Chihuahua: Everything You Need to Know

Veterinary and insurance guide · Petplan Spain Team · Updated 2026

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world and one of the most characterful: a tiny, alert, big-hearted companion with an outsized personality and fierce devotion to its owner. Portable, long-lived and full of confidence, it is a hugely popular companion in Spain — but its tiny size brings a very specific set of veterinary predispositions, and its bold temperament needs sensible socialisation. In this guide we cover its origin, its temperament, the conditions we most often see in the clinic, the care it needs, and the real veterinary costs worth planning for in Spain, and we explain why Petplan pet insurance is the best choice for your Chihuahua.

Origin and history of the Chihuahua

The Chihuahua takes its name from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where the modern breed was first documented in the 19th century. It is widely believed to descend from the Techichi, a small companion dog kept by the Toltec and Aztec civilisations of central Mexico, making it one of the oldest breeds of the Americas.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognises the Chihuahua under standard number 218, in group 9 (companion and toy dogs). It comes in two coat varieties — smooth (short) and long — and its hallmarks are its tiny size, its rounded “apple” head, its large upright ears and a lively, spirited expression.

Physical characteristics

Temperament and character

The Chihuahua is loyal, alert, confident and intensely affectionate with its owner, to whom it often bonds so closely that it becomes a true “one-person” dog. It is brave to the point of fearlessness, despite its size, and makes a surprisingly effective little watchdog. It loves warmth, comfort and being close to its person.

Two traits are worth knowing before you adopt. First, the Chihuahua’s bold, big-dog attitude in a tiny body means it needs early, consistent socialisation; without it, it can become nervy, possessive or snappy, and it can misjudge confrontations with much larger dogs. Second, because it is so small and delicate it is often not ideal with very young children, who can injure it accidentally. Treated with respect and gently trained, it is a devoted, entertaining and long-lived companion.

Common health problems in the Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is remarkably long-lived, but its extreme small size brings several characteristic predispositions worth knowing.

Dental disease

This is the breed’s most common problem. So many teeth in such a tiny mouth leads to crowding, tartar and periodontal disease, often with early tooth loss. Regular dental care — brushing and professional cleaning — is essential throughout life.

Joints, trachea and skull

The Chihuahua is predisposed to patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), to tracheal collapse (a narrowing of the windpipe causing a honking cough) and to hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain). Many are born with a persistent fontanelle — a soft spot on the skull — which needs care to avoid head trauma.

Heart, eyes and hypoglycaemia

The breed can be affected by heart conditions such as patent ductus arteriosus and mitral valve disease, by eye conditions, and — especially as puppies — by hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which needs prompt attention. Difficult births are also common, so many litters are delivered by caesarean.

Coat care and feeding

Coat care is easy: the smooth variety needs only an occasional brush, while the long variety benefits from brushing a few times a week to prevent tangles. Far more important is dental care — daily toothbrushing and regular professional cleaning are the single best thing an owner can do for a Chihuahua’s long-term health. Because it feels the cold, a coat in winter is sensible.

Feeding should be based on a quality small-breed food in carefully measured portions — the Chihuahua needs very little and gains weight easily, and obesity is especially hard on its tiny joints and heart. Puppies should be fed little and often to prevent hypoglycaemia. Fresh water should always be available.

Exercise and stimulation

The Chihuahua needs only modest exercise: a couple of short daily walks plus indoor play are plenty for such a small dog, and it adapts beautifully to flat living. It should never be over-exercised in heat or cold, and walks should be on a harness rather than a collar to protect its delicate trachea.

Mental stimulation and gentle training matter as much as physical exercise. The Chihuahua is intelligent and learns quickly, and positive, reward-based training plus early socialisation are the key to a confident, well-mannered little dog rather than a nervy one. Company matters too — it does not like being left alone for long.

How much does pet insurance for a Chihuahua cost?

The price of pet insurance for a Chihuahua in Spain depends on the age at sign-up, the type of cover (third-party liability, accidents, full health), the capital limit and the geographic area. For a Chihuahua insured before its third birthday, the average Petplan premium is around EUR 290 per year on intermediate cover.

To put the value in perspective: dental treatment is frequent and recurring; patellar luxation or tracheal surgery can run to EUR 1,200-2,500; hydrocephalus and heart conditions mean lifelong care; and difficult births can need an emergency caesarean. Given how long the breed lives, insurance turns years of unpredictable cost into a stable monthly payment.

Why Petplan is the best choice for your Chihuahua

Petplan has been Europe’s leading pet insurer since 1976 and operates in Spain as Petplan Ibérica. Our cover is designed specifically for the particularities of the Chihuahua: dental disease, patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, hydrocephalus and heart conditions all fall within the scope of the policy, provided the animal is insured before they show clinically.

We work with free choice of vet across Spain: you can keep going to your trusted vet or your referral specialist, not a closed network. Reimbursement is quick, and the policy covers your Chihuahua for its whole life as long as you renew, with no exclusions for conditions that arise with age — which matters enormously for such a long-lived breed.

If you want to know exactly what it costs to insure your Chihuahua, with its date of birth, postcode and level of cover, you can calculate your personalised price in under a minute with no obligation.