What To Know Before Choosing A Chihuahua As A Pet

The Chihuahua is a sassy small pet with a very big personality. These pets know what they want and are single minded in their determination. For their size, they make an excellent watchdog, but are often considered as yappy unless the owner teaches them to control their barking.

In recent years Chihuahuas have become popular for a couple of reasons. The sassy animal in the Taco Bell commercial first brought them to attention. The second is that these sometimes tiny dogs have become popular purse dogs for many celebrities. They have an expressive face with big (for their size) round eyes that reveal their thoughts.

While Chihuahuas are endearing, they are sometimes too fragile and small for younger children. They have a tendency toward being high strung and often nip or snap. If threatened, frightened or defending their territory or people, they can bite.

It is important for the Chihuahua to be trained and socialized early. Owners often allow them to become tyrants because of their size. They must have consistent and gentle training from the time they are a puppy to control the nipping and fights with other dogs. They are often unaware of their size and will challenge other animals much larger in size. Like other small dogs, it is sometimes to house train these dogs without patience and consistency.



Although Chihuahuas must be less than six pounds for shows, many are larger. These larger dogs are a better choice for families with small children. If their weight is less that three pounds, their lifespan may be shorter than normal.

Some Chihuahuas are very yappy and noisy. They sound off about anything they perceive to be an intrusion into their territory. Most are not fond of strangers and reserve their affection for a single person. Others will embrace the rest of one's family.

Chihuahuas may be any number of colors, including black, tan, fawn, white, chocolate, red or blue. They may be a solid color or combination of two or more colors. Some breeders charge more for colors that are supposedly rare, but these individuals should be avoided.

A short hair Chihuahua requires little dog grooming other than bathing and an occasional nail trim. They tend to shed more. The longer haired breed will require daily brushing to keep the coat from tangling and to ensure dead hairs are removed. They can provide a loving companion for an individual living alone or a couple.

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