Everyone recognizes the Chihuahua as the Taco Bell dog; however, this sweet dog is a great companion for many people throughout the world. The Chihuahua is the smallest of all dog breeds so you can imagine just how tiny a Chihuahua puppy is and the tenderness that must be present when handling and caring for the new puppy.

Temperament of your Chihuahua Puppy

The Chihuahua puppy loves attention just as he or she will when she is an adult. They are great companions, lively, and loyal. They are quite intelligent but can be aggressive toward other dogs. The major problem if not trained socially, the puppy will grow into a jealous dog and may not let other members of the family near the master. This can be a huge problem if you have children.

Living Environment for your Chihuahua Puppy

The Chihuahua puppy does very well in an apartment or home. They do not need a large place to play, as they are so small, however, they tend to shiver during cold weather and should stay indoors. Walks are very important as this works to improve not only his health, but his mental capacity as well.

Training your Chihuahua Puppy

As stated earlier, the Chihuahua is a very intelligent puppy and is easily trainable. He or she will need to learn to be sociable at a young age so as not to snap at young children or others including dogs. The major problem with training is most people tend to baby the puppy, which is a huge mistake. He should be trained and treated similar to larger dogs only using gentle training methods.

Grooming your Chihuahua puppy

The Chihuahua puppy should be bathed at least once per month as well as brushed at least once per week more for the long coat. The toenails will need trimmed or they can grow and turn under and can harm the puppy.

Stats

Origin: Actually, the Chihuahua’s origin is China instead of Mexico, as many believe.
Life expectancy: around 15 years
Diet: The Chihuahua needs small meals and should be watched for feeding too much as they gain weight rather quickly.
Exercise: The Chihuahua is a lively puppy and enjoys plenty of playtimes as well as walks. He or she will need plenty of toys to keep him or her entertained.
Health issues: the Chihuahua has a short nose, which can cause wheezing and snoring. They are prone to colds, gum problems, rheumatism, as well as fractures.
Height: 6 to 9 inches
Weight: 2 to 6 pounds
Colors: chestnut, fawn, sand, silver, steel blue, black & tan and parti-color are the most common colors. The coat may be solid in color or marked with splashes of color such as seen with the tri-color.
Coat: The Chihuahua puppy can have two different types of coats: the smooth or long coat. The smooth coat is soft and glossy whereas the long coat can be flat or a bit curly.