Meet the Chipper Chihuahua Dog Why These Dogs Are Special

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Chihuahua dog photo
Small Breed X-Small Breed Glaucoma Chihuahua

Is the Chihuahua Right for You?

  • 1 Chihuahua dogs are known for their excessive aggressiveness and are not ideal companions for children.
  • 2 They require a gentle and positive approach to training.
  • 3 The Chihuahua breed tends to become obsessive towards their owner and demand much attention.

HISTORY

Boasting a long and rich legacy of 100 years, the Chihuahua takes the credit of being one of the oldest breeds in the whole of the Americas. Considered a sacred animal, they are also the most favored pet of North America. Though commonly considered as a native of Mexico, another theory of origin states that the dog is from Egypt. They are named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Toy/Small

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    Lifespan

    14-18 years

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    Hair Length

    Long, Short

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    Male Height

    6-9 inches at the withers

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    Male Weight

    No more than 6 pounds

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    Female Height

    6-9 inches at the withers

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    Female Weight

    No more than 6 pounds

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    Litter Size

    1-4 puppies, with 2 being the average

Personality

Despite their diminutive size, the Chihuahua has a very large personality. Brave, lively, adventurous, and strong willed, the Chihuahua can be a handful if not properly socialized. They often catch a bad rap for being ‘yappy,’ but most times this is a result of poor parenting. It may not seem like a big deal since they are so tiny, but they should be reprimanded for anything a larger dog would be. Also, just because they are tiny doesn’t mean they don’t require daily walks..

Color

The coloring of a Chihuahua can be any solid, marked, or splashed color.

Health Concerns

With an average lifespan of 15 to 17 years, the Chihuahua breed grows up to an average height of 6-9 inches and weighs 2-6 pounds. To keep them in good health, it is ideal to take them for long walks. Chihuahuas are prone to:

More on Chihuahuas

Chihuahua Health
What Is the Best Puppy Food for a Chihuahua
How to Groom a Long Haired Chihuahua
Training Chihuahuas With Praise & Affection
The Chihuahua: A Tiny Dog, a Big Personality

Appearance

Chihuahuas are the smallest dogs on earth, which makes them extra appealing for people who live in apartments. They have a head that is somewhat larger than the proportions of their body, making them look a little like a walking bobble-head. That, in concert with their even larger eyes and ears, make the Chihuahua seem like it was almost engineered to be adorable.

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  • lars1701c

    11/26/2013 1:26:36 PM

    I want to beg to differ with this article, I have a chi and he is GREAT with children because he was raised around them. Its kind of a Misnomer they are not good with children but children are not good for them. Kids ted to be rough with dogs and since they are tiny they don't like (or the get hurt to easy and get upset) to be manhandled . My dog loves every kid but one that I know of and to this day I don't know what she did to him to make him (always friendly to every dog and kid) dislike her.

    • PetCareAmy

      12/2/2013 7:52:44 PM

      It sounds like you have a great dog who is lucky to have a parent who socialized him well! Whether most chihuahuas lack the temperament to handle children or most children lack the temperament to handle chihuahuas (or both), I think we'd agree that, before adding a dog to the family, responsible adults should consider whether they have the time and ability to train both pet and human children to interact with each other safely.