Due to their loyalty and need to be close to their owners the Chihuahua makes an excellent companion and their compact size also makes them convenient for many owners. Chihuahuas have been known to ride inside the pocket of a coat, in purses or a tote bag and also simply just carried around in the arms of the owner. They are easy to travel with and enjoy outdoor activities in favorable weather.

Therefore, you should only get Chihuahuas or choose carefully before adding another breed to the household. You also have to be careful since the Chihuahua doesn't recognize their small size and can often get into trouble when they try to spar with a larger breed dog, especially if the other dog has a dominant personality or gets too rough when playing. Therefore, either keep your Chihuahua on a leash or carry them in your arms when you are outside.

The movies and advertisements by companies such as Taco Bell made the Chihuahua dog very popular. As a result it is now easy to find poorly bred Chihuahuas if you do not carefully select the breed to fit in with your household. Many families think the breed is perfect because of their self-confidence and easy trainability.

However, buying simply from pet stores, newspapers or on the internet can lead to getting a dog that was bred without a concern for their health or temperament and you will have no way of knowing whether or not it will work with your household.

Many good breeders will refuse to place a dog in a household with a child under the age of twelve. But the number of puppies from good breeders is limited due to their small litter size. Before determining if the breed is right for your household you should carefully consider their temperament.

For the Chihuahua dog you need to focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming procedures. At each meal your Chihuahua only needs a small amount of dog food. For most dogs two or three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy biscuits is enough although a few of the larger Chihuahua dogs can eat up to a half can of dog food. Rather than having one large daily feeding it is better to have two or three small meals per day.

Some larger sized Chihuahuas can eat up to a half can of dog food. Most people don't know that the Chihuahua is actually capable of walking long distances, although they won't object if you want to carry them around either. Typically the Chihuahua gets the majority of their exercise from playing around the house. This is why the dog is an excellent choice for the elderly.

When it comes to grooming you should use a soft brush and rub them down with a wet towel or glove to make their coat shine. Trim their nails regularly and keep their ears clean.