Dog care - Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand

Train your Chihuahua with a gentle hand, and socialize her at an early age with children and other dogs.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Dog care - Protect your dog's neck on walks

Consider buying a body harness instead of a collar to protect your dog's neck on walks. This will also help prevent collapsed trachea and soft palate.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Dog care - Exercise your Chihuahua daily

Exercise your Chihuahua daily if possible. However, this breed tends to have quick bursts of energy and may not need to go on extensive walks. An apartment to romp around in is usually enough exercise for a Chihuahua.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Dog care - Bathe your Chihuahua monthly

Bathe your Chihuahua monthly, being careful not to get water in her ears, as this leads to infections. Longhaired Chihuahuas will need more bathing than shorthaired dogs.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Dog care - Brush a short-coated Chihuahua

Brush a short-coated Chihuahua occasionally with a soft-bristle brush, or wipe her down with a soft cloth. Brush long-coated dogs daily.

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Dog care - Feed your Chihuahua three small meals a day

Feed your Chihuahua three small meals a day. They prefer this to one large meal.

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Dog care - Feed your Chihuahua

Feed your Chihuahua dog food in which the first ingredient is meat. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Fiber content should be 4 percent or less.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Dog care - Have your Chihuahua vaccinated

Have your Chihuahua vaccinated, and follow with yearly booster vaccinations to maintain the dog's immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog.

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Dog care - Chihuahuas are very sensitive to the elements

Chihuahuas are very sensitive to the elements. They can suffer from heatstroke because of their love for the sun, so be careful about leaving them outdoors.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Avoid purchasing a Chihuahua from a pet shop

Avoid purchasing a Chihuahua from a pet shop, as such establishments may not keep satisfactory genetic records. Purchase your dog from a reputable breeder instead.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover