Chihuahuas – Do They Make Good Pets?
These small, but mighty, little dogs are popular with many dog lovers and for good reason. These petite pooches have larger than life personalities, but do they make good pets? Read our Holidays4Dogs article to find out.
These tiny, little dogs – the smallest breed in the world, in fact – only top around 5 – 6 lbs, but they can pack a real personality punch! They are super active, but they don’t require a lot of space, so they’re ideal for people who live in smaller homes. The only problem with that is, you may end up with more than one.
Chihuahua personality.
These cheeky little monkeys are smart, very loving and bond to their human family very well. While they enjoy sitting on people’s laps and snoozing, they are also pretty active and vigilant. As a result, they can be reactive and barking is a typical trait in chihuahuas. With their cute looks and charming natures, it can be easy to over-look training, so the clever chi can be remarkably skilled at getting their own way.
Without positive socialisation and training, chihuahuas can become difficult to handle and fearful of novel situations, other dogs and people. This also means, without careful handling, they can become snappy – even towards their owners.
Therefore, its really important to get this right, as soon as your new tiny bundle arrives home. Provide lots of positive socialisation, so that your dog becomes comfortable in all sorts of settings.
It’s really crucial that all their experiences are positive ones. Avoid contact with boisterous dogs, particularly large breeds. Instead, arrange ‘play dates’ with calm, sociable dogs.
Chihuahuas make excellent pets for older people, but care must be taken with small children. Chis are sensitive souls and don’t like rough handling, or noisy households. In addition, they are delicate and can easily be injured underfoot.
While many people think small dogs can’t be trained – this is a myth. Toy breeds are just as capable of learning the ground rules and new skills. They are, in fact, very bright and often do well in dog sports, such as agility – (over courses made for smaller breeds). They also like a fair bit of exercise – while many may think they are happy with playing in the garden, many chihuahuas enjoy long country walks as much as any breed of dog. All in all, with the correct upbringing and approach, chihuahua can be very loyal and loving family companions.
Chihuahua health.
There are a few health conditions that can affect this breed. Chihuahuas are particularly prone to dental disease. They can also suffer from heart disease, hypersensitivity to protein particles such as pollen, tracheal weakness, kneecap problems, issues with giving birth naturally and hydrocephalus (water on the brain).
Many of these inherited diseases are due to the conformation of the chihuahua relating to poor breeding practices. Some chihuahuas have tiny heads which cause fluid on the brain, for example. It is, therefore, important to locate a reputable breeder who chooses healthy parents when producing puppies.
What other special needs do chihuahuas have?
Like many toy breeds, chihuahuas can suffer if they get too cold. Small dogs can have trouble regulating their heat due to their low body mass. This means they can be prone to hypothermia, so it’s a good idea for your little pal to wear a coat during cold, wet weather during the winter months.
In addition, because tiny dogs have a metabolic rate and require more glucose for their size than their larger cousins, they can also suffer from hypoglycaemia.
This condition can be triggered by cold, stress, over exertion, missing meals, or not enough fluid intake. Therefore, its a good idea to make sure your chi has several smaller meals over the day and always has water to hand – especially while out walking.
As they are so delicate, it’s important that chis are protected from injuries and accidents. Simply being stepped on can cause a lot of damage. Their delicate necks and potential for tracheal weakness, means they are better walked in a harness, rather than a collar.
What types of chihuahua are there?
The kennel club recognises two types of chihuahua. The long and short coated. Unofficially, enthusiasts further categorise these little dogs into ‘deer head’ and ‘apple head’ groups. Apple head chis have small, but broad rounded heads, – rather like – yes, you guessed it – apples. Apple heads tend to be smaller in size.
Deer heads, on the other hand, have narrower heads and less prominent eyes. They are usually a little more different in stature, with longer legs and larger bodies.
What is a ‘tea-cup’ chihuahua?
You may have heard this term in relation to chihuahuas as a breed. However, this is not a recognised term.
It is often used by breeders, as a means of advertising their puppies and trying to add value. Indeed, breeding dogs that are super tiny, is not good – so, avoid anyone selling puppies advertised as ‘tea-cups’ chihuahuas.
Tiny, apple head chihuahuas are often born with moleras. This is a soft sot on top of the skull, which as they get older usually closes up – but not always.
While the moleras isn’t harmful in itself, care should be taken as head injuries can be more dangerous for affected dogs.
Final thoughts.
If you’re thinking of adding a chihuahua to your family, do plenty of research beforehand. If you’ve not had one before, but have perhaps had larger breeds in the past – a chi can take a bit of getting used to.
Other than that, if you are looking for a dog with bags of personality, you won’t go far wrong with a chihuahua. They are exceptionally good at developing very strong bonds with their human family. They endear themselves to so many people – even when they’re barking and being silly – they are still cute with it and easily forgiven!
We have loads of Holidays4Dogs carers who adore having little dogs to stay – even if they do have the odd foible ( the dogs, not the carers!). If you want reliable, safe and experienced dog care for your chihuahua – give us a call to arrange a visit with someone local to you.
