Chihuahuas are small dog breeds with big personalities. These tiny size dogs have been human companions for many centuries. Their rich history is found in Latin America, and this shows in their personality.
Due to their small size they don’t need a lot of exercise. They are loyal and efficient and make great pets. If you want to know about Chihuahua puppies in detail, then this guide will be great for you. In this guide we’ll explain each and everything that you need to know about Chihuahua puppies. So, let’s start!
Chihuahua puppies History 📖
Amazingly, Chihuahua puppies have hidden history, it’s difficult to trace back to where they came before the 12th century. They are long associated with Mexico. It is believed that the breed traces back with those dogs which came to the country with Spanish travelers, who drafted dogs from China. These dogs were bred to native hairless dogs to form a Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas are a very ancient dog breed which is bred for companion animals for royal families in Mexico. They have strong personalities, loyalty, and admiration for their owner.
They were considered Tachchi dogs in Mexico. Techichi were known for their bloodlines and used for hunting and protection duties. This bravery and loyalty towards their owner made them aggressive with strangers.
But unlike Techichi Chihuahua are not dumb, so we have to look at many modern aspects which make Chihuahuas aggressive.
All About Chihuahua Dog 🦮
Different type of Chihuahuas Puppies 🐶
According to the American Kennel Club there are only two types of Chihuahua puppies breeds: smooth coat Chihuahua and long haired Chihuahua.
But as we know there are many varieties of Chihuahua puppies are there, some types of Chihuahua sub breeds given below:
Type | Coat | Head Shape | Size | Characteristics |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smooth Coat | Short and smooth | Apple Head or Deer Head | Small (around 6 inches in height) | Glossy coat with minimal grooming needs |
Long Coat | Long, soft, and possibly curly or straight | Apple Head or Deer Head | Small (slightly larger than Smooth Coat) | Requires regular grooming due to long fur |
Apple Head | Can be either short or long coated | Rounded, dome-like | Small, but with a pronounced head shape | Shorter snout, prominent eyes, and typically less than 6 pounds |
Deer Head | Can be either short or long coated | Longer, more angular and shaped like a deers face | Generally larger than Apple Head | Longer legs, larger ears, and usually weighs over 6 pounds |
Teacup | Varies, either short or long | Often an Apple Head due to small size | Extremely small (not an official size category) | Less than 5 pounds, not recognized as a separate breed but rather a size variation |
Popular Chihuahua Crossbreed🧬
The most popular cross breeds of the Chihuahua are given below:
Chihuahua puppies Personality 🐕
Chihuahua puppies bring great change in your life in a positive way. They are very loving and loyal dogs. Let’s know about their traits:
Physical Appearance
Chihuahua are known for their small size. Chihuahuas are the smallest breed in the world. When a Chihuahua puppy is born their weight is 2.5 to 5.5 ounces. Within just two weeks they can double in size. A full grown Chihuahua will weigh between 2 and 6 pounds and only 5 inches in height.
They have short and pointed muzzle, domed skull, round and big eyes and large pricked up ears. They have long tails which carry up over the back.
They come with two coat varieties, ons is long and soft and the other is short and smooth with fringed legs and ears. They have varieties of coat colors.
Temperament
Chihuahuas can make great companion dogs because they are very loyal, loving and give attention to their owner but can sometimes be sassy. They can be great family pets but sometimes become aggressive towards strangers. Like all dogs, early socialization is very important to make your dog comfortable around new animals, people or places.
Chihuahua puppies are considered to be lap dogs that are active and love to keep busy. Like other small dogs, they are prone to bark especially when they are bored or feel any threat. So, they are great watch dogs. Don’t let your dogs be left alone for a long time otherwise they get bored and develop undesirable behavior.
Lifespan
Generally, small dogs live longer than the medium to larger breeds. Chihuahuas are small dogs so they live a long life with a life expectancy of about 14 years. Some dogs can live longer with proper care. The oldest Chihuahua on record is Megabyte, who passed away after 20 years old.
Chihuahua Puppy Care Tips ⛑
Every dog owner wants to have a happy life with his dog. To have a happy life with their dogs it’s very essential to take care of your Chihuahua puppy. Some of the tips related to your Chihuahua puppy’s care are given below:
Training & Exercise
To keep your Chihuahua happy and healthy, exercise and training is very important. They are intelligent and active dogs. They want to please and respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. However, sometimes they can be independent and try to dominate their owner, so they have to keep in mind to start their training from an early age. Patience, consistency and positive reinforcement are the key of a training session.
Chihuahuas love to run and play and get enough exercise in small places. Short walks are great for them. Too much exercise is not suitable for this small dog breed.
Grooming needs
Chihuahua puppies grooming needs depend on their coat type. The smooth coats dogs require only occasional brushing and regular baths. On the other hand, long haired coats require brushing once a week to prevent from matting and tangling.
Their teeth should be brushed regularly and their ears must be clean on a regular basis to prevent infection. Nails trimming is also very essential, trim their nails when they long.
Feeding/ Diet
As you know Chihuahuas are small dogs, they usually need ½ cups of dry food per day. However their food intake depends on their size, age and activity level. You should consult about your Chihuahua puppy diet and make sure you are providing them with all the essential nutrients. Keep an eye on your dog’s food intake to prevent them from becoming overweight.
Due to the small size chihuahuas have weak teeth, they require regular dental care. Provide a diet that needs chewing to help reduce plaque. Like other small dogs, Chihuahuas need more teeth cleaning and extractions from your vet to keep their mouth pain free.
Chihuahua Puppy Health Issues 🩺
Like other small breeds Chihuahua have many health issues. The following are some common health issues that a owner have to know that:
Collapsing trachea: a condition in which the cartilage rings of the trachea.
Patellar luxation: a condition in which when the knee is flexed the kneecap shifts outside the femoral groove.
Hypoglycemia: a condition in which having low blood sugar affects dogs’ energy level.
Hydrocephalus: in this condition cerebrospinal fluid collects in a dog’s skull
Chihuahua are also prone to eye infection and heart diseases. Keep an eye on your dog if you find any health issues, take it to the vet as soon as possible.
Are Chihuahuas Good family pets?
Yes, Chihuahuas can be good family pets due to their loving nature. Due to their small size they are perfect for students and small houses or apartments. These are also best for those who don’t like to take their dogs outside on cold days. If you take your dog outside you must take care of them otherwise they can be attacked by large dogs.
If they socialize at an early age they can live well with other dogs in the home. They are also good with older kids but not ideal pets for small children at home, because they are too small dogs and can be injured by kids easily. If you have a Chihuahua puppy and small kids then you have to guide the children on how to treat the Chihuahua in a respectful manner.
They are loving pets and sometimes love to cuddle. The warm blanket and your lap is their loving place. You will find them the best companion.
Adopting or Buying Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are a popular breed, so you can find them across the country from reputable breeders.
Another option is adopting a Chihuahua puppy from the rescue. In the rescue you can have a puppy less costly than purchasing from a breeder.
Do Chihuahuas puppies shed?
Yes, they shed, their shedding tendency depends on their coat’s type. Chihuahuas come in two types of coats: smooth and long.
Smooth coated Chihuahua puppies shed less and they are easy to groom. On the other side the long coat Chihuahua shed a lot and needed maximum grooming.
Do Chihuahuas Bark?
Believe that Chihuahuas are considered one of the top 10 watch dogs. They bark a lot when they want to make you aware of something, they bark when they are confused, or happy or sometimes bored. If they feel unsafe they will bark.
So you can train them for less bark, socialize them so you will have well-mannered and less bark dogs.
Are Chihuahuas aggressive Dogs?
Most of these little canines are affectionate, loyal and loving but sometimes they can be aggressive. Chihuahuas can be aggressive due to their genetics and because of some health issues. However, they show this attitude often due to lack of socialization, insecurity, and fear.
They were considered Tachchi dogs in Mexico. Techichi were known for their bloodlines and used for hunting and protection duties. This bravery and loyalty towards their owner made them aggressive with strangers. So, it’s possible some of these aggressive natures can still remain in the modern Chihuahuas.
With proper early socialization you can control their aggressive behavior. And make them well mannered dogs.
Chihuahua puppy as a Service dog
Chihuahuas are not traditionally associated with serving dogs because of their small size. This doesn’t mean that they don’t have the qualities to become service dogs. Chihuahuas can serve as service dogs to individuals with disabilities with proper training, understanding of their limitations and assessment.
Do Chihuahuas like to swim?
It depends on the dog’s personality individually. Some Chihuahuas love to swim while some hate it with passion. So you need to pay attention to how your chi feels in the water.
If you have a dog that loves swimming then you are lucky because swimming makes them active and a great way to tire them out.
Are Chihuahua puppies intelligent?
Yes, Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs. They are known for their problem solving skills and quick learning ability. They can be easily trained and love to please their owners. They are alert dogs and show a high level of adaptability so they quickly react to their surroundings.
Chihuahuas can also read about human emotions and act accordingly. Their ability to make a strong bond with their owner shows their sensitivity and emotional intelligence.
Do Chihuahuas like to sleep a lot?
Chihuahuas sleep like crazy. The average sleeping time of a Chihuahua is 12-14 hours per day. There are many reasons why Chihuahua sleep a lot:
- They are energetic dogs so they need to snooze to reactivate their energy.
- When they are puppies they sleep more, which helps in their good health and better growth like human babies.
- If your Chihuahua is not feeling well, he will sleep more than usual. If you find they sleep more, call your vet to discuss the matter.
Do Chihuahua get cold easily?
Chihuahuas have smooth coats and have thin layers of fat so they get cold easily. It is very necessary for you to keep an eye on the temperature and always a sweater for them in your hand. If you are warm but it’s much chance your Chihuahua will get cold.
What is the world’s biggest Chihuahua?
The biggest Chihuahua in the world was Milo. Milo’s mom, Melanie Nicholas claims that Milo weighs 28 pounds and is one foot tall. His parents love him a lot but the extra weight can cause health issues.
What is the world’s smallest Chihuahua?
A 4 years old Chihuahua named Milly is the world’s smallest Chihuahua. Milly is 4 inches tall, it’s like a good package for their parents. Although this dog needs extra care because of their too small size.
Chihuahua puppy Cost💲
When the time to purchase a Chihuahua puppy from a reputable breeder, an owner expects to pay an average price is $800 to $1500. This price can be affected by various factors like puppy color, pedigree and breeder reputations.
Hiking with Chihuahua puppy
If you want to go hiking with your dog, the Chihuahua is the great choice. Start hiking slowly, in a nearby park walk on a flat dirt part instead of a paved street. If your Chihuahua enjoys this, then try a short hike with some rocks, keep trying longer and some more challenges with your Chihuahua.
It’s important to note that always bring your dog carrier for when their small legs get tired.
Final Words
Chihuahuas are small dog breeds with big personalities. These tiny size dogs have been human companions for many centuries. Their rich history is found in Latin America, and this shows in their personality. Due to their small size they don’t need alot of exercise.
Chihuahua are known for their small size. When a Chihuahua puppy is born their weight is 2.5 to 5.5 ounces. Within just two weeks they can double in size. A full grown Chihuahua will weigh between 2 and 6 pounds and only 5 inches in height.
Chihuahuas can make great companion dogs because they are very loyal, loving and give attention to their owner but can sometimes be sassy. They can be great family pets but sometimes become aggressive towards strangers. Like all dogs, early socialization is very important to make your dog comfortable around new animals, people or places.
Chihuahuas are small dogs so they live a long life with a life expectancy of about 14 years. Some dogs can live longer with propre care. The oldest Chihuahua on record is Megabyte, who passed away after 20 years old.
When the time to purchase a Chihuahua puppy from a reputable breeder, an owner expects to pay an average price is $800 to $1500.
FAQs