Chihuahua

View Another Breed:
Chihuahua

Chihuahua Characteristics

Size:
Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Chihuahua Breed Information

Breed Group: Toy

Weight: 6 lbs

Height: 6-9 inches

Color(s): any

Overview

The Chihuahua is the smallest of all breeds and has the distinction of being the oldest breed in America. They were named after the Chihuahua region in Mexico. It is believed that this breed descended from ancient breed that was larger in size and highly prized by Aztec royalty. The Chihuahua of today has a very fine bone structure, but are actually quite muscular.

Character

The Chihuahua is a very individualistic breed. They each have their own unique personality, so only a few generalizations can be made. They are commonly referred to as a "Chi". They are energetic, graceful, and display a human-like expression. Their life span is the longest of any size dog.

Temperament

The Chihuahua is deeply devoted and fiercely loyal. They typically become extremely attached to one or two people. They are bold, fearless, and highly protective of their masters. They thrive on inordinate amounts of attention. The Chihuahua is by nature gentle, loving, and sweet-tempered. They are wary of strangers and make excellent watchdogs. This breed is not well suited for children or other pets. However, they are sociable with their own kind. Chihuahuas are excellent companions in the right circumstances.

Care

The Chihuahua requires minimal grooming. The Smooth coat variety requires only occasional brushing. The Long coat variety should be brushed several times a week with a soft bristle brush. Both varieties only need bathing once a month using a mild shampoo. Special care must be given to not get water into their ears as they are prone to ear infections. Dental hygiene is a must to prevent tooth loss. The health issues that affect this breed include slipped stifles, open font or soft spot, eye problems, and heart disease. The Chihuahua does not tolerate cold climates and must be protected when taken outside.

Coat

The Chihuahua coat comes in two varieties: The Smooth and Long coat. The Smooth coat has a glossy, soft, and close coat which is full textured over the entire body, but quite scanty on the head and ears. The Long coat has a soft, longer coat that can be slightly curly or flat. This variety does have an under-coat. Either coat type comes in a variety of colors such as fawn, brown, black, and white. The coat may be solid in color, marked with splashes of color, or tri-color. They are an average shedder.

Training

The Chihuahua can be difficult to train, but with patience, love, and consistency do well. They respond best to positive reinforcement. Chihuahuas can be housetrained by either the crate method or the paper training method. Early, extensive, and intensive socialization is an absolute must for this breed.

Activity

The Chihuahua is an excellent apartment or condominium dweller. The majority of their exercise needs can be met indoors with toys or play sessions. However, they greatly enjoy going with their owners and benefit from daily walks. Using a harness is recommended instead of a leash is best given their delicate neck and bone structure.

Ask a Question Chihuahua Questions & Answers

QUESTION: How many times does a chihuahua get her period - once a year or every six mos?

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 10:57:54 AM

Respond to Question

Once every 6 months

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 11:55:34 AM

QUESTION: how long does it take for a female chihuahua to carry pups?

Anonymous - 2/1/2012 9:39:15 AM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: when my chihuahua gets excited or after drinking he seems to choke or be hyperventilating. Is this something be concerned about?

Anonymous - 2/1/2012 4:45:44 AM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: Can a female chihuhua can have their period like human females have???

Anonymous - 1/30/2012 10:50:42 PM

Respond to Question

Chihuahua females go into what is call "heat" every 6 months or so, just like most canines, which means they bleed vaginally,and that means, if a male is allowed to breed with her, she will become pregnant. If she is outside by herself, she could become raped by a dog much bigger than her, which could cause her great harm, even death. Please protect her, or better yet, have her fixed. I have 6 Chihuahua's myself 0

Anonymous - 2/1/2012 10:44:07 PM

QUESTION: can young kids ages 10 and up own chihuahuas or not?

Anonymous - 1/29/2012 10:45:18 PM

Respond to Question

Yes but children should always be supervised around all dogs of all shapes and sizes. More often than not a child gets bit and it's not because the dog is mean!

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 9:01:45 AM

QUESTION: what happens if they do catch a cold,what can i do about it

Anonymous - 1/29/2012 4:24:02 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: I got a 1.4 year old female chihuahua and she only eats at night and not in the day time - is there any way i can make her eat in the day and not at night? I tried taking her food away at night but she will wait at night before she will eat again does it matter when she eats?

Anonymous - 1/27/2012 7:00:59 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: How large can a Chihuahua dog grow?

Anonymous - 1/26/2012 10:29:37 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: what are the signs of depression in a chihuahua?

Anonymous - 1/26/2012 9:04:41 AM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: how many times per year can a chihuahua have puppies????

Anonymous - 1/25/2012 12:16:55 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: How big can a male chihuahua be and how much should he weigh in order to breed with my chihuahua that is like a teacup?

Anonymous - 1/24/2012 11:09:54 PM

Respond to Question

It is very dangerous to breed a toy breed. I would not do so if I were you.

Anonymous - 1/26/2012 3:07:19 AM

QUESTION: How can you get your chihuahua to stop barking when guests enter the home? Ours will go on for a very long time and then I get angry with them.

Anonymous - 1/24/2012 10:24:01 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: whats the best food to feed a chihuahua

Anonymous - 1/24/2012 9:53:34 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: What small breed of dog gets along well with other pets

Anonymous - 1/24/2012 7:52:41 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: what do chihuahuas eat

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 7:42:01 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: My little Chihuahua is almost 2 & he just started ignoring me. He doesnt want anything to do with me. All he wants is dad or any of our friends that come around. How can i fix this?

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 11:08:27 AM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: mother chi will not nurse puppies ,bites them when they get close

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 9:04:30 AM

Respond to Question

maybe she doesnt want the pup.. you need to take it and feed it .. mom's milk is the best but my female did the same thing and i had too bottle feed the best it goats milk you can buy it in a can at the store or if u can get it from a goat is better!! good luck..

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 3:19:11 PM

QUESTION: How long does it take for a Chihuahua to lose all baby teeth?

Anonymous - 1/22/2012 7:29:50 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: WE HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD DACHSHUND, WE ARE GETTING A CHIHUAHUA, DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GET ALONG OK?

Anonymous - 1/22/2012 6:01:33 PM

Respond to Question

I just got an 8 wk old chi and my daughter has two doxies and they have been fine together but they do not live in the same house they just visit each other

Anonymous - 2/1/2012 8:32:20 PM

Introductions should be made out of the house and on neutral territory. I've seen the best results this way.

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 9:03:15 AM

QUESTION: can i breed a long coat chihuahua with a short coat chihuahua

Anonymous - 1/22/2012 3:13:07 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: how long do female chihuahuas live for

Anonymous - 1/22/2012 12:10:32 PM

Respond to Question

Chihuahua are much like us, good genes are part of it but feed them high quality dog food, I use pedigree and no table scraps. Regular vet care keep them dewormed and dont forget about heatworm prevention. I have a male thats 15 years old.

Anonymous - 1/27/2012 2:36:03 PM

QUESTION: I have a 7 month old Chihuahua and she tends to eat her own poop what can I do to stop this? Is this breed known to do this

Anonymous - 1/21/2012 9:21:59 PM

Respond to Question

What are the pills at Walmart called, my dog does the same... Also how much should they eat for regual food?

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 4:08:47 PM

I HAVE A CHIHUAHUA THAT IS ALMOST SEVEN. SHE DOES THE SAME THING. I ASKED THE VET ABOUT THAT 2 YRS AGO HE SAID THAT SOME DOGS DO THAT. I ALSO BOUGHT SOME PILLS AT WALMART FOR THAT. TRY IT IT WORKS. MY BABY STOPPED DOING IT AFTER THOSE PILLS GOT IN TO HER SYSTEM...GOOD LUCK

Anonymous - 1/26/2012 9:52:04 PM

QUESTION: My 7 week old chihuahua is having issues with her tummy like it's very bloated all the time and really bad right after she eats. She also scoots when she's done doing her business, and tried nipping at her behind like it's hurting. She doesn't have worms, any other suggestions to what could be going on?

Anonymous - 1/21/2012 5:57:32 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: Do Chihuahua's need anal glands cleaned?

Anonymous - 1/21/2012 5:30:24 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: can i breed my chihuahua to her brother?

Anonymous - 1/21/2012 6:43:36 AM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: Do chihuahua's know english when you talk to them?

Anonymous - 1/20/2012 2:26:41 PM

Respond to Question

YES THEY DO..BELIEVE ME THEY ARE SO HUMAN LIKE.. I HAVE 3 CHIHUAHUA'S. EACH ONE OF THEM ARE DIFFERENT IN THEIR OWN WAY. BUT THEY ALL UNDERSTAND ANY OF MY COMMANDS TO THEM. I LOVE THEM ALL SO.

Anonymous - 1/26/2012 9:56:07 PM

If you speak english to them, they will respond, same if you are speaking another langage. Just because of it's breed does not mean that it only understands that language.

Anonymous - 1/21/2012 11:46:25 AM

QUESTION: How do you know when your chihuahua is ready to give birth?

Anonymous - 1/17/2012 3:11:33 PM

Respond to Question

QUESTION: do two chihuahua's get along in a household?

Anonymous - 1/17/2012 12:47:02 AM

Respond to Question

absolutely we have 2 chihuahua's and they set their own boundaries

Anonymous - 1/17/2012 7:27:28 PM

QUESTION: my chi is about six months old. a male --- here is the problem.. now and then he will start whirling around, act's like his rectum or insides hurts, will even yelp and roll over etc. what is the problem?

Anonymous - 1/16/2012 4:23:57 PM

Respond to Question

Its his anal gland, you should take your chihuahua to the vet as soon as possible as it is very very painful for your baby. My vet only charges $15.00 as all they have to do is to squeeze it. Call your vet they usually will fit him in anytime as a tech can do it.

Anonymous - 1/18/2012 4:03:04 PM

QUESTION: How did the Chihuahua breed start?

Anonymous - 1/16/2012 3:55:53 PM

Respond to Question

If you are looking for Chihuahua puppies for sale from reputable Chihuahua breeders or to adopt a Chihuahua from a Chihuahua rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Chihuahua puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Chihuahua puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.