Chihuahua Breeds: What You Need to Know | All information
The attractions of the Chihuahua dog breed include their small size, large personality, and diversity in coat types and colors. They are all canines, fully capable of competing in canine sports such as agility and obedience, and are among the top ten watchdogs recommended by experts.
Although these are purebred dogs, you can still find them at shelters and rescues. Remember to follow! Don’t buy if you want to bring a dog home.
Chihuahua Vital Status:
Life span: 12 – 20 years |
Coat: Short-haired and long-coat |
Weight: 1.8–4.1 kg (4–9 lb) |
Color: Any color |
Height: 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
Litter size: usually 2–5 |
Temperament: Devoted, Aggressive, Lively, Alert, Quick, Courageous |
History Of Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is native to Mexico, and its ancestors were surrounded by many myths. They were believed to be spirit guides who protected spirits while traveling through the underworld.
While the stories about the dog’s origins are interesting, there is no real evidence about how long they have existed or whether they were known to the Aztecs or other peoples who lived in Mexico before the arrival of the Spaniards.
Some dog experts state that they were among the first native dogs to the Americas, and others that they were brought to the New World after the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Still, others believe that the small dogs may have originated as miniature versions of pariah dogs, prickly brown dogs with prickly ears, which resulted in dogs being colored or otherwise. They are left to breed on their own without selection for specific characteristics.
Whatever the case, the breed’s name is derived from the state of Chihuahua, where American tourists first encountered the small dog in the late 19th century.
The Chihuahua we know today was developed by North American breeders.
The first Chihuahua was named Dwarf, registered by the American Kennel Club in 1904. The Chihuahua Club of America was formed in 1923. Today, the Chihuahua ranks 13th among breeds registered by the AKC.
Breed Characteristics
Shedding Level: 1 Point | Dog Friendly: 3 Points | Affection Level: 5 Points |
Adaptability: 5 Points | Exercise Needs: 1 Point | Social Needs: 5 Points |
Apartment Friendly: 5 Points | Grooming: 1 Point | Stranger Friendly: 3 Points |
Barking Tendencies: 5 Points | Health Issues: 4 Points | Territorial: 4 Points |
Cat Friendly: 5 Points | Intelligence: 5 Points | Trainability: 3 Points |
Child Friendly: 1 Point | Watchdog Ability: 4 Points | Playfulness: 3 Points |
Temperament and Personality
Chihuahuas are smart and alert with a mind of their own. They may not be able to talk, but that doesn’t stop them from telling you what they want: usually a great time with the person they love.
Chihuahuas are often devoted to a particular person in the family and can even become obsessed with their desire to be with and protect them. There’s a name for those dogs: “armpit piranha.”
If they are being caught and someone approaches the person holding them, a Chihuahua will do everything possible to protect their person, whether it is necessary or not.
Despite their small size, the Chihuahua is fearless, never timid or intimidated. If you see him shivering, it’s usually because he’s cold. That’s why you see so many Chihuahuas wearing sweaters.
Chihuahuas have a reputation for being poor and untrained, but this is often because people don’t make the effort to train them. Chihuahuas are like any other dog: they need consistent rules and structure if they are to learn effectively. They are highly intelligent.
Understanding Chihuahua Health Issues
We know that since you care a lot for your dog, you want to take good care of him. This is why we have summarized the health concerns you should discuss with us about the life of your Chihuahua.
By knowing about the specific health concerns of a Chihuahua, your Indian Trail Animal Hospital team can design a preventive health plan to look for and hopefully prevent some of the anticipated risks.

Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning they are related to your pet’s breed. There is a general consensus among canine genetic researchers and veterinarians that the conditions we describe here have a significant rate of incidence and/or effect in this breed.
This does not mean that your dog will have these problems; This simply means that he is at greater risk than other dogs. We’ll describe the most common issues you see in a Chihuahua to give you an idea of what their future might hold.
Of course, we can’t cover every possibility here, so always check with us if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms.
This guide includes the most important genetic predispositions for Chihuahuas, along with important general health information for all dogs. This information helps you and we work together to plan for your pet’s unique medical needs.
At the end of the article, we’ve also included details on what you can do at home to help you look and feel your chi at its best. You’ll know what to look for, and we’d all love to know that we’re taking every possible care of your friend.
Basics of Chihuahua Grooming
Chihuahuas come in two coat types: smooth and long. Smooth Chihuahuas wear velvety, shiny, close-fitting coats and a ruff – an area of thick, long hair – around the neck. They have a small covering of hair on their head and ears. The tail should be lovely, not bare.
Sleek Chihuahuas shed, but they are small enough that the amount is manageable for all but most households to be proud of. Brush them weekly with a rubber grooming glove or soft bristle brush to remove dead hair and keep the skin and coat healthy.
Chihuahua Image
The Long Coated Chihuahua is the product of a recessive gene, meaning that a puppy must have the genes from both parents for the long coat to express itself, so it is often not as smooth as in litter is seen.
The long, soft coat is flat or slightly frizzy, and the dog has ruff, fringed ears, feathers on the legs, and a feathered tail around the neck. The hair on the rest of the body is almost as smooth as that of a smooth Chihuahua.
Long-coated Chihuahuas are beautiful, and they are easy to groom, but they do shed seasonally.
Brush the long coat once or twice a week with a soft-bristled brush. Use a stainless steel comb to remove tangles from the hair on the ears, legs, and tail.
If you brush a Chihuahua conscientiously, he won’t need to be bathed as often. If he spends a lot of time on your furniture or on your bed, though, there’s nothing wrong with giving him a bath twice a week.
Use a mild shampoo made for dogs and dry it thoroughly so that it doesn’t get cold. Never let it sit around and air dry.
Keep your Chihuahua’s large ears clean with a solution recommended by your veterinarian. Do not use cotton swabs inside the ear; They can push the gunk further down in it.
Wipe the ear with a cotton ball, don’t go deeper than the first knuckle of your finger.
Trim your nails regularly, usually every two weeks. They should never be so long that you can hear them clicking on the floor.
Chihuahua Care
Despite the Chihuahua’s small size, like all dogs, he needs exercise and training. The amount of energy an adult Chihuahua has can be astonishing. He will endlessly chase squirrels in the backyard and is ready to play as long as you are.
Chihuahuas enjoy strolling, supervised romps around the yard, and retrieving toys. They’ll keep going until they fall, so it’s important to make sure they don’t tire themselves out, especially on hot days.
As much as they enjoy playing outside, a Chihuahua should never be left outside. They are not safe from raptors such as hawks, coyotes, or other large dogs that may visit your yard. They are raised as companions, and the best place for a mate is with you.
Training a Chihuahua can be an enjoyable task. They are successful in many different canine sports such as agility and obedience, but puppy kindergarten and basic obedience classes are also important for the Chihuahua who is strictly a companion.
Your Chihuahua will meet many different dogs and people in the classroom that are contributing to his socialization, and he will learn manners that all dogs should know.
Chihuahuas are just as easy to housetrain as any other breed as long as you take them out frequently and on a consistent schedule. Puppies need to go outside in the morning as soon as they wake up, after every meal, after a nap, after playtime, and just before bedtime.



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Using a crate to confine them when you are unable to supervise them will teach them that they can control their bladder and prevent them from having accidents in the house. If they aren’t created, plan on taking them out every one to two hours, and don’t crate them for more than two to four hours at a time except overnight.
Beyond house training, crate training is a good way to ensure that your Chihuahua doesn’t get into things he shouldn’t. Like every dog, Chihuahuas can be destructive as puppies.
They may not do as much damage as a Lab puppy, but those tiny teeth can certainly leave their mark. Crate training at an early age will also help your Chihuahua accept confinement if he ever needs boarding or hospitalization. However, never leave your Chihuahua in a crate all day.
This is not a prison, and he should not spend more than a few hours at a time, except when he is sleeping through the night.
Chihuahuas are people dogs, and they are not meant to spend their lives confined in a crate or kennel.
Train your Chihuahua using positive reinforcement techniques such as food rewards, praise, and play, and you will soon find that he learns just about anything you can teach.
Routine Care, Diet, And Exercise
Build regular grooming into your schedule to help your Chi live longer, healthier, and happier throughout its lifetime. We cannot overestimate the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine.
- Supervise your pet like you would a child. Keep doors closed, lift behind you, and locker rooms as needed. This will keep him out of trouble and away from objects, he shouldn’t be putting in his mouth.
- Brush his coat as needed at least weekly to prevent mats and to keep his coat shiny.
- Chihuahuas generally have fine teeth, and you can keep them looking their best by brushing them at least twice a week!
- Clean your ears weekly, even as a puppy. Don’t worry – we’ll show you how!
- Chis are very sensitive to cold, so a winter warm wardrobe is essential.
- he is suitable for apartment living; He will need daily walks and regular indoor play.
- Because of his vocal nature and small size, he is not recommended for homes with young children.
- Keep your dog’s diet consistent and don’t feed him, people.
- Feed him a high-quality diet appropriate for his age.
- Exercise your dog regularly, but don’t overdo it at first.
Children And Other Pets
Many Chihuahuas love children, but the combination of a small dog and a small child can be a recipe for disaster. A Chihuahua can leap out of a child’s hands and injure himself if not handled properly, and will not hesitate to defend himself if he is being abused.
Many breeders will not sell puppies to families with children, for fear that the dog will be injured. Chihuahuas do best in families with calm, older children who understand how to interact with them.
Make it a rule that young children can only hold or pet a Chihuahua when they are sitting on the floor. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any bites or pulling of ears or tails from either party.
Teach your child not to approach any dog while he is sleeping or eating or to attempt to take the dog’s food away. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child.
Even if you don’t have children in your family, your Chihuahua should always be in contact with them when they are young so that if he encounters them later in life he is not afraid of them. Just make sure you supervise carefully.
Chihuahuas get along well with other family pets, including cats, if introduced to them at a young age.
The fearless Chihuahua will often have a much larger owner than himself around dogs, and this may or may not cause problems. It is not unusual for the smallest dog to be in charge.
Rescue Groups
- Chihuahua Club of America
- Chihuahua Rescue
- Chihuahua Rescue and Transport
- Canadian Chihuahua Rescue and Transport
- Chihuahua Rescue Canada
- Yankee Chihuahua Rescue and Adoption
Cost of a Chihuahua
Pet parents ready to welcome a Chihuahua into their family should be aware of all the costs involved. In fact, according to the Rovers Cost of Pet Parenthood Survey, 33% of pet parents with Chihuahuas claim they expect to spend $250-$500 on upfront costs for their dog. Adopt Chihuahua – www.chihuahuarescue.co.uk
But, 42% said that the actual upfront cost matched their budget and 40% said that the actual cost was higher. Overall, 82% of pet parents spend less than $100 per month on their Chihuahua.
Needs For Living
Thanks to their small size, Chihuahuas are ideal pets for apartment dwellers, students, or small home dwellers. Of course, taking a dog outside when it’s cold and wet is never fun, and a Chihuahua couldn’t agree more.
“If you don’t like taking the dog out on cold days, Chihuahuas are ideal because they can be taught to use a litter box or wee pad,” George says.
When you take them out to do their business or get some exercise, don’t leave them alone in the yard: They could be attacked by a bird of prey or another large animal.
Chihuahuas would certainly rule the roost, so to speak. Keep in mind that Chihuahuas, like any dog, can get into trouble if they are not socialized from an early age. If they get into a heated argument with another dog, even a dog bigger than him, their playful nature means they will not back down.
But if they are properly socialized, they will do well with other dogs in the household and even cats.
As charming as Chihuahuas are with their owners, they can be suspicious of humans they don’t know. And although they can get along with older children, they are not ideal dogs for families with super young kiddos, as they are too delicate for toddler playtime.
A Chihuahua can leap out of a baby’s hands and injure himself if not handled properly, so be sure to supervise your children around these little puppies and teach them that they are safe from small animals.
Fun Facts About Chihuahua
- Chihuahuas are natural actors and have appeared in several TV shows and movies, including “Sex and the City,” Legally Blonde, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua.
- Remember Taco Bell Dog? A Chihuahua named Gidget chanted “¡Yo Quiero Taco Bell!” during the 1990s. Made the phrase unforgettable.
- The world’s smallest dog, Brandi, is a Chihuahua that is just 6 inches from its nose to the tip of its tail.
- The Chihuahuas are the name of the minor league baseball team in El Paso, Texas.
Chihuahua Review
Chihuahua FAQ:
Are Chihuahuas good family pets?

Chihuahuas are loyal, friendly, and good family pets when treated with respect. They can get all the exercise they need in a home or apartment.
Do Chihuahuas problems?

Health conditions Chihuahuas may be prone to include: Luxating patella – where the knee temporarily slides out of place. The parents can be checked for this by a vet before breeding.
Hip dysplasia – where the hip joint does not fit together perfectly, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
Do Chihuahuas like to be cuddled?
Known for their playful, affectionate, and heartwarming looks, Chihuahuas love to cuddle with their furry humans. They enjoy being in the lap of their master.
Since they are small in size, hugging and snuggling give them warmth and comfort, especially in cold climates.
Why are Chihuahuas so special?
The smallest of all purebred dogs, Chihuahuas – or Chis, as they are affectionately called – are intelligent and can be quite courageous, with distinct personalities. They are very loving and extremely loyal pets that generally do well with children and other animals if properly introduced.
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