The Ultimate Guide to Chihuahua Puppies & Dogs
Chihuahuas are such awesome little dogs!
Their teeny-tiny bodies, huge personalities and adorable looks capture our hearts - while their portable size makes them the perfect companion.
What's not to love about these sassy creatures?
Well, you might have also heard about the infamous Chihuahua temper...!
Whether you're already a Chihuahua owner - or thinking of adopting one - here's everything you need to know about Chihuahua dogs and puppies
Different Types of Chihuahuas
You may think there are a lot of different Chihuahua breeds, but according to the American Kennel Club, there are only two types of chihuahua varieties: Smooth-Coat Chihuahua and Long-Haired Chihuahuas:
But as we all know, there are way more kinds of Chihuahuas than that!
Some types of Chihuahua sub-breeds are:
-
Apple Headed Chihuahuas: Named for their apple-shaped heads
-
Deer Headed Chihuahuas: Tend to have elongated snouts, and slender heads
-
Pear Headed Chihuahua: Results from breeding an apple-headed Chi with a deer-headed Chi
-
Fawn Chihuahua: A Chi who's fur is light yellow/brown in color
- Teacup Chihuahua: A Chi weighing less than 5 pounds, and standing less than 9 inches tall
Popular Chihuahua Cross Breeds
Did you know there are a lot of adorable Chihuahua mixes? In fact, there are over 40 different kinds!
Some of the most popular Chihuahua mixes are:
- Chorkie (half Yorkie, half Chihuahua)
- Choodle (half Chihuahua, half poodle)
- Pincher Chihuahua
- Pug x Chihuahua
- Dachsund x Chihuahua
- Maltese x Chihuahua
- Chihuahua x Poodle
- Great Dane x Chihuahua
- Chihuahua Doodle
- Husky x Chihuahua
- Papillion x Chihuahua
- Corgi x Chihuahua
Do Chihuahuas Shed?
The short answer is: ABSOLUTELY!
However, their shedding tendency depends on the type of coat they have.
Chihuahuas come with one of two types of coats: Smooth and Long:
Smooth Coated Chihuahuas shed less and are easy to groom. On the other hand, long-coated Chihuahuas shed more and require a lot more brushing, and more frequent grooming.
Do Chihuahuas Bark?
Believe it or not, Chihuahuas hold a spot as one of the top ten watch dogs. This vigilant nature can help explain their reputation as loud, yappy dogs!
If they're feeling unsafe, they'll bark. If they want to alert you to something (even a squirrel out the window), they'll bark. If they're confused, or happy, or sometimes even bored... they'll bark.
You can absolutely train them to bark less - though it's going to take diligent and consistent training on your part.
Socialize them well (with positive reinforcement), and soon you'll bring the quiet and well-mannered pup out of them.
What's the best Chihuahua carrier?
Paisley the Chihuahua in her PocoPet Packable Dog Carrier
The best carrier for Chihuahuas is the one that's always with you!
We recommend the PocoPet Packable Dog Carrier, and here's why:
- It's compact: clip it to your leash, and it's always there when you need it.
- It's lightweight: In fact, you'll forget you're even carrying it!
- It's comfortable: Your furbaby will feel happy and cozy - and you'll love the adjustable shoulder strap, exterior pocket, and mesh ventilation.
Do Chihuahuas Like To Swim?
Yes and No! :) Really, this depends on their own personality.
Some Chihuahuas will dive right in, while others may hate it with a passion - so you really need to pay attention and figure out how your individual Chi feels about hopping in the water.
If you have a Chihuahua that loves swimming, you're in luck! With their small size and high activity level, swimming is a great way to tire them out.
Because of their lack of body fat, Chihuahuas do well with extra flotation - so buy a properly-fitting life vest for your tiny one before your next water adventure.
Hiking with Chihuahuas
Great news: if you like to hike with your small dog, you can absolutely bring along your Chihuahua!
But start slow: Instead of walking on the paved street, find a flat dirt path in a nearby park. If your pup enjoys that, try a short hike with some rocks or tree roots to navigate. If all signs point to yes, keep trying slightly longer and more challenging hikes with your Chihuahua.
And most importantly - ALWAYS bring your Chihuahua carrier for when their tiny little legs get tired before yours do - and they will!
Do Chihuahuas Sleep a Lot?
Chihuahuas sleep like crazy. In fact, the average sleeping time of a Chihuahua is 12 to 14 hours a day!
There are several reasons why chihuahuas sleep a lot:
First off, their energetic bodies need a good snooze to restore their energy.
However, unlike their human companions, Chihuahuas (like most dogs) won't sleep straight through - instead, they wake up & fall back asleep consistently.
Secondly, when Chihuahuas are still puppies, they simply need to sleep more. A sound sleep brings them good health and better growth- just like human babies.
Lastly, if your Chihuahua is not feeling well, he’ll sleep even more than usual. So if your tiny pal’s sleep time seems to extend, call your vet to discuss the matter together.
Do Chihuahuas Like To Cuddle?
Just like with humans and other dogs, the answer to this question is: maybe!
Some Chis hate to snuggle, while other Chihuahuas love to cuddle.
For those furballs, warm blankets and your lap are their best-loved places. Snuggle up with them & enjoy cuddles - you'll find them to be the best companions ever.
Have An Overweight Chihuahua?
According to American Kennel Club’s (AKC) breed standards, 6 pounds is the healthy weight for a Chihuahua.
If yours weighs more than that, there's a possibility they're overweight.
And don't ignore these signs, because obesity can lead to joint problems, heart disease, diabetes, spinal and back problems, and high blood pressure.
It's much easier to prevent these kinds of issues than to resolve them, so here are some ways to help your fat Chihuahua slim down:
- Increase their activity level with more walks & playtime
- Cut way down on treats
- Feed him the correct portion at mealtime
- Switch their food to a lower-calorie option (as discussed with your vet)
What To Know About Chihuahua Teeth
Periodontal disease is the #1 health concern in Chihuahuas - so it's crucial to know about Chihuahua teeth problems.
The top 3 Chihuahua dental issues are:
- Plaque
- Tartar
- Calculus
It all starts with plaque, which leads to tartar. Plaque, gingivitis, and calculus build up, and as soon as the bacteria grows in their mouth, it starts destroying the teeth and bones. The result? Many Chihuahuas lose their teeth around the age of 4.
Good practices are the key to extending the life of your dog's pearly whites - so brush their teeth every day (or at least a few days per week) for the best results.
Learn how to brush your Chihuahua's teeth:
Do Chihuahuas Get Cold Easily?
Here's one of the most important things to know about Chihuahuas: because they don't have a dense coat of hair, and they have a very small layer of fat, Chihuahuas get cold very easily!
It's super important to always be aware of the temperature and weather, and always bring a dog sweater with you - because even if you're warm, it's quite possible your Chihuahua will get cold.
What's The World's Biggest Chihuahua?
The biggest Chihuahua in the world is Milo. Milo's human mom, Melanie Nicholas, claims that Milo weighed 28 pounds and had grown up to one foot tall.
At first, when Milo caught Melanie’s eyes with his silky fur and amber eyes, the woman at the shelter told her that the boy will never get more than 8 – 10 pounds. This was a perfect weight, but as Milo grew up he became stockier than expected.
His parents love him lots, but this extra weight is taking a toll on his health.
What's The Smallest Chihuahua?
A 4-year old Chihuahua Milly is the world's smallest Chihuahua. Milly is 4-inches tall, and is a good present in a tiny package for her parents - although she required a lot of extra care in the beginning stages of her life.
Have An Evil Chihuahua?
I mean, we all know the stereotype - Chihuahuas are evil little yippy, nippy dogs!
Of course, as will all stereotypes, this is most often not the case at all.
The temperament of Chihuahuas is determined by their genes - they can be social or antisocial based on their genetic inheritance, just like us humans.
But just as with any other dog breed, some Chihuahuas can definitely be, well, evil :)
So if you have a rowdy one, don't worry - it doesn't mean you'll have to deal with an evil Chihuahua all your life. There is hope!
As long as you train them well, you can overcome their traits to a large degree (but not entirely).
Teach them how to behave, how to get along with people, and how to remain calm in all kinds of different situations.
Most importantly, remember that Chihuahuas are fast learners. With praise and rewards, you can train your Chihuahua to become your best 'lil buddy!
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