The loyalty of the Chihuahua dog and the need to be close to their owners make them an excellent companion and their compact size makes them very convenient for most owners. Often a Chihuahua can ride in a coat pocket, in a purse or tote bag and just within the safety of the owner's arms. They enjoy outdoor activity in favorable weather and are very easy to travel with. Although at times they can also be curious and mischievous. They will often find something to get into and make a mess if you leave them alone for long periods of time at home. The Chihuahua will get along fine with their own breed, but often not with other breeds. 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. Often times a good breeder won't place a dog in a home with a child under the age of twelve. However, because of their small litter size the number of puppies available from good breeders is often limited. Therefore, you should carefully consider the breed before determining if they are right for you and your household.

When it comes to caring for your Chihuahua dog you need to focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming. At each meal Chihuahuas only need a small amount of food. About two to three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy biscuits is all that most Chihuahuas require. It is best to have two or three small meals rather than just one large daily feeding. 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.