Chihuahua

What is a Chihuahua?

The world's smallest dog breed, at 1.5-3kg, originating in Mexico. Two coat varieties, smooth and long. They are the fifth most-advertised dog in the UK and the breed most often bought for the wrong reasons.

History and origins

Descended from the Techichi, a small companion dog of the Toltec and Aztec, with probable introgression from small Asian dogs. Named after the Mexican state where nineteenth-century American visitors first encountered them in numbers. Recognised by the Kennel Club in 1907.

Appearance and size

15-23cm, with an apple-domed skull, large upright ears and prominent eyes. Any colour or pattern. Weight above 3kg is outside the standard but common and generally healthier. "Teacup" is not a size, a type or a standard - it is a sales term for an undersized dog, and undersized chihuahuas have more hypoglycaemia, more skeletal problems and shorter lives. Treat the word as a warning.

Temperament and personality

Bold, loyal and often single-person. They are alert and vocal, and they do not know they are small. The breed's poor reputation for snappiness is largely a handling artefact: a dog that is carried everywhere, never socialised and never allowed to solve anything for itself becomes fearful, and a fearful dog bites.

Intelligence and trainability

Clever and quick to learn, but frequently under-trained because owners do not bother with a 2kg dog. Train them exactly as you would a Labrador. House training is slow, made worse by a genuine dislike of cold and wet; an indoor toilet area is often the pragmatic answer.

Children and other pets

Better suited to households with older children or none. They are easily injured and are usually unimpressed by toddlers. They can be sharp with unfamiliar dogs and have no sense of proportion about size, which is dangerous for them.

Health problems

• Patellar luxation - very common; parents should be patella graded.
• Dental disease - crowded small mouths; the leading chronic problem in the breed.
• Hydrocephalus - associated with an extreme apple dome and an open fontanelle.
• Tracheal collapse - use a harness, never a collar.
• Hypoglycaemia in puppies and very small adults.
• Heart disease - mitral valve disease in later life.
• Ceroid Lipofuscinosis - DNA test available.

Daily care routine

Two 15-minute walks and some play. Teeth brushed daily, genuinely. Keep them warm in winter - a coat is practical, not decorative. Do not let them jump off furniture.

Grooming and coat care

Smooth: a weekly wipe. Long: brush two or three times a week with attention to the ear fringes and trousers. Nails need regular trimming as they wear down little on short walks.

Exercise needs

30 minutes a day plus indoor play and training. They will happily walk further and enjoy it, but they do not need it.

Feeding and diet

Two or three small meals - very small dogs can drop their blood sugar between meals. £10-£20 a month. Dry food helps a little with teeth but does not replace brushing.

Price

£700-£1,600. "Teacup" and rare-colour dogs are advertised well above this and should be avoided on principle. Setup £250-£400; ongoing £45-£85 a month. Dental work is the cost most owners do not budget for.

Buying advice

Ask for patella grades and a heart check on the parents. Refuse anything sold as a teacup or as "micro". Ask to see the puppy walking on the floor, not held. Look for a breeder who is socialising the litter properly - this is the breed where that matters most and is done least.