If you could call any dog sassy, it would be a Chihuahua. This is the smallest dog breed in the world. They originated in Mexico and got their name after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. And, it is one of the most popular breeds in the world. Everyone has heard about the bold, brave, and a bit grumpy Chihuahuas who don’t want to be messed with. They are big dogs in tiny bodies. 

But, did you also know they do not like to be alone? Did you know they could become prey for big birds, so you can’t walk them off-leash, or that the majority have dental problems?

1. Size

They are very small – from 5 to 8 inches tall (12 to 20 cm) and up to 6 pounds heavy (up to 3 kg). Such a small size means they can fit anywhere! You can carry them in a bag, a special dog bag, or in a backpack. 

They have an “apple dome” head, a slightly pointed muzzle, and large, round eyes. You can’t miss their ears either – erect and large. You can see some examples in the pictures below (although we all know a Chihuahua when we see one)

2. Color

To be fair, Chihuahuas can be any coat color you can think of. Black? Yes! White? Yes! Brindle? Sable? Red? Yes! However, not every coat color is a standard breed color. There are 9 standard colors:

• Black
• Chocolate
• Cream
• Red
• Fawn
• Black and tan
• Blue and tan
• Chocolate and tan
• Fawn and white 

There are also many markings and masks, such as spotted on white, white markings, black mask, black sabling, etc.

3. Social Traits

Chihuahuas are little dogs with lots of love, but… usually for one person only. If there’s more than 2 of you in the family, chances are your Chihuahua will choose one person and bond with them, making others “spare humans” in case the human number one leaves home. Of course, this is not always the case. Some will become your best friends if you give them treats.

The key to owning a companion dog is to understand they were not bred to be alone. They love company, so either get them another dog or be there for them. Ideally, you got the dog in the first place so that you could spend time with your dog. 

They go well with other dogs and small animals, but like any other dog breed in the world, they need to be properly socialized from an early age. However, generally speaking, Chihuahuas are not the best dogs for families with small children. Chihuahuas are not the most patient dogs in the world, AND they are quite fragile, which means children could easily hurt them during playtime. On the other hand, Chihuahuas could scare children by nipping or barking. So, it’s best to keep them supervised.

4. Trainability

It doesn’t matter how big a dog is –  they all need proper training, especially basic obedience training. So, yes – your Chihuahua needs training too. It doesn’t matter that she’s small and cute, and couldn’t hurt anyone even if she tried; she needs training.

Training your dog from their puppyhood makes it easier to teach and control your dog later in life. Chihuahuas are intelligent little dogs, and if you start early and are consistent, you can achieve a lot! Of course, every dog is unique, and how a dog responds to training depends on more than one thing. It depends a lot on the owner’s behavior and temperament. Don’t say, “Oh, it’s so cute and small, what’s the harm?” and then call your dog a “dog from hell” when they grow up. 

Be consistent! Use a positive reward system! Don’t leave your dog alone all day long and expect it to be perfectly obedient. Be patient!

Trainability: 3 out of 5 (if you don’t start early with obedience training, they can be a handful!)

5. Activity Needs

Chihuahuas are easy to have because of their size and activity levels. They don’t need an insane amount of daily exercise (like some sporting dog breeds). Generally speaking, an adult Chihuahua needs up to 1 hour of daily activities. This one hour means combining potty walks with playtime and some exploration in the park. Just remember to be extra careful when out in the open – remember, they are easily mistaken for prey by some big birds or coyotes (if you live in such places where coyotes are a thing). But, there’s another reason why you should keep your Chihuahua close to you – other dogs. Not everyone has a well-socialized dog, and you never know how that other big dog will behave. And let’s face it, almost every other dog is a big dog compared to Chihuahuas. So, keep them close to you.

Activity needs: up to 1 hour a day (mental stimulation and not leaving them alone all day long is much more important)

6. Feeding

Chihuahuas don’t eat a lot, but they will eat everything – unless you stop them! Seriously, be careful with what they eat. This is a message to all dog owners because dogs like to eat many strange things and some of those things can be harmful. So be on alert.

As for the daily amount of (normal) food, an adult Chihuahua generally needs from 1/2 to 1 cup of kibble food a day. As always, it is recommended to divide the amount into two meals – one in the morning and the other in the evening. Adding some dog treats, especially if they are healthy snacks such as fruit, is recommended between meals. 

7. Grooming

Chihuahuas come in two different coat types:

• Short
• Medium/Long

Both coats are smooth in texture, but still require slightly different grooming methods. For the short-haired version, all you need is a hound glove or a bristle brush to keep the coat healthy and looking its best. The long-haired Chihuahuas need a pin brush or a slicker dog brush.  But the biggest difference lies in how often they need brushing. 

The short-haired Chihuahuas need occasional brushing, sometimes even once every two weeks. Unless they shed a lot, and you want to keep the hair away from everything. However, the long-haired type needs weekly brushing to keep everything looking pretty and avoid hair matting. So, to sum it up:

1. Short-haired: occasional brushing with a hound glove or a bristle brush
2. Long-haired: once a week with a pin or slicker brush

Apart from brushing, they need an occasional bath and regular nail trimming. It is also recommended to keep their teeth clean by brushing their teeth or taking them to regular vet checkups.

8. Possible Problems

Generally speaking, Chihuahuas are healthy dogs and they have a long lifespan. However, like any other dog breed, they can also have health issues. The most common are:

• Patellar luxation
• Heart problems
• Eye problems 
• Epilepsy 

Responsible breeding is the main preventive measure for keeping a dog breed healthy. Report backyard breeding, puppy mills, or any other form of unethical dog breeding kennels.

Life expectancy: around 15 years

Summary 

Chihuahuas seem like great dogs for any type of owner. But, the truth is they are not! These dogs need a lot of affection and care. They are not suitable for families with very young children or for families who don’t have time to spend with their dogs. On the other hand, they are small which means they are easy to transport, they don’t eat a lot, and are easy to groom. Vet expenses won’t be as high as in some big dog breeds, such as the Newfoundland dog. That is also a very important fact. And, they fit anywhere – downtown apartment, suburban home, or a farm. Just make sure they are safe and close to you. Their small size makes them easy prey.

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Cover photo by Jairo Alzate