Do Chihuahuas Make Good Pets?

Last Updated on October 12, 2021

If you are thinking about getting a dog you might be wondering if Chihuahuas make good pets. Today we will discuss all the pros and cons of having a Chihuahua and whether they will be a good fit for your family.

Having a family pet can be such a great experience for everyone. Dogs make especially great companions for kids and adults, and teach everyone about responsibility. Choosing the right kind of dog for your family is an important step.

Are you an active family, do you have small kids or babies, are you gone from the house all day? All these questions are necessary to answer before you choose your dog.

Chihuahuas are a small breed that has lots of energy and personality. They love to dance around on their back legs and burrow under your blankets. They also love their owners unconditionally.

In addition, this breed has a long lifespan. When you choose a Chihuahua, you’re choosing a family pet that can be with you for 15-20 years.

Do Chihuahuas make good pets?

The short answer is yes! Chihuahuas make excellent family pets! They are loyal and loving animals. The most important thing to keep in mind with this breed is how you raise them.

Chihuahuas are fun and energetic and because of their small size, they don’t require a ton of exercise. However, socialization is extremely important with this breed.

Chihuahuas can be afraid of larger animals and some kids who might be too young and don’t understand how to handle them.

It’s very important to socialize your Chihuahua with other animals and people starting very early on. But you want to make sure you do this properly. Taking a tiny dog like these to the dog park and letting them loose might not be the best answer.

Training is necessary – whether you use a professional or do it yourself, all dogs need some training. This can keep your dog from having bad behaviors.

Pros of Chihuahuas

1. Chihuahuas come in a variety of colors and coat lengths.
2. Because of their size they don’t require a ton of exercise.
3. Also, because of their size they are easy to pick up and carry around. This can be especially good for older adults.
4. Chihuahuas are very loyal to their owner.
5. They travel really well.
6. Chihuahuas do especially well in warmer climates.
7. Smaller dogs eat less food which can be more affordable than having a larger dog.

Chihuahuas have a fun, quirky personality and can be very fun dogs to have in your family. They are also loyal and loving, prefer to be on your lap or next to you as much as possible.

Because of their size, you can take them anywhere! Remember the movie Legally Blonde? Her Chihuahua was a purse dog, rode around in a purse all the time. They really are great travelers.

What I really like about the Chihuahua is they make great pets for the older generation. Because of their size, they are easier for older folks to handle as well as exercise.

Cons of Chihuahuas

1. Chihuahuas have a tendency to get cold easily so if you live in a colder climate you need to have lots of little sweaters available and tons of blankets.
2. Sometimes the Chihuahua can become overly agressive when trying to protect their owner.
3. Chihuahuas often don’t like bigger dogs and can become agressive towards them.
4. They are known to be barkers, like to bark at everything and anything.
5. They are small dogs and sometimes don’t do well with smaller children if the children don’t understand how to handle them without hurting them.

There is a fine line you walk when you have a Chihuahua. You want to protect them from kids and animals but at the same time, they need to learn how to stand up for themselves.

That is why many times Chihuahuas can become aggressive.

They can also become too attached to their owner and become aggressive to anyone who comes near them. Proper training can keep this from happening.

Summary: Do Chihuahuas Make Good Pets?

There are pros and cons to every dog breed. It’s important to keep in mind your needs and how they fit in with the dog’s needs.

If you have very small children or plan to have kids soon the Chihuahua might not be the best choice unless you take the right steps for training. If you have other larger dogs then the Chihuahua might not be the best choice.

BUT, I used to have a neighbor who had an Akita (which is a very large dog, like over 100lbs) and a Chihuahua. They got along great and were the best of friends. They also had small children. I think that means that you never really know!

There are no hard and fast rules – often it all boils down to proper training.

What’s important is to properly train your dog and socialize your dog. This is just as important as their veterinary care as it takes care of their mental health, as well as yours.

If you properly train and socialize your dog then the Chihuahua will make an excellent pet for your family.

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