LABRAHUAHUA

Exercise

It is an active breed and requires a heavy exercising schedule. They will like to go for running sessions and long walks. The most cherished method of exercising are interactive games like fetching, Frisbee, hide and seek, the ball rolling, etc. They also require a free play time in a fenced yard or in a park where they can move and play on their own. It is advisable to keep them unleash while playing. Apart from physical exercises they also require mental stimulation to keep them healthy. Hence offer them chews, puzzle toys or agility training are some of the options to keep them mentally fit.

Grooming

Labrahuahua puppies have short and do not require heavy grooming standards. Brushing their coat twice a week will suffice their needs. They do not require frequent bathing, but when they are extremely dirty.

Their droopy ears can catch up infections due to water, dirt buildup and need regular checking to prevent infections and pain. Clean their ears with Vet prescribed ear solution. Clean their corner of the eyes with a damp cloth to remove tear stains.

Like other dogs, they tend to grow nails faster than other breeds which can crack if not appropriately trimmed and hinder regular activities like walking, run, etc. However, cutting them twice a month will serve the purpose. Brush their teeth twice a week to avoid development tartar and oral problems.

Health Problems

Being a healthy breed, it does not suffer from any severe conditions. But some individuals can experience the following problems.

Major Problems:

• Entropion
• Patellar Luxation
• Cardiomyopathy

Minor Problems:

• Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Cataracts

Occasional Test:

• Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
• Holter Monitor
• Electrocardiogram
• Optical Exam
• Complete Blood Profile
• Ultrasound
• Physical Examination
• Joint Fluid Sample
• Blood Count
• Schirmer Tear Test
• Fluorescein Test
• Chemical Analysis
• Urine And Blood Tests

Occasional Diagnosis:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Mitral Valve Disease

Training

Labrahuahua is intelligent and at the same time stubborn which requires a consistent and patient training approach. Some dogs might inherit Chihuahua’s independent quality which can make training tough, and the owner might require a professional trainer to train them. Like all dogs, they do well with positive training techniques and short training sessions.

Socialization is natural if they are taken to different busy places like a supermarket, bus stops busy roads and Dogs Park, etc. It will allow them to meet unknown faces, different sounds and situations and make them more flexible.

Obedience training is crucial to reduce the pack of the leader issue. Command training is essential to polish their skills, enhance the relationship between the dog and the owner and to minimize their excessive barking behavior. Commands like ‘no,’ ‘yes,’ ’stop,’ ‘come’ are some simple commands which are essential.

Feeding

They do well on a high-quality food commercially manufactured or homemade. Make sure it is not overly active and do not require plenty of carbs and grains (fillers). These ingredients might let them overeat and gain weight. But it is essential to visit a dietician or a vet before opting for the food. Diet should be made depending upon the dog’s size, age, and activity level.

However, feed them 2-3 small meals every day. Some dogs tend to obese which can cause flexibility issues in later life, and the owners should check their weight level and calorie consumption. If they gain weight minimize table scraps, treats, etc.