What's to know about getting a chihuahua?

Question

I've never owned a dog before, but I've decided that I'd really like to have a chihuahua. I've seen a lot of prices, whats the normal price for a chihuahua? I'm planning on doing obedience training, crate training, loose leash, etc. Any advice? Warnings? Do they really bark a lot?

Answer 1

Feed your Chihuahua dog food in which the first ingredient is meat. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Fiber content should be 4 percent or less. Iams and Eukanuba are recommended brands.

Feed your Chihuahua two or three small meals a day.

Give your Chihuahua plenty of attention. This breed requires a lot of human attention and love.

Brush a short-coated Chihuahua once a week with a soft-bristle brush, or wipe down with a soft cloth. Brush long-coated dogs twice weekly or as needed.

Bathe your Chihuahua monthly, being careful not to get water in their ears, as this leads to infections. Longhaired Chihuahuas will need more bathing than shorthaired dogs. After bathing clean their ears and clip their nails.

Exercise your Chihuahua daily; many times a Chihuahua will get plenty of exercise running around your house during the day, but remember that can be boring day after day.

Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand, and socialize them at an early age with adults as well as humans and other dogs.


Dress your Chihuahua in a sweater if in temperatures below 40 degrees F. Chihuahuas are very sensitive to cold temperatures.
Chihuahuas can suffer from weak knees, colds, corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma. Talk to the breeder to find out what type of screening has been done for these health problems.

Be prepared to enjoy a full 11 to 18 years with your Chihuahua, as this is the breed's average life expectancy.

Chihuahuas often shiver - not just when cold, but also when excited.

Chihuahuas often like to snuggle under pillows and blankets.

A number of Chihuahua owners find that their dogs are gagging or coughing. This often turns out to be "reverse sneezing," a phenomenon related to problems with the soft palate or a collapsed trachea. Take your Chihuahua to a vet right away if these symptoms develop.

Some Chihuahuas many bark a lot, though some bark very little. Proper training can reduce excitability.

Chihuahuas tend to enjoy the company of their own breed.

Chihuahuas are more quickly to learn with patience and understanding, reinforcement of good behavior, rather then harsh words or treatment.

Talk to your Chihuahua. They might not understand your words, but they understand the soft tone of your voice.

Remember that the Chihuahua was breed for activity, both mental and physical and enjoy playing games, taking walks and an occasional good run.

Answer 2

My aunt breeds them and prices vary with the coloring, sex, and pedigree of the pooch. You can be expected to pay anywhere from $100 for a general pup with no papers up to $2,000 for a blue papered female with a strong pedigree. Her dogs do not bark a lot unless someone they don't know comes in the house, but that's to be expected with most breeds I'd think. She paper trains hers(which works well) so I'm not sure about outdoor training. Any dog can be good on the leash if you start them early which any reputable breeder does. The dogs she has are all crate trained and do well. Good luck!

Answer 3

I had a chihuahua once... for about 3 months- he died in a car accident.

Here's the link to Wikipedia's entry...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_%28dog%29

And the gist of the story is that they were bred as companion animals. They're alert and tend to be a one-man-dog type. They're fearless (or just dumb), not exactly aware of their own lack of size and will take on bigger animals.

They are also the longest-living breed (generally)- 15 years. Because of their size and fragility, they aren't the best for kids- kids can be kinda rough.

Read through the Wikipedia article and go to your library- check out books about the breed (great insight!), and before you get any dog, read up on training- how to do it, things to remember, etc.

My Taz only barked at strangers- if someone came to the door or walked too close to the car... he was a great door bell and car alarm!!

And thank you in advance for being a good "mommy" to your dog- teaching him/her how to be "polite"!!!

Answer 4

I have one too. I'm crazy about it. Chihuahuas are very alert, intelligent, and caring. They make great companions, too!
By the way a lot of celebrities own chihuahuas...Paris Hilton, Eminem, Hilary Duff and many others.
I do obedience training, crate training, loose leash...
I follow this amazing guide
http://chihuahuacare.ohgo.com/

Answer 5

You have picked the best companion in life. Chihuahua's are a one person dog, and they love fiercely. I have a long hairded baby doll and she does not bark very often. When she does something is wrong in her world. You have chosen a wonderful pet.

Answer 6

mine is very agrresive but they make good companions.
they were brought to mexico from spain, a theroy is that chihuahuas ancestor was a dog called the techichi.. correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal.
but some people think they are so fragile and jittery....

Answer 7

some can bite they are very playful and mine likes to be dressed up. they do batk ALOT but not as much as a hound dog. i got mine from a shelter but i think around 600 is the cheapest i have seen maybe the highest around 800. those are good trainings dogs are very fun and i love small dogs my german shepered loves my chihuahua named peanut

Answer 8

I have one. But she's mixed with a chihuhia. But if you gte one that isn't mixed and their really a chihuhia they bark alot. And sometimes they bite and they want alot of attention. They are inside dogs and they love to run and play.

Answer 9

they're not cheap!! some yip alot some don't my neighbor has one hes very old and has seeing/hearing problems, and he yips and yips and I just wanna shoot that dam* dog....................