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
I need help. I have a Chihuahua 5 yes old. I got her at 8weeks old and she has been attached to me since. Well we thought she needed a friend so we went to the shelter
Hi i have a baby chi named sheba his only 11 weeks old very playful and sweet, ive noticed after i bathe him an hour later he smells again plz help? Also is there a puppy perfume or special shampoo that i should be using? I do bathe him in puppy shampoo as i have a pomeranian 6months old also and shes fine..
Also how do i toilet train him..
Author
Hello, you might want to try this popular chihuahua bed at 50% off http://store.famouschihuahua.com/__product.asp?PT_ID=55&numRecordPosition=41&strProduct=Best_of_Friends_Dog_Bed&P_ID=1389 This way he can snuggle with the doggie stuffie built into it instead of you guys for security 😉
Author
Yes they will. You will have to be diligent with not letting them get up and into your bed though. Training is required. Here is a popular chihuahua bed at 50% off you might want to consider http://store.famouschihuahua.com/__product.asp?PT_ID=55&numRecordPosition=41&strProduct=Best_of_Friends_Dog_Bed&P_ID=1389 This way they can snuggle with the doggie stuffie built into it instead of you for security 😉
Author
Check out https://www.famouschihuahua.com/book/
I have a tiny chihuahua, her name is Cherry. She is been sick for the last 3 days. I took her to the vet today and they found nothing, however she is in some pain because she was crying and running because of pain! I don’t know what wrong with her and is so frustrating not being able to help her! She is 6 years old! They all kind of tests!
Question: I found a cat ball bed that I thought might work well to give my boys a place to sleep in the hot nights of summer to keep them off me! Will Chihuahua’s sleep in their own “cave” off my bed & out from under my bedding? I can’t take another summer of sweltering with these two heaters!
Help!
Madison,
I hope you are able to keep your baby. It would be terrible for both of you to be separated. My boy, Bentley, came to me when he was 3years old. He did some marking at first but now he pees on a piddle pad or when we walk outside. You can purchase a belly band which holds a sanitary pad to take care of the marking inside problem. Remove it to take him outside & let him sniff & mark to his delight. Does he have a crate? Bentley loves his, the door is always open. If I go out when I come home he’s usually sleeping in it. Maybe an interactive feeder would help entertain your boy. Gives him some stimulation. I got lucky, my boy has no major problems except for some stubbornness but I just have to speak firmly & remind him who’s boss now & then.
Good luck with your baby.
Hello I have a question… I have a 5yr old Chihuahua named Carlos… He has a bad habit of sleeping between me an my boyfriend when we are sleeping and we are trying to break him of doing that…. Any suggestions on how to get him to sleep in just one spot of the bed without any of us being uncomfortable… HELP PLEASE!!!
I have a 8 year old Chihuahua and part Papillon. Her name is cupcake and is nervous around other people even though she grew up with others. She likes to lick the floors and gets hair balls from it. I have a Papillon and Pomeranian that sheds. I try to keep the floors as clean as I can. Cupcake has started breathing heavy and sounds like she is snoring at night or possibly congested from trapped hair inside. I have tried many home remedies to help her get rid of them, but not working. She sounds bad when breathing and I’m really worried about her. Unfortunately I don’t have the funds to take her to the vet. So I don’t know what is going on inside of her. I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to their fury friend and if so what can I do to help her breath better? Thank you.
We just put a collar on our four month old chihuahua and she’s been ACK strange she’s not playing or anything what can we do
I’m currently 15 and I’m one year older than my chihuahua . My parents got him for me when I was 2 and ever since then he’s always been my little baby. My parents talk on and on about getting rid of him since being as he is a male dog , he tends to mark his territory on everything but I recently just found out that my mom was talking to my dad about getting rid of him, putting him in a good home, told my dad to talk to me about it and a few days later when she asked him again he said that he wouldn’t do that to me since I’ve had him my whole life. I’ve grown to attached to him and just thinking about him passing on hurts me. He’s been there for me for everything. He helps me with my depression and relapses. He’s just always there. Anyway, my friends hate him lol. He’s very protective over me so he has left scars on some of my friends. They won’t see that he’s acting a really nice dog once he gets use to you. He’s turning 15 on July 1st ahh. I wish I could attach a photo of him, he’s so adorable. People use to say he looked like a pig because his nose is pink and his tail is curly like a pigs.
We got Bella as a rescue dog ago 9 months. At first she was not house broken and very fearfuk particularly of men. She barked incessantly at strangers. She’s now over 2 years. We’ve socialized her by being around more people. She’s much better now. Though she will always bark at the mailman & delivery people. Chihuahuas are superb watch dogs.
We had 2 Bichons when we got her and she got along very well with them.
I’ve had 3 wonderful Boxers, a St Bernard & a Wired hair terrior growing up. But this Chihuahua is the most affectionate dog we’ve ever had. She will come & stand on my lap when I try to read, just to get a kiss on her face. She loves her tummy rubbed, and of course she snuggles under blankets. Took awhile to house train her, but she now rarely pees inside. (She hates the cold so I must go outside “with” her to be sure she pees. ) I ALWAYS put a coat on her when it’s below 40. And we use only a harness when walking her. She chokes very easily if the leash is attached to her collar. [Chihuahuas have such small necks; best to use a harness to walk them.] We have red mulch in our back yard, to make it easier to find her tiny brown poops. We feed her 1/4 cup of Purina One SMALL bites (red bag) with 1 tbls. of chicken or beef or lamb, twice per day. She often leaves some of the dry food. She weighs 7-8 lbs. She is a “deer” Chihuahua with a long torso & long legs.
Our 1stBichon lived 17.25 years. We hope we have Bella as long or longer. She makes us chuckle every day. My husband has stage IV melanoma. Bella makes him smile often. Dogs are a joy. I would recommend a chihuahua to anyone.
Leslie
just so everyone knows I should have said this earlier, I have three little dogs the two oldest are two years old and they have a little baby that’s 2 months I couldn’t stand little dogs until I got the first one who was a birthday present to me from a very close friend because of his colors we call him macchiato he looks like caramel chocolate and cream he is a chiweenie, his girlfriend miata-mae is a pomchi they are my heart and soul I would not know what to do without them two months ago they had a puppy he looked like a fat little bear so that’s what we called him Bear, I do not want people/kids coming up to my dogs because they are very friendly and totally harmless and asking for kisses, my dogs do not know what kisses are but our secret code word is Baci’s and just hearing that word they will lick you to death, it means kisses in Italian they are the most atentative friendly fun loving dogs I have ever had in my entire life
I’ve got a question, my 2 year old chiweenie climbs in my lap and tries to stare me down, he’s about an inch away from my face, if i try to stare back at him he all of a sudden licks my face then takes off running like he’s flirting, what is it he’s trying to tell me?
My little girl is called bonnie she is so clingey to me i cant ever move for her she is so adorable and me to do buy her clothes like its coz they look so adorable in them, the only problem i have with her is she does her buisness in her crate and dont know how to stop her no matter how many times i take her out before bed any one able to help me
We have 7. Yes , I said 7 !! Bought the first one 14 years ago (Cheetos), and she’s still a silly , young at heart , puppy. She acts like she’s 6 months old. All of the others are her kids & grandkids , with the exception of our oldest male who was a rescue. They are , by far , one of the best , most loving breeds I’ve ever owned. The next in line was a chocolate lab. Enjoy yalls babies !!!!
I have a 1 year old white boy called polo and a 9 week old blue fawn called buddy they are the most loving dog breed but hates strangers
I have a 1 year old white boy called polo and a 9 week old blue dawn called buddy they are the most loving dog breed but hates strangers
Vanessa D Overton -I felt the same way about my Emme. She does still occasionally have accidents but I found that she is a dog of routine. If I break her routine she breaks it too. So I have to be very diligent to walk her no later than 8:30 when I wake up and no later than 5:30 when I get home. If I’m with her for the day I also give her a walk between 1 and 2. It’s exhausting I agree but once I was super vigilant of keeping her schedule she was more confident and obedient. Emme surely had tested my patience…A LOT! She was 6 months when I got her and her litter had been gone for 2. She’s always been very loving with me and protective but I (and the breeder) think that time alone made her a little stubborn.
I got my Bailey at 4 wks, he’s now 4 months! He’s a total night mare !! The only peace I get is during his naps! Can’t get him potty trained. He gets into everything he shouldn’t! I’m 62 yrs old & at my wit’s end…. I’ve had to remove my carpet, plus remove other items . Please help!!!!!
I just washed my little Chi and 2 hours later she smells. She is 9 years old a rescue, love her so much, just a love. But I have th bath her once a week… help!
My little chihuahua, has been with me since 8 wks,, she’s named Gidgit and is the best £500 I have ever spent.. so loyal and loving,,
We have a chihuahua named shorty and he is cute and very affectionate.
My sweet Bell is my Princess. I have had her since she was able to leave her momma. I was blessed to get to meet her mom and dad. She was just so tiny. I love her to pieces. She’s always by my side. The hubby thinks I am silly to buy her clothes. I spoil her so much. She is not too good with certain people. If someone tries sitting next to me or touch me she growls at them. I don’t like when she does this to our Lil boys. She knows I don’t like it. I am so happy to have gotten her. She is now 11 years old.