Chihuahua

Origin & history

The Chihuahua takes its name from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where examples were discovered in the mid-19th century, and it is generally thought to descend from a small companion dog of ancient Mexico called the Techichi, kept by the Toltec and later Aztec peoples. The modern breed was developed largely after specimens were brought into the United States from Mexico in the late 1800s, and it has since become one of the most recognisable toy dogs in the world. It was bred from the start as a companion rather than a worker, which is reflected in its devotion to its people and its taste for comfort. The Chihuahua is well established in Australia as a popular toy and lap dog. The ANKC recognises both the smooth coat and long coat varieties in the Toy Group.

Temperament

The Chihuahua has an outsized character packed into a tiny frame: confident, lively, alert and intensely loyal, usually fixing on one or two favourite people and wanting to be with them all the time, often tucked against them or under a blanket. It is naturally suspicious of strangers and quick to sound the alarm, which makes it a surprisingly effective little watchdog, but without early socialisation that wariness can tip into nervous snapping. It can be possessive of its person and is often touchy with other dogs, sometimes squaring up to ones many times its size with no sense of the danger, so owners must protect it from itself. It is clever and can learn well with gentle, reward-based training, though it has a stubborn streak and house-training can take patience. The most common behavioural problem is owners treating it as a baby and accidentally encouraging fearful, yappy or bossy behaviour.

Appearance

The smallest of all breeds, typically weighing about 1.5 to 3 kg, with no formal height standard but generally standing around 15 to 23 cm at the shoulder. The hallmark is the rounded apple-shaped skull with large, upright ears, big round eyes and a short pointed muzzle. Some pups are born with a moleras, a soft spot on the skull, which often closes with age. There are two coat types: the smooth coat, short and glossy and close to the body, and the long coat, soft with feathering on the ears, legs and tail. Almost any colour or pattern is accepted, from solid fawn, black, chocolate and white through to brindle and spotted markings.

Suitability

The Chihuahua is one of the best breeds for apartment living, needing little space and only light exercise, and it suits singles, couples and older owners who want a devoted lap dog and are home often enough to give it company. It bonds so closely that it dislikes being left alone for long and can become anxious or vocal. Its fragility and quickness to react mean it is generally not ideal for families with very young or rough children, and any contact with toddlers needs close supervision to protect the dog. First-time owners can manage one well as long as they socialise it properly and resist spoiling it into bad habits. In the Australian climate the main issue is cold rather than heat: this little dog feels the chill badly and appreciates a coat and a warm bed in winter, while still needing shade and water in summer.

Health

Chihuahuas are long-lived for dogs, commonly reaching 14 to 18 years with good care. Their tiny size brings particular risks. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of place, is common, so responsible breeders check the knees of their stock. Dental disease is a major issue because so many teeth are crowded into a small mouth, making regular tooth care important throughout life. The breed is prone to a collapsing trachea, which causes a honking cough, and small or very young dogs can suffer hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) if they go too long without food. Some lines carry hydrocephalus and certain heart conditions, including patent ductus arteriosus and mitral valve disease, so cardiac checks are worthwhile. Choose a breeder who screens for patella and heart problems and rears robust, well-fed pups rather than fragile teacup-sized ones.