Chihuahua

Like every breed, the Chihuahua is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Socialise them from a young age with lots of people, places and experiences.
• Teach them not to bark excessively before the habit forms.
• Use the tiniest treats as rewards.
• Be patient with toilet training: they need to go out often and may take a while to last the night.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Cats and small pets

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Often adapts to flats and smaller homes.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Some dog experience helps.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Patellar luxation

  The kneecaps can slip temporarily out of place. Parents can be checked by a vet before breeding.

• Hip dysplasia and Legg-Perthes disease

  In hip dysplasia the hip joint does not fit together perfectly, which eventually leads to arthritis; dogs can be screened under the BVA/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia Scheme. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a painful condition in which the hip joint dies and crumbles.

• Hydrocephalus

  A build-up of fluid around the brain, which can cause damage.

• Eye problems

  These include dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), where the eye stops producing enough tears; entropion, where the eyelids roll inwards; and lens luxation. The Royal Kennel Club recommends eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme.

• Heart disease

  Problems include mitral valve disease, where the heart valves stop working properly, and patent ductus arteriosus, an extra blood vessel that can cause problems. Heart scans can screen parents for valve problems.

• Tracheal collapse

  The windpipe gradually weakens and collapses, causing breathing problems.

• Breathing problems (BOAS)

  From August 2026 the Royal Kennel Club recognises breathing testing for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome under its Respiratory Function Grading scheme as best practice for the breed.

• Chiari malformation and syringomyelia (CM/SM)

  A very painful condition in which fluid-filled areas develop in the spinal cord near the brain. A BVA/KC screening scheme exists.

• Dental problems

  The shape of the jaw can lead to overcrowded teeth, retained puppy teeth and dental disease.

• Other conditions

  PDSA also lists difficulty giving birth (dystocia) and cryptorchidism, where a testicle does not descend.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Chihuahua home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Chihuahua home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Chihuahua suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Chihuahuas do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.