Let's talk Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas

Petite yet mighty, Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas are the tiniest of breeds yet possess a big heart. Instantly identifiable by their apple-shaped head and doe-eyes, their devoted stare conveys the mammoth warmth found within. Chihuahuas are fiercely loyal, great for city or country homes, and with proper care, live very long healthy lives – often two decades or more. The breed also comes in a long-coat version.

Official name: Smooth-Coat Chihuahua

Other names: Chiwawa, Chi

Origins: Mexico

Chihuahua adult in black and white on a white background

  • Drooling tendencies

    1 out of 5

  • Grooming needs

    2 out of 5

  • Shedding Level

    2 out of 5

  • Barking tendencies

    3 out of 5

  • Energy level

    3 out of 5

  • Compatibility with other pets

    3 out of 5

  • Warm weather?

    3 out of 5

  • Cold weather?

    1 out of 5

  • Suited to apartment living

    5 out of 5

  • Can stay alone

    2 out of 5

  • Family pet

    4 out of 5
*We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations. Every pet is different, even within a breed. This snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication only. For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as meeting their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioural needs). Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child. Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice. All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Illustration of beige Long Coat Chihuahua
MaleFemale
HeightHeight
12.7 - 22.86 cm13 - 20 cm
WeightWeight
1 - 3 kg1 - 3 kg
Life Stage
PuppyAdult
2 to 10 months10 months to 8 years
MatureSenior
8 to 12 yearsFrom 12 years
Baby
Birth to 2 months

  • Drooling tendencies

    1 out of 5

  • Grooming needs

    2 out of 5

  • Shedding Level

    2 out of 5

  • Barking tendencies

    3 out of 5

  • Energy level

    3 out of 5

  • Compatibility with other pets

    3 out of 5

  • Warm weather?

    3 out of 5

  • Cold weather?

    1 out of 5

  • Suited to apartment living

    5 out of 5

  • Can stay alone

    2 out of 5

  • Family pet

    4 out of 5
*We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations. Every pet is different, even within a breed. This snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication only. For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as meeting their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioural needs). Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child. Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice. All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Illustration of beige Long Coat Chihuahua
MaleFemale
HeightHeight
12.7 - 22.86 cm13 - 20 cm
WeightWeight
1 - 3 kg1 - 3 kg
Life Stage
PuppyAdult
2 to 10 months10 months to 8 years
MatureSenior
8 to 12 yearsFrom 12 years
Baby
Birth to 2 months
Smooth Coat Chihuahua running over grass
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Get to know Smooth-Coat Chihuahua

All you need to know about the breed

“Best buddy” is the ideal phrase to describe the Smooth-Coat Chihuahua, the ideal companion dog. Loyalty is a given for a breed that easily cosies up but is always on alert where their owner is concerned. Barking at strangers may happen with the Chihuahua but it’s hardly cause for concern. They’ll soon be diverted by another nonstop activity. Playtime is anytime as far as they’re concerned!

The power-packed personality of the Chihuahua breed is evident in their official ranking: They currently hold 11th place on the American Kennel Club’s annual list of most popular breeds.

The breed never grows past 3 kilograms – 6 pounds – so taking them pretty much anywhere is doable.

When it comes to dogs, we’re often advised to watch children for fear that the dog may hurt them unwittingly. But because this breed is so small, children are the ones who could actually harm the Chihuahua without meaning to. They can be fragile so keep a watchful eye. Indoor play is ideal as are small dog parks. Mental stimulation is great for the Chihuahua breed, and games are an ideal pastime, too.

Far from being a hulking security dog, Chihuahuas can be just as protective of their flock. They tend to be reserved with strangers, but this wariness falls away once a new relationship is formed.

Beige Smooth Coat Chihuahua puppy with mother
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Two facts about Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas

1. Don’t spoil them too rotten

Believe it or not, Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas can gain weight easily. With a wee body, one too many snacks can quickly add up. Use a handful of kibble as a treat, taken from their daily meal allotment. The official breed classification puts the Chihuahua at 6 lbs (2.72 kg), tops.

2. So small in a big world  

The Chihuahua personality is a bold one for sure: Not to be dismissed, they’ve been known to challenge dogs multiple times their size. Teaching your new dog a new trick – how to get along with others – will be key to proper socializing as they grow.

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History of the breed

Many wonder where the diminutive Chihuahua comes from. The dog hails from 12th-Century Mexico during the time the Aztecs conquered the Toltec civilization, and the Techichi dog, a denser ancestor of the Chihuahua breed. The Techichi was lighter and more agile than the current Chihuahua size, if that’s even possible for such a petite breed of dog.

Throughout the centuries, the Chihuahua persevered, eventually gaining huge popularity in the US in the mid-1800s when Americans discovered them in their area of origin, Chihuahua, the Mexican state that borders Texas. The Techichi was then renamed and the Chihuahua breed flourished north of the border.

Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas can be clannish, tending to stick with their own kind. Not bred for a particular job, Chihuahuas function best as a family dog and of course make a superb travelling partner. For that, they’re just the right size: The Chihuahua dog breed is considered the smallest in the world, maxing out at just over 6 pounds, or 2.72 kg.

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From head to tail

Physical characteristics of Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas

Illustration of beige Long Coat Chihuahua
1
2
3
4
5

1.Ears

Wide-set ears with erect positioning, tapering to a tip.

2.Head

Distinctive apple-shaped head

3.Body

Compact body with short, firm back, solid muscularity.

4.Fur

Smooth firm, fine-haired coat, thin undercoat.

5.Tail

High curved tail that forms semicircle or curlicue.
Chihuahua standing on hill looking into distance
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Things to look out for

From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Smooth-Coat Chihuahua

This is one dogged dog

The headstrong Smooth-Coat Chihuahua temperament and wilful determination is surprising, given their compact size. But small can still mean mighty when it comes to getting their way. The Smooth-Coat Chihuahua is smart and will outsmart you if you let him! The solution: Early education of your puppy to make sure they know who is in charge. Training your Smooth-Coat Chihuahua well can offset any tenacious streak they may have and instil good behaviour all around.

Too much exercise wears them out

The Chihuahua breed is a high-energy one for sure, but don’t mistake this characteristic for your Smooth-Coat Chihuahua’s desire to take super long walks or play endlessly. A small body means that less is more. Simple indoor activity is best on a daily basis for the Smooth-Coat Chihuahua dog, and they’ll get more mileage out of shorter strolls in the end. And as with all smaller dogs, if they get too tired, you can just pick them up and put them in a carrier the rest of the way home!

Chihuahuas can have a few health issues

Small dog breeds can be prone to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. It’s easy to think Chihuahuas’ little bodies don’t need a lot to go on but too-long a stretch between meals and your dog may have a serious dip in energy. Stick to regular meals and food packaging guidelines. The breed can have cardiac concerns such as narrow heart valves or aortic valve disease, eye disease and patellar luxation (loose kneecaps). Regular veterinarian checkups can stem any problems before they start. They are also known as a brachycephalic breed, characterized by a flattened snout and nostrils. Breathing difficulties – especially in too-hot or too-cold weather – can be common. Many dogs that have brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome can also show signs of gastrointestinal distress. Take extra care to have your Chihuahua fully examined by a veterinarian regularly.

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Caring for your Smooth-Coat Chihuahua

Grooming, training, and exercise tips

<p>The devoted, smart Smooth-Coat Chihuahua is a delightful dog to have around. An intense loyalty means they’re motivated to please, and will definitely respond well to obedience training. Instilling good habits in your Smooth-Coat Chihuahua from a young age will yield the best results and curb the tendency to be overly assertive.</p>

<p>As a small dog, hikes and morning runs are ruled out, but there is plenty of activity the Smooth-Coat Chihuahua can get up to every day. Like any dog, they need moderate exercise to keep in good health. Short jaunts around a few blocks will work to keep them in good shape. The life expectancy of the Chihuahua is a long one; keep them fit all those years with appropriate activity, like simple play indoors and fun games of fetch.</p>

<p>Keep the coat of the Smooth-Coat Chihuahua in shape by grooming it a few times per week; doing so will help dispose of old hair and make way for new, and keep their coat its shiny best. Shedding is luckily not an issue for the breed. Routine nail trims should be maintained as well as the regular brushing of teeth to stave off any periodontal problems. Daily brushing removes dental plaque but preventing periodontal problems may be best done through the care of your veterinarian.</p>

<p>The devoted, smart Smooth-Coat Chihuahua is a delightful dog to have around. An intense loyalty means they’re motivated to please, and will definitely respond well to obedience training. Instilling good habits in your Smooth-Coat Chihuahua from a young age will yield the best results and curb the tendency to be overly assertive.</p>

<p>As a small dog, hikes and morning runs are ruled out, but there is plenty of activity the Smooth-Coat Chihuahua can get up to every day. Like any dog, they need moderate exercise to keep in good health. Short jaunts around a few blocks will work to keep them in good shape. The life expectancy of the Chihuahua is a long one; keep them fit all those years with appropriate activity, like simple play indoors and fun games of fetch.</p>

<p>Keep the coat of the Smooth-Coat Chihuahua in shape by grooming it a few times per week; doing so will help dispose of old hair and make way for new, and keep their coat its shiny best. Shedding is luckily not an issue for the breed. Routine nail trims should be maintained as well as the regular brushing of teeth to stave off any periodontal problems. Daily brushing removes dental plaque but preventing periodontal problems may be best done through the care of your veterinarian.</p>

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All about Smooth-Coat Chihuahuas

Read more on this topic

Sources
  1. Veterinary Centres of America https://vcahospitals.com/
  2. Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
  3. Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
  4. Royal Canin BHN Product Book
  5. American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/

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