What should I know about chihuahua health, care, and temperament?

Question

What should I know about chihuahuas. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 3 months old | 36 lbs

Makenzie Kurth, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Chihuahuas can be great pets! They tend to be a little anxious about their feet and mouths sometimes, so diligent practice at home is very helpful to the veterinary team. (Of course some chihuahua's could care less and are happy to see us!) From a medical standpoint, I will note that they are prone to significant dental disease. Usually from age 2 or 3 on, they will need a professional, anesthetised dental cleaning with the veterinarian every 9-12 months. The only exceptions I have seen to this are the chihuahuas whose teeth are brushed 4-6 times weekly. If you can commit to that, you can save yourself the frequent dental cleanings. Chihuahua's may be slightly more prone to heart murmurs later in life, though this infrequently causes a problem. Otherwise, they tend to be very healthy, long-lived dogs (I would estimate my average chihuahua patient lives to about 14) and are a great choice! Best wishes to you and your fur family!

What should I know about chihuahua health, care, and temperament?

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