Being the smallest breed of dog in the world, that is what a Chihuahua is known for. They are very popular even to celebrities. More and more people now are breeding them because of their popularity. However, prospective Chihuahua buyers should make sure that the puppy is not suffering from any health diseases.

Diseases may be acquired through the environment or lifestyle and through inheritance. That is the reason why you should get your Chihuahua from a reputable dog breeder. Chihuahua that has not gone through careful selective breeding may suffer from various health problems because of genetic defects.

One disease that could affect a Chihuahua is patellar luxation. A condition wherein the patella or kneecap buried in the tendon of the muscle of the thigh slips out and back of the tendon. Ignoring this disease may lead to lameness and may cause deformity and disorder in the growth of the affected limb. This disease is not just genetically inherited but can also be acquired through other diseases such as hip dysplasia.

Patellar luxation is not the only disease that affects a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas, as well as other toy breeds are also prone to Hydrocephalus. Aside from having large head, a dog with hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets instead of solid bone. They may also exhibit depression, severe loss of movement coordination, eye abnormalities, seizures and vision problems. They are also lethargic and grow slowly compared to their siblings. This disease is either congenital or acquired through head injuries, tumors, parasitic or other infections.

Another disease that could hinder deteriorate a dog's health is hemophilia, a bleeding disorder characterized by bleeding of the gums, skin in the hind legs, the knee joint, chest or abdomen, forehead and shoulder. Another signs include cough and lameness. Dogs with severe hemophilia usually results in complications in the central nervous system.

Cystinuria is another disease known to affect dog breeds not just Chihuahuas but also Dalmatians, Dachshunds and Basset Hounds. This is a condition wherein crystine crystals are being formed in the urine leading to stone formations in the kidneys and bladder causing irritation and infection. A dog with cystinuria may exhibit blood in the urine, difficulty and pain in urinating which is usually in small frequent amounts. This disease may damage the kidney if left untreated.

While it is normal for some dogs to shed, hair loss or alopecia along with skin lesions may not be normal to Chihuahuas. These two signs may indicate Demodicosis, an infestation of Demodectic mites usually caused by immune system disorders, hypothyroidism, poor nutrition, cancer and exposure to substances that may lead to development of cancer.

These are just few of the diseases that may hinder your dog's normal activities. Selective breeding is important that just for the sole purpose of developing good looking and adorable Chihuahuas but more importantly, to ensure that they are free from genetic defects.