Chihuahua
Overview
The world’s smallest breed — devoted, sassy and perfect for flats, but not the easiest with young children.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Chihuahua is best with older, calm children and generally fine with other dogs. They tend to be a vocal / alert barker, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Chihuahua typically needs around an hour of exercise a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is easy-care and shedding is low. A quick brush now and then, plus the occasional bath when needed, is usually plenty. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Chihuahua should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a toy breed will eat relatively little compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Tiny, portable and minimal exercise needs
- +Big-hearted and deeply bonded to its owner
Things to consider
- –Fragile and can be snappy if startled — better with older children
- –Can be wary of strangers, vocal and prone to dental issues
Is a Chihuahua right for you?
On space, a Chihuahua is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Chihuahua
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Chihuahuas good with children?
Best with older, calm children. As a general guide, Chihuahuas tend to be better suited to homes with older children or no young children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Chihuahua need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Chihuahua needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Chihuahuas shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is easy-care — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Chihuahuas easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Chihuahuas are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Chihuahuas bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are Chihuahuas good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Chihuahuas suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Chihuahua can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.