Chihuahua
Puppy
Fully Grown
Who can resist a cute 3 kg pocket rocket with pointy bat ears and big eyes? The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. You wouldn't think so, but they are brave, active, sensible dogs that require lots of exercise. Think of them as a Rottweiler in a tiny body!
Their small size and cute looks make them a popular dog breed, and they are often seen nowadays as a fashion accessory - carried around in handbags and treated like a soft toy.
Unfortunately Chihuahuas do not enjoy this type of treatment. They need a minimum of two hours' exercise a day in order to be happy. If Chihuahuas do not get the exercise they need, they can easily turn into annoying aggressive-sounding barkers.
Chihuahuas can be great apartment dogs, due to their size. They will also sound like a beefy watchdog protecting you and your pack when visitors come to the door!
| Weight: | 1.7-3 kg |
| Health risk: | Low |
| Life expectancy: | 10-18 years |
| Coat: | Medium |
| Grooming intensity: | Medium |
| Monthly cost (food): | Low |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | High |
There are many sources to get your Chihuahua from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Chihuahua to adopt:
To help your rescued Chihuahua to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Chihuahua from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
