The phrase, A tiny dog, big personality is an apt description of the Chihuahua Dog. Chihuahua puppies and adults both have larger-than-life personalities, making them one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide.
An ideal dog for small living quarters, the Chihuahua may be small but has the personality of a much larger dog. Innocuous and vulnerable at first look, the Chihuahua will rule your house like a King right from the beginning.
The Chihuahua is also known as the purse dog since they are so small, they can fit in your purse. Commonly seen in public places, Chihuahuas are compact and can travel easily. They exude charm and personality, making them the center of attention wherever they go.
Famous personalities like Demi Moore, Paris Hilton, and even Marilyn Monroe have been seen with Chihuahuas in their handbags.
What is a Chihuahua’s temperament, how fast do Chihuahua puppies grow, and what to feed them are common questions a prospective dog owner often asks.
And we will answer them all.
Let us look at the different breeds, their size, color, weight, and commonly asked questions about the Chihuahua.
About the Chihuahua Breed
A common question that many prospective Chihuahua owners have; is where Chihuahuas originate from. Well, you would be surprised to know that Chihuahua originates from pre-historic Columbia, and they are the national symbol of Mexico.
The Chihuahua is one of the oldest breeds in America and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904.
Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, this small breed of dog breed is thought to have originated from a small mute dog called Techichi, which was kept by the Toltec people of Mexico.
The Chihuahua is often confused with the Terrier, which is also a small dog. However, there is a notable difference between the Chihuahua and the Terrier:
- Chihuahua has an apple-shaped head
- Both dogs are good for new dog owners, but Chihuahua puppies are more friendly
- The Chihuahua barks more than the Terrier
- The Chihuahua will have a usual combination of colors on its coat
Chihuahua Colors and Markings
Chihuahuas come in more than 39 colors, makings, and patterns. The AKC recognizes 9 standard and 21 unconventional Chihuahua colors.
In addition to colors, Chihuahua puppies will also have specific markings on their coats that make them unique from their brethren.
Here are a few of the most common Chihuahua colors:
- Black (pure black is the rarest chihuahua color)
- Blue and tan (the color blue is a grayish hue)
- Chocolate
- Chocolate and tan
- Cream
- Fawn
- Fawn and white
- Red
Your Chihuahua puppy may also have some distinct markings on its coat. Some of the common markings are:
- Black Brindling
- Black Mask
- Black Sabling
- Spotted On White
- White Markings
- Black Mask, White Markings
- Blue Mask
- Cream Markings
- Fawn Markings
- Red Markings
- Merle Markings
The unique combination of colors and markings makes the Chihuahua different from other breeds of dogs. As seen from above, the dog is not just one color, but shades of the same color with individual markings and patterns.
Interestingly, different mixes of Chihuahuas will present different colors in their coat and appearance.
Types of Chihuahuas
The types of Chihuahua vary based upon their appearance. The following are the main types or breeds of the Chihuahua dog:
1. Short-Hair Chihuahuas
Also known as smooth Chihuahua because of their short hair, these dogs do not need to be groomed as much as long hair Chihuahuas, but you need to be careful because they can catch a cold in the winter when the temperature drops.
2. Long-Hair Chihuahuas
These Chihuahuas have long hair, as the name suggests. The coat will grow out to its full length after 24 months. These dogs require more grooming and may look rough in the beginning before the coat grows fully. And no, long-haired chihuahua puppies do not have long hair when they are born.
3. Apple Head Chihuahuas
As the name suggests, these Chihuahuas have an apple-shaped head. They are adorable and cute to look at. They have a shorter muzzle and are born with a soft spot on their head, which may or may not close fully.
4. Deer Head Chihuahuas
Deer-headed Chihuahuas have an oblong shape of the head. This Chihuahua puppy will grow to be bigger than the apple-shaped Chihuahua, which is a great distinction between the two. The Deer-Head type will also have a no-slope nose.
5. Teacup Chihuahuas
Teacup Chihuahuas are so small that they can fit into a teacup. YES, they are very small. How small? Well, they measure up to less than 5 pounds and no more than 9 inches tall. Because of genetic issues, some Chihuahua breeders don’t breed Teacup Chihuahuas.
6. Pear-Headed Chihuahuas
The Pear-Headed Chihuahuas have a head shaped like a Pear. It may grow to be bigger than the standard Chihuahua. Your Chihuahua breeder may try and market this puppy as unique or different than other breeds but is generally the same except for the shape of their head.
7. Color-Named Chihuahuas (such as fawn Chihuahuas)
This kind of Chihuahua refers to the color of the coat. The coat can be white or light fawn. They are commonly sought over, and in fact, the most searched for on Google.
Chihuahua Weight and Size
Most Chihuahuas weigh less than 6 pounds, and they are 5-8 inches tall. However, some breeds of Chihuahua may be smaller, like the Teacup Chihuahua that weighs less than 5 pounds and is only 9 inches tall.
Chihuahua puppies’ size is very small as compared to other breeds too. The average Chihuahua puppy size at birth is just 3 – 4 inches, while the weight is between 2.5 to 5.5 ounces.
It is important to remember that if you have small kids, you need to be careful having them handle Chihuahuas. Their bones are very delicate, and they can be injured if children do not know how to handle them.
Roughhousing with a Chihuahua is a common cause of injury for this particular kind of breed. If you want a dog, you can play and roughhouse with; then the Chihuahua is not the dog for you.
Chihuahua Temperament
If you want a nice quiet dog, then the Chihuahua is not for you.
Its bark is small but can be loud, especially if you live in an apartment building. It’s a good idea to find out the policy for keeping pets in your building or neighborhood before you purchase your Chihuahua.
Even though it has a loud bark, the Chihuahua’s temperament means your pup will be very loving. They are also very loyal and protective of their owner.
Chihuahua’s are very intelligent and quick learners. They can be trained easily and will learn new tricks fast. They have big personalities and can certainly be the boss around the house.
Although the temperament of Chihuahuas is mild, families with young children may not want to have this kind of breed of dog in their homes. The reason is that Chihuahuas are very delicate, and they can be easily injured.
What Can I Expect When Caring For My Chihuahua Puppy?
When caring for your Chihuahua puppy, we should keep a few things in mind. Their training tactics, food, and exercise must be considered.
Let us look at these in more detail.
Grooming
No, it is not hard to groom your Chihuahua, but you do need to set aside time to do it. The long-haired Chihuahua will require different grooming as compared to the shorthaired variety.
You must regularly bathe your puppy and brush their coat. If you have the long-hair type, then you need to make sure that their coat does not tangle up and that you brush at least 3-4 times a week.
All varieties of Chihuahuas should have their nails trimmed, and their ears cleaned. You should also be brushing your teeth daily. Ask your veterinarian about dog treats that will encourage dental health.
Exercise
When it comes to exercise for the Chihuahua, the good news is that your puppy is probably getting enough of it at home. If you are unable to take your puppy out for regular walks, you may still be good. The reason is that Chihuahua exerts a lot of themselves at home by running around.
If you see your puppy panting quite a bit when you take them out for a walk, then you should probably carry them.
Training
Your Chihuahua can be trained despite its stubborn personality. You should be firm but not too stern when disciplining your puppy. If you start early on to establish good habits, it will make it easier for you to teach your puppy good manners later on in life.
Sometimes dog owners think, the smaller the dog, the less training is required. But that is not the case. Your Chihuahua still needs to be trained. Chihuahuas have some trademark behaviors that can be brought under control with proper training.
Their high-pitched bark is notorious, and all Chihuahua owners are familiar with it. Sometimes, though excessive barking may mean your dog is under stimulated, suffering from separation anxiety, and needs physical activity. Therefore, it’s important to keep your dog busy and involved with activities.
What can you do?
- Take them for daily walks.
- Play games with your Chihuahua like fetch, hide and seek, puzzle toys, etc.
- Teach them new tricks like roll over, play dead, salute, etc.
- Train them to remain calm by rewarding calm and quiet behavior.
- Train them to be on their own when home alone as they can get quite anxious by leaving them alone for shorter periods of time in a safe environment and then gradually increasing the duration.
Nutrition
You need to be careful not to overfeed your Chihuahua. Since it is a small breed, overfeeding can cause obesity quite quickly.
Be careful not to give too many table scraps or eyeball the amount of food you are giving to your Chihuahua. By not measuring the food, you can be over-feeding, and this will result in weight problems for your pet.
Sometimes the amount of food that our Chihuahua is eating looks less to us, but it is the right amount. On average, a Chihuahua should be eating about 200 calories a day.
It’s better to be safe as obesity in Chihuahua can cause knee problems. Moreover, choosing the right dog food is essential; only feed organic and high-quality chow to your Chihuahua as low-quality dog food can cause diabetes, heart problems, and kidney failure.
Common FAQ’s About Chihuahua Puppies
Why Chihuahuas are so aggressive?
Chihuahuas are sometimes considered aggressive because they are very protective of their owners and their territory. They also want to protect themselves.
However, they are not more aggressive than your average dog breed; they just have a bad rep.
You can train your puppy to not be aggressive and bark by giving treats and not putting them in situations where they feel defensive.
Aggressive barking is a famous trait of Chihuahuas. Their bark is rather harsh, even if they are small. It is a good idea to have soundproof walls and rooms if you plan on keeping a Chihuahua.
Is a Chihuahua a good family dog?
Generally, Chihuahuas are good family dogs. But it depends on the age of your children.
If you have very small children, then this specific breed of dog may not be suitable. As this dog has small bones and is delicate, small children can injure the dog. I
if you can teach small children to handle the Chihuahua properly, then it is possible to keep this breed of a dog even if you have small kids. Other breeds that are good for small children include Labradors and Terriers.
Are Chihuahuas good for first-time owners?
Yes, Chihuahuas are good for first-time pet owners.
They are small and require little grooming. They can travel easily and do not require a large amount of time for exercise. As a first-time owner, you want to get a pet that will be easy for you to manage.
If you have a hectic work life, then a Chihuahua would be a first-time pet as you can leave an adult Chihuahua at home alone. For a puppy, you would need to take care not to leave them for long periods.
Are our Chihuahua puppies hard to train?
No, Chihuahuas are not hard to train. They are very intelligent dogs and can pick up tricks very easily. You just need to make sure that they do not feel that they are not in charge.
A good tip is to take your Chihuahua puppy everywhere you go. This means that whenever you are in a social setting, you should take your pup with you so that they get used to being around people.
Another great tip is to always end social time or walk time with a treat. This way, you are rewarding good behavior, and your smart Chihuahua puppy will catch on.
Can Chihuahuas be left alone?
Yes, Chihuahuas can be left alone, but there are some things you must remember. Adult Chihuahuas can be left for 8-10 hours alone at home. You need to make sure basic needs are met like food, water, and a potty place.
If you can also walk and play with them before you leave, that is better. For puppies, however, you should not leave them for more than 2 hours. They should be confined and provided again with necessities.
It is better to hire a sitter if you are planning on leaving your puppy for more than 2 hours.
Is A Chihuahuas the Dog for You?
Thinking of getting a Chihuahua puppy? Well, now, you know what kind of Chihuahua they are and what you should keep in mind when getting one.
It is a good idea to research and shop around before you get your Chihuahua puppy to make sure you know what kind of kind Chihuahua you want. With so many different sizes and types, having a general idea of what kind you are looking for will help you make your final decision.
If the Chihuahua is not the dog for you, consider the American Hairless Terrier.
