![]() There is increasing evidence that unscrupulous breeders and dealers both inside and outside the UK are cashing in on this trend by making a lot of money but with little regard for the welfare of these puppies and breeding bitches. The most common causes of Chihuahua deaths were heart disease (18.8%), lower respiratory tract disorder 16.3% and traumatic injury (13.8%).ĭr Dan O’Neill, senior lecturer at the RVC and author of the paper, said: “Chihuahuas are an old breed but the recent craze for them can cause some real welfare issues for this tiny dog. ![]() Females (10.2 years) generally outlived males (6.9 years). The average Chihuahua lifespan was 8.2 years.The average adult Chihuahua bodyweight was 3.4kg.There were no disorders that were more common in females. Males are more likely than females to show aggression, heart murmur, ear infection, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infection.Other key findings of the researchers include: Given that both congenital and acquired dental disease is very common in the Chihuahua, owners should pay special attention to dental care in this breed. Owners should contact their vets in the first instance if they have any health concerns about their pets It is important that new and potential owners not only prepare to recognise, prevent and manage these common issues, but are also aware that expensive surgery costs may be required in order to rectify some of these conditions. Compared with other dogs, Chihuahuas were more prone to aggression (4.2%), slipping kneecap (4.0%) and retained testicles (3.9%). The most common health concerns of Chihuahuas were dental disease (13.5%), obesity (5.9%) and retained baby teeth (5.7%). However, this sharp rise brings potential problems associated with impulse purchasing, low-welfare breeding at the huge scale to meet consumer demand, legal and illegal importation of puppies, high levels of relinquishment to rescue charities and treating puppies as disposable commodities. The research, led by the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) VetCompass™ programme, reveals that Chihuahua ownership in the UK has increased over five-fold in the past decade from 1.0% of all puppies born in 2005 to 5.4% in 2016. Yet, according to the largest ever study of Chihuahuas treated in first opinion veterinary practices, the breed is particularly prone to dental disease, obesity, and retained baby teeth, which can be detrimental to their health. ![]() Ownership of the Chihuahua, the world’s smallest dog breed, is rising sharply. World’s smallest dogs prone to health problems despite rising popularity, according to latest RVC research
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