A tiny dog with a huge personality, Chihuahuas are affectionate, loyal and very, very lively. They make adorably protective housemates for humans who love small space living.
Personality and temperament
If you took the personality of a Husky, intelligence of a Poodle and loving nature of a Labrador and stuffed it all inside the body of the smallest dog you’ve ever seen, you’d end up with a Chihuahua. These little balls of energy are loving and affectionate with their owners, and bold and feisty with everyone else. They’re full of sass and attitude, and will challenge pooches ten times their size, but at the end of the day, they just want to be cuddled by their favourite person. They can suit first-time owners who have enough patience for consistent training.
Size and appearance
Tiny, teeny and small! Chihuahuas only weight up to 3kg, and most don’t grow taller than 23cm (to the shoulder). This toy breed have tiny, compact bodies, oversized ears, a classic ‘apple-shaped’ head and large expressive eyes that seem to look into your soul. They come in two coat types – smooth and long haired – each requiring slightly different grooming care. While they are ‘hand-bag size’ dogs, they do have small frames and they need gentle handling, especially from children and around bigger dogs.
History
Considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the Americas, Chihuahua are a national symbol in Mexico. Their ancestors are thought to trace back to pre-Columbian times, even as far as the ancient Techichi dogs of the Toltec civilisation. By the time the Spanish arrived, these little dogs were ingrained in the culture and loved for their big personalities and loyalty. The modern breed was refined in the mid-1800s and became popular with American tourists who brought them home across the border. Chihuahua were first recognised in Australia in 1904, becoming popular house pets in the 1950s and 1960s. Today Chihuahua are one of the most popular dog breeds on both sides of the Tasman.
Health conditions that can affect this breed
This tiny breed is generally pretty healthy, however they can be prone to the following health conditions:
- Patellar luxation (dislocating kneecap)
- Dental disease (common in toy breeds)
- Collapsing trachea, leading to breathing difficulties
- Heart conditions, including mitral valve disease
- Eye diseases, including corneal ulcers and dry eye
- Hypoglycaemia in puppies
Regular vet check-ups and care can help manage these conditions and keep your Chihuahua healthy.
Food and exercise
Like most toy breeds, Chihuahuas have fast metabolisms, so they need a specially formulated diet for their size. They don’t need a lot of food, so portioned meals twice a day can help track their intake.
Although Chihuahuas love to sit on laps and receive pats, they still need around 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. Short walks around the neighbourhood, indoor games, training and mental enrichment (puzzle toys, etc) are ideal. Due to their teeny size, avoid doing anything too strenuous – these aren’t long-distances pooches!
Grooming and maintenance
Despite their size, Chihuahua do have some grooming needs to help prevent their coats from matting and tangling.
- Bathe: every 4-6 weeks
- Professional groom: every 8-12 weeks (long-haired Chihuahua)
How to groom your Chihuahua
- Fur: brush weekly with a soft bristle brush (smooth coat), brush 2-3 times a week (long coats)
- Nails: trim every 3-4 weeks
- Ears: clean weekly and check for wax and debris
- Eyes: wipe gently with a damp cloth as needed
Training and space requirements
Intelligent and a little stubborn, Chihuahuas can be a challenge to train. Short, positive training sessions with treats and praise work well. To prevent barking and nervousness, early socialisation is key.
Being so tiny, it’s no surprise Chihuahuas are well suited to small-space living. They’ll need numerous cosy spots to relax in, fun toys and lots of time with their human to make them feel at home.
Best suited for…
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs with a tonne of personality. They suit families and anyone looking for a small, furry shadow who’ll make them laugh and smile constantly. They can suit first-time owners who have the time (and patience) to devote to training their pooch.
