By: Alisha Corsi
Renowned for being the world’s smallest dog breed, the Chihuahua’s oversized personality more than makes up for its small stature. Their permanently saucy expression and vibrant personalities have been made famous by the Taco Bell dog (“Drop the chalupa!”) and Bruiser, Reese Witherspoon’s chipper purse dog in Legally Blonde. But don’t let their size and sassy attitudes fool you—Chihuahuas are highly intelligent dogs who can compete in agility and obedience trials with as much success as larger dogs!
Physical Traits
Size & Weight: Tiny dogs, Chihuahuas stand at 6-9 inches tall and weigh between 2-6 pounds.
Coat & Color:There are two types of Chihuahuas: long-coat and smooth-coat, otherwise known as short-haired. Long-coat types have soft, fine hairs with a downy undercoat that give them a fluffy appearance, while smooth-coat Chihuahuas have hair that ranges from velvety to whiskery to the touch. Their coats can be virtually any color combination, although the most common colors are fawn, red, cream, chocolate, white, and black.
Life Expectancy: 15-18 years
Temperament
Chihuahuas are lively dogs who desire affection and love nothing better than being close to their favorite person. Chihuahuas are great companion dogs who often become very bonded with a single person, but if overindulged can become demanding and fiercely possessive. They can be good family dogs if the children are gentle and patient with these little fireballs. Chihuahuas are also highly intelligent and therefore highly trainable dogs.
Something to Bark About: The expression “Firecrackers come in small packages” has never been more accurate than when it comes to the Chihuahua. In spite of their size, they are ranked among the top 10 watchdogs recommended for families.
Wags
- Chihuahuas are long-lived dogs, so they will be part of the family for a very long time (up to 18+ years).
- Because of their small size, Chihuahuas are good city dogs that require little exercise.
- Both long-coat and smooth-coat Chihuahuas require little grooming and shed minimally.
Yelps
- The Chihuahua’s over-protective nature can lead to aggression towards other people or animals, so it’s important to properly manage and socialize them.
Think you’re ready to take on this tiny spitfire? Find an adoptable Chihuahua near you by visiting Chihuahua/Small Dog Rescue of Central Florida.