The small and adorable Chihuahua is a lovely pup. They’re little dogs, but they can charm almost anyone with their big personality and cute sassiness! Fun and unique, the miniature Chihuahua is Mexico’s national symbol. With a history dating back to pre-Columbian times, this puppy might be the oldest breed of the Americas.
Weighing six pounds or less, Chihuahuas are also known as “purse dogs.” But one can feel how graceful they are even with their rounded, “apple” heads poking through a handbag! These little dogs’ pointy ears, shiny eyes, and coats in different colors make them look beautiful and alert as well!
Tiny and confident, these puppies make great city pets. They can be happy living in an apartment or a house! However, they require training, special care in cold weather, and are too small for rough games with kids. But, if you’re looking for a loyal companion, a baby Chihuahua might be your doggo.
Chihuahua Dog Breed Pictures
Appearance
What Does A Chihuahua Look Like
When it comes to their smooth coat’s length, there are two types of Chihuahuas – short and long-haired ones. Short-coated pups have a smooth, shiny fur that’s slightly longer at the neck. Those with long coats have long hairs around the ears, feet, legs, stomach, and tail.
Regardless of its length, the coat of pooches from the Chihuahua breed comes in many colors. They can be solid-colored white, black, brown, sable, silver, cream, and even gray! A lot of these doggies are tricolor too, and some of them are brindle, merle, or spotted.
The heads of little Chihuahua puppies are tiny. Considering the shape of their pretty heads, these pups can be apple-head or deer-head. The first ones have rounder faces and pronounced eyes, while the second have narrower heads and longer snouts. Both kinds have big brains, though!
The standard Chihuahua has a weight of 3-6 pounds and is 6-9 tall. Thanks to their smarts and personality, this tiny dog is easy to train. The rule doesn’t apply to housebreaking the dogs of the smallest breed, though – they have little bladders and are stubborn!
Temperament
Chihuahua dogs are lapdogs by nature, and they love snuggling with their favorite people! However, when their owners aren’t around, sweet, little Chis will find a cozy blankie to nap under. If they can’t spot a throw, they’ll look for a warm corner or a spot of sun to chill in.
You’ll need to socialize your smart Chihuahua puppy so they can get along with people and animals. They can be yappy when afraid and uncomfortable! Before getting a Chihuahua, know that they typically get attached to one person. However, this loyal, friendly, and affectionate doggo can bond with others too over time.
When a Chihuahua is barking, they’re probably excited or sensing that something is not quite right. Chi owners say these doggies are great talkers! Their big-dog-like personalities help them be great watchdogs. Although cute Chihuahua pooches can be playful, they are suspicious of strangers and don’t trust them too much!
It seems like these pups understand their popularity – the look on their cute Chihuahua face gives them away! Teach your Chi to obey you, or they’ll end up being the one in charge! Use positive reinforcement to train them, establish house rules, don’t let them be bored, and correct their bad behaviors consistently.
Living Needs
Cute, tiny Chihuahuas are great apartment dogs! They make fantastic miniature pets for people with smaller homes! Small in size, these doggos need just a puppy bed or your lap to nap in. You don’t have to spend hours planning how to make room for a pooch that fits in a purse!
These adorable tiny pups dislike being outside when it’s wet and cold. Luckily, having Chihuahuas as pets comes with a good perk: they can learn to use a litter box! However, if you allow your puppy to relieve themselves or exercise outdoors, keep an eye on predatory birds and animals!
The thing about Chihuahua dogs is that they won’t easily back down from an argument with other puppies. This usually happens when they’re not socialized during puppyhood! Being bold, they’ll act as a large pooch and fight back! However, if socialized, they’re good dogs and do well with other pups and cats.
The personality of Chihuahua doggies helps them charm their owners. However, they might be suspicious of strangers! Also, although Chihuahuas and children can get along, these fragile puppies can’t handle roughhousing. If you have little kids, teach them how to treat the doggo, and supervise their interactions with the pet!
Care
How To Groom A Chihuahua
It’s easy to care for a Chihuahua baby! Although pups with a short coat have different grooming needs from the long-coated ones, Chis don’t shed much.
Regularly bathing and occasionally brushing smooth-coat pooches is okay. If you’re wondering how to groom a long-haired Chihuahua, know that they need to be brushed at least weekly!
It’s necessary to trim your Chihuahua’s nails regularly, remove wax from their ears, and brush their teeth. Your vet might recommend you some tooth-care dog treats as well!
How To Train A Chihuahua
This fancy little dog is bright and very alert. They are easy to train when their owner uses positive reinforcement techniques. You should keep one thing in mind, though – make sure you always show your adorable Chihuahua that you’re in charge!
Don’t allow them to act inappropriately because they’ll grow up to be poorly behaved adults! Your pup might act like a terrier, so you need to be firm and gentle with them. Chis are smart dogs, and they’re great in obedience training and different pupper sports.
How Much Exercise Does A Chihuahua Need
Little Chihuahuas love to play and run, and they don’t need much space to get enough exercise. They can stay strong and healthy with low-paced activities! You can take your tiny Chihuahua out for a short, slow walk to keep them in shape. This dog can go until they drop, so don’t let them exhaust themselves, especially not on hot days!
Feeding
Chis should eat 1/4 to 1/2 cups of dry, great-quality food daily. You should be especially careful with how much kibble you give your pupper for dinner. They’re prone to gaining weight! Your vet can give you more guidance on the matter.
Health
How Long Does A Chihuahua Live
These little doggos are generally healthy and happy. They have a lifespan of at least ten years, but they can also live to turn 18! As they age, they might experience some health issues, though.
Chihuahua Health Issues
The CCA states that heart disease hypoglycemia, folic acid, patellar luxation, and epilepsy are all health issues Chis can experience. Additionally, these small dogs might suffer from skin problems and earwax build-ups. Before you adopt your pet Chihuahua, ask for their health records. Also, ensure the breeder checks if the dog has any medical issues with the tests that the OFA recommends.
Aside from health problems, Chis commonly have a soft spot on their heads called molera. This isn’t a disease but a way most puppies’ sculls are built! People once thought of the molera as proof that the dog is purebred. The hollow spot doesn’t indicate that a Chihuahua’s health might deteriorate. If it disappears, it’s due to the pup’s genes and physiology.
History
People from the oldest civilizations used likenesses of pups that looked like Chis for decoration. Trading explains why similar dog breeds can be found in different places. Still, we don’t know who brought the Chi pup to Mexico. It’s interesting that the Toltecs’ favorite companion dog was the larger Chi ancestor, Techichi.
It might have been the famous Aztecs who turned the Techichi into smaller puppies after they conquered the Toltecs. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 1500s, this dog was already part of the Aztec culture. These people believed that the puppy could heal the sick ones and see into the future.
These little dogs survived the conquistador attack by living in villages and created the history of Chihuahuas. A lot of them lived in the State of Chihuahua, and Americans found them in the mid-1800s. They became known as tiny Chihuahua puppies! The AKC registered the first Chi named Beppie in 1908.
Fun Facts About Chihuahua
- These dogs have been in movies like “Sex and the City,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” and “Legally Blonde.”
- Gidget was the Chi that said “Yo Quiero Taco Bell!” in the famous Taco Bell commercial.
- Brandy, the world’s smallest dog measures only 6 inches!
- There’s a baseball team in Texas called the Chihuahuas.