Chihuahuas are the type of dogs that you either absolutely love or cannot stand. This is largely due to a combination of their unique aesthetic and their feisty personalities. Wherever it is you stand in the spectrum, there is no denying the fact that these doggies are wildly popular around the world.
As a result of their popularity and subsequent demand, Chihuahuas can be a bit pricey. In fact, a Chihuahua could cost you $500 to $1500 in purchase or adoption fees. Fortunately, they are relatively low cost as far as maintenance is concerned and is widely regarded as one of the cheapest dogs to raise.
In the sections below, we shall take a closer look at what it takes to purchase and raise a chihuahua and all the factors that play into the price tag. This is the best way to prepare not only financially but also psychologically for what you are getting yourself into.
An average chihuahua will cost between $500 to $1500.
You may be fortunate enough to get one for less or even absolutely free from adoption agencies or individuals giving away litters. This is due to their relatively high numbers.
However, for a purebred, breeder-developed chihuahua, you may have to spend up to $1500 or more. Here are a few of the main reasons why they can get so price:
Chihuahuas are the smallest of all dog breeds and this is a major selling point. This has earned them a reputation as accessory dogs fitting snugly into tote bags or handbags for the perfect errand companions.
This is such a huge determining factor that smaller Chihuahuas are often marked up significantly. A teacup Chihuahua, for example, could cost as high as $2000.
Chihuahuas are very lively dogs and having one in your home guarantees you will never have a dull moment. While this may be a deal-breaker for some, it is one of the main reasons why Chihuahua enthusiasts are such huge fans of the dog.
For these Chihuahua enthusiasts, this comes at an extra cost in terms of damage repair and training. The latter could set you back up to $100 or even more with professional training programs.
Finally, people who chose to invest in Chihuahuas may be ok with the initial price as the subsequent cost of raising the little pooches is negligible. This is because they are a generally healthy dog breed and therefore do not incur high vet costs.
Their size also comes in handy when it comes to lowering the cost of maintenance. This is because they consume significantly lower amounts of food and go through grooming products at a much slower rate.
The small size in Chihuahuas comes with a great advantage. They have one of the longest lifespans of any dog breed.
Chihuahuas can live for an average of 12 to 20 years.
This is because they are relatively healthy dogs and are at risk of very few life-threatening diseases. For some perspective, let us take a look at what Chihuahuas suffer from and what they die from.
A healthy weight range for Chihuahuas would be between 3 to 6 pounds for an adult. In order to maintain this, the Chihuahuas has to be on a special diet. This is because their metabolism, and high appetite levels make them very prone to developing obesity.
This is a condition where with time, the patella bone in the dog’s knee joint becomes progressively loose. This could affect motility both in terms of range and comfort levels for the pooch. It is particularly painful as the bones in the joint continuously rub on each other and require urgent veterinary attention.
One of the main reasons why Chihuahuas stink is due to poor dental hygiene. They are prone to developing plaque and tartar which is responsible for their foul oral odor. If this is not taken care of, it could lead to complications like dental cavities or even gum infections.
Typically, a Chihuahua can hold their pee for 6 to 8 hours.
If you notice that they have gone longer than that without a potty break then you may want to suspect renal stones. These also cause a great deal of pain to the pooch as well as other symptoms like blood or pus in their urine.
Epilepsy in Chihuahuas has been shown to be hereditary and is one of the main reasons why chihuahuas shake so much. Fortunately, with medication and a healthy diet it is something the doggy can live with.
Chihuahuas are for the most part very low maintenance. However, the fact that there is not much to do does not mean that the little there is as straightforward. To help you out, here is how to take care of these doggies from what the best diet for a chihuahua is to how much rest they need.
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On the other hand, most human food as well as overprocessed dog food is bad for chihuahuas. However, they can actually eat human food including fruits like pineapples and mangoes.
In addition to the quality, quantity also matters. How much food a chihuahua should eat per day depends on their age. However, ½ to 1/3 of a cup per day should be more than enough for most.
In addition to good food, you should have your pooch on multivitamin supplements like. These help in everything from boosting immunity to supporting bone and joint health for all-rounded wellness.
Chihuahuas are little balls of energy and need as much sleep as possible. A chihuahua can sleep 12 to 14 hours. Your job is to ensure they have a safe and comfortable place to do so.
This is important as a way to pick out any changes that could indicate problems in the urinary tract or digestive system. A Chihuahua typically poops 1 to 5 times a day and pees 3 to 4 times.
Chihuahuas are infamously difficult to deal with due to their firecracker personalities. However, all they need is a little love, patience, and understanding and you will see how affectionate and cuddly chihuahuas can be. Here is more about what their personalities are like and what makes a chihuahua happy.
People very often mistake the Chihuahua’s feistiness for being mean which is not actually the case. They are just very confident with big personalities.
Chihuahuas tend to bark a lot. They bark when they are scared, excited, sad, angry, or even when they are bored.
These doggies are also quite territorial. In fact, Chihuahuas have been known to show jealousy when their human friends show other pets or people too much attention.
These doggies are very smart and this comes in handy when house training a chihuahua. However, it is not always easy as you will soon see.
While chihuahuas are smart, they are notoriously stubborn. This is especially frustrating when toilet training a chihuahua.
You may have to invest in training which could cost you up to $900 to train in terms of the actual services and tools.
There are also convenient and affordable online programs. In this case, we recommend Brain Training for Dogs designed for all sorts of skills and tricks for even the most stubborn of dogs.
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Chihuahuas are the furthest thing from lazy. If anything, you will have to work very hard to keep up with their high energy levels.
These doggies need a lot of attention and do not do well with being left alone. This makes them ideal for homes with constant human presence.
Standard professional grooming for a chihuahua will set you back between $30 to $50 for every session. This makes them quite cheap to groom in the long run considering they don’t need too many sessions every year.
You could also save a lot by investing in grooming equipment and just doing it yourself.
Whatever you choose to go with, here are a few tips that will definitely come in handy.
Chihuahuas are mild to moderate shedders. This applies both to short and long haired varieties. In order to minimize the amount of shedding as well as matting in long haired chihuahuas, you have to brush their fur regularly. 2 to 3 times a week should be enough.
In addition to brushing their fur, Chihuahuas need to be given baths. This is the case particularly with doggies allowed to spend a lot of time outdoors. The rule of thumb is that a Chihuahua should bathe at least once every one to two months.
One of the leading causes of bad odors in chihuahuas is poor dental hygiene. In order to spare yourself the discomfort and your dog future pain from complications, it is best to invest in their dental hygiene now.
There is a lot that you can do in this case including giving them chew toys, including hard kibble to the diet, or using dental water additives.
Chihuahuas actually need clothes especially in places where winters can be brutal.
As you keep the actually doggy clean, it is also crucial that you keep their clothes and other accessories clean as well. This helps prevent spread of germs, odors, or even parasites like fleas to the newly groomed doggy.
At What Age Do Chihuahuas Stop Growing? Chihuahuas technically stop developing and growing at the age of 10 to 12 months. However, it is possible for them to add weight in the case of obesity if they eat more than they are burning off through staying active. To avoid this, a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important.
Are Boy Or Girl Chihuahuas Better? Male chihuahuas are more popular among dog owners due to their personalities. They tend to be more friendly, affectionate, and loyal. However, they are also prone to bad behavior including temper tantrums and urine spraying. Female chihuahuas on the other hand may be aloof and a little more feisty than most are comfortable with. However, with socialization and obedience training they can become just as affectionate.
How Do I Know If My Chihuahua Is Happy? The best way to know if a chihuahua is happy is by monitoring their interactions with their human friends. When they are happy, they are usually very playful and affectionate with people that they trust. If, on the other hand, they are not happy about something, they may become withdrawn or even aggressive, including towards people they previously liked.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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