Chihuahua Facts and Myths

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Check out our main post that showcases all our chihuahua facts articles!

Facts About this Breed

In size, this breed of dog is one of the tiniest known to man—he only weighs between two and 8 pounds (AKC standards say no more than 6 pounds). His average height is also just as tiny—between six and 9 inches, total.

An idea of the breed’s traits:

• Apple-shaped head (although there are deer head chihuahuas too!)
• Short, stocky body that is just slightly longer than his tail
• Large, round eyes
• This breed’s muzzle is short and just slightly pointed
• Cocky—they don’t realize their tiny size in relation to larger breeds
• Energetic and lively, ready to play all day long
• Not too “yappy,” but will give you their opinions
• Quick and nimble on their feet
• Easily portable

While they aren’t “yappy,” (well, some are yappy) they are outspoken and will let you know how they feel about their food and that visitor that just knocked at the front door. They make great watch dogs.

This little breed is best suited for single people, those who are housebound and elderly people.

They don’t need to spend lots of time outside, exercising. If you are elderly or housebound, chis are ideal for you.

In addition, Chihuahuas love to snuggle up to us, sleep by us or follow us from one room to the next.

If you are away, they will protect your home with every ounce of determination they have—they will bark at anyone who knocks at your door.

Because this particular breed is so small, they feel the cold more. Invest in a few small doggie sweaters, especially if you plan to walk outside.

Myths About the Chihuahua Breed

This special breed comes with a lot of myths. Let’s explore them.

Chihuahuas can be kept outdoors.

No! They cannot. They feel the cold easily and they much prefer closeness to their humans.

They love (crave) attention from us, so living inside is the best thing for them.

I don’t know if I like Chihuahuas. They yap so much and seem so high-strung.

Also false. Depending on how they have been trained, this breed can actually be very well-behaved and quiet.

If left alone to their own devices, then they will become loud and react strongly to stimuli in their environment.

They are wary of strangers and will bark at them. As long as we give them a good amount of attention, training and love, they will reward us with good behavior and lots of nose kisses.

Chihuahuas don’t need to be socialized.

Wrong! This goes to what we talked about above. They need to be given lots of attention from their humans—us.

They also need to be introduced to new situations. If we start socializing our pups at birth up to about 12 weeks of age, they will easily adjust. (We should allow them to be with their mother for at least eight weeks after birth.)

Chihuahuas are sensitive to cold.

Yes, they are! Both the short and long-haired breeds feel the cold more. We shouldn’t take them walking outside for more than 15 minutes at a time when it’s between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If we have to, then walks should be short enough for them to do their business and they should wear a sweater.

Chihuahuas are not good with children.

Wrong. As long as you socialize your Chi with young children and ensure that the children treat your chihuahua right, they will be very loving with young ones.

Be careful! We should monitor young children when they are near our Chihuahuas so they do not accidentally hurt them and never leave a young child alone with your small dog.

Chihuahuas aren’t safe around bigger animals.

False. We can train our Chihuahuas to be safe around bigger dogs. We need to train them to be watchful for big dogs running or approaching quickly.

Chihuahuas tend to shiver.

Yes. They aren’t always cold. It’s their high metabolism that makes them shiver. Also, if they are too excited, cold, scared or unsure they will shiver.

Chihuahuas are good watchdogs.

Definitely! Their high level of alertness and natural wariness around strangers make them ideal watch pets.

Chihuahuas are so expensive.

Well, that depends. Buying from a conscientious breeder means you may pay $1,00-$3,000; adopting a shelter Chihuahua means you may spend $300, tops after all medical procedures are completed.

Chihuahuas don’t shed.

Wrong. We will find their hair all over our homes, especially at the beginning of spring and in the autumn.

Chihuahuas love to burrow.

Yes! Pile a few blankets in his favorite spot so he can slide under, warm up, and nap.

Chihuahuas have lots of health problems.

False. They don’t have any more health problems than other breeds. Chihuahuas do tend to have some health issues though.

Many of the issues they do have come from poor breeding practices and the ever increasing quest to breed a smaller chihuahua.

Chihuahuas don’t live very long.

False. Chihuahuas live longer than any other breed. Their average lifespan is now reported to be 12 to 20 years! But I have known some that lived even longer.

I don’t have to worry about my Chihuahua getting pregnant until she is a year old.

Wrong. Smaller dogs mature faster than larger dogs. A chihuahua can get pregnant as early as 6 months.

Laying a Chihuahua over my chest will take away my asthma.

False. This is an old belief and I doubt many people believe this anymore. I can attest that this isn’t true. I have asthma and my chihuahuas have set on my chest plenty of times and I still have asthma.

Chihuahuas hate mail carriers (and other delivery drivers).

False. Well not all of them hate them. One of our commenters mentioned that her chi loves the mailman. Also see the video above of a sweet love story of a postman and a little Chihuahua.

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So have you heard any of these myths? If you know of any others that aren’t on here, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them to this post.