Chihuahuas – are one of the smallest breeds of dog. They are named after the Mexican State of Chihuahua. Chihuahuas make great pets especially if you live in the city or an apartment. They are small, devoted dogs with huge personalities. Chihuahuas can be bossy and sassy too, many have Terrier like temperaments.
They do not shed much. Short haired Chihuahuas need to be brushed only about once a month while the longer haired Chihuahuas need to be brushed about once a week. They are good with children but because they are so small, usually they are under 6 pounds, children must be careful not to be too rough with them.
In addition, because of their size, Chihuahuas are sensitive to extreme heat and cold. They love to play and run and do not require a lot of space to get their exercise but also love to go for short walks. Be sure you don’t over exercise your Chi. Their small size allows them to be easily carried.
Their rounded “apple” heads are a breed hallmark. Chi’s have two coat types short haired and long haired. They come in multiple colors including black, white, fawn, chocolate, cream, and gold.
Chihuahuas are known to have heart problems as well as luxating patella’s which is a problem with their knees. Epilepsy is also a known issue in Chihuahuas. Regular dental care is also suggested as smaller breed dogs are prone to dental disease.
It is important to start early positive training your Chihuahua. Chi’s are very social and love to be with their humans. They do not do well being left alone for long periods of time.
While Chihuahuas make great family pets, it’s their popularity and high prices that make them an attractive business model for unscrupulous dog breeders. They are sold online by USDA commercial dog breeders, online puppy broker websites, and backyard breeders otherwise known as puppy mills.
It is for this reason that our Puppy Mill Watchdog monitors and reports on Chihuahua breeders and other online puppy sellers as well as puppy broker websites.
Read the story of four rescued breeding dogs.
Please do your research before you buy a Chihuahua puppy — If you can’t meet the mother dog and see where she and all of the breeders dogs live, find a new breeder. Video chats, videos and photos do not take the place of seeing in person.
About the Breed: Chihuahua
Known for their “apple” shaped domed heads, Chihuahuas usually do not exceed 6 pounds. They range in size from 5 to 8 inches tall.
Age Expectancy: 14-16 years.
Temperament: Devoted, assertive, confident and sometimes stubborn.
Coat: Long and short haired, soft coat.
Color: Black, white, fawn, chocolate, cream, gold.
Grooming: Need brushing, regular teeth and ear cleaning.
Training: Because Chihuahuas can be stubborn, it is suggested to start positive training your Chihuahua at an early age.
Vet Care: Regular vet care is essential for the health and well-being of your Chihuahua.
Types of Chihuahua
FAQ’s About Buying Chihuahua Puppies Online
When buying a Chihuahua puppy, you want to make sure it was born in a loving clean environment. The puppy should have an overall healthy look to him. Make sure his eyes are bright, he is clean and happy. Look at his body language make sure his tail is up and wagging. Is his posture good? Does he hold his head up, is he curious? Does he run up to you or is he afraid to approach you?
Buying a puppy from a picture is risky, always meet your new puppy in person before you buy him. These are all clues to his overall health and mental state. You want a happy well adjusted puppy and unless you meet them in person, you have no way of knowing.
There are many risks to buying a Chihuahua puppy online. Just because two purebred dogs are crossed does not mean they best traits of both parents are seen in the offspring. Since your Chihuahua will live for 14-16 years it is important to see firsthand where it was born. Make sure your breeder is not a puppy mill. Never have the puppy shipped to you.
Always pick your Chihuahua puppy up in person, meet the mother dog, see her mental and physical condition. She should be clean, happy and well adjusted. If the breeder won’t let you meet the mother and see where she lives we recommend finding another breeder. No excuses. Reputable breeders have nothing to hide. Video chats, videos and photos do not take the place of seeing in person.
It is not safe to buy any puppy online. It is not safe to have a Chihuahua puppy shipped to you by plane, delivered by nanny and never meet the breeder halfway or in a parking lot. If you are not able to pick up the puppy in person, meet the mother dog and where she and all of the breeder’s dogs live, you might be supporting a puppy mill.
Over 1 million puppy mill puppies are sold online each year and it is in your best interest to make sure your new puppy is not coming from one of these bad breeders. It is in your best interest to get a healthy, happy well bred puppy and to not support cruelty of any kind.
It takes time to find a new puppy and that is ok. The pup will be a part of your family for 14 plus years so it’s important to find a healthy well-bred puppy. It’s ok to do your research online but never take a breeder’s word for it. Since Chihuahuas are purebreds, go to The Chihuahua Club of America to find a breeder that is a member of their clubs. These breeders breed by a code of ethics. They breed to improve the breed..
Always meet the mother dog, see her mental and physical condition and where she lives before you buy a puppy. See where and how she and all the breeding dogs live. Photos videos and video chats do not take the place of seeing in person.
If they have excuses why you can’t come…walk away!
A puppy mill is any dog breeder who puts profit over the health and well-being of the breeding dogs and puppies produced. These bad breeders come is all sizes, Some could have ten to twenty dogs, while larger breeders could have hundreds of breeding dogs. Puppy mills are legal too!
The cruelty is tremendous. Puppy mills keep the mother and father dogs pregnant and sell the puppies. The breeding dogs never leave, they are forced to breed twice a year or at every heat cycle and they are usually kept in wire cages, many times stacked in dark pole barns. Yes, this is legal and how most USDA dog breeders keep their breeding dogs.
The breeding dogs are not groomed, they are not given opportunity to exercise nor do they know the touch of a loving hand. They are not given veterinary care and most are living and breeding with painful health and mental conditions. Imagine living with urinary tract infections, ear infections, rotten teeth, infected eyes, tumors, infected mammary glands and sore feet from standing on wire cage floors — that never get addressed.
It is important to know that any breeder can be a puppy mill. It’s hard to imagine the breeder you are talking or texting with could be a puppy mill. If the breeder has excuses why they won’t let you come to see where and how the breeding dogs live, if you are not able to meet the mother dog in person, we suggest you find another breeder. Video chats, videos and photos do not take the place of seeing in person.