You may have heard about this, about some dog lover’s surprise about how loyal a long haired Chihuahua can be. Something like this is gotten from experience, not by something you can read about and watch online. Because this breed requires much attention, and because celebrities lead busy lives, it’s highly likely most of them don’t even take care of their own pets, short or long hair Chihuahuas.

If you want more insight into the nature of this pet and how better to take care of it, your best bet, other than you vet, are the pet owners themselves. Here’s a short guide about Chihuahuas, so you’d know what you’re in for when you adopt one, or three.

Some have characterized the Chihuahua as a bonsai dog, smaller than a cat, but as spry as a deer. This dog can be as vigilant as a possessive child, snapping at anything getting near its owner. That, at least, is the prevalent notion.

Historically, or at least as is documented in most literature, Chihuahuas are supposed to have been originally from Mexico. The Chihuahua is, by far, the smallest dog in the world. Look up a list of the cutest small dogs on the planet and you’ll definitely find the Chihuahua on that list. Standing on all fours, they range from six to nine inches in height.

Both the short and long haired Chihuahua have been names by some as purse dogs, or even toy dogs, and handbag dogs, and rich people’s accessory dogs owing to their easily storable size. Still, there are some families with little kids that love this breed. Chihuahuas can be possessive of its owner, and anyone in the vicinity just gets snapped at, which is why it’s often not advised for families with kids and other pets to have Chihuahuas.

Chihuahuas cannot be treated by little kids as though they were stuffed toys; medium and large sized dogs can survive rowdy play, but this breed leans on the fragile side. A Chihuahua can get fractures when dropped from a height, so it’s not likely they’ll be okay running down a flight of stairs, or jumping down from a table.

It’s not surprising that Chihuahuas, given how cute there, are among the breeds often seen on dog shows, but many do choose them as companion pets because of how devoted they can be.

Pets cost a lot, and this small dog is no exception – please be sure you can adequately support this breed. They need to eat only good food, and be trained to potty regularly (because they tend to do so frequently), and be taught to avoid barking endlessly at other pets, kids, and strangers (a bark collar for small dogs can take care of this).  

Although there’s currently no consensus on the exact origin of the Chihuahua, much less its sub type, the long haired Chihuahua; but there’s agreement among small dog owners that this breed is one of the most adorable. Chihuahuas, including long hair Chihuahua, tend to be popular among those who live alone, or only have a few people living with them, and who pursue relatively quiet lives. But if you’re used to calm pets that don’t go out of their way to get your attention, then you might want to reconsider getting a Chihuahua.