Breed History ♜

The smallest breed in the world, the Chihuahua is named after the Mexican state where it was first discovered in the 1850s. It’s thought that the breed is descended from tiny dogs kept by the South American Toltec people in the 9th Century. When the Aztecs conquered the Toltec people, they began worshiping the small dogs, believing they had mystical powers. Sadly, many of the Chihuahua’s ancestors were used by the Aztecs as sacrifices or killed to accompany the deceased safely through the underworld. The Chihuahua we know and love was first recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1904.

Personality Traits & Trainability ★

Chihuahuas have an unfair reputation for being ‘yappy and snappy’ and this is in part due to their small stature which makes it tempting to treat them like toys; carrying them everywhere and making excuses for poor or even aggressive behaviour. If owners treat Chihuahuas like larger dogs and don’t let them get away with territorial or aggressive behaviours, just because they’re small, Chihuahuas make loyal, lively, affectionate companions with quirky personalities! Some Chihuahuas can be nervous of loud noises and unpredictable movements and so do not cope well in houses with young children. Chihuahuas are a fairly intelligent breed and can be trained through consistent positive reinforcement – treats and praise – to be obedient and well trained pooches!

Living Conditions ⌂ ​

Due in part to their small size, Chihuahuas are perfectly suited to apartment living. Like all dogs, they need daily walks to exercise and maintain a healthy weight but be careful – Chihuahuas are not great at regulating their body temperature and so do not cope well with cold temperatures! Due to their hatred of the cold, Chihuahuas are also notoriously difficult to house train!

Grooming ✄

Chihuahuas shed an average amount and have different grooming requirements depending on their coat type. Short haired Chihuahuas coats require less effort to maintain than long haired Chihuahuas who may need brushing up to a couple of times a week

Fun Fact  ♥ 

The Chihuahua has one of the largest colour combinations of any breed. Chihuahuas can come in virtually any colour combination imaginable!

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