Chihuahua : Complete Breed Guide (2025)

Stretching its legs on the sidewalk or being carried in a handbag, you’ve surely come across a Chihuahua.

This dog is iconic — to say the least!

Thinking of welcoming one into your family?

Here’s a complete guide to the Chihuahua: an article covering key training tips, health advice, and nutritional needs for this very special little dog!

General Profile of the Chihuahua

Personality

The Chihuahua has a strong personality despite its tiny size. Very attached to its owner, it often forms a strong bond with a single person and can sometimes become a little possessive.

This close attachment makes it an excellent companion dog, always seeking closeness and cuddles, but it also needs to learn how to be alone to avoid hyper-attachment.

Its small size doesn’t stop it from having a bold temperament, sometimes even daring.

It tends to bark easily to signal a noise or stranger, making it a good little watchdog — though this can become overwhelming without consistent training from the start.

Finally, the Chihuahua can be wary of strangers and other animals, especially if it hasn’t been well socialized as a puppy. It’s important to provide varied experiences early on to encourage sociable, balanced behavior.

Size and Weight

The Chihuahua usually measures between 15 and 23 cm at the shoulder. In terms of weight, it ranges from 1.5 to 3 kg.

According to official standards, this makes it the smallest dog in the world!

Below you’ll find a small infographic illustrating the Chihuahua’s size compared to other dog breeds.

Health

Although robust, the Chihuahua can be prone to certain hereditary conditions, such as patellar luxation, dental problems, or respiratory issues linked to its delicate anatomy.

Special attention is also required to prevent hypoglycemia, especially in the smallest individuals. A proper diet, regular veterinary check-ups, and careful dental hygiene are essential to preserve its health over the years.

Its small size should not make us forget that it is still a real dog, needing daily exercise and sufficient mental stimulation.

Very close to its humans, the Chihuahua can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Lots of love, respect for its need for activity, and a well-balanced life will ensure it a long existence full of vitality and affection!

Diet

Let’s now dive into the nutritional needs of the Chihuahua.

Despite its tiny frame, the Chihuahua has very specific nutritional requirements to stay in top shape. Its diet should be high quality, rich in animal proteins, and adapted to its small jaw.

It’s important to choose kibble or wet food specially formulated for small-breed dogs, in order to make chewing easier and to provide sufficient energy intake without overloading its stomach.

Overview of the Nutritional Needs of the Chihuahua

Nutrient	Specific Needs for the Chihuahua	Why It’s Important
Proteins	Minimum 25–30%	Maintains muscle mass and energy
Fats	10–20% (omega-3 and 6)	Skin, coat health, and energy support
Carbohydrates	Moderate, easily digestible (rice, sweet potato, etc.)	Provides energy without digestive overload
Fiber	2–4%	Good intestinal transit, especially for neutered dogs
Calcium & Phosphorus	Balanced ratio (approx. 1.2:1)	Healthy bone development, especially for puppies
Vitamins (A, D, E, B)	Included in complete diets	Supports immunity, vision, metabolism
Minerals (zinc, iron, copper)	Present in adapted small-breed kibble	Cellular health, coat, immune system
Water	Always available (constant hydration)	Essential for all functions

Do Chihuahuas Have Health Problems?

Like all dogs (and pets in general!), Chihuahuas are prone to certain health issues, particularly affecting their joints, teeth, and heart.

Don’t worry too much: a healthy diet, regular exercise, and veterinary check-ups usually keep a Chihuahua in good health.

Here are the three most common health problems in Chihuahuas:

1. Dental Problems

Due to their small size and dense teeth, Chihuahuas are prone to dental diseases such as gingivitis, tartar buildup, and tooth loss.

Problem	Description	Prevention
Gingivitis	Inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup. Gums become red and swollen.	Regular tooth brushing (at least 2–3 times per week) with dog dental products.
Tartar	Hardened plaque turning into tartar. Can cause infections, bad breath, and damage to teeth and gums.	Regular brushing + chew toys or dental sticks to reduce plaque.
Tooth Loss	Premature tooth loss can result from tartar buildup, gum disease, or lack of proper care.	Same measures as above + regular vet dental check-ups.

2. Eye Problems

Like many dogs, Chihuahuas can suffer from hereditary eye conditions.

The most common include:

Condition	Description
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)	Insufficient tear production causing irritation, redness, and infections if untreated.
Cataracts	Clouding of the lens, often age-related, leading to reduced vision.
Retinal dysplasia	Congenital malformation that can affect vision from a young age.

Regular vet visits — sometimes with an eye specialist — help detect and treat these problems early.

3. Heart Problems

Like many small breeds (such as the Cavalier King Charles), Chihuahuas are predisposed to heart disease, particularly mitral valve disease (MVD).

This condition involves degeneration of the mitral valve, leading to poor blood circulation in the heart.

Symptoms to watch for:

• Coughing, especially at night or after exercise
• Unusual fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite or weight

Prevention and care:

• Regular heart check-ups from age 2–3 years
• Moderate exercise
• Balanced diet

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Chihuahua?

The Chihuahua’s life expectancy ranges from 12 to 20 years, making it one of the longest-living dog breeds.

As with most dogs, a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, and regular veterinary care contribute significantly to a longer lifespan.

Coat, Grooming, and Hygiene Tips for the Chihuahua

Coat

The Chihuahua can have two distinct coat types:

• Short coat: Smooth, close-lying hair that requires minimal maintenance.
• Long coat: Fine, slightly wavy hair with fringes on the ears, legs, and tail, requiring more regular grooming to avoid tangles.

Coat Types of the Chihuahua

1. Short Coat

This coat is smooth, shiny, and lies close to the skin. The hair is fine, without a dense undercoat, which makes it easier to maintain.

Characteristics:

• Easy to maintain, requiring only occasional brushing to remove dead hair
• Less likely to cause allergies

2. Long Coat

The long coat is fuller, softer, and thicker. It can be silky or slightly wavy. The undercoat is generally denser.

Characteristics:

• Requires more frequent brushing (at least 2–3 times per week) to avoid knots and tangles
• More sensitive to climatic conditions, needing extra care in winter and also during hot weather
• Gives the Chihuahua a more “luxurious” and elegant appearance

Hygiene

Despite its small size, the Chihuahua requires rigorous hygiene to stay healthy. Its fragility and sensitivity demand special attention to several areas: teeth, nails, coat, and even ears.

Here are some practical tips to keep your little companion clean and in great shape.

Coat

A Chihuahua doesn’t need frequent baths unless it gets dirty: one wash every 4 to 6 weeks is enough.

Use a mild shampoo specially formulated for dogs, and make sure to dry it well, especially if it has long hair.

Brushing is also crucial: for long-haired Chihuahuas, it should be done several times a week to avoid tangles. For short-haired ones, a weekly brushing is enough to remove dead hair.

Teeth

Like many small breeds, the Chihuahua is predisposed to dental problems. Tartar can quickly accumulate, leading to bad breath, pain, and infections.

It is recommended to brush your Chihuahua’s teeth two to three times per week with a soft toothbrush designed for dogs and canine toothpaste. Complementary options like dental sticks also exist.

Nails

A Chihuahua’s claws should be checked every two to three weeks. If they’re too long, they can break or hinder walking, causing joint pain.

Use clippers adapted for small dogs, and cut carefully while avoiding the vascularized area (the pink part visible in clear nails).

If you’re unsure, ask your vet or groomer for advice.

Ears

Regularly inspect your Chihuahua’s ears. They should be clean, without strong odor or discharge.

A weekly cleaning with a veterinary ear solution can help prevent ear infections. For the eyes, secretions can accumulate, especially in dogs with very rounded heads.

Gently clean them with a sterile compress and saline solution.

Physical Activity Tips for the Chihuahua

It’s a common misconception that because of its small size, the Chihuahua doesn’t need much exercise. Wrong! Although not built for marathons, this little dog is lively, curious, and intelligent, and it needs daily activity.

Regular exercise is essential to prevent obesity, strengthen its joints, and stimulate its mind: one or two walks per day, lasting 15 to 30 minutes each, are ideal.

Activity	Recommendation
Walks	One or two per day, 15–30 minutes each. Vary the routes and environments: park, quiet street, trail… In winter, cover it if it’s cold, as Chihuahuas are very sensitive to low temperatures.
Indoor games	Offer simple but dynamic games indoors: fetch with a ball or toy, hide-and-seek, tunnels, or cushion obstacle courses.

Training Tips for the Chihuahua

As with any dog, training a Chihuahua requires time and patience. Our main advice: start early.

Check out our 5 training tips below to get an idea of the right approach. Happy reading!

1. Teach independence from the first weeks

The Chihuahua is often carried, cuddled, overprotected. The result? It becomes dependent, anxious, and difficult to train.

Instead of carrying it everywhere, accustom it to being alone and managing frustration from the start.

Leave it in a room for a few minutes each day with an enrichment toy. This micro-independence prevents excessive barking and hyper-attachment.

2. Use height as a reward zone

The Chihuahua loves climbing: couch, cushion, laps… Use this preference! Create a small platform or cushion reserved only for when it obeys a command (sit, recall, etc.).

It will associate height with a reward, not an automatic right. This helps limit territorial behavior, which is common in small dogs.

3. Teach it to ignore stimuli, not just to obey

Rather than only teaching “sit” or “come,” also teach the art of indifference: ignoring a noise, a stranger, another dog.

For this, play the “nothing game”: place yourself near a stimulus (passerby, doorbell, car noise), and reward it whenever it doesn’t react. This is passive but very powerful training to calm nervous temperaments.

4. The keyword “gently”: the magic command for small dogs

The Chihuahua lives at 200%. A single command, paired with a soft, slow tone (“gen-tly”), can become a precious tool.

Whenever it gets agitated, jumps, nips, or barks, say this word while slowing your movements. By repeating this in different contexts, it learns to associate “gently” with general calming. It’s a bridge word toward serenity.

5. Don’t underestimate its intelligence: create logical challenges

The Chihuahua is not just a lapdog. It loves solving puzzles.

Set up little “rituals” of learning: for example, to get its meal, it must fetch a specific toy, drop it in a basket, then come find you. This kind of playful routine stimulates it intellectually and builds obedience based on fun, not constraint.

Conclusion

We hope this guide will help you in your relationship with your Chihuahua.

As you’ve now understood, the Chihuahua is not just a “purse dog”: it’s a companion full of character, intelligence, and attachment.

With proper care, a touch of adapted training, and genuine attention to its physical and mental needs, this tiny dog becomes a balanced, loyal, and surprisingly expressive companion.

It doesn’t aim to be king of the couch, but to be understood. And once it is… it will repay you a hundredfold, every single day!