Chihuahua

Although not good with children, largely due to their size, this dog has other characteristics that make them wonderful companions. They are lively, strong-willed, curious and loyal and have one of the longest life spans of any breed, almost 16 years. They are generally considered as great pets for the elderly, their cocky attitude making them quite entertaining.

The Chihuahua makes an excellent watchdog. As strictly an inside pet, they are the perfect apartment dog and well suited for travel. However, they can easily chill and need sweaters to help protect them from cold weather and damp places. Unfortunately, they do not get along with other dogs.

Their health concerns are directly related to their size: prone to gaining weight, corneal dryness, glaucoma, and knee-cap issues. They are also born with a soft spot on the top of their head that needs protection in the event it doesn’t close.

Their coats come in a variety of colors and are either short or long. Occasionally, shorter coats need to be gently brushed to maintain sheen. The longer coats need to be groomed daily for general upkeep. Both types need to be bathed at least once a month with careful attention being paid to their nails.

Chihuahuas generally have litters with 1 to 4 pups.