If you’re used to very social dogs medium-sized dogs, you might be off-put a bit by the personality of some small dog breeds, such as the Chihuahua. If you are planning to get this breed as a pet, you will need to get all the information you can get about it; because it’s an unusual dog, so to speak. Don’t be fooled by a Chihuahua’s diminutive size – it’s got a personality you might get attached to. That’s good because a Chihuahua can be intensely loyal to its owner.

How’s a Chihuahua Personality Like? Warm, Sweet, Gentle, Attention-Loving, Ultra-Loyal

Do you love it when your dog hops to your every call, follows you around the house all the time? Then you want a Chihuahua. Do you love a dog that sleeps on your lap, and stays there for hours? That’s a Chihuahua. It craves your attention practically all the time, so if you can at times ignore, that’s not a Chihuahua.

Be warned, though, unlike other breeds, the Chihuahua tend to be highly suspicious of strangers – at least people it doesn’t know well enough. In that respect, they may bark a lot when other people, pets, and kids are about. That’s the reason it could be difficult to persuade your friends regarding the gentle and sweet nature of this small dog breed. But then the unwanted barking, given some training, can be weeded out, so to speak, so you can really have a quiet small dog.

You should consider getting another breed if you have other pets at home (especially those who love physical play), and little kids who may handle a Chihuahua the same way one would handle a touchy Labrador. This breed has a protective tendency, and a need to keep people or pets away, owing in part to its fragile physique – fragile bones, large eyes that can get hurt. Should you get Chihuahua pups, then that means you must allow them to be socialized early on, so that later being with other pets and kids may not be a problem.

A Chihuahua is also a small brat, and if you don’t spend time showing it that there are limits to its demands, it will keep on manipulating you – to get more treats, play, take a walk with it, and so on.

The Chihuahua’s Appearance – Some Common Features

Chihuahuas come in various colors, and combination of colors – sand, fawn, chestnut, steel blue, silver, tan, black, and variegated. They weigh between two and six pounds. When standing, they can be around five to six inches tall. Some of their cuteness comes from their diminutive size, along with their big standing ears, large attentive eyes, and that pointed muzzle.

Taking Care of Your Chihuahua – Health Issues and Grooming Needs

There’s a price to pay for all that cuteness in a small package, and that comes in the form of health problems, including but not limited to knee cap dislocation, low blood sugar, collapsed trachea, dry corneas, and heart valve problems. They have fragile bones – accidentally dropping them, kicking them, jamming them in doors, and letting children handle them could be fatal.

Chihuahuas come with either long or short coats. The long coated ones requires brushing and combing everyday, this is to prevent tangles and matting. You’ll also need to bathe this type routinely. On the other hand, the short haired Chihuahua only requires once-a-week brushing.

If you’re have a big heart for small dogs, a Chihuahua may be the companion dog you need. Small but fiercely loyal, these small dogs can be very emotionally attached to its owner. Be sure to socialize your Chihuahua early on, so their chances of being aggressive towards other dogs and little children can be reduced – Chihuahuas can have a jealous streak, you know.