Pros and Cons of Owning a Chihuahua

Share this post!

Chihuahuas are cute, furry, little dogs that have stolen the hearts of many dog owners. They are small in size, but owning a Chihuahua is a big responsibility. 

Before deciding, you should analyze all the pros and cons of Chihuahuas. Here we provide you with all the relevant information so that you can make an educated decision.

This is a guest post from Linda from Pawsome Talk.

Pros of Owning a Chihuahua

1. Chihuahuas are adorable and cute.

Chis are the cutest dog breed I have ever seen. They are so sweet and small that they can easily get fit into your arm or lap. They are very loyal and caring. It is fun to be with them and watch them playing for long periods of time. They are very affectionate. They will love you unconditionally.

2. They are excellent pets if you are living in an apartment.

The average weight of a Chihuahua is 3-6 pounds. They do not require large spaces or fields to play. Your home can provide a lot of space for your dog to run, roam about and exercise.

3. Chis are good watch dogs.

Chihuahuas have excellent eyesight and hearing capabilities and having them around provides security at home. It will alert you if a stranger enters or trespasses into the house.

They are considered great watch dogs. You will feel less stress about burglars sneaking in with these little guys around.

4. They are good learners and can be taught to use the litter box.

I trained my Chihuahua to use the litter box inside my home. You tell them once that they have to litter here, they will obey you. Use newspaper or organic material inside the litter box.

5. This pet dog is easy to groom.

Do you fancy having a well-groomed puppy? It takes only a few minutes to groom your Chihuahua. You just need to give them a refreshing bath and trim their nails regularly. As this dog has short hair, minimal time is required for brushing their coat. Long-haired Chihuahuas take a little more time but are much easier to groom than some other breeds.

6. They have a longer lifespan.

The Chihuahua lifespan is between 11 and 20 years. Many live more than 15 years. The longer these dogs live, the longer you will be able to love and nurture them.

7. They are the perfect travel buddy.

Chihuahuas are small in size. Traveling with these cute, furry canines is very easy. They are so small that they can fit in a lady’s handbag. They love to travel with their masters and can become comfortable within small spaces. Therefore, carrying them along is convenient.

8. They are super intelligent dogs.

Chihuahuas are easy to train. They are intelligent and learn quickly. 

Cons of Owning a Chihuahua

1. Chihuahuas are fragile; you must take extra care of them.

The Chihuahua is a comparatively weak dog and can easily get injured. They can hurt themselves even when falling from a couch, so special care must be required. For instance, I ensure that my Chi doesn’t linger around electric cords, fences, heights, and large beasts. I watch him constantly to prevent injury.

2. You have to keep them warm.

This dog needs warmth to stay happy and healthy. Chis love a warm climate, and will have extra needs in a cold climate. You must put some clothes on them if you are going out with them in the cold.

3. The Chihuahua has the tendency to bond with a single person in the family.

Yes, my Chi is closer to my mother more than anyone else in my family. You must have noticed the same in your house as well. They usually aren’t family dogs as they are not able to create a bond with the entire family.

Chihuahua behavior problems are not usually an issue, but if they feel uncomfortable or threatened, they can nip or bite. However, if this dog is raised and socialized from an early stage, they are excellent pets.

Children may not be able to take care of a Chihuahua puppy or even an adult dog. A simple and rough handling can easily harm him. Most Chihuahuas do not get along well with the young children as they fear they will get hurt. Chihuahuas must be handled with care.

4. This pet dog barks a lot.

Chihuahuas are not the best choice of a pet if you are living in a location where silence is required. If the walls of your house are not thick enough, the barking sound will go outside the house.

As for Chihuahua temperament, they are very particular about their territory and the place where they live. They don’t adapt well to changes in locations easily, but you can train them to overcome this.

5. They are very sensitive and can have health conditions.

There are two sensitive spots in the body of Chihuahua.

• Melora: It is a soft spot on the skull where the skull does not close fully.
• Patellar Luxation: It is located where kneecap slides in and out of the tendon. This condition causes a lot of discomfort.

Their skeletal system is weak and thin. Avoid letting your Chihuahua to do high impact exercises. These conditions (Melora and Patellar luxation) are easy to control with regular health checkups. They require a lot of attention and care.

Be sure to check out the other chihuahua health problems.

6. Chihuahuas often do not do well with other animals.

Other dogs can hurt them while playing. If another dogs snaps, it can be life-threatening for the Chihuahua.

Chis tend to prefer other chis. Of course there are exceptions and some chihuahuas get along great with other animals in the household. They are prone to eye injuries so think twice before having a cat at home.

My Chi is adorable; no matter how noisy he is at home. I cannot live without him, nor can any of my family members.

Now that you have all the Chihuahua pros and cons, decide for yourself whether or not this dog breed is right for you and your family. For me, they are simply irresistible.

Also Read:

Should your first dog be a chihuahua?