| Species | Dog |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mexico |
| Size Category | Small |
| Weight Range | 1–3 kg |
|---|---|
| Height Range | 13–23 cm |
| Lifespan | 12–20 years |
| Juvenile Stage Ends | 10 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 10 years |
| Exercise Needs | High |
|---|---|
| Grooming | Moderate |
| Annual Exam Focus | Cardiac auscultation; Eye exam; Patella evaluation; Dental exam; Weight management |
| Routine Care | Senior Chihuahuas (lifespan 14-16 yrs) are prone to obesity, dental disease, and heart issues (like chronic valve disease). Focus on weight management, routine dental care, and cardiac monitoring. |
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxating Patellas | Juvenile | High | No | N/A |
| Periodontal Disease | Adult | High | No | N/A |
| Heart Disease | Senior | High | No | N/A |
| Cardiac Disease | Adult | High | Yes | Recommended |
| Patellar Luxation | Adult | High | Yes | Recommended |
| Eye Disease | Adult | High | Yes | Recommended |
| Risk Level | High |
|---|---|
| Ideal BCS | 4/9 |
| Visual Cues | Ribs easily palpable with slight fat covering; waist clearly visible from above; noticeable abdominal tuck from the side. No excess fat around neck, shoulders, or hips. |
| Daily Activity | 30 minutes |
| Caloric Notes | {"daily_kcal_per_kg": 55, "RER_factor": 70, "activity_multiplier": 1.2} |
| Litter Size | 2–4 |
|---|---|
| Dystocia Risk | High |
| CHIC Required Tests | Cardiac Exam; Eye Examination; Patella Evaluation |
| Recommended DNA Tests | Chondrodysplasia (CDPA); Degenerative Myelopathy (DM); Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk Factor and Chondrodystrophy (CDDY with IVDD); Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 7; Primary Lens Luxation; Primary Open Angle Glaucoma; Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cone-Rod Dystrophy 4; Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD); Spinocerebellar ataxia (Terrier Type) |
| Neonatal Weight | 70–155 g |
|---|---|
| Growth Notes | Prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hydrocephalus (water on the brain). Monitor closely for signs of lethargy, shaking, or head enlargement. |
| Vaccine/Health Schedule | {"start_weeks": 6, "series_count": 3, "core_vaccines": "CDV; CPV-2; CAV-2; Rabies", "socialization_end_weeks": 16} |
| Anxiety Proneness | High |
|---|---|
| Top Triggers | Separation; Strangers; Large dogs; Loud noises/Thunderstorms; Unfamiliar environments |
| Separation Anxiety Risk | Very_High |
| Calming Interventions | Gradual desensitization training; Puzzle toys/mental stimulation; Calming scent items (lavender); Safe den/playpen space; High-value treat counter-conditioning |
| Enrichment Needs | Moderate |
| Cognitive Dysfunction Risk | High |
| Sociability Score | 1/10 |
| Locomotion | Trotting gait; Zoomies/FRAPs; Pouncing; Prancing/high-stepping; Spinning/circling |
|---|---|
| Social | Leaning against owner; Face licking; Play solicitation (play bow); Seeking lap/close contact; Following owner closely |
| Comfort | Burrowing/nesting in blankets; Sunbathing; Self-grooming; Stretching; Shaking off |
| Stress/Displacement | Lip licking; Yawning; Trembling/shaking; Whale eye; Avoidance/turning away |
| Breed-Specific | Burrowing under blankets; Shivering/trembling when excited or cold; Sunbathing/seeking warmth; Intense attachment to single person |
| Types | Bark (alert); Bark (play); Whine; Growl; Yip/Yelp |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 1000-2500 |
| Tendency | High |
| Primary Modality | Balanced Vocal/Body |
| Tail/Body Signals | High wag = confident/excited; Tucked tail = fearful/anxious; Stiff high tail = alert/defensive; Relaxed low wag = content |
| Top Problems | Excessive barking; Separation anxiety; Fear-based aggression; House soiling; Resource guarding |
|---|---|
| Medical Etiology | House soiling (UTI/bladder stones); Sudden aggression (pain from luxating patella/dental disease); Reduced activity/lethargy (heart disease/hypoglycemia) |
| Fear/Anxiety Etiology | Stranger aggression (fear-based); Separation anxiety; Noise phobia |
| Frustration Etiology | Excessive barking (boredom/under-stimulation); Destructive chewing; Leash reactivity |
| Learned Behavior | Demand barking; Jumping on people; Attention-seeking whining |
| Cognitive Dysfunction | Disorientation/wandering aimlessly; Sleep-wake cycle disturbances; Loss of house training; Reduced social interaction/responsiveness |
| AI-Trainable Signals | Ear position/orientation; Tail position/movement; Body posture tension/trembling; Vocalization pitch/frequency; Facial muscle tension/lip licking |
|---|---|
| Context-Dependent Vocalizations | High-pitched bark at door = alert vs high-pitched bark during play = excitement; Low growl with toy = play vs low growl with stiff body = warning; Whining at door = need to potty vs whining near owner = attention-seeking |
| Interspecies Communication | Uses gaze alternation to direct owner attention; Modifies vocalization pitch based on urgency/need; Frequently uses physical contact (pawing/nudging) to initiate interaction |