The FCI standard allows no more than three kilos, yet calls the Chihuahua (Chihuahueño) “very courageous” in the same text. Anyone who has seen a Chihuahua bark at a dog ten times its size understands. That courage lives in a body needing protection, which explains most questions about its care.
| FCI | Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 6 Chihuahueño, Standard No. 218, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Mexico |
| Size (height at the withers) | not considered in the FCI standard; only weight is assessed |
| Weight | 1 to 3 kg, ideal 1,5 to 2,5 kg; under 1 kg or over 3 kg disqualified |
| Life expectancy | median 11,8 years in a British analysis of 584.734 dogs (McMillan et al. 2024) |
| Coat | two varieties: smooth-haired, glossy and soft; long-haired, fine and silky, straight or slightly wavy |
| Colours in the standard | all colours in all shades and combinations, except merle |
Origins
According to the FCI standard, the breed is named after Chihuahua state in northern Mexico, where it supposedly lived wild. Local people are said to have caught and domesticated the little dogs in Toltec times. Tula has depictions of a toy dog called Techichi, closely resembling today’s Chihuahua.
Temperament
The standard describes a lively, watchful, restless and very courageous dog. Aggressive or fearful dogs are disqualified. In daily life, it is an attentive alarm-raiser that follows its person closely. It needs the same training as a large dog: carrying it everywhere and allowing everything often creates a barker.
Exercise and activities
A Chihuahua enjoys walking and has more stamina than you might expect. Several short outings daily, search games and small tricks keep it satisfied. Allow off-lead freedom only where large dogs cannot rush at it unchecked.
Grooming
The smooth coat needs little attention; long hair needs brushing once or twice a week. Teeth matter more than coat: daily toothbrushing is essential care for this breed.
Health
Royal Veterinary College VetCompass analysis of 11.647 Chihuahuas found gum and periodontal disease the most common diagnosis at 13,5 per cent, followed by excess weight (5,9 per cent) and retained baby teeth (5,7 per cent). Leading causes among deaths were heart disease (18,8 per cent), lower respiratory disease (16,3 per cent) and traumatic injuries (13,8 per cent) (O'Neill et al. 2020). The Chihuahua is also among breeds studied for Chiari-like malformation with syringomyelia, involving narrowing at the skull-spine junction (Knowler et al. 2017). Look for parents within the normal weight range: the standard already excludes extremely small dogs below one kilo.
Who is a Chihuahua right for?
Adults seeking an affectionate small companion who will train consistently and take dental care and vet costs seriously.
Who is it less suitable for?
Families with small children who might pick it up and drop it, and anyone viewing a dog as a handbag accessory.
Read why so many Chihuahuas bark a lot, and what you can do, in our detailed Chihuahua breed profile. Our breed quiz checks whether the breed really suits you, with greater depth in our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Find more FCI-based breed profiles in the Dog Breed Encyclopedia.
Further reading
- Chihuahua: why the barking is a problem people create
- Yorkshire Terrier: three kilos of terrier, no accessory
- Is my dog overweight? How to check body shape and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 218 Chihuahueño (fci.be, version dated 04.10.2019); O'Neill DG et al., Demography and commonly recorded clinical conditions of Chihuahuas under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016, BMC Veterinary Research 2020; Knowler SP et al., Craniometric Analysis of the Hindbrain and Craniocervical Junction of Chihuahua, Affenpinscher and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs With and Without Syringomyelia Secondary to Chiari-Like Malformation, PLOS ONE 2017; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024.
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