ToyMexico

Chihuahua

Smallest dog, biggest opinion.

Weight: 2–6 lbs
Height: 5–8 in
Lifespan: 12–16 yrs

In short

The Chihuahua is a toy breed from Mexico, named for the state of Chihuahua and believed to descend from ancient Mesoamerican dogs. Adults weigh 2–6 lbs and often live 12–16 years. They bond hard to one person and need real socialization, or that loyalty turns into snapping at strangers and other dogs.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

live in an apartment or small home
want a devoted, portable companion
will brush teeth daily

Think twice if you…

have toddlers in the house
want a quiet dog
spend long hours in cold weather outdoors

The daily plan

Exercise: 30–60 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 10–25 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10

EnergyActive6.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10

SheddingModerate shedder4.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Apple-domed head
A rounded skull that may keep a soft spot (molera) for life, so handle the head gently.
02
Tiny, fragile frame
Bones break from a fall off a sofa or arms, and tiny bodies chill and drop blood sugar fast.
03
Two coat types
Smooth and long coats, both easy care, though both shed more than you'd expect.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	3–6 lbs	2–6 lbs
Height	5–8 in	5–8 in
Lifespan	12–16 yrs
Coat	Smooth or long coat

Side profile 5–8 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Chihuahuas pick a favorite person and follow them from room to room. They bark at doorbells, footsteps and anything new. They act far bigger than they are, so owners must protect them from their own confidence around big dogs.

With kids

Best with older, gentle children; toddlers can injure them easily, and some will snap if handled roughly.

With other pets

Often prefer other Chihuahuas; can be bossy with bigger dogs, which is risky. Supervise.

With strangers

Wary and often vocal with strangers. Early socialization makes a big difference.

Alone time

Bonds tightly and can bark or fret when alone; build alone time gradually.

Training

Chihuahuas are smart and learn quickly with food, but they are sensitive and opinionated. Short, gentle, consistent sessions work best.

How often

2–3 sessions of 5–10 minutes a day, ending each one on a win.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Use 8–16 weeks for gentle handling, calm strangers and polite, safe dogs. Carry them into new places so they see the world without being stepped on.
Self-control

Teach a quiet cue for barking and a calm 'up' (asking to be picked up) instead of being grabbed. House training needs extra patience.
What it works for

Food is the main motivator. Use very small, high-value pieces cut to suit a tiny stomach, and keep treats within 10% of daily calories.

Exercise

Split their activity into several short walks and indoor play sessions rather than one long outing. Brain games tire a Chihuahua as well as walks do.

Exercise a day 30–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Short walks
Indoor fetch and chase games
Small-dog agility

Brain work

Trick training
Snuffle mats
Hide-and-seek with treats

Best home

Excellent for apartments; dislikes cold and wet weather.

Watch for Tiny size means chill and fall risk, so use a sweater in cold weather and stairs or ramps instead of jumping off furniture.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Chihuahua (2–6 lbs) lands around 100–225 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 125–300 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 15–30 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 1–2 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 100–225 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 10–25 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 1 piece a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 150–325 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 15–35 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 1–2 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 100–200 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 10–20 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 1 piece a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	125–300 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	15–30 kcal	1–2 pieces
Adult Maintenance	100–225 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	10–25 kcal	about 1 piece
Active / Working	150–325 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	15–35 kcal	1–2 pieces
Senior	100–200 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	10–20 kcal	about 1 piece

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Chihuahuas are long-lived but prone to dental disease, kneecap problems, heart disease and low blood sugar in puppies. Daily tooth brushing does more than anything else.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Luxating patella	OFA patella evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results)
Heart disease	Cardiac exam by a veterinarian or cardiologist	Before breeding; yearly vet checks after
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs
Dental disease	Vet dental exam	Yearly

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Chihuahua breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Heart exam
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Kneecap (patella) check

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate; smooth coats shed year-round

Brush smooth coats weekly and long coats 2–3 times a week. Bathe monthly or as needed. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth daily, since crowded teeth trap plaque.

History

Pre-Columbian

Ancient roots

Chihuahuas are believed to descend from the Techichi, a small companion dog of the Toltec and later Aztec peoples.
Mid-1800s

Named for a state

Americans found tiny dogs in the Mexican state of Chihuahua and brought them north.
1904

Recognition

The AKC registered its first Chihuahua in 1904, and the breed became one of the most popular toys in America.

Questions owners ask

Are Chihuahuas easy to train?

Moderately. They learn quickly with food, but house training and barking take patience and consistency.

Are Chihuahuas good with kids and other pets?

Best with older, gentle kids. They can be bossy with bigger dogs, which can be dangerous, so supervise.

How much exercise does a Chihuahua need?

About 30–60 minutes a day, split into short walks and indoor play. Mental games count.

Do Chihuahuas shed?

Yes, moderately, and smooth coats shed year-round. Grooming is easy with a weekly brush.

What health problems do Chihuahuas have, and how long do they live?

Many live 12–16 years. Watch for dental disease, luxating patellas, heart disease and low blood sugar in puppies.

Is a Chihuahua good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes for apartments, and often for first-time owners willing to socialize them and protect them from falls and rough handling.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Chihuahua needs only about 1 piece a day, well inside the 10–25 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Chihuahua ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.