Picking the right dog for your home is a tough decision. After all, there are more than 200 purebred dog breeds, and even more mixed-breed dogs out there.
Chihuahuas are one of the most-well known dog breeds, especially thanks to being the Taco Bell mascot and being the favorite dog of many celebrities, such as Paris Hilton. Many people are interested in owning one of these small dogs because they don't take up a lot of space, or people think they are easy to take care of. But despite being one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, Chihuahuas don't make good pets for just anyone. So if you're thinking about getting one, it's important to make sure that the Chihuahua fits in with your lifestyle.
Chihuahuas are spunky, headstrong, and have very specific needs. Chihuahuas can also be very temperamental and spicy. Some people even describe them as neurotic. Knowing a bit more about their personality and needs can help you decide whether a Chihuahua is right for you, and you can check out the American Kennel Club for more information about Chihuahuas before you decide.
A Chihuahua might be the right for you if...
You work from home
A lot of small dogs are prone to separation anxiety, and that includes the Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are "Velcro" dogs that tend to always want to be near their owners, and they usually form an incredibly close bond with one person in the home in particular. They don't take well to being left with strangers either, and being left alone all day can lead to them exhibiting destructive behaviors or trying to escape.
You rent or own your home
Theoretically, Chihuahuas are great apartment dogs. They are low maintenance, they don't need a lot of exercise, and they don't take up a lot of space. However, in practice, Chihuahuas may not be the best apartment dogs because they are very vocal. They bark at what seems like nothing sometimes. This can cause a disturbance for neighbors in a place with close quarters, such as an apartment complex.
You live alone, have older children, or are elderly
Chihuahuas are great pets for single people, especially elderly people, since they do tend to bond so closely to one person. Since they don't require a lot in the way of care and exercise, they are also great dogs for elderly people, as Chihuahuas can get by with just a couple of games of fetch per day. Chihuahuas are also great for people that have older children or teens that know how to behave around a dog of this size and with this personality.
You don't have (or want) any other pets
Unlike some dog breeds that do best with a companion, Chihuahuas don't necessarily have to have a friend. They are perfectly fine being the only dog in the house, which is great if you have a limited budget or are limited to how many pets you can have for whatever reason. However, if you can have or do want another pet, having a friend for your Chihuahua isn't a bad thing either.
A Chihuahua might not be right for you if...
You live somewhere cold
Originally being from Mexico, Chihuahuas are very sensitive to cold weather and may not do well in cold climates without the proper protections. They tend to shiver and shake to keep warm, and must have on a jacket or sweater to keep them warm when they go outside in the cold for walks or to go potty. If you live somewhere where it snows a lot, they may also need snow boots to protect their paw pads.
You have small children
If a Chihuahua wants to be left alone, they will let you know often through biting and growling. This is important because having a Chihuahua in a home with babies or small children who are still learning how to behave around a dog can make the Chihuahua uncomfortable and put them in a situation where they could bite or injure a small child. Or, it could make the child scared of the Chihuahua, which can make them have a harder time bonding with the dog.
You are away from home a lot
Chihuahuas need someone that isn't gone for long hours of the day. If you have to travel a lot for work, or even do a lot of personal travel, you can still own a Chihuahua, but you may need to take your Chihuahua with you. If you do have to be gone for several hours for work, Chihuahuas that suffer from separation anxiety may need mediciation or special training to help reduce problem behaviors.
You don't have time to devote to training
Chihuahuas are notorious for being difficult to potty train. So, you either have to have plenty of time to devote to potty training or set up a place in the house where they can go potty and make sure they know how to use it. Crate training can be beneficial for Chihuahuas because most dogs don't like to go potty where they sleep, and it can help them feel safe if you do have to be gone for awhile.
Consider adopting your Chihuahua
If you have decided that a Chihuahua is a good dog for your lifestyle, consider adopting instead of buying from a breeder. There are tons of purebred and mixed breed Chihuahuas in shelters around the world waiting for their forever home.
A lot of Chihuahuas end up in shelters because people get them and then can't deal with their behaviors or find out that the dog doesn't mesh well with their lifestyle. Chihuahuas are the second most euthanized dog breed in animal shelters.
However, they really are great dogs provided that you know what you're getting into ahead of time and are prepared to spend time training them. So what do you think? Is a Chihuahua the right breed for you?