Chihuahua

Small dogs, big dental problems. Chihuahuas are particularly prone to dental disease. I brush my girl's teeth every two days and she gets professional cleaning annually. Without this her quality of life and longevity would be significantly affected. Many owners don't realise how important this is. B…

Eight years with my Chihuahua and she remains the most constant, warm, and entertaining presence in my life. She's travelled with me, moved with me, been through everything with me. She's currently curled in my lap radiating heat and contentment. I feel genuine gratitude for this little animal every…

My Chihuahua has a clear favourite person (me) and a secondary circle of accepted humans. He's polite with others but saves his deepest affection for me. This intense one-person loyalty can be wonderful or limiting depending on what you want from a dog. For single-owner households it's a profound bo…

Chihuahuas have strong voices and opinions about when to use them. Mine went through a phase of barking at everything and everyone. Consistent training and clear rules made a significant difference. She's now selective about her alerts. But I've met Chihuahuas who bark at everything always, and it's…

My mother got a Chihuahua after her larger dog became too much to manage. The transformation has been wonderful. He requires minimal exercise, is gentle and manageable, and provides constant warm company. For older people, those with limited mobility, or anyone who wants a close companion without th…

People underestimate Chihuahua intelligence. Mine has learned over a dozen commands and regularly demonstrates problem-solving I didn't expect. She's highly food-motivated which helps training enormously. The trick is working with their independent streak rather than against it — make training feel …

Whether smooth-coat or long-coat, Chihuahuas are attractive little dogs. My smooth-coat needs almost no grooming — just a weekly wipe-down. The long-coats need more attention but still far less than larger long-haired breeds. Either way, this is a low-grooming breed which suits busy people perfectly…

My Chihuahua genuinely does not know she weighs 2kg. She confronts dogs twenty times her size with unshakeable confidence, demands respect from anyone who enters her home, and has a very clear sense of what she will and will not accept. She's also my constant companion — warm, funny, and utterly dev…

For people who travel or live in small spaces, the Chihuahua is a genuine gift. My boy fits in a carrier bag, travels in-cabin on flights, and is content in any accommodation as long as I'm there. He requires minimal exercise, minimal grooming, and minimal space. Maximum personality per square centi…

Chihuahuas are fearless but that fearlessness needs to be managed — a dog that charges at strangers or large dogs can create dangerous situations despite their tiny size. My girl was socialised carefully as a puppy and is confident but appropriate. She knows when to engage and when to step back. Ear…