Is a Chihuahua the Right Pet for You?

If you’re reading this article, odds are that you’ve already made the decision to add a dog to your household. Hopefully, this is not a decision that you’ve arrived at on a whim. While that puppy in the window can be extremely cute, it is important to remember that he will grow up quickly. And in the case of the Chihuahua, will be a part of your life for the next decade or two.

Is the Chihuahua Right for You?

As our pet shelters are currently overrun with dogs that their owners have abandoned, it is important that you give serious thought to the responsibilities of becoming a pet owner. There are several questions that you should ask yourself prior to making a Chihuahua a permanent fixture in your home. 

Are you ready to spend the next 15+ years caring for a Chihuahua?

Most Chihuahuas will live for 15 years or more.  Dogs are not like children and will never grow up and become independent.  If you’re currently single, you should take into consideration that during the lifespan of your Chi, your current circumstances will probably undergo several changes.  Do you plan on getting married or adding a roommate?  Do you plan to have children?  In most cases, there is a good chance that your lifestyle today is not reflective of where you will be 10 years from now.  If you are an apartment dweller, are you prepared to limit your potential choices to properties that will accept pets if you decide to move?  If you’re purchasing a Chihuahua as a companion for an elderly or handicapped person, will another family member be responsible for the pet if the owner is incapacitated or passes away?   These are all questions you should be able to answer honestly before you move on to choosing what type of dog you want.

Are you prepared to assume the financial responsibility of a Chihuahua?

While most potential pet owners are usually cognizant of how much they can spend on the initial purchase of a dog, unfortunately, many don’t take into consideration the long term financial responsibilities of a pet.  In addition to the purchase price of the dog, take a minute to figure out how much you’ll spend over the dog’s lifetime on food, regular veterinarian visits, toys, supplies such as leashes, collars, crates, and possibly boarding fees if you travel.  In some locals your dog will also have to be licensed every year and its extremely important that you have access to emergency funds in case your pet is involved in an accident or faces an unexpected illness.  Do you have the financial means to care for a pet?

Are you willing to devote the amount of time a dog needs?

 Most dogs require quite a bit of attention and do not thrive in an environment where they are left alone for long periods of time.  Larger breeds require exercise and typically, smaller breeds require a lot of lap time.  Housebreaking and training your dog will not happen overnight and will certainly never happen if you’re not available to spend time with him.  Take a look at your current lifestyle…do you have time on your hands that you are willing to devote to a pet?  If you’re currently working in a career that leaves you just a few precious hours of downtime, how do you plan to work the demands of being a pet owner into your schedule?  A good question to ask yourself is - how many hours a day do you currently spend at home?  Dogs are a little like postmen… rain or shine, snow or wind, they need to be taken outside to relieve themselves.  Can you picture yourself standing in a blizzard at 5:30 in the morning waiting for your dog to take care of his business? Fortunately, this isn’t as much of an issue for the Chihuahua owner, because you can train him to use a pad or litter box.

And finally, which breed of dog will be the best suited to your current lifestyle?

 This may be the most important decision you make when choosing a pet and it’s an excellent idea to spend some time doing a little soul-searching before settling on your choice.  When my family recently made the decision to replace a family pet that we had to put to sleep due to old age, we sat down and made a list of all of the characteristics of a dog that would be most conducive to our environment and lifestyle.  We then made another list of the breeds we preferred.  The exercise was simple - we worked our way through the list and crossed off any breed that did not meet our requirements.  By the time we were finished, we had narrowed our choices down to one.  In our case, the breed we settled on was a perfect fit and easily transitioned into our family.  Since you’re currently reading this book, we’re going to assume that the Chihuahua is currently on your list and this book may provide you with the information you need to either move forward in your purchase or move on to another breed.  Hopefully, the information provided below will help you finalize your decision.

The Chihuahua is a perfect pet for you if…

You have decided that a small dog is your best choice. 

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that although he’s tiny in size, the Chihuahua is not a wimpy dog.  He’s tough, can be aggressive and will not back down in most situations.  Due to his size, he’s also extremely fragile so this breed is not recommended for households with toddlers.  The Chihuahua can easily suffer broken bones if he’s stepped on or dropped.  Although he’s extremely playful, the Chi is not sturdy enough for rough and tumble activity with his owner.  If you want a dog to wrestle with, you’ll want to choose one with a sturdier build.  The Chi is also a good choice for the elderly or handicapped as his size makes him easy to walk and pick up.  The Chi is an excellent pet for apartments with size restrictions for pets.

You enjoy cuddling and don’t mind when your pet invades your space.

 The Chihuahua is a very affectionate pet and is considered a lap dog.  He loves attention and if you’re not giving it to him, he will simply insert himself into whatever activity is keeping you from him.  If you’re the type of person who is easily irritated by a pet that is often underfoot, you may want to reconsider your choice.  If companionship is one of the top reasons you’ve decided to get a pet, however, the Chi is perfect.  He will prefer your presence to that of other animals and is quite social.  Although the Chi may originally be standoffish to guests, he usually makes friends quickly and is willing to share his affection with anyone he feels will return it.  The tiny Chi does have a jealous streak and without the opportunity to socialize with others may become overly protective of his owner. 

You’re looking for a dog that requires a minimal amount of grooming.

 Although a Chihuahua will shed year-round, basic grooming needs are fairly simple.  While a long-coat will require a little more care, both varieties are considered “wash and wear” pets.  In other words, give him a bath, clean his eyes and ears, trim his nails and he’s good to go.  Due to his small size, the Chihuahua will fit in your sink making bathing a breeze.

You’re considering more than one dog.

 As we mentioned earlier, the Chihuahua is a very social animal and gets along well with people as well as other dogs.  Although the best combination is another Chi, the breed has coexisted with other large and small dogs with very few problems.  In most cases, two female dogs will be better partners than two males or a male and a female.  Having both pets spayed or neutered is a must.  If you’re adding a Chihuahua to a household that currently has a pet, he may not be the best choice if you also have a very large dog.  Larger breeds can accidentally harm the Chi if they play too rough. 

Space is a problem but you’d like a dog that will offer some protection.

 Although the Chi’s small size prohibits him from being much help in the case of an attack, his bark alone is often enough to warn off any potential intruders.  The Chihuahua has an excellent sense of hearing and will quickly alert you to potential problems long before you’d identify them yourself.  The Chi’s bark is loud and shrill, however, they are easily trained to be quiet on command.  In most cases, once the Chihuahua knows that he has alerted his owner to potential danger, he’ll immediately quiet down.  Most Chi owners have reported that the dog has an uncanny ability to actually determine the difference between a squirrel on the patio and real danger, and rarely barks needlessly.

You don’t have the desire or the time to exercise a dog.

 Again because of his size, the Chihuahua usually gets enough exercise simply romping around your home.  Although he enjoys an occasional walk, if he doesn’t get it - his health will not suffer.  The Chi can keep up with his owner for short periods of time but is not a breed suited to be a running or jogging partner.  In most cases, he’ll tire before you will and you’ll often see Chi owners carrying them back home. 

You enjoy traveling and would like your pet to be a traveling companion.

 The Chihuahua loves to ride in the car and is easily transported in a dog or even a cat carrier.  Although the Chi adjusts fairly well to changes in the climate, it will be your responsibility to make sure that he stays warm when traveling.  A coat is a necessity if he’s going to be outside in cool or cold weather for any length of time. 

You’re willing to be patient when housebreaking your pet.

Although the Chihuahua is considered to be an extremely intelligent and highly trainable breed, because of the small size of his bladder, housebreaking him can present a challenge.  When he’s a puppy, it’s important that someone will be available to take him outside on a regular basis.  Once trained, however, the Chi rarely has accidents.  Crate training is usually the best option if you can’t take him along with you during the day.

Gregg Dickson, co-founder of The Chihuahua Fanatics Club at www.chihuahuafanatics.com has developed an online community; a place where people who care for Chihuahuas are joining together to share insights, information and Chihuahua pet care tips.