A big dog trapped in a tiny dog’s body, the Chihuahua is cuteness personified. Who doesn’t fall in love with their small stature, adorable round head, big upright ears and large, round eyes? Without proper training and socialisation from a young age, clever, confident and chatty Chihuahuas will happily rule the roost.
A gentle but firm hand will soon have these feisty pups charming their humans with affection and loyalty. Friendly to their faves (but wary of strangers and other dogs at first), Chihuahuas get all the exercise they need devotedly following after their humans before cuddling up on a lap for the rest of the day.
Chihuahua Facts
One of the world’s smallest dog breeds, growing to a maximum of 23cm and 3kg, tiny Chihuahuas have massive personalities. These feisty, cute-as-a-button canines have over 30 recognised colours and multiple types of markings. Whether you go for a smooth or long coat, you’ll quickly fall in love with these fun, sassy sweethearts.
- Breed Group: Toy
- Height: Female: 15-23cm, Male: 15-23cm
- Weight: Female: 2-3kg, Male: 2-3kg
- Life Span: 14-16 years
- Coat: Smooth or long
- Colour: Over 30 combinations
What Does a Chihuahua Look Like?
Often seen hanging out of celebrities’ handbags or on a screen (hello Bruiser in Legally Blonde), Chihuahuas are absolutely tiny pups. In fact, they’re one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. As well as their distinctive small size, Chihuahuas have a round head with large, upright ears and big, round eyes. Although small and dainty, they’re also compact and sturdy.
Chihuahuas come in either a short, smooth coat or a long one. Long-haired Chihuahuas have soft, straight or wavy hair that looks like pants on their rear legs, with a lion-like ruff on their neck. Their coats come in over 30 different colours and markings so you’ll probably never see two Chihuahuas that look alike.
Chihuahua
Chihuahua Temperament: Sassy Scamp
Tiny they may be, but there’s a lot of character inside a Chihuahua. With the personality of a much larger dog, Chihuahua are charming, mischievous and surprisingly brave for their size. They love to play, although this doesn’t usually last very long! Once playtime is over, it’s time to do what they do best - cuddle up and sleep on your lap.
Like toddlers, Chihuahuas enjoy attention - and lots of it. This makes them best suited to pet parents who either work from home or are retired. They’re also best in homes with older children. Brave they might be, but they’re still delicate and small hands can easily accidentally injure them.
Thanks to their size, Chihuahua are easily picked up and carried. It’s still important they get to be a dog though, including scampering around on their own four legs, sniffing and exploring. Although it makes sense to carry them in busy areas with lots of feet (think a festival), they should be allowed to walk and stretch their legs as often as possible.
Remember how we said Chihuahua have a lot of character? Well, they can be quite feisty and stubborn, especially when they feel threatened by people or animals or when you’re trying to remove them from a favourite spot (or person). This can be seen in their biting and nipping tendencies. However, early training and socialisation will help them manage these tendencies. It’s really important to train your Chihuahua to help them become open and friendly with all family members, including furry ones.
Keeping Chihuahuas Healthy: 8 Issues to Watch Out For
With a long life span (up to 16 years), Chihuahuas are surprisingly hardy although their size does put them at risk of the following health issues.
Dental Problems
Most Chihuahuas by the age of 2 will develop periodontal disease. It starts with a build-up of tartar and leads to gum infections and tooth loss. Untreated, it can lead to bacteria getting into the bloodstream, affecting their heart, liver and kidneys. It’s easily avoided with dental treats, daily toothbrushing and regular dental checkups with your vet.
Hydrocephalus
With their small, round heads, Chihuahuas can suffer from hydrocephalus. This is when the skull bones don’t fuse together properly which then causes excess fluid and pressure to build up around the brain. Look out for seizures, circling and improper gait. Medication or surgery can treat it.
Heart Issues
It’s sadly really common for Chihuahuas to die of heart disease. They’re prone to developing a few conditions, like valve disease and Patent Ductus Arteriosus. A Chihuahua with a heart problem might cough or experience fatigue, weakness, a heart murmur or weight loss. A vet check up can rule out these conditions.
Low Blood Sugar
Chihuahuas don’t have much fat storage which can cause their blood sugar to dip, sometimes to dangerous levels. Symptoms of a Chihuahua suffering from low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia) include chills, shakiness, uncoordinated limbs, muscle spasms, difficulty standing or walking and even seizures. Feeding them a complete and balanced diet every day will help regulate your Chihuahua's blood sugar.
Bladder Stones
Let’s add bladder stones to the list of health conditions Chihuahuas are prone to. Easy to spot, bladder stones cause smelly or bloody urine, an inability to wee, weeing more often than usual and accidents at home. Surgery can remove the stones, if necessary. To reduce the risk of your Chihuahua developing them, talk to your vet about changes to their diet.
Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)
PSS causes the blood supply to the liver to get disrupted, causing toxins to build up in the Chihuahua’s body. Your Chihuahua not growing properly or having seizures are signs they could be experiencing PSS. It can be treated with diet changes and medication.
Eye Problems
Chihuahuas' large round eyes can develop a few health problems. These include Scleritis which causes the white of the eyeball (the sclera) to become inflamed. Left untreated, the sclera can dry out and the eye has to be removed.
It also includes Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS or dry eye). It happens when the tear ducts stop producing fluid and is really painful for your Chihuahua. Signs include pawing at their eyes, discharge or dull, rather than shiny, eyes.
Finally, there’s glaucoma which causes clouding of your Chihuahua's lens and can result in blindness. Look out for squinting, watery eyes or redness in the whites of their eyes.
Knee Problems
Patellar luxation (or luxating patella) happens when the kneecaps slip out of their normal groove, making it difficult for your Chihuahua to walk properly. It can be treated with knee braces or surgery.
Caring for Your Chihuahua Dog
Pocket-sized, it can be tempting to think of a Chihuahua as a toy or teddy. But like all dogs, they need a lot of care, including daily exercise, regular grooming and plenty of training. Given they’re so tiny though, grooming doesn’t take long!
Grooming:
The grooming your Chihuahua needs depends on what coat they’ve got. Short, smooth-coated Chihuahuas only need a weekly brush to keep them looking gorgeous. Long-hair Chihuahuas should be brushed more regularly - aim for around three times a week. They also need regular trimming, especially on their legs and tail, to stop the fur getting matted. Avoid going too short in warm weather. Their fur protects them from the sun and heat and without enough of it, they’re at risk of sunburn and heatstroke. Both coat types can get away with a monthly bath.
Chihuahuas are known for suffering from dental disease so you’ll need to brush their teeth daily, as well as getting a yearly professional clean by your vet. Start when they’re a puppy so they get familiar with it from a young age.
Nutrition:
It can be really easy to overfeed tiny Chihuahuas, which is why they’re prone to becoming overweight. Opting for food that’s specially designed for Chihuahuas or toy dog breeds can help as they’re nutritionally balanced to meet their unique needs. Go for dog food that matches their life stage - puppy, adult or senior. Look at kibble size too; it should be small to fit their small mouths.
Making sure they get daily exercise (pay attention to how often you’re carrying them) and keeping an eye on how many treats they’re getting helps manage their weight too.
Exercise:
Chihuahuas don’t need much space for exercise - following you around is normally enough exercise for them! They should still enjoy short, daily walks though, either around the block or even around the garden.
It can be really easy to not give them enough exercise by carrying them too often. Make sure you give them time and space every single day to explore on their four paws. They’ll also enjoy interactive small dog toys for when they get a burst of (short-lived) energy at home.
Training
Chihuahuas expressive, upright ears let you know you’re dealing with an intelligent dog. Happy and playful, they love to please their humans. This combination makes them eager to learn new skills and they respond well to positive training methods. Because they’re so smart, they’re well aware of how cute they are and will use that to their advantage to get their own way.
Even when they’re a puppy, it’s important they learn you’re in charge - not them. They might be tiny but they still need to learn excellent manners. Starting training as a puppy can help them manage unwanted behaviours, like growling, biting and resource guarding. Safely socialising them as a puppy and introducing them to new people, places and things helps them become more adaptable and relaxed adults.
Chihuahuas are known for their yappy barks - they can bark at everything they hear. Chatty by nature, and fans of their own voice, training will help reduce their sensitivity to noises and reactivity and minimise their barking (although it won’t stop it entirely).