Chihuahua
About the Chihuahua
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Toy (under 10 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 5-8" |
| Weight | 3-6 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Low (under 30 min/day)
20 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $500-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $800/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Chihuahuas may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Families with Small Children
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Chihuahua
The story behind the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua takes its name from the Mexican state where American travelers encountered small native dogs in the mid-nineteenth century. Its ancestry is generally traced to the Techichi, a small companion dog kept by the Toltec and later Aztec civilizations, though the details of its descent remain debated by historians. Whatever the exact lineage, small dogs of this type persisted in Mexico for centuries before being brought north, where they attracted fanciers in the United States. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in the early twentieth century, and popularity grew steadily thereafter, boosted at times by celebrity and media attention. Today the Chihuahua is one of the world's most recognizable toy breeds, kept purely as a companion.
Originally bred for: Companion, Lapdog, Watchdog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Chihuahua
Tiny mouths and crowded teeth do best with small kibble or a softened texture. Very young or very small individuals benefit from frequent little meals that keep energy steady, while adults need firm treat limits to avoid becoming round.
Watch for: Dental crowding and tartar make chew texture an ongoing consideration, and rich table scraps commonly bring vomiting or loose stools in dogs this size. No breed-wide allergy is established. Let a veterinarian oversee dietary adjustments.
Start with the Chihuahua feeding guide, then compare our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Chihuahua
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.
Want the long read? Our full Chihuahua breed profile covers temperament and living needs in depth.