The world’s smallest dogs, Chihuahuas make good companions. They bond strongly with their owners, are quick-witted and easily trained – as long as you start early. They can be prickly around strangers as they like to have all of their owner’s attention for themselves.
Facts & advice
Chihuahua
A feisty companion who thrives on love and attention
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small |
| Coat: | Either smooth or long-coated, both requiring weekly brushing |
| Exercise | Up to 30 minutes a day |
| Life span: | Usually 7+ years, although they can live as long as 20 |
| Breed group: | Toy |
| Temperament: | Devoted, lively, alert |
Chihuahua temperament & personality
Chihuahuas are loving and loyal and make good pets for first-time owners.
- These little dogs have big personalities and range from feisty and outgoing to shy and timid.
- Intelligent and fiercely loyal to the people they love, Chihuahuas will happily accompany their owners anywhere and everywhere.
- Prone to separation anxiety, Chihuahuas will be happiest in households where there’s always someone around.
- A big dog in a small dog’s body, a Chihuahua can be protective and vocal if not well socialised.
Chihuahua training & exercise
As small as they are Chihuahuas are energetic and need at least 30 minutes of daily exercise.
Training tips
- Chihuahua training should begin from around four months old, and will help them grow into a well-rounded, social dog.
- Clever and independent, this breed can prefer to take things at their own pace, but give them time and be patient and they’ll soon respond to commands and even tricks.
Keeping them happy
- Chihuahuas benefit from mental stimulation and plenty of play.
- This loyal breed will be happiest right by your side – Chihuahuas crave human interaction and too much time alone could lead to unwanted behaviours such as barking, whining, scratching and chewing.
Exercise
- Until they’re about three months old short bursts of play will help your growing Chihuahua puppy build up endurance, and ensure their growing bones and joints aren’t overexerted.
- From about four months old you can introduce walks to your dog’s routine. Experts recommend using a harness when walking Chihuahuas to avoid any damage to their delicate spine and windpipe.
Game ideas
- Try a game of hide and seek to challenge their intelligence – hide their favourite toy and let them sniff it out.
Common Chihuahua health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect Chihuahuas more frequently than other dog breeds. We’ve outlined some of our recent claims data to help you understand some of the health issues we see more in Chihuahuas than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable Chihuahua breeder.
The kneecap (or ‘patella’) sits in a groove at the end of the femur (thigh bone). A dislocating (or ‘luxating’) kneecap is one that pops out of its groove. A relatively common condition in Chihuahuas and other small breeds, dislocation happens because the alignment of the bones from the hip through the knee to the ankle is not straight, which pulls the kneecap to one side. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition, but surgery may be required to reduce the likelihood of arthritis and enable the dog to live a normal life.
Heart disease in dogs is classified as either congenital heart disease (which means ʻborn with itʼ) or acquired heart disease (which means the disease develops later in life). Both of these defects can lead to a state called ʻheart failureʼ, wherein the heart struggles to pump blood around the body. Chihuahuas are particularly prone to valve disease, which often leads to heart failure. Early diagnosis of heart problems is key, because if they progress to the ʻheart failureʼ stage, treatment will then be needed for the rest of the dogʼs life.
Chihuahuas can suffer from conditions that affect the brain, spine and some nerves. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results in seizures or fitting, which may begin in dogs as young as six months old. Epileptic seizures look painful, but generally aren’t. However, depending on the severity, they may need to be controlled with medication for the dog’s entire life to ensure a happy, normal existence.
Chihuahuas like other toy breeds are more prone to issues of the mouth and teeth, particularly gum disease. Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth's deep supporting structures become inflamed. This begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. In toy breeds like Chihuahuas they have smaller mouths which can make them more prone to overcrowding and create conditions perfect for tartar build up. When this tartar undermines the gum the condition is called gingivitis. Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth creating pockets of space for bacteria to grow, resulting in what is known as periodontal disease. The bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented by brushing their teeth and regular dental descales, helping them to lead a normal, pain-free life.
A dog’s respiratory system runs from the nose to the air sacs in the lungs. Any part of this system can become diseased and we see a variety of conditions claimed for in Chihuahuas relating to this. Tracheal collapse, for example, is a common cause of airway obstruction in small breeds such as Chihuahuas. The trachea (or windpipe) is a tube made up of sturdy rings of cartilage through which air is transported to and from the lungs when the dog breathes. Sometimes the tracheal rings begin to collapse, and air is squeezed through, resulting in a characteristic honking cough. Treatment may include surgery if the dog’s breathing is severely compromised.
Chihuahua grooming
Chihuahuas can be long or short haired, with both types requiring weekly brushing.
- There is no need to bathe your Chihuhua more than once a month, and you can wait longer if your dog stays inside most of the time.
- Use grooming time to also check your Chihuahua for any lumps or signs of parasites.
- Also check your dog’s eyes for redness and weepiness, and inspect their eats for any signs of infection such as a strange smell or black or brown wax.
Chihuahua nutrition
Due to their small size, Chihuahua’s weight can creep up easily so a high-quality pet food is recommended.
- Chihuahuas should be fed twice daily, following the recommended portion size on their food packaging.
- Vets also advise keeping food rewards and treats to a minimum.
Chihuahua frequently asked questions
There are several reasons for Chihuahuas tremble. Chihuahuas typically tremble when they’re excited or anxious. Trembling can also be a sign of various health conditions, including low blood sugar or allergies. If you’re worried about your pet, it’s best to seek an opinion from your vet.
Chihuahuas are considered to be light to moderate shedders, whether they are of a long or short haired variety. There’s nothing you can do to stop shedding, but brushing your dog regularly will help to remove some of that loose hair and keep your Chihuahua’s coat in tip top condition!
When it comes to learning tricks, Chihuahuas are not considered the quickest learners. However, their independent streak means that they are clever when it comes to learning how to do things for themselves. When training a Chihuahua, patience is key – as soon as your pet realises what’s in it for them, they’ll quickly respond!
Chihuahuas are not known as the most patient breed and may not react well to children, especially any boisterous play. This breed is known to be a little snappy and they tend to do best in quieter households without children. As with all dogs, any time your Chihuahua spends with children should be supervised to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.
Chihuahuas can swim but aren’t necessarily built to be great in the water. As Chihuahuas were bred as lapdogs, swimming isn’t something that comes instinctively. However, many Chihuahuas love the water although due to their small size they can get tired easily and should always be supervised. A Chihuahuas small stature also means they can easily come overwhelmed when faced with large expanses of water, so if your pet is a swimmer it’s best to stick to smaller ponds and pools.
Feisty and independent, Chihuahuas are easily provoked and very vocal. A big dog in a small dog’s body, the Chihuahua is quick to make their unhappiness known and will become vocal and snappy if they feel the need. It’s important to remember that for this diminutive breed, anti-social behaviours are usually triggered by your Chihuahua feeling threatened or afraid so early socialisation and plenty of regular exposure to other dogs and people is crucial for nurturing a well-rounded and confident pet.
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Chihuahua insurance considerations
Choosing the right insurance for your Chihuahua can help keep them happy and healthy whatever happens. When choosing insurance make sure you check carefully the range of conditions and types of treatment covered. Examine whether the full cost of diagnostics like MRI scans or CT scans is included. Look at any limits on the cost of individual treatments and whether dental illnesses and injuries are covered especially as we see Chihuahuas are prone to mouth and teeth issues. With Petplan’s Covered for Life® dog insurance we have no additional limits for specific conditions or diagnostic tools.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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