The right stuff for your Chihuahua

If Chihuahuas didn't already exist - someone would have to invent them. Chihuahuas are ideal dogs for the 21st century - adaptable, affordable, and adorable.

Chihuahuas are an old breed, first found in the Mexican state of the same name. According to the American Kennel Club, some believe an ancestor of the Chihuahua is the Fennec Fox, which also sports large eyes and ears on a small build.

Regardless of its origins, the Chihuahua is now among the most recognized and popular breeds of dogs. For good reason. Their small size, limited exercise needs, minimal grooming and portability make Chihuahuas good companions for people in just about any living situation.

Chihuahuas come in any color and two coat varieties, smooth- and long-coats. Chihuahuas are: "A graceful, alert, swift-moving compact little dog with saucy expression, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament," according to the Chihuahua Club of America.

Chihuahuas, like all toy dogs, are prone to "collapsing trachea," - a serious medical condition that results in the dog's coughing and hacking. To avoid the problem, most veterinarians and dog trainers recommend using a harness for walking your dog.

The Choke-Free Shoulder Collar is ideal for dogs who have already been diagnosed with collapsing trachea and for all dogs with sensitive throats and necks. A unique design, this harness circles the dog around the shoulders, avoiding the neck entirely, with keeping the dog secure during outings.

Because of its unique design and function, the Choke-Free Shoulder Collar fits precisely and comes in a wide range of sizes, measured inch by inch. To measure your dog correctly for this (or any other harness) use a tape measure just behind the dog's front legs and measure all the way around. If you don't have a tape measure, use a piece of string or yarn and measure that against a yardstick or retractable rule.

• The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world.
• Chihuahuas can come in just about any color or color combination seen in the dog world.
• The Chihuahua is the 22nd most popular dog breed (2013 AKC rankings)
• Chihuahuas were first known as the Arizona dog. They were called the Arizona dog or the Texas dog, because they were first found in those states.
• The Chihuahua has one of the longest lifespans. It has an average lifespan of 10 to 18 years.

Even the most treat-motivated Chihuahua has a limited capacity! We don't want to make our dogs fat, but we do want to use treats as rewards for good behavior and training. More dog food companies are now recognizing that dogs are not one-size-fits-all consumers.

Toy Temptations are especially made to meet the needs of toy dog owners and trainers. These 1-inch, bone-shaped treats, are easily breakable, highly palatable, have few calories and come in a variety of flavors: Chicken/Parmesan, Bacon/Parmesan, Blueberry/Parmesan, Apple/Cheddar, Pizza, Carob Cheesecake, and Broccoli/Agave.

Made in the United States from U.S. source ingredients, these dog treats have no wheat, no corn, and no soy, as many canine nutritionists now recommend.

Chihuahuas are smart, playful little dogs. They love to play ball, fetch, and all the other games that larger dogs enjoy.

With the increasing popularity of small and toy dogs, we're finding a larger selection of great dog toys, sized-right for little dogs.

Whether it's squeaky latex like these adorable Balloon-Animal Toys, soft plush toys, chewy favorites or even tennis balls - you can find them all to suit even the tiniest Chihuahua. Times are looking up for these versatile, bright little dogs.

Do you really have to train your Chihuahua?

Probably not - you can "make" your dog go anywhere or do just about anything just by taking advantage of the difference in your sizes.

But both of you will be much happier if your dog knows what's expected of her and knows how much fun it is to learn new things.

One of the best ways to build a solid, mutual bond between dogs and their owners is through training. And we firmly believe that there should be no difference between training and play - because we all learn best when we're having fun. That includes dogs, too!

Positive-reinforcement training, whether with a clicker or not, is a proven method of helping a dog learn to think and "offer" behaviors. Those adorable little things your dog does - the ones that make you laugh every time - can be turned into an entire routine that will give your dog confidence and, perhaps, turn him into a crowd-pleasing entertainer.