How long do Chihuahuas live?

Typically, they live over 12 years.

Are Chihuahuas good pets?

Chihuahuas suit households and lifestyles that are low-key and quiet. They aren’t considered a family friendly breed when it comes to young children, mainly because they don’t like being touched much – preferring to keep themselves to themselves.

Are Chihuahuas aggressive?

They’re not considered an aggressive breed, but Chihuahuas do like their own space.

Are Chihuahuas hypoallergenic?

No, Chihuahuas are not a <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/hypoallergenic-dogs/" target="_self">hypoallergenic</a> breed. They do shed their coat and require regular <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/dog-grooming-at-home/" target="_self">grooming</a>.

How much exercise does a Chihuahua need?

Short bouts of exercise are enough for a Chihuahua – short, slow walks. Usually, they’re more than happy following you around and burn enough energy doing so.

How far can a Chihuahua walk?

Typically, short and slow walks are best as Chihuahuas can become over-exerted easily.

How much does a Chihuahua weigh?

Chihuahuas are a toy breed meaning they’re very small. They typically weigh between 2kg and 3kg.

Can Chihuahuas be trained?

As with most dogs, it’s best to start their training from a young age if you can, or as soon as they come home to you.Take a look at our <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/" target="_self">training guides</a> for advice on how to train your dog, from <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/how-to-crate-train-your-dog/" target="_self">crate training</a>, to teaching them to <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/how-to-train-dog-to-sit-down-wait/" target="_self">sit, lie down and wait</a>.

Yes, they do shed their coat and will require regular brushing and <a href="/pet-insurance/guides/dog-grooming-at-home/" target="_self">grooming</a>.

Chihuahua

A tiny dog with a big personality – the Chihuahua is bright, loving and loyal.

At a glance

Up to 1 hour of exercise a day

Life expectancy of 12+ years

Small, between 2kg and 3kg

Playful, loyal, alert

Silhouette of a Chihuahua dog showing they can be between 12 and 21cm tall

Up to 1 hour of exercise a day

Life expectancy of 12+ years

Small, between 2kg and 3kg

Playful, loyal, alert

The Chihuahua is a loyal breed that suits a low-key lifestyle

As one of the oldest breeds of the Americas, Chihuahuas date back hundreds of years. They’re small enough to be picked up with one hand, but they’ll certainly let you know of their presence! Chihuahuas are fiercely loyal but enjoy their own space. Expect a confident, larger-than-life attitude from this little dog.

Buying or rehoming a Chihuahua

Getting a new dog, whether you buy or adopt, is a huge commitment and there’s lots of preparation you need to do to be ready. Some things to consider are:

Prepping your home

Figuring out what to feed them, and buying the food
Buying the essentials, such as leads and collars
Prepping your family, especially any young children
Securing your garden
Understanding grooming routines and techniques
Knowing how much exercise they’ll need
Considering pet insurance

Fun fact

Chihuahuas are known to be a national symbol of Mexico.

Top 5 health conditions in Chihuahuas

We’ve put together the most common claimed for conditions for Chihuahuas, based on MORE THAN pet insurance customer claims

Condition	Number of claims	Average paid out
	98	£472
	95	£43
	87	£1,971
	77	£1,552
	62	£748

Condition

Number of claims

Average paid out

£472

Condition

Average paid out

£43

Condition

Average paid out

£1,971

Condition

Average paid out

£1,552

Condition

Average paid out

£748

Based on MORE THAN data 1 January 2021 to 1 March 2023. Average cost paid out includes excess.

Common health issues and problems in Chihuhuas

Chihuahuas are overall considered a healthy breed, with a usual lifespan of over 10 years.

Some health conditions in Chihuahuas can be down to their genetic history, and commonalities within the breed.

Click on the hotspots to find out more about the most common health issues affecting Chihuahuas, as provided by our in-house vet team (October 2022).

Patellar luxation is a genetic condition that results in abnormal alignment of the hindlimbs. It can affect both back legs and may lead to arthritis. Although the condition can affect any breed of dog, it’s more common in small breeds.

Symptoms:

Intermittent limping
Holding the affected leg up for a few steps when walking
Pain and stiffness
A popping noise may be heard in the dog’s knee

Small dogs tend to be most likely to develop dental issues. This is because smaller breeds have small mouths, which means they are at risk of overcrowding. This overcrowding can damage their teeth and lead to more plaque and other dental conditions.

Symptoms:

Difficulty swallowing
Excessive salivation
Plaque and tartar build-up
Displacement of the teeth from their normal position (giving a wonky toothed appearance)

If you have any concerns about your dog’s dental health, speak to your vet.

Hydrocephalus (or ‘water on the brain’) occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in a dog's brain. It’s a serious health condition which can affect tiny dogs with dome-shaped heads, such as the Chihuahua.

Symptoms:

Seizures
Vision loss
Lack of energy
Coma
Head pressing
Slow pace of learning
Irresponsive to stimuli

Prompt veterinary care is needed to avoid permanent and possibly life-threatening brain damage. So, if you suspect something is wrong, seek vet help immediately.

Patellar luxation

Heart problems

Dental issues

Hydrocephalus

"As Chihuahuas are such small dogs, take extra care when out walking. They can easily become over-exerted and need carrying. Short, slow walks are a good idea for Chihuahuas."

Luke Mangion, MORE THAN Vet

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Related guides

Chihuahua

At a glance

The Chihuahua is a loyal breed that suits a low-key lifestyle

Buying or rehoming a Chihuahua

Fun fact

Top 5 health conditions in Chihuahuas

Patellar luxation:

Heart problems:

Dental issues:

Hydrocephalus:

Are you looking for insurance for your Chihuahua?

Frequently asked questions about Chihuahuas

How long do Chihuahuas live?

Are Chihuahuas good pets?

Are Chihuahuas aggressive?

Are Chihuahuas hypoallergenic?

Chihuahua exercise and training

How much exercise does a Chihuahua need?

How far can a Chihuahua walk?

How much does a Chihuahua weigh?

Can Chihuahuas be trained?

Chihuahua grooming

Do Chihuahuas shed?

Ready to insure your Chihuahua?

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