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.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

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.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

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.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

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

Selection guide - A Chihuahua is usually a one-person dog

A Chihuahua is usually a one-person dog. They are loving with their owners, but they are often jealous and suspicious of outsiders.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Health problem

Understand that Chihuahuas can suffer from weak knees, colds, corneal dryness, secondary glaucoma, genetic disorders relating to the soft palate and trachea, molera, heart valve problems and dislocated kneecaps. Talk to the breeder to find out what type of health screenings have been performed.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Look at the Chihuahua's features when choosing your dog

Look at the Chihuahua's features when choosing your dog. A good dog will have fine bones without too many muscles, a round head, large eyes and perky ears.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Reconsider Chihuahua if you have children or other pets

Reconsider this breed if you have children or other pets; most Chihuahuas won't get along well with kids or animals.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Reconsider buying a Chihuahua if you want a calm, quiet dog

Reconsider buying a Chihuahua if you want a calm, quiet dog. Chihuahuas act excited when they see you and will bark often, though this can be avoided with proper training.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Consider a Chihuahua if you want a vigilant watchdog

Consider a Chihuahua if you want a vigilant watchdog. Because of their alertness and loyalty to their owners, Chihuahuas are suspicious of visitors.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Chihuahua is a sweet, attentive dog

Choose a Chihuahua if you're looking for a sweet, attentive dog. They love to be around humans and will lie in your lap for hours.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Chihuahua may not be good with children

This breed can be stubborn, jealous and aggressive, and may not be good with children and other animals.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Some Chihuahuas bark a lot

Some Chihuahuas are extremely excitable and many bark a lot, though some bark very little. Proper training can reduce excitability.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Chihuahuas often shiver

Chihuahuas often shiver - not just when cold, but also when excited.

Chihuahua - Dog Lover