Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, the Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world, weighing in at as little as two pounds. The Chihuahua generally falls into one of two categories—the Smooth Coat (shorthaired) Chihuahua or the Long Coat (longhaired) Chihuahua—and within these categories may have either an apple head shape or a deer head shape. With their huge personalities, Chihuahuas have been favored for centuries as lap dog companions and have a reputation for having big-dog attitudes despite their minuscule size.

Chihuahuas have a withers height between 6”-9” (15-23 cm) and a weight in the range of 3-6 lb (1.4-2.7 kg). The Chihuahua has an overall body length of roughly 9.5”-15” (24-38 cm), standing height of 8.5”-13” (22-33 cm), and a typical lifespan of 14-16 years.

There are few dogs out there who more iconic than the Chihuahua. The ultimate purse dog. Pups so small and adorable that many owners sadly treat them more like accessories than pets. You may have recognized this breed from its presence on the big and small screen – Bruiser from the movie “Legally Blonde” and the Taco Bell dog are two of the most famous examples (not to mention Paris Hilton regularly posing with one and claiming it was her pet). Perhaps you fell in love with the breed after watching the movie “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” (it happens, we won’t judge!). No matter how you became a fan of the tiny Chihuahua dog, once you’ve owned one, you’ll be hooked on the breed for life. These little pups are just that lovable.

Sporting a large head, expressive eyes and a friendly disposition, the Chihuahua fits into the lifestyle of many types of households. You wouldn’t know to look at it, but the Chihuahua makes an excellent watchdog – of course, you shouldn’t expect it to protect you from any threat (even many rodents could easily over power this pup). So, is the Chihuahua the right pet to join your family? There’s only one way to find out. Read on to learn more about this fantastic breed. We are about to reveal everything that it is worth knowing about the finest toy dog to ever come out of Mexico.

Since Chihuahuas are a toy dog breed, they can be very fragile – even if their personality speaks otherwise. Since they are the smallest dog breed in the world, you need to do what you can as a dog owner to ensure their safety and comfort.

A collapsed trachea is one of the most common injuries a Chihuahua can experience. They have thin bones and cartilage along with a thinner layer of fat and muscle to protect them. A collapsed trachea can make it hard for your Chihuahua to breathe, and it can cause significant pain. This condition can happen when too much pressure or strain is placed on the dog’s neck. When this happens, it can take a long time to recover, and sometimes your dog may never fully recover. For this reason, a harness is a great way to go.