Last Updated on August 24, 2022 by Cristina
If you have ever been in contact with the Chihuahua, you will know that one phrase to describe them with is small and mighty!
Named after the Mexican City of Chihuahua, these small dogs have personalities that can be said to be larger than them. The pros and cons of Chihuahuas, therefore, become a necessary topic to read on.
They’re adorable and would need lots of training and socialization. If you are planning on adopting a Chihuahua, then you would need to learn the pros and cons of chihuahuas. I’ll lay everything down in this article, for the love of pups!
Temperaments Of Chihuahuas – Pros And Cons of Chihuahuas
A couple of lovely things you will love to know about these pooches are how excited they always are, how often they’ll burrow under the blanket, and how entertaining and expressive they are.
I must mention that there are variabilities among chihuahuas. You may find the bold and timid ones, lively or calm ones. A couple of them are confident, while others are nervous. And yes, they are those stubborn ones, who wouldn’t want to listen.
However, how chihuahuas turn out depends entirely on the genetics of the parents and grandparents. You would want to be sure you are adopting a social pup-star. Anti-social chihuahuas often need extra training sessions and reinforcements. No one wants an unstable pup, yeah?
Extremely anti-social chihuahua pups have given the general public the view that chihuahuas are nasty and bite a lot. These views may not be far from the truth, but every paw parent should endeavor to raise a dog right!
Nonetheless, these pup-stars are loyal, affectionate, and cuddly; always wanted to be in their favorite Hooman’s laps and arms!
Training is an extremely important part of adopting and living with a chihuahuas pup; the lack of it might result in your new pup peeing wherever possible and barking at whoever.
Click Here to Get Info About:
- Are Chihuahuas Prone To Seizures? – Amazing Health Facts About Chihuahuas Exposed!
- Why Are Chihuahuas Eyes So Big? Incredible Facts Revealed!
Pros Of Chihuahuas
- Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs: Chihuahuas learn quickly and are easy to train. These dogs can be trained to poop in a litter if so desired. They would not only learn obedience commands but are good with learning tricks too.
- Easy to groom: If you are a pet owner that loves a well-groomed dog, you should adopt a Chihuahua as they are easy to groom and maintain. Short-haired Chihuahuas require minimal time to groom, while a longer time might be required to groom longer-haired Chihuahuas. All varieties of dogs need regular trips to the vet for checks and observations though.
- Longer Lifespan: Chihuahuas have an average lifespan of 11 – 15 years. This is fair when compared to larger breed dogs. Chihuahuas are ideal dogs for people who need a longer time to spend with their furry companions.
- Chihuahuas are perfect travel buddies, as they are perfect for small-sized apartments: Since Chihuahuas are small-sized dogs, they are the perfect fit for paw parents who love to travel with their furry babies. They can easily fit into a backpack and is quite convenient to carry along. These dogs won’t consume much space, as they are small-sized. You would not need a large space for them to play around or exercise.
Cons Of Owning A Chihuahuas
- Owning a Chihuahua means teaching you little humans how to interact with your furry babies. Chihuahuas are feisty and have high energy, and as such care should be taken during an interaction between pups and kids.
- Chihuahuas can bark at just anything. Yes, they bark a lot! So, if you live in a quiet environment, your neighbors would know you own a Chihuahua. Your pup needs physical and mental stimulation as well as a lot of attention to prevent these excessive barks. Alternatively, providing your pup with chew toys and chew bones will keep them busy and quiet while you work.
- If your Chihuahua pup is from a stock that is not disciplined or “bad”, then you will most likely have a pup with nasty behavior on your hands. Training and housebreaking can then be difficult and unattainable. It is therefore advisable to adopt pups from renowned stock and certified breeders.
- These small-sized dogs are prone to a lot of health issues including dental diseases. They are fragile and are to be handled with care, yes! And a lot of supervision. Respiratory issues, patella luxation, and mitral valve disease are a few of the health issues associated with Chihuahuas. If you already own a Chihuahua, make a trip to the veterinarian for health checks and examination a part of your calendar, as these small-sized dogs do need it. If you are planning to adopt one, please ensure to make veterinary visits a part of your budget.
You Might Want to Read these Related Articles:
Are They Types Of Chihuahuas?
In addition to learning about the pros and cons of Chihuahuas, the types of Chihuahuas is a good thing to learn.
The Chihuahua Club of America classifies the Chihuahua breed as having two varieties. These varieties are the long coat (long-haired) and the smooth coat (short-haired).
The smooth-coated Chihuahua may be seen to have a double coat – an outer. coat with an underlying or insulating coat that keeps them warmer. A long-coated Chi can also have a double-layered coat. Single-coated short-haired and long-haired Chihuahuas also exist.
The Chihuahuas are also considered a toy breed. Oftentimes, Chihuahuas are also classed based on their body type and head shape. There’s a class bearing an apple-shaped head and others with a deer-shaped head.
Final Thoughts On The Pros And Cons Of Chihuahuas
Although most people confuse every small-sized big-eyed dog to be Chihuahuas, this breed is quite distinguishable.
Chihuahuas have been seen in animal shelters and rescue centers, handed over by pet owners due to nastiness, excessive barking, and being untrainable. However, these dogs are high-energy pooches and are often seen barking at anything they come across. I won’t forget to mention that they love waving their paws in excitement and licking just about everything.
Although prone to health issues, frequent visits to the veterinarian can be rewarding and ensure your pup stays in good health.
If you are looking to adopt a Chi pup, I hope you have found the answers to the pros and cons of Chihuahuas while reading this article! Do well to share your experience, I will be glad to read them!
FAQ’s
Are Chihuahuas high maintenance?
Although vet visits are a thing with these breeds due to being prone to health issues, Chihuahuas are low-maintenance dogs. Their grooming isn't quite a hectic task as they are toy breeds.
Are Chihuahuas a healthy dog breed?
Respiratory diseases, dental diseases, and patella luxation are part of the health issues associated with the Chihuahua breed of dogs. Routine medical checks and examinations should help give your pup a long and healthy quality of life.
Are Chihuahuas good for first-time owners?
Chihuahuas are loyal and smart dogs and would make good pets for first-time pet parents.
Do Chihuahuas have a good temperament?
These small-sized dogs are extremely variable. Though loyal, smart, and friendly, one might encounter the feisty, nasty, and noisy type of Chihuahua. If you are looking to adopt a Chi, ensure to adopt one from a seemingly good parent stock.