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.
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.
Cathy Bendzunas
Pet Blogger
I agree, chihuahuas do make good watch dogs! My girls always alert me when anyone is coming to the door, even before anyone knocks or rings the doorbell! Some years ago when my daughter had her first chi (a beautiful chocolate named Sassy Girl), a man broke into her apartment when she was home. Her chi attacked the man. He kicked her away, but she came right back at him and was biting his legs! After that, he ran back out the door. I have no idea what that man had in mind (whether he was going to assault my daughter or rob the place or even something worse), but I credit Sassy Girl with saving the day! Sassy Girl lived to be a little past 15 years old. She was a real sweetheart!
Yes they are wonderful dogs they love to snuggle and mine loves chicken so funny how much.
The teenager’s mood improves vastly from some chi-therapy time!
Maybe it’s because we have a big family and lots of visitirs, but out little girl is delighted by strangers who will hold and cuddle her, and every family member is her favorite! While she knows when to run to Nanny (me, the live-in Grandmother) when things get too crazy with the six year old, she adores him and especially loves story time at night when we gather in Nanny’s bed for snuggle time. She never forgets a friendly face and gets insanely excited when relatives and friends drop by. In fact, to my surprise, our little chi (found freezing and covered with fleas last year as a tiny little thing when the family went to the pumpkin patch) could have been trained as a therapy dog she is so attuned to the needs of each family member. I am disabled and some days bedridden and she may wander around to play with the other dogs or people but will come back frequently to check on “Nanny” and give my a few kisses and cuddles. If the teenager come in pouting and moody because she’s had a bad day, it doesn’t take long for Me. Gizzy’s antics and enthusiasm to brighten her up. She rough houses with the six year old and the two big labs but seems to know exactly when to retire if things get too crazy. My son in law says she is the “best thing that happened to us in 2018” and is delighted that she cares so much after he comes in from a hard day. We have a big chaise lounge near out front door and she’s figured out she is taller than the big dogs if she climbs up on the arm to greet visitors and family members coming in. I will say she is great with kids in part due to so much early socialization – from attending little league games to 20 teen girls coming over for frequent slumber parties. While we’ve been protective due to her small size, we’ve always let children and visitors hold and play with her – as long as she is comfortable – and with supervision. Its a rough and tumble household with two other great big dogs do we’ve found just letting her “be a dog” and not allowing people to overly fawn or tote her around all the time has been a factor because we’ve found – she really is a “real” dog and basically wants the same thinga that make our lab boys happy. Having grown up in a multiple dog home and with a houseful of “big dog” rescues myself, all my life, I will say our “Gizmo”. Who has morphed into the name “Ms Gizzy” , is one of the best dogs I’ve ever owned. She is also one of most perceptive and intelligent. She really has been a great big blessing and we now couldn’t imagine life without our spirited little chi!
I realize it’s hard to believe but they also make awesome service dogs for PTSD and yes just like any breed there are some that just don’t pass the test my Sasha who is a short haired Chihuahua passed a two year course in only eight months
That’s awesome Caryl! I can believe it. Chis are so in-tune to us.
Would like to know where you got the training for your dog. My dog is a Service dog.
Me? I just trained them myself. They just know the basics. I’d like to take them to classes and get some more training.
Myth Dogs hate mailman
My MIA greets him and because of her he will take time to deliver mail right to me. I am disabled. His reward is a big hello from Mia.
Mine bark like crazy when the mailman comes to the door.
Mine bark like crazy when anyone comes to the door!
Yeah mine do too, even if they know them, until they come in the house.
Same with mine – but they bark until the people sit down. They don’t like visitors standing!
I wonder if that’s because people look bigger to them when they are standing and therefore more of a threat.
I agree with everything except the health issues. I got a rescue and she has more maintenance than larger dogs. Her teeth, nails and anal gland have been expensive. She is worth it, but the constant expenses were a surprise. I only have had large dogs before this.
I’m sorry your chi is having so many health issues. They don’t all have those issues. My 2 are pretty healthy (knock on wood).
Love ,love,love these articles….Thank you !
I’m glad you liked them!
We have 2 chihuahua’s. I love them so much. We adopted 3 from a shelter in 2015 and they were all related. We had 3 generations. We had Grammy Grace who was exactly very graceful in the way she walked and was so gentle. We lost Grammy in July 2020 to Mammary Cancer. Her age was e
estimated at 7 yrs when we got her. She was a big chihuahua at 21 pounds when we got her. She passed nearly 5 years later a few months before she would have been 12 years old. Mamma Miracle is still with us and is now age 11. She was 14 pounds when we adopted her and still is the same weight. Our youngest Baby Angel is 8 years old. She was 5 pounds when we got her. But her rib cage looked so bad. The vet and shelter said her weight was fine. We found out by watching all 3 that other dogs were not letting her eat. She is now 10 pounds and looks good. She is the true loving one of the bunch. When we adopted these dogs, we had no idea how many problems we would go through. We got them with 2 types of worms, one that can affect other organs. We realized this when Grammy had bleeding her first night with us. We tested the others to find two still had puppy worms at this age along with other issues. The shelter had agreed to lay for medical so that did help. Then Grammy developed Mammary Tumors which were removed. However they returned in a different location a few years later. We opted not to put her through surgery again. Mamma had an eye that waa so dry that we had to finally have it removed after a year. But you would never know she only has one eye!! We now are noticing what is either scar tissue from when she was spayed or she too has the same tumors. Baby came to us with an eye bleeding but it stopped on it’s own. She has a scar right in the center of one eye. On top of that they all have severe digestion problems. The shelter did not keep their end of bargain and cancelled all their local vets. The vet they chose was 4 hours away and we were not happy with the distance. So my dogs have problems but I do not think they ever had good care. This has however made us reconsider ever again getting a chihuahua from. Shelter. In addition they all had severe digestive issues and as much as we have tried cannot seem to get anywhere with any potty training. They so go outside when weather permits, but overall we get nowhere. This was not a good first experience with a shelter. We love our chi’s Nd would never give them up but not thinking we would ever go through a shelter again. I consider that sad since chi’s are the number 1 of 2 dogs put down. I am saddened by this. We have them on pepcid twice as vet told us but it does not seem to work. Any suggestions for what these poor chi’s are going through?? Thank you!
No, sorry Brenda. I have no idea what could be causing their digestive issues but I wonder if it has something to do with having worms for so long.
Poor babies, it doesn’t sound like they had an easy life. I’m so glad they found you. So many others would have given them back to the shelter.
Chihuahuas are to most killed dog breed in kill shelters…
Actually they are the second breed most likely to be euthanized. Pitbulls are the first.
Yes very great for us like me I have MS and live alone now and when she hears any sound outside or anything in the next room she barks her little mouth off. IV had her since she was 7 weeks old so I’m all she knows and Shes so spoiled its not funny and when I say spoiled I meen it. I hold her dish when she eats and I don’t mind or care she has her doggy treats her chew bones and her wet and dry dog food and clothing she’s ready to go. Roxy is my little angel
And glad you have each other Rikki!
I enjoy your Tuesday letter with fun things about Chi’s and Chi mixes.
Thanks for the Special Ed !
I hope you will be okay with any and all challenges you are facing. I pray you will find your steel and grow strong. Hang in there, Cathy.
Thank you Jane!
Hello I have 8 Chihuahuas Tiny is 13yrs black&tan Cocoa is 12yrs red&tan
Rosie is 11yrs white Sable
Bear is 10 yrs black
Runt is 9yrs tan sable
Dash is 7yrs tan Sable
Pebbles 7yrs silver marble
Prancer 3yrs black&tan longhair
My Chihuahuas are pretty healthy they have there oun personalities they are one big happy family yes they will let u know when someone is around,They are mice hunters to they will kill a mouse if it gets in the house lol,they all have there oun sweaters and coats when it gets cold for them,They have pillow and blankets to snuggle up in but most of all they love snuggling up to there momma in the bed. We also have Topaz a blue meral great Dane,plott mix she was raised with the chi’s I think she thinks she is one but way bigger lol Like that movie the ugly dash hound,I take Topaz and Bear squirrel hunting with me Bear goes crazy for squirrels so never under estimate a Chihuahua they are smart longs u pay attention to them take the time to train them they are great dogs don’t know what I do without my fur babies spoiled rotten I have all there paw prints and a picture of them, I can’t imagine my life without them. My Chihuahua warriors
It sounds like a wonderful life with all your fur babies Catherine!
Love chiwahwas there like babies had one that passed away want another one
Yes, chiweenies are great little dogs!
Kathy, I just LOVE your blog and look forward to it all the time! Thanks so much for all you share about Chis. I have sure learned a lot about my little Bella Caoimhe….Bella is Italian for beautiful and Caoimhe in Irish is Joy…so she is my beautiful joy! She turns 14 in December. I got her out of a shopping cart at a local market. She is a mix of Chi and Dachshund so I say she is a Dachsahuahua or Chiwachshund!!!Ha…ha…! Enjoy your trip to Virginia…happy trails to you!!
Thanks Tomeli! I love that her name means Beautiful joy!