Chihuahua dog breed: temperament, care, health, and cost

Tiny, expressive, and carrying a personality several sizes too big for their body, the Chihuahua is one of the most popular apartment dogs in the U.S., and one of the most misunderstood. A lot of what people blame on the breed (yapping, defensive nipping, fear of other dogs) has less to do with genetics and more to do with treating a Chihuahua like an accessory instead of a dog.

Below you’ll find the breed’s key numbers from the AKC and FCI standards, what their temperament is really like, how much exercise and food they need, the health problems to watch for, which health tests a puppy’s parents should have, what a Chihuahua costs, and why adoption is worth a serious look.

Quick facts

Chihuahua history

The breed is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where American travelers and breeders began buying these tiny dogs in the mid-1800s. They quickly caught on north of the border, and the American Kennel Club registered its first Chihuahua in 1904.

The most popular theory links the breed to the Techichi, a small dog that shows up in Toltec art and was later kept by the Aztecs. How directly today’s Chihuahua descends from it, and whether small European dogs were mixed in along the way, is still debated, so take any story that presents the breed’s origin as settled fact with a grain of salt.

Movies, TV, and celebrity culture made Chihuahuas a pop icon in the 20th century. That fame had a downside: mass breeding with little attention to health, and a demand for ever-smaller dogs that has left many Chihuahuas with avoidable problems.

Chihuahua temperament: what they’re like at home

Chihuahuas are intensely bonded dogs. Most pick one or two favorite people and follow them from room to room. They crave contact and warmth, so don’t be surprised if yours burrows under every blanket in the house or settles into your lap for the evening.

They’re also alert and wary of strangers. A Chihuahua will announce every footstep in the hallway and may bark at guests until they’ve earned trust. Well socialized, they’re confident and outgoing; poorly socialized, they tend to see the world as threatening and defend themselves accordingly.

“Small dog syndrome” isn’t a diagnosis. It’s what happens when a small dog is raised differently than a big one would be: scooped up at every new sight, growls laughed off as cute, signs of discomfort ignored. Treat a Chihuahua like a real dog and you’ll usually get a real dog back.

Chihuahuas and kids

The breed’s biggest limitation with children is fragility. A fall from a child’s arms or an accidental step can break a leg. That’s why Chihuahuas aren’t the best fit for families with toddlers. If you do have kids at home:

• Have children pet the dog while sitting on the floor, never while standing and holding it.
• Teach them the signs a dog wants space (turning away, lip licking, showing the whites of the eyes) and to let the dog walk away.
• Give the dog a retreat, like a bed or open crate, where no one bothers it.

A Chihuahua that feels cornered or hurt may bite to protect itself. That isn’t a bad temperament; it’s the only tool the dog has left.

With other dogs and pets

Chihuahuas usually do well with other Chihuahuas and with small, gentle dogs. With big dogs the bigger risk is rough play rather than fighting: a playful shove from a 65-lb dog can injure them. They can live happily with cats when introductions are gradual.

Training and socializing a Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are smart and learn quickly with positive reinforcement and tiny treats. Several 3–5 minute sessions a day beat one long session.

Puppy priorities for this breed:

1. Socialization between about 3 and 12–14 weeks of age: people of all ages, city noises, different surfaces, calm and vaccinated dogs. It’s the best prevention for fear and nuisance barking. Our guide to properly socializing a puppy walks you through it.
2. Potty training: it’s harder than with big breeds because their bladders are tiny and many Chihuahuas hate cold and rain. Take your puppy out often (after waking, eating, and playing) and reward every success on the spot.
3. Letting them walk: picking your Chihuahua up every time another dog or a loud noise appears keeps them from learning the world is safe. Save it for real danger.
4. Handling: get them used to having their mouth, paws, and ears touched early. You’ll be glad when it’s time to brush teeth or trim nails.

How much exercise does a Chihuahua need?

Small doesn’t mean couch-only. A Chihuahua needs 2–3 walks a day totaling 30–60 minutes, with time to sniff, plus play at home. Short, frequent outings work better than one long hike.

A few breed-specific precautions:

• Use a harness instead of a collar: Chihuahuas have fragile tracheas, and leash pressure on the neck can damage them. Our harness vs. collar guide explains how to choose.
• Cold: with so little body mass, many start shivering below about 50 °F (10 °C). A well-fitted sweater or coat is a real help, not a fashion statement.
• Heat: hot pavement is hard on them too. In summer, walk early in the morning and late in the evening.
• Jumping: leaping off the couch or bed every day adds up on their knees and spine. A ramp or pet steps help.

Grooming, nails, and dental care

Smooth coats need a weekly once-over with a rubber grooming mitt or soft bristle brush. Long coats need brushing 2–3 times a week, especially behind the ears, on the chest, and on the “pants” of the back legs, where mats form. Both coat types shed; long coats don’t shed less, the hair is just easier to spot. A bath every 4–8 weeks with a dog shampoo is plenty.

Nails barely wear down on such a light dog, so check them every 3–4 weeks.

Teeth are the breed’s weak spot. Chihuahuas have 42 teeth packed into a tiny jaw, so they crowd, trap food, and build tartar early. Daily brushing from puppyhood is ideal; here’s how to brush your dog’s teeth step by step. Around 6–7 months, make sure all the baby teeth have fallen out: retained baby canines are very common in the breed and often need to be extracted.

Feeding a Chihuahua

An adult Chihuahua weighing 4.4 lb (2 kg) needs roughly 140–190 calories a day, depending on activity level and whether they’re spayed or neutered. With a typical dry food, that’s often somewhere around 1/3 to 1/2 cup a day, but check the calories per cup on your bag, because they vary widely. It’s a small amount, so every extra counts.

• Puppies: 3–4 meals a day until 4–6 months because of the risk of low blood sugar, then 2 meals.
• Small kibble: a toy- or small-breed formula is easier to chew.
• Treats: keep them under 10% of daily calories. For a 4-lb dog, one cube of cheese is a big chunk of that budget.
• Weight: a few ounces over is a lot in proportion. Extra weight makes knee, trachea, and heart problems worse.

Chihuahua health problems

Chihuahuas are long-lived, but they’re predisposed to several conditions. A breed risk doesn’t mean your dog will get sick; responsible breeding and regular checkups lower the odds considerably.

Many Chihuahua puppies have a molera, a soft spot in the skull where the bones haven’t fully closed. The AKC standard allows it. It often closes with age, but in some dogs it never does; that spot needs protecting, and your vet should check it, especially if it’s large or there are neurological signs.

Health tests to ask for in the parents: a patella evaluation, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and a cardiac evaluation. These are the screenings the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) lists for the breed. Ask the breeder for the actual results, not just “the parents are healthy.”

Is a Chihuahua right for you?

A Chihuahua is a great match if:

• You live in an apartment, even a small one, and want a dog that can go almost everywhere with you.
• You’re home a lot (remote work, retirement) and want a very close companion.
• You’re willing to socialize and train them and take care of their teeth every day.

It’s probably not the right breed if:

• You have toddlers or a very hectic household.
• You want a running buddy or a partner for long mountain hikes.
• You’re regularly gone more than 6–8 hours a day.

If you’re weighing several small breeds, see our list of the best small dog breeds for apartments and our guide on how to choose the right dog for your lifestyle.

How much does a Chihuahua cost? Price and adoption

In the U.S., a Chihuahua puppy from a reputable breeder who health-tests usually costs roughly $1,000–$3,000, and show-line puppies can cost more. Prices vary a lot by region and breeder. Be wary of bargain prices: they often mean no health testing, puppies taken from their mother too early, or high-volume commercial breeding.

Before you buy, ask to meet the mother, see the health test results, and get a written contract. Puppies shouldn’t go home before 8 weeks, and many toy-breed breeders wait until 10–12 weeks.

Adoption is a great alternative. Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes are among the breeds you’ll see most often in U.S. shelters, especially in California and the Southwest, and breed-specific rescues place many adults whose personalities are already known. Adoption fees typically run about $50–$300 and usually include vaccines, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Our guide to adopting a dog covers the process.

Frequently asked questions

How long do Chihuahuas live?

Most live 14–16 years, and it’s not unusual for one to reach 18. The biggest factors you control are dental care (chronic gum infection affects the whole body), keeping them lean, and catching heart disease early with yearly vet visits, which should become twice-yearly once your dog reaches about 8–9 years old.

Are Chihuahuas aggressive?

Not by nature. What they do have is a low threshold for defending themselves when scared or hurt, because almost everything is bigger than they are. Most Chihuahuas with a reputation for biting were under-socialized or learned that growling gets ignored. Respecting their body language and socializing them well as puppies makes a huge difference.

What’s the difference between a smooth coat and a long coat Chihuahua?

Only the coat. Both follow the same standard and have the same temperament. Long coats need more brushing to prevent mats behind the ears and on the back legs. Neither is hypoallergenic, and both shed; smooth coats drop short, fine hairs that weave into fabric and can actually be more noticeable.

Can a Chihuahua be left alone?

They can learn to stay alone for a few hours, but their strong attachment makes them prone to separation anxiety if they’ve never practiced. Start with absences of just a few minutes, leave a sniffing toy or stuffed food toy, and build up gradually. As a rule of thumb, an adult shouldn’t regularly spend more than 6–8 hours alone.

Do Chihuahuas need sweaters?

In winter, many do. With little body fat and a thin coat, they lose heat fast, and a shivering dog doesn’t get much out of a walk. Choose a sweater or coat that covers the chest and back without pinching under the front legs, and take it off indoors. On mild days they don’t need one.

Sources

• American Kennel Club (AKC): official Chihuahua breed standard and breed profile.
• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): Chihuahueño breed standard No. 218.
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): recommended breed health screenings under the CHIC program.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, and hypoglycemia in dogs.
• Chihuahua Club of America: breed health and responsible breeding information.