Small in size, big in personality: The Chihuahua

By Lauren Rey

The Chihuahua

Chihuahua – Fast Facts

While Chihuahuas may top the list of world’s smallest dog breeds, when it comes to personality, these feisty, fun-sized dogs are anything but small! These little guys have no problem letting the world know their opinions, it's one of their most endearing qualities.

Often nicknamed “velcro dogs,” Chihuahuas are fiercely loyal to their owners and love nothing more than to be by their side. Often the poster child for the “purse dog,” it’s not uncommon to see Chihuahuas hanging out of handbags on city streets and sidewalk cafes. Their small size and ease of portability have made them one of the most popular city pets.

Chihuahuas are a lot of fun, but they can also be a challenge. Here’s an in-depth look at owning one of these pint-sized pups!

History of the Chihuahua

A breed with a complex and ancient past, the story of the Chihuahua began in Mexico sometime during the 9th century. It is believed they descended from the ancient Techichi, a now-extinct dog kept by nobles of the Aztec Empire. The likeness of these dogs has been found depicted in artifacts from many sites of ancient civilizations.

The modern Chihuahua we know and love today, began to take shape during the 19th century in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Thus, how the Chihuahua got its name. During the 20th century, as more people moved to big cities and lived in apartments, Chihuahuas skyrocketed in popularity as the perfect apartment pet.

At the turn of the 21st century, Chihuahuas reached their height of popularity as the breed was famously featured in movies like Legally Blonde and television commercials for the fast-food chain, Taco Bell. The breed was also commonly paraded around in purses by celebrities like Paris Hilton. This unfortunately also led to a surge in overbreeding and Chihuahuas ending up in shelters. In the early 2000s, animal advocacy groups worked tirelessly to educate the public on the plight of this special breed.

Today, the Chihuahua is still an immensely popular breed, beloved for its small stature, adorable looks, and feisty personality.

Chihuahua traits and characteristics

There are several unique attributes that help define the Chihuahua breed. Here’s what you can expect from a purebred Chihuahua.

Chihuahua size and appearance

Chihuahuas are generally regarded as the world’s smallest dogs. They are in a class known as toy breeds. Chihuahuas typically weigh just 3 to 6 pounds and stand between 5 and 8 inches tall. They come in a variety of colours with markings that can include bi-colour and tri-colour variations. Chihuahua coats can be either smooth (short) or long.

In addition to their signature small stature, Chihuahuas have several other distinguishing characteristics that help set them apart. From their big expressive eyes and pointed ears to their uniquely shaped heads. Chihuahuas tend to have one of two head shapes, round and apple-like, or elongated and deer-like. This has led to the nicknames “apple head Chihuahua” and “deer head Chihuahua.”

Key traits of a Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are loyal, feisty, and quick-witted dogs. They tend to cling to their owners but be wary of strangers and other dogs. They are also very vigilant and protective of their people and their space and can be quite vocal. Chihuahuas typically have no problem standing up for themselves, even if it means staring down a much larger dog or barking at a stranger on the street.

While some Chihuahuas that were socialized early or raised with other dogs will enjoy some canine company, overall, the breed is not particularly social. They like to be with their owners, preferably curled up in their lap!

Having a good training plan for your Chihuahua is important to help curb some of their bolder behaviours. Left untrained, some Chihuahuas can become anxious or destructive. Their protective instincts can also turn into resource guarding, reactivity, or excessive barking. Early training and socialization are key to a well-rounded Chihuahua!

Chihuahua health and lifespan

The Chihuahua is a generally healthy breed with an expected lifespan of 14 to 16 years, but some have been known to make it well into their 20s. They are one of the longest-lived dog breeds. However, like all purebred dogs, Chihuahuas can be predisposed to certain health conditions such as:

Due to their size, Chihuahuas can also have a hard time regulating their body temperature. They have a very low body mass and need extra care to keep warm, especially in colder climates. Their small stature also makes them fragile. Unfortunately, Chihuahuas have been known to sustain fractures just from jumping off furniture or engaging in play. Extra caution should be taken to help prevent injuries.

While not every Chihuahua will be impacted by one of these conditions, pet insurance is always a good thing to have to help with veterinary expenses. Especially in cases of accidents or emergencies. Protect your Chihuahua with a pet insurance plan.

Living with a Chihuahua

Like all dogs, Chihuahuas have special needs but overall, they are considered a fairly low-maintenance dog breed. They don’t take up much space or have strenuous exercise needs outside of regular walks and playtime. Chihuahuas are also known as one of the cleanest dog breeds. They don’t shed much or need much grooming apart from a weekly brushing (long-haired Chihuahuas may need slightly more) and a bath every 3 to 6 weeks.

Due to their size, fragility, and temperament, Chihuahuas are typically not recommended for homes with very young children or large, rambunctious dogs. They can, unfortunately, easily get injured during play or end up nipping at children and other dogs that don’t understand how to respect the Chihuahua’s boundaries. They tend to do better in calmer environments with adults or older children.

While the Chihuahua’s extra small size is one of its most endearing qualities, it can also present some unique challenges. Sadly, due to their popularity and portability, Chihuahuas are one of the most stolen dog breeds. They are also at an increased risk for attacks by wildlife like coyotes and hawks that may mistake Chihuahuas for prey due to their size.

To help keep your Chihuahua safe, never leave them unattended outside, consider purchasing a wildlife protection vest (these have outer spikes to prevent wildlife from picking up your Chihuahua) and get them microchipped. Adding a 24Petwatch Lifetime Protection Membership will also give you access to lost pet recovery specialists and the largest microchip data registry in North America should your Chihuahua go missing.

Top things to consider before owning a Chihuahua

Chihuahuas make wonderful companions, but as with all dogs, this breed is not suited for everyone. Chihuahuas can be a challenge for certain lifestyles so it’s important to do your research before bringing one into your home. Here are the top things to consider if you’re thinking about owning a Chihuahua:

Ultimately, Chihuahuas are companion dogs, they love spending time with their owners and will do best in a household that allows that. If your lifestyle requires long hours away from home or a ton of travel, a Chihuahua might not be the best breed for you.

Chihuahua FAQs

Are Chihuahuas good with children?

Chihuahuas can be good with children, given it’s in the right environment. Due to their fragility and temperament, Chihuahuas tend to do better with older children that can respect their boundaries and use caution when handling them to prevent injury. As with all dogs, interactions with children be supervised.

Are Chihuahuas good with other dogs?

While they are not the most social dogs, Chihuahuas can get along with other dogs with proper training and socialization. It’s also important that the other dogs are a good match for their size, energy, and temperament. Interactions with large, rambunctious dogs can lead to injury and should be avoided.

Can Chihuahuas be left alone for long periods?

While some Chihuahuas do better on their own than others, overall, this breed tends to be clingy and can easily develop separation anxiety. A good rule of thumb for most Chihuahuas is no more than 4 to 6 hours without at least a potty break. If you have a job that requires long hours away from home, consider a dog walker or dog daycare service for your Chihuahua.

Do Chihuahuas bark a lot?

Chihuahuas are a very vocal breed and quite vigilant of their surroundings. It’s not uncommon for them to bark at the sight of strangers or upon hearing an unusual sound. While training can help with excessive barking, many Chihuahuas will still bark frequently. They love to play the role of security alarm!

Why do Chihuahuas shake?

Due to their small size and low body mass, Chihuahuas can have trouble regulating their body temperature which translates into shivering and shaking. Most Chihuahua owners find that sweaters and blankets are a must for this breed, especially in colder climates.

Ready for a Chihuahua?

Chihuahuas are a special breed, with lots of love, and of course, lots of sass, to give! A Chihuahua will be committed to you for life, just make sure you are ready to do the same before bringing one of these special little dogs into your home.