is the chihuahua the right pet for you?
the chihuahua, with its apple-head skull and large luminous eyes, can wear a remarkably human expression at times and will want to be with you most, if not all of the time.
warning: don’t buy a chihuahua if you don’t have the emotional real estate in your heart or the time for the complete love and attention of this furry little pet. they are like children.
chihuahuas can be smooth coat or long coat, apple head or dear head, blue coat or merle coat, there is no chihuahua breed standard distinction made between the two in the united states since both smooth coat and long coat can occur in a litter. experienced chihuahua owners say that each dog of this breed has their own unique personality; this is a very individualistic breed.
a few generalizations can be made. chihuahuas are graceful, energetic, and swift-moving canines. they have often been described as having “terrier-like” qualities; that is, the qualities of being alert, observant, and keen on interacting with their masters. they are extremely loyal and get attached to one or two persons.
these tiny and sometimes teacup size dogs are certainly unaware of their diminutive stature: they can be bold with other dogs much larger than themselves, and protective of their masters. they are fiercely loyal to their masters and wary of any strangers or new guests introduced into the household, which the chihuahua considers to be its personal domain. for these reasons, chihuahuas make good watch dogs (not guard dogs!).
the chihuahua needs a great deal of human contact: touching, petting, and general attention. if the chihuahua does not get this, she or he will use various attention-getting tricks until you give her/him attention. like using paws to lightly scratch the hand, a signal that says, “pet me now!” some owners who have had other, more independent breeds may find the chihuahua too needy. however, they give a lot of love and affection in return for your care.
keeping more than one chihuahua can greatly ease the dog’s stress when left alone each day if the owner works. they will compete for your attention when you get home though. because they are by nature gentle, loyal, and sweet-tempered, chihuahuas are ideal for single people, the elderly, the handicapped, and shut-ins.
chihuahuas will keep you company for hours by lying on your lap or beside your torso if in bed, and treat you like royalty. no one with a chihuahua in their household will ever be truly alone. they are quite happy in apartments, as long as there is enough to play with and explore.
opinions differ on how to bathe a chihuahua. some say that bathing too often removes the natural oils from the coat, and thus dandruff will result and the coat will look dull. others say that shampooing on occasion with certain brands of shampoo can actually enhance the sheen of the coat. chihuahuas should be bathed at least twice a month, otherwise they develop an unpleasant smell. this is actually due to the skin cells that humans sloth off onto the chihuahua! so humans are the main contributors to that smell that can develop.
when bathing, take care not to get water into their ears, as an infection can develop. you will need to trim their nails at least once a month too. on the smaller dogs, cat claw trimmers can be used. it’s good to start a nail trimming routine early on so that your dog becomes accustomed to your handling its paws not to mention getting used to the clippers. owners should also be aware that chihuahuas are prone to knee problems like luxating patellas or “weak knees.” this can occur as they get older. if it causes difficulty in walking, take your dog to the vet.
if a chihuahua pup has its american kennel club official certificate papers, a new pup can run up to $600.00. the papers (which the breeder provides) mean that the parents of your chihuahua pup is registered with the akc and that the puppy is registrable.
additionally, some chihuahua breeders provide pedigree papers which trace the family history beyond the immediate parents. these papers are vital if you plan to enter your new dog into exhibitions and competitions. these certificates and papers ensure that the dog is a purebred; however, just because a dog has papers, doesn’t mean it is any more special than a pup bought from a friend.
toy breeds live the longest of any size dog. expect a life-span of 11-18 years.
when buying a leash for your chihuahua, remember that its neck is rather small and delicate compared to other dog’s necks. you cannot (and, indeed, should not) yank your dog around by the leash. a body-harness for small dogs is recommended for two reasons: safety and comfort. if fitted right, it will give your pet a secure and comfortable walk, and harnesses also ensure your dog cannot run into traffic or a bigger creature.
chihuahuas also prefer several small meals per day, rather than one big meal. they are high-strung dogs. “high-strung” can be defined as: barks easily, does not adapt easily to change in environment, is suspicious of strangers and will growl at them, and flips in circles and jumps around when excited (like when you come home after a five-minute absence, for instance). your friends will see the worst side of them and never believe you when you tell them that your little buddy is really a gentle, sweet-natured dog.
are chihuahuas good with children?
generally, no. however if you socialize them with children at an early age, chihuahuas will go out of their way to love, protect and accept children.
do chihuahuas need clothing?
owners must be very sensitive to the fact that short-haired chihuahuas, and even long-haired ones, are vulnerable to the cold. in temperatures of 35-40 degrees fahrenheit, it is recommended that you dress your chihuahua in a warm dog sweater for brief walks. walking your chihuahua in temperatures below 35 degrees fahrenheit is strongly discouraged, especially when there is a wind-chill factor.
in this, as in other aspects of dog maintenance, keep your dogs’ health top priority, not your own desire. it is a characteristic of the chihuahua to prefer to sleep under a cloth or blanket. they will even get under pillows in order to feel snug. if you are raising a pup, be sure to provide them with a soft towel or blanket in their sleeping area so they can burrow underneath it. don’t be surprised if your chihuahua scrambles under your blankets at night, even though your house or apartment may not be particularly cold.
chihuahuas are quite the sun-worshipers. they prefer to bask in the sun for hours and have been known to lie in a spot of sun no larger than the size of a half-dollar! unfortunately, they are not sensible in this regard and will stay in the sun even when panting begins.
watching your chihuahua in hot weather to be sure that they don’t suffer from heat stroke is a genuine chihuahua health concern. chihuahuas do shiver when they’re cold, but they also shiver when they are wary, excited, unhappy, or frightened. this is a result of having a high metabolism, and is a normal characteristic of this breed.
the amazing ebook, caring for chihuahuas made easy, breed information, health care and nutrition teaches you about chihuahua ownership and shows you how to properly care for such a small dog! every chihuahua owner should have it!
below is a sample page from the section on chihuahua facts!
make your chihuahua famous! send us your chihuahua picture!
Comments 164
Portage Mi.
I received my all white apple head chihuahua, Audrey Mae a year ago, she’s almost 5 yrs old, her 1st owner couldn’t keep her at his apartment, She is my youngest child she’s got almost as many clothes as her 4 siblings. She’s made me really look at the big picture of my life, it was “Not Good” she saved me, I’m nolonger lonely, the 4 kids went out on there own, Then I was blessed with Audrey. I LOVE MY CHIHUAHUA. <,3
My baby girl is 4lbs, fawn colored apple head. If it wasn’t for her my life would have gone in a much different very negative direction. My sister saved her from a horrible incident at 8 wks old but couldn’t keep her. I took her (for profitable reasons) and she fit in my palm so I thought $$$. That night she cried and cried… I finally brought her to bed, snuggled her and kept her warm. She just stared at me with her big brown eyes, seemed like forever. Then she tried to suckle my chest which I thought was the most hilarious thing ever and when I wouldn’t let her, she squeak- barked, kissed and teased me.
That night I gained a responsibility, a treasure, a friend that had changed my life… I am forever in her debt.
ADOPTED A 10 1/2 FEMALE CHI
She lkes to lay in bed later in the morning
Does not seem anxious to go out to pee or eat till later in morning
Is this alright?
I am a chi owner
I have a chihuahua and dauchunds mix and she is the love of my life. Hey mom was a full blooded chi and her dad a dauchund mix. She only barks at flies and that has only been 4 times in 2 years. She loves blankets and loves to ride. She has her own unique personality. I can not get over how she is so loyal to me it has taken her a year to get use to my husband and she is very sad when I am not home. I will never get any other bread that my chi. They are the best companions ever.
Just got chihuahua X Jack Russell pups, Mia, Milo and Remy. I have been bonding with them since 2 weeks old so they are already totally my babies. Off to vets for vaccination and microchip today. Can’t wait for walkies.
I have had my little one, Brownie, since he was 6 weeks old. Although my older sons have lived with me since I got him, he is “mine”, according to anyone who meets him. He is 100% as you described above. But I have become concerned about his continual whining these past 4 days. It is his whine similar for when he needs to go outside. I have walked him around the neighborhood about 5-6 times each day, plus he has a runner in the backyard which I put him on multiple times each day. The only other time he acted like this was when I had a heart attack 2 years ago. So when he started this whining and it didn’t appear to be him needing to go out, I considered the fact I had been having intermitent chest pains. I contacted the Dr. but was given a clean bill of health. (Thank goodness!) I do know that he has been stressed out ever since my youngest son passed away 7 months ago (he continually goes and lays by my sons door waiting for his time to play with him). Two weeks ago, my oldest son moved out, so now it is only me. I’m just concerned that to much has happened in the family over the last several months. Don’t know if this is something I need to be concerned about. He is the love of my life as I am disabled.
I have had my little one, Brownie, since he was 6 weeks old. Although my older sons have lived with me since I got him, he is “mine”, according to anyone who meets him. He is 100% as you described above. But I have become concerned about his continual whining these past 4 days. It is his whine similar for when he needs to go outside. I have walked him around the neighborhood about 5-6 times each day, plus he has a runner in the backyard which I put him on multiple times each day. The only other time he acted like this was when I had a heart attack 2 years ago. So when he started this whining and it didn’t appear to be him needing to go out, I considered the fact I had been having intermitent chest pains. I contacted the Dr. but was given a clean bill of health. (Thank goodness!) I do know that he has been stressed out ever since my youngest son passed away 7 months ago (he continually goes and lays by my sons door waiting for his time to play with him). Two weeks ago, my oldest son moved out, so now it is only me. I’m just concerned that to much has happened in the family over the last several months. Don’t know if this is something I need to be concerned about. He is the love of my life as I am disabled.
Love this page. Describes my 2 loved to a T! I am “their person” at home. My dogs love everyone but when I arrive, literally I am the queen and the rest are peasents! I worry about my bitch Lola. She is overly attached but we will see. Blessings to all!
My tinkerbell is not only the love of my life, she is also my service animal. I got her as a rescue when she was 2 years old. Two days after i had her i started to have a panic attack and she helped me and i didn’t have to take any meds. She also helps with my PTSD. Needless to say she is spoiled rotten. She is now 8 years old and still my best friend.
My Cheech is a very good boy and they love of my life. He barks at strangers walking past but that is a good thing becaseu then no one will rob the house. He is outstanding with kids and always sleeps in our beds. He is a very lazy baby but is also always ready for a play.
Okay after reading this I understand a lot more about my friend. I’m 30 years old and the type of dog I was accustomed to was a shih Dalmatian. We’re had two of them and let me tell you Chihuahuas are definitely not Dalmatians by any means. That being said my Chihuahua is my best friend. He gets sad when I’m not home for long periods. He lays next to me in my bed and he IU s definitely my dog. As I said I just read this and we’ve had 6 Chihuahuas. Yes all at once. We only had two in the beginning but, let me tell you that when I say keep your eye on them or keep them separated while the female if in heat. DO IT!!!!! There’s a long story in between but I’ll just say three father of the the litters we had was a persistent little bugger. Anyway the years passed and eventually we ended up having to leave our house where we lived for 15 years. So we had to find 2 of them homes, we would’ve had to eventually anyway. We still have 4 their a pain sometimes and can get annoying with the barking but, I love each one of them. They all have something about them that is totally unique. I could go on with this story for a long time so I’m good cut it short and just say if you are planning on getting a Chihuahua make sure you read about them and take care of them. They don’t need much more than most dogs I’m just saying they definitely can be a little more than you expected. Take care everybody.
I have a little Chihuahua named Miso. She is five years old and I just adopted her from a shelter. Sometimes she will do this thing where she’ll squint only one of her eyes. I’m sure it’s not that big of a deal, but if anyone knows please let me know.
Pappherd, my Applehead Chihuahua is a wonderful cozy companion. He is two years old now and is a very different character compared to my other dog breeds. He is much like the child you speak of in your write-up and has all the characteristics you’ve noted too. Pappherd is a loving prize of joy in my life. His four home pals think so too 🙂 (The cat doesn’t think so!) Pappherd even likes his nail groomer…the groomers have told me some Chihuahua stories, they’re very impressed with Pappherd. I enjoyed reading your information write-up on Chihuahuas…Thank you for posting it.
Our klhoe doesn’t bark only when she hits herself she does squeek alot when we rub her tiny tummy idk why people keep saying they don’t do well with kids??? she loves my kids they love taking her for walks on the lake. She’s such a sweet little thing.
My Miss Mia is a rescue, meaning that she rescued our family. Everything she does is magical to us. She is 2 and had a very rough beginning of her life. Now she is a princess, she gets the best food, oodles of toys, a walk to the mailbox everyday, and a kingsize bed to sack out at night. She is the best in the world. Remember to rescue, no breeders when so many dogs need a good home.
I have Mimi and Bandit, they arw both rescues. She is a long haired and he is a short haired deer head. I live them to bits. They have a stroller, to avoid mosh pit art festivial outings. They also have car seats, which they love. I find I dont sleep well without them.
My peewee was mauled by three pitbulls 3 weeks ago and he is healing really well and his spirit is stronger than ever(which is good cause he holds me up when things like that happen I fall apart and he keeps his head) I love him more than life itself.
I’ve had my male Chihuahua for two years, bought from a breeder he is a deer head and he is the love of my life. He’s been great to train he walks great both on & off leash, does have lil dog syndrome which were still working on and is loved by my entire family extended as well. I couldn’t ask for a better dog nor want anything else other than maybe another one so he’ll have a playmate.
Just got my Chihuahua, he is only 7 weeks old, apparently he was bought to keep a 7 year old autistic kid company. As you can imagine this did not work out as the child was to… rough with him. Luckily he wasn’t hurt before I got him and he is an absolute sweet heart but I am a little curious… Do all Chihuahuas eyes water a lot? I have a vet appointment for next week for him but wanted to know if I could do anything to help him out because it seems to bother him. He keeps wiping his face on things or with his paws. I bought some hypoallergenic baby wipes but so far it doesnt seem to be helping. Also, he sneezes a lot and keeps humping his toys, is this all normal for a 7 week old pup?
My little girl does not like the sun or being under the blankets is this normal
My sweet bentley never barks! I trained him when he was a puppy with a water bottle:) I take him everywhere with me, and do not use a leash. He adapts very well, and truely does love everyone. That is my biggest concern about him because he will literally jump in a strangers lap for some pets. Im always worried someone will steel him:/ the best advice my vet gave me to avoid little dog syndrome is to expose them to alot while theyre young, and if you wont do it to a big dog, dont do it to a small one. For example, dont hold them all the time in new situations or meeting new people:)
I adopted my chihuahua Stan from a shelter and he is the most loving, sweet dog ever!
I just love my Chihuahua he’s nine weeks he just makes my day I just love you
My chihuahua is the best. Thanks for the tips. I’ll definitely get the harness and get her checked for worms.
My chihuahua bit her previous owners druggie neighbor. I had a very difficult time with her the first year. Neutering or spaying was her first step. Mainly I couldn’t deal with the bad attitude.
But after a year or so I realized my chihuahua is fiercely loyal and protective. She does suffer from the wheezing noises too. All my other dogs ran away to have fun. However my chihuahua thinks I’m the best thing in the world.
I traveled leaving the doggy in the car or carrying in a bag. Bring a doggy carrier for hotels that often refuse pets.