How long does a Chihuahua live?

The life expectancy of the Chihuahua is 12-20 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Chihuahua weigh?

An adult Chihuahua weighs between 1.5-3 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is pequeño.

Who is the Chihuahua NOT recommended for?

It isn't the right breed for: Families with children under 8 (fragile). Cold climates (needs a coat). Those who do not socialise their dog. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

Why does my Chihuahua bark so much?

It is very vocal for alerting and, sometimes, because it has learned that barking gets attention. Good socialisation and not reinforcing demand barking greatly reduce the problem.

Is it a good breed with young children?

With caution. It is very fragile and can be injured or react to rough handling; it fits better with older, respectful children than with babies.

Why does my Chihuahua tremble?

It usually trembles from cold, nerves or excitement, and this is normal given its low body mass. But trembling with weakness or disorientation may be hypoglycaemia: see the vet.

How long can it live?

It is a very long-lived breed: between 12 and 20 years, and even longer with good health, a proper diet and dental care.

Does it need special dental care?

Yes. Because of the crowding in its small jaw it builds up tartar easily; frequent tooth brushing and veterinary cleanings are key.

Breed profile

Chihuahua

The smallest dog in the world. An immense character in a tiny body. A very long life expectancy when healthy. Needs socialisation to avoid developing fear-based aggression.

Origin: México Size: Pequeño Lifespan: 12-20 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Small flats
✓Older people
✓Homes without young children
✓People who travel

Reconsider if

×Families with children under 8 (fragile)
×Cold climates (needs a coat)
×Those who do not socialise their dog

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Is the Chihuahua a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

40-75 €/month

Food: 12-25 € · Preventive vet care: 15-30 € · Grooming and accessories: 8-15 € · Insurance and extras: 5-15 €

History and origin

Descended from the pre-Columbian Techichi, sacred dogs of the Toltecs and Aztecs in Mexico. Rediscovered in the state of Chihuahua in the late 19th century. Today popular worldwide.

Temperament and character

Brave to the point of recklessness. Very bonded to its person. Tends to be wary of strangers. Without socialisation: fear-based aggression. Very vocal (alerting plus manipulation).

Living together

Children: with respect, better with older ones. Fragile around babies. Other dogs: sometimes problems with large ones. Cats: fine if raised with them.

Life stages of the Chihuahua

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 12-20 años.

Puppy

0-8 months

Watch for hypoglycaemia with frequent meals and the open fontanelle (hydrocephalus); very careful handling because of its fragility.

Junior

8 months-1.5 years

Socialisation to prevent fear/reactivity; patella check and examination of the crowded dentition.

Adult

1.5-10 years

Intensive dental hygiene, use of a harness (tracheal collapse), patella monitoring and cardiac review.

Senior

10+ years

Dental and cardiac health, protection from cold and joint management; great longevity if the heart and mouth are looked after.

Care

Exercise: walks 2-3 times/day, low intensity. Grooming: low (short coat) or medium (long coat). Feeding: toy-breed food. Cold: use a coat. Dental care essential.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Toy-breed food in small kibble, split into several meals a day to prevent hypoglycaemia. Watch for excess weight, which overloads its joints.

✂️ Grooming

Low in the short-coat variety (weekly brushing) and medium in the long coat (2-3 times/week). Almost daily tooth brushing because of its tendency to tartar.

🎓 Training

Intelligent but stubborn and manipulative. Early socialisation is essential to prevent fear-based aggression; treat it like a dog, not a toy, and work with positive methods.

🏃 Exercise

Short walks 2-3 times a day at low intensity, plus play at home. It copes poorly with cold: use a coat in winter.

Breed-specific health

Hypoglycaemia. Patellar luxation. Hydrocephalus (open fontanelle). Tracheal collapse. Heart conditions. Severe dental disease (crowding). Life expectancy 12-20 years (some live even longer).

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🦿Luxación de rótula 🩻Hernia discal

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Chihuahua

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Assessment for patellar luxation
✓Echocardiography (heart conditions)
✓Dental and crowding examination
✓Fontanelle/hydrocephalus assessment in puppies
✓Blood glucose monitoring in puppies

Prevention

Regular dental hygiene, a coat in cold climates, avoiding jumps from heights, and blood glucose monitoring in puppies to prevent hypoglycaemia.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with frequent dental monitoring; cardiology if a murmur is detected.

Warning signs

!Tremors, weakness or fainting (hypoglycaemia)
!Dry, honking cough (tracheal collapse)
!Hopping with a leg held up (patella)
!Bad breath and tartar (periodontal disease)

Chihuahua gallery

Foto de la raza chihuahua — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Chihuahua

How long does a Chihuahua live?: The life expectancy of the Chihuahua is 12-20 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
How much does a Chihuahua weigh?: An adult Chihuahua weighs between 1.5-3 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is pequeño.
Where does the Chihuahua breed come from?: The Chihuahua originates from México. Descended from the pre-Columbian Techichi, sacred dogs of the Toltecs and Aztecs in Mexico. Rediscovered in the state of Chihuahua in the late 19th century. Today popular worldwide.
How much exercise does a Chihuahua need?: The Chihuahua has media energy. Exercise: walks 2-3 times/day, low intensity. Grooming: low (short coat) or medium (long coat). Feeding: toy-breed food. Cold: use a coat. Dental care essential.
Is the Chihuahua good with children?: Children: with respect, better with older ones. Fragile around babies. Other dogs: sometimes problems with large ones. Cats: fine if raised with them.
Who is the Chihuahua NOT recommended for?: It isn't the right breed for: Families with children under 8 (fragile). Cold climates (needs a coat). Those who do not socialise their dog. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
What health problems does the Chihuahua have?: Hypoglycaemia. Patellar luxation. Hydrocephalus (open fontanelle). Tracheal collapse. Heart conditions. Severe dental disease (crowding). Life expectancy 12-20 years (some live even longer).
Why does my Chihuahua bark so much?: It is very vocal for alerting and, sometimes, because it has learned that barking gets attention. Good socialisation and not reinforcing demand barking greatly reduce the problem.
Is it a good breed with young children?: With caution. It is very fragile and can be injured or react to rough handling; it fits better with older, respectful children than with babies.
Why does my Chihuahua tremble?: It usually trembles from cold, nerves or excitement, and this is normal given its low body mass. But trembling with weakness or disorientation may be hypoglycaemia: see the vet.
How long can it live?: It is a very long-lived breed: between 12 and 20 years, and even longer with good health, a proper diet and dental care.
Does it need special dental care?: Yes. Because of the crowding in its small jaw it builds up tartar easily; frequent tooth brushing and veterinary cleanings are key.