round eyes can look like blueberry muffins at first glance, and muffins can look like puppies until you take a closer look. Advanced AI software used by search engines has become pretty good at identifying images, though some researchers have had trouble teaching their programs to tell puppies from muffins.

7. They’re the oldest breed in the Americas.
Throughout North and South America, the Chihuahua is the oldest dog breed, originating in Mexico in the 1800s. They are descendants of the ancient Techichi dog. Bred for companionship, Techichis were loyal to the end, even buried with their owners as they were believed to guide the soul in the afterlife.

8. They’re the Barbies of the dog world.
Charming, travel-sized, and highly intelligent, Chihuahuas can do almost anything a big dog can do, and more. Numerous larger-than-life Chihuahuas have worked as police dogs, truffle hunters, ratters, television actors, runway models, and movie stars. In 2020, a Chi named MacKenzie earned the American Humane Hero Dog Award in honor of her work with orphaned baby animals born with birth defects, caring for them as though she were their mother.

9. Chihuahuas have nine lives.
Like most small dogs, Chihuahuas have a long lifespan and they’re notoriously resilient. Currently, the Guinness World Record holder for the world’s oldest living dog is “TobyKeith,” a 21-year-old Chihuahua.

10. They’re the second most common breed in shelters.
Besides Pitbulls or bully breed mixes, Chihuahuas are found in the largest numbers in shelters, and they’re also the second most often euthanized in shelters. Numbers vary from region to region, though. There are more adoptable Chihuahuas in southern states, and they’re often exported to Northern states where there are fewer available. Chances are, there’s a homeless Chihuahua near you who can’t wait to curl up in your lap.