Chihuahuas
Size
Environment
Hair
Level of care
Jump to:
What is a Chihuahua?
Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where their origins date back to the 19th century, Chihuahuas hold the distinction of being the smallest type of dog in the world. Chihuahuas can have either long or short hair — aside from coat length, all other characteristics are similar.
Due to their breeding and appearance, Chihuahuas can be prone to serious health and welfare problems. We only recommend taking on a Chihuahua through a reputable rehoming charity, and only those with moderate physical features.
Physical features
Chihuahuas are a very small breed, often described as dainty and compact, their average size often no larger than a domestic cat. Breed standards, which are defined by breed clubs for showing purposes, describe Chihuahuas as having a domed shaped skull with a moderately short muzzle.
Some people choose to breed for more exaggerated features and artificially stunted growth, marketing these as ‘teacup’ variants. These are not recognised or endorsed by breed clubs due to the increased risks to health and welfare. The RSPCA strongly opposes breeding for appearance.
Common characteristics
The temperament of Chihuahuas is frequently described as alert, spirited and intelligent.
Some Chihuahuas may be confident, others may be more wary due to their small size. Positive reward training and socialisation can help Chihuahuas not to become overwhelmed with their surroundings and to grow into confident, well-rounded individuals later in life.
All dogs — even those within the same breed and litter — have different personalities and temperaments. Each is an individual with their own preferences. While breed accounts for a small proportion of behaviour and temperament, how they are bred, reared, socialised, trained and their life experiences will have a much more significant, long-term impact.
As a result of Chihuahua popularity and indiscriminate breeding practices, they can be predisposed to multiple serious long-term health issues that dramatically reduce their quality of life, and ultimately shorten the Chihuahua's lifespan.
Some of these problems are a result of their appearance, whereas others are a result of inherited disorders. Owning a chronically ill dog can cause significant caregiver burden resulting in emotional distress and financial strain.
The frequency of inherited disorders can be reduced through good breeding practices. We do not support selective breeding for appearance. Instead, anyone thinking of getting a dog companion should choose one who is innately healthy, with a good temperament, has good welfare and is suitable for their lifestyle.
Chihuahuas suffer from extreme conformations; characterised as an exaggerated body shape, structure, or appearance, which can negatively affect their health and welfare. These include:
- Brachycephalic skull shape (short and flat): A brachycephalic skull shape can cause Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), eye problems and dental problems.
- Bulging, large or protruding eyes: A brachycephalic skull shape can make eye sockets too shallow to adequately house the eyes. This causes Brachycephalic Ocular Syndrome (BOS) where multiple eye problems can occur due to facial structure.
- Domed shaped skull: Brachycephalic skull shape reduces the amount of space within the skull forcing brain tissue into a confined space. This can cause neurological problems.
- Merle/dapple coat: When both parents are merle/dapple, this increases the risk of impaired vision and hearing in their offspring.
- Extremely small size/‘teacup’ varieties: ‘Teacup’ dogs have been bred to be unnaturally small, usually from dogs who have medical conditions which impedes their growth and otherwise are not suitable for breeding. ‘Teacup’ dogs are at increased risk of serious health problems.
Chihuahuas are at increased risk of the inherited diseases below. Each of these can seriously impact health, welfare and life-expectancy.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
Chihuahuas are classified as brachycephalic, which means they have a shortened or flat skull. Chihuahuas are considered to have a mild risk of developing breathing problems because of their skull shape, so not all Chihuahua’s will be affected. BOAS refers to the associated respiratory problems that occur as a direct result. It’s a congenital condition that can cause severe health and welfare problems, yet a lot of the symptoms have been normalised leading to an underrecognition of suffering. Many affected animals require surgery to reduce suffering, although this isn’t curative and individuals will suffer throughout their entire lives. Learn more about BOAS on our caring for pets with brachycephaly page.
Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM)
CM and SM describe the abnormal flow of cerebrospinal fluid between the skull and spinal column, causing fluid build up in the spinal cord. They’re congenital conditions (from birth) that occur because the skull is too small to adequately house the brain. CM/SM causes severe pain, weakness, loss of coordination and seizures. Symptoms may also include; scratching without making skin contact, facial rubbing, pain and behavioural changes such as aggression when approached or touched. Treatment involves complex surgery, although this isn’t curative, with as many as 50% of cases recurring within two years. Most dogs with CM and SM are eventually euthanised due to uncontrollable pain to prevent further suffering.
Dental disease
Due to the shortness of their snout, Chihuahuas’ teeth often become overcrowded, causing dental disease, pain and difficulty eating. If left untreated, this can cause problems with the heart, liver and kidneys.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is characterised by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid on or around the brain, causing a domed shaped appearance of the skull. This is a significant disease that causes severe pain, loss of brain function, blindness and death. Symptoms also include nausea, headpressing, circling, abnormal behaviours and distress. Major surgery is required, although this isn’t curative and many dogs affected are euthanised to prevent further suffering.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
Dry eye occurs due to reduced tear production, causing chronic irritation of the surface of the eye, with dogs showing discomfort by rubbing their eyes and squinting. This painful condition can lead to blindness if untreated. Their eyes may be red and there may be discharge in or around the eye. The abnormal position of their eyes and an inability to blink adequately can also worsen the symptoms. Treatment involves life-long eye medications and pain relief, with surgery often required too.
Mitral valve dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), pulmonic stenosis
Chihuahuas are predisposed to three types of heart disease: Mitral valve dysplasia occurs later in life whereas PDA and pulmonic stenosis are congenital (present from birth). PDA is the most severe and, without treatment, is often fatal. A vet will need to undertake multiple tests, such as listening to the heart with a stethoscope. ECGs, radiographs and echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) will be required to gain a full diagnosis. Life-long medication and complex heart surgery may be required in some circumstances.
Patellar luxation
Patella luxation occurs when the patella (knee cap) slips out of place. This causes pain and lameness, which can see the dog display non-weight bearing behaviours, such as skipping or hopping a few paces when walking and running. Dogs with luxating patellas are more likely to develop osteoarthritis in later life.
Hypoglycaemia
Due to their size, ‘teacup’ Chihuahuas have difficulty regulating body temperature, reduced food intake and high energy demand, which all increase the risk of hypoglycaemia. Symptoms include weakness, disorientation, being more tired than usual, seizures, loss of consciousness and death. Hypoglycaemia requires immediate veterinary intervention. Those with extremely small variations will need to feed more regularly and maintain a stable body temperature to reduce the risks.
Liver shunt
A liver shunt is the abnormal flow of blood around the liver, rather than through it. This causes a build up of toxins, leading to stunted growth, poor muscle development, abnormal behaviours, circling, head pressing and seizures. Medical management requires long-term medication and specialised diets. Specialist surgery may also be necessary. Depending on the severity, treatment can usually resolve the issue, although some dogs are euthanised due to uncontrollable seizures.
Due to breeding and their appearance, Chihuahuas may have high care needs, including:
- Daily monitoring for worsening progression of disease
- Administration of daily medication (if prescribed by a veterinary surgeon)
- Additional dental check ups at the vets
- Additional warmth in winter
- Feeding smaller portions of food more regularly
Life expectancy
A study by the Royal Veterinary College found Chihuahua’s live an average of 7.9 years. Average Chihuahua population life expectancy is estimated to be 10 to 11 years.
There is a high level of variation of lifespan for all dogs. Presently, there are no accurate ways to measure life expectancy due to a lack of data.
Coat length and care
Chihuahuas with a short, single-layer coat should be groomed weekly. Chihuahuas with longer hair will require daily grooming and care. Regular grooming maintains a healthy coat, improves hygiene and can help you detect health problems early.
Space requirements
All dogs need somewhere clean, comfortable, quiet and draft free to rest. They’ll need to have regular opportunities to go to the toilet, but can live in homes of any size, with or without a garden.
Exercise requirements
Despite their size, Chihuahuas have moderate energy and exercise requirements, and will need both physical and mental enrichment to meet their needs.
More regular but shorter walks with lots of opportunity to engage in their surroundings, play and training will help keep Chihuahuas occupied and enriched.
Data from RSPCA insurance provider, Pinnacle Pet UK estimate the average insurance claims across a Chihuahuas lifetime to be £3167.
According to a Pets4Homes 2026 report, the average advertised price to purchase a Chihuahua in 2025 was £878.
Use our pet cost calculator to work out minimum monthly costs.
