While Chihuahuas have been a popular breed since the 1900s, their fame reached new heights when Angel was featured as Chloe in the movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua. The dog demonstrates her intelligence and agility by performing several tricks that an ordinary pet would struggle to do. Angel is reported to have been dumped by her original owner and rescued by the Beverly Hills Chihuahua trainer. If you haven’t watched the movie, it would be a nice treat to see the extensive skills of this tiny dog.
Chihuahua
Small, full of personality, looks great in a sweater…yes, we’re talking about Chihuahuas. Get ready for people to “ohhhh” and “awww” over your pooch—and rest assured, your Chi will love it.
Country of Origin
Mexico
Breed Group
Companion dogs
Height
Male 5-9 In
Female 4-7 In
Weight
Male 3-6 Ib
Female 2-6 Ib
Life Span
14-18 years
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In a Nutshell
This popular companion dog is loyal (sometimes fiercely), adventurous, playful, and famously adorable. And, as is the case with other little dogs, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Chihuahua who doesn’t know how to amp up the cuteness to get what they want. This dog will follow you everywhere and won’t mind riding along in tote bags when you go shopping. In fact, nothing thrills this breed like being on the lap of their family member. Thanks to their unmatched personalities, they’re one of the most popular pets globally.
Life With a Chihuahua
Low (1)
High (5)
Energy level
Trainability Level
Amount of Shedding
Tendency of Barking
Exercise Needs
Kid Friendly
Pet Friendly
Looks & Personality
Chihuahuas, commonly seen as a Mexican national symbol, are a tiny dog breed that boasts a huge personality. They have a Terrier-like demeanor, apple-round head with erect ears and luminous eyes. Chihuahuas can have either a short-haired or a longhaired coat, but the color varies widely.
Chihuahuas are courageous, lively, intelligent, and very loyal. They have a strong will and a tendency to devotedly control their territory. While they are a charming breed, “Chis” (as owners affectionately call them), they have a tendency to be a bit sassy. The Chihuahua Club of America actually refers to the breed’s expression as “saucy.”
They like to be close to their owner, often underfoot. Chihuahuas are also good watchdogs thanks to their stranger danger tendencies. More than just a “purse dog,” Chihuahuas are a very alert breed that loves to be on the go with their owners. Their compact size combined with their confident nature also make them ideal urban pets.
Because they are loyal and animated, chihuahuas make great guard dogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, your chihuahua is going to make sure everyone knows about it.
Common Health Problems
All in all, Chihuahuas generally are a healthy breed, and have the ability to outlive the majority of dogs. Despite their physicality, they’re resilient as it’ll come to sickness. Yet, it is important to be aware of possible health problems you may be faced with.
A tip from a vet
Chihuahuas are usually healthy dogs, but their short coats make them vulnerable to cold. Despite their size, Chihuahuas require 20-30 minutes of daily exercise for mental stimulation and healthy development.
A tip from a trainer
Never let your Chihuahua be your pack leader as their big personalities can lead them to dominate your life, if you let them. Be consistent in your expectations and use positive reinforcement training. They can develop undesirable behaviors if they're bored, and even become picky eaters. Establish house rules early on and be consistent in your training.
Did You Know
Despite their small size, Chihuahuas are prone to having a bit of a Napoleon complex, and often see themselves as larger than they actually are.
Chihuahuas can be quite long-lived. They can get up to age 20 with proper care. That’s pretty old for a dog!
The chihuahua breed has a lot of diversity. There are seven different chihuahua breeds, and there are multiple chihuahua breed mixes.
In The News
The History Behind the Breed
While Chihuahuas seem to have been around for a long time, their precise origin is unclear. Artifacts recovered from different lost civilizations show decorations of dogs with similar appearances to the current-day Chihuahua. However, many dog enthusiasts believe that the roots of Chihuahua begin in Mexico.
In the prehistoric era, about a thousand years ago, the Toltecs dominated Mexico and bred Techichi as their preferred dog. Techichi, the ancestor of present-day Chi, was much larger and heavier. However, in the 12th century, the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs and refined their favorite dog breed, Techichi, into a smaller and lighter species. This smaller version of Techichi became so ingrained in the Aztec culture that it formed part of the Montezuma fabled treasures.
The breed lived in the remote Mexican villages even after the collapse of the Aztec civilization in the 15th century and colonization by the Spanish. In the 1800s, Americans developed an interest in this hardy tiny dog that survived two civilizations. At this particular time, the majority of them were found in the State of Chihuahua. Later in the 1940s, bandleader Xavier Cugat gave the breed global popularity as he led the dog in with one hand and directed the orchestra with the other.
Famous Chihuahua Owners
Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Demi Moore, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Madonna, Reese Witherspoon
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Why Get Pet Insurance For Your Chihuahua?
Small breeds such as Chihuahuas are particularly prone to develop dental diseases due to a very small jaw size and consequent overcrowding of teeth that makes the natural teeth cleaning process through chewing more difficult. Since there is less space between teeth, plaque containing bacteria accumulates in inaccessible areas and it can result in gum disease and tooth loss. But dental diseases are not the only health problems Chihuahuas may experience.
Due in part to their small size, other Chihuahua health problems are related to their skeletal and respiratory systems—including heart conditions, back problems, knees and windpipe.
Your Chihuahua has a 1 in 3 chance of requiring emergency treatment in any given year. In fact, every pet will statistically suffer 6 significant health episodes in their lifetime. Each incident costs an average of $1,100+. Animalia pet insurance reimburses up to 90% of your vet bills as the unexpected is…well, expected.
Pet insurance can help ensure that your Chihuahua receives the necessary veterinary care without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses. It also provides peace of mind, knowing that their health and well-being is a priority. With numerous insurance options available, it can be difficult to determine the best coverage for your Chihuahua. Consider factors such as coverage options, reimbursement rate, waiting period and costs when comparing pet insurance policies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chihuahua Pet Insurance
How long do Chihuahua live?
The average lifespan of a Chihuahua is 14-16 years—they’re actually one of the longest-living dog breeds.
What are Chihuahuas most common health problems and are they covered by pet insurance?
Chihuahuas are known to be a relatively healthy breed of dog. However, they can be prone to specific health issues, which are often related to their small build: Luxating Patella, hypoglycemia, tracheal collapse, eye injuries and infections, tooth and gum disease, heart murmurs, obesity, hip dysplasia, pulmonic stenosis, idiopathic epilepsy and more.
This is one of the reasons Chihuahua parents may want to consider dog insurance early on. A dog insurance plan can help them manage the costs of common diseases, injuries and infections, which may require costly medications and other treatments.
Can I visit any vet after enrolling my Chihuahua in pet insurance?
At Animalia, we trust the vet you, and your Chihuahua, trust. That means you can generally use your pet insurance at any licensed veterinarian including any emergency or specialty hospitals.