A Few Tricks that Make Bathing Your Chihuahua a Walk in the Park

The Chihuahua is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world and that is not surprising at all. Not only are these dogs the tiniest of all breeds, they are the oldest as well. According to the American Kennel Club these dogs have been around from the time of the Aztecs. You will find these dogs to be very attractive growing no taller than nine inches and weighing a mere three to six pounds. They have a sweet small face with a sharp muzzle and large fox-type pointed ears. Their eyes are large and quietly intelligent. The Chihuahua coat comes in two varieties – one is short and straight and another is long and fluffy.

Grooming your Chihuahua mostly involves brushing and bathing which needs to be done at regular intervals every two to three months. You will also need to pay attention to its eyes, which tend to water creating tear signs on the face, and its nails that need regular clipping. Besides washing its coat, grooming your Chihuahua would involve de-matting its fur, clipping nails, checking ears and paws, wiping and inspecting eyes for infection and checking for injuries. You would do best to allot a day every week for grooming your Chihuahua and on each of those days you could concentrate on one particular aspect of grooming besides combing the fur.

You would also need to have a special grooming box – something like a first aid box – with the following implements: rubber slicker, a quiet blow drier, a soft bristle brush, nail clippers, cotton balls, saline solution, grooming glove, medium toothed comb, dog shampoo and soap, beta dine ointment and scrub and a pair of scissors. You will find all these items available at pet shops or a vet clinic. Ensure that you know how to use all of these implements before you try them out on the dog. Leave nail clipping to the vet if you are not comfortable with it.

Grooming your Chihuahua requires regular baths and brushing. You will know you are doing a great job when you find the fur of your pet feeling fluffy and smooth to touch. The long haired coat needs special attention because it tends to get matted easily. Use a blow drier to gently dry the fur and pay attention to the fact that these dogs are extremely prone to cold and infections. In fact, before you bathe it, it would be best if you put two cotton balls into its ears to prevent the water from entering them. Nail clipping might be a little difficult with the Chihuahuas because they tend to get frisky about this particular task. Be patient with the dog and very careful that you do not cut too much. If you find you are unable to do a good job take it to a doggy beauty parlor. They charge a minimal fee for this and it is well worth it.

Sandra Dean has been raising Chihuahua dogs for more than twenty years and therefore has a lot of experience about many aspects regarding grooming, care and breeding of this dog breed. Chihuahua grooming hardly takes any time and effort when it comes to brushing and bathing. However, when it is time for nail clipping you could have a major problem on your hands. This article will give some basic Chihuahua grooming tips which can help you care for your pet better.