What to Expect If You Have a Tiny Chihuahua

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Tiny Chihuahuas weigh less than 3 lbs and are less than 6″ in height. They have big and round eyes, erect ears, apple-like head and small frame. This breed may put its ears back and flat against its head when showing aggression and when feeling threatened. Tiny Chihuahuas come in various colors such as cream, black, white, fawn, gold and chocolate.

Long-haired Chihuahuas need to be brushed thrice a week to prevent matting and to minimize shedding. Short-haired Chihuahuas require a quick brushing once a week. Their teeth should be brushed as frequently as possible. You should also trim their nails when necessary.

Tiny Chihuahua Health Issues

Standard size Chihuahuas suffer from various health issues due to their small size. Tiny breeds have the same problems. They are prone to heart disease. Their bodies and hearts were not made to be extremely small. Their organs have been significantly reduced very quickly and because of this, their heart can’t do its job.

This breed may also suffer from incontinence. They have to do their business many times throughout the day. Some of them may not be able to hold it in until the next walk. They need a litter box or doggy diaper to prevent accidents inside the house.

Tiny Chihuahuas have a teaspoon-sized stomach that can only hold a small amount of food. They have to eat frequently to prevent their blood sugar from dropping to dangerously low levels. This means that you need to feed them every 1 or 2 hours.

Their bones are also easily broken so you have to protect them from small kids and other pets. Tiny Chihuahuas may also suffer from hydrocephalus. Other health problems that are associated with this breed include eye diseases, slipping kneecaps, periodontal disease, idiopathic epilepsy and tracheal collapse.

Pros and Cons of Getting a Tiny Chihuahua

1. They Don’t Take Up a Lot of Space

The small size of tiny Chihuahuas makes them a good option for apartment-dwellers since these dogs don’t need a spacious room or yard. This bred doesn’t need a lot of food and their coat doesn’t need special care. An occasional brushing or damp cloth is enough for short-haired Chihuahuas.

2. Loyal and Affectionate

Tiny Chihuahuas are active dogs that love regular playtime, daily walks and outdoor romps. They make excellent watchdogs. They are also easy to train because they are smart.

3. Prone to Injuries

This breed has a molera, a spot head on its head that doesn’t harden and leaves its susceptible to head injuries. Tiny Chihuahuas also find it hard to adapt to the cold. They need a warm environment or sweater.

4. Negative Behaviors

If a tiny Chihuahua is not disciplined, it will display various negative behaviors such as jealousy and aggression. These dogs may become extremely protective of their owners and attack other dogs or people. They may fight larger breeds and become seriously injured.  The territorial instincts and barking habits of this breed may also annoy you.

5. Expensive

The price of Tiny Chihuahuas is pretty high. Some breeders may charge more than $11,000 for tiny Chihuahua puppies. This breed also needs yearly vet checks, vaccinations, food, worming and flea treatments, crate and toys. If you are busy, you have to consider the cost of enrolling them in dog daycare.

Tiny Chihuahua Training

A Chihuahua with a short temper is easily aggravated, making it unsuitable for families with small kids. On the other hand, a Chihuahua that has a good temperament will be protective and loyal to his humans.

Training tiny Chihuahuas can be either difficult or easy depending on the kind of training you want to do. It is best to start training your dog from a young age.

Train your pooch not to bark harshly at everything. Potty training is also important. Get your pet used to the habit of doing his business outside the house. Let him learn that you won’t tolerate doing potty inside your house and any excessive barking. You have to be strict, but gentle during training.

Make sure that you’re not too soft or too harsh. If you’re too soft, your pooch won’t obey you. If you’re too harsh, your Chihuahua will fear you. Teach your dog to respect you because this will make training easier. It will also make your pooch obedient to your commands.

Socialization can help them get used to other pets. Tiny Chihuahuas can be standoffish or hostile when meeting other dogs or strangers. By socializing them, they will become more accepting and sociable. Teach your pooch to overcome separation anxiety. Tiny Chihuahuas with separation anxiety will chew things and bark a lot.

You can train them to stay in a certain spot inside the house when you’re not at home. Their spot should have their food, water and potty box.

How to Find a Good Tiny Chihuahua Breeder

Miniaturizing a breed puts the dog at risk of various health problems. This is why you need to be careful when buying a tiny Chihuahua. Chihuahuas should be tested for patella luxation, cardiac disease and eye diseases. The breeder should have a record for these tests. They should be eager to talk about the health problems associated with tiny Chihuahuas.

If they don’t answer your questions, you should move on and find another one. Avoid breeders who always have litters available, won’t allow you to see the pup with his mother before you get him and don’t have waiting lists. The cost of raising a tiny Chihuahua might put off some people, especially first time owners.

If you really want a small dog and you are prepared to cope with the medical issues, house training and feeding problems associated with this breed, why don’t you just adopt a tiny Chihuahua? Visit Chihuahua breed rescues or local animal shelters. By rescuing abandoned tiny Chihuahuas, you can avoid unscrupulous breeders and save money as well. More importantly, you are saving a life and giving a tiny Chihuahua another chance to live a happy and comfortable life.

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