The right home for a very small dog.

01Three non-negotiables

Before any household detail, three things decide whether a Chihuahua will thrive with you. If you can’t offer all three, a different breed, an older rescue dog with a known history, or not getting a dog right now may be the kinder choice.

1. Physical safety. A dog that weighs two or three kilograms can be seriously hurt by a fall from a sofa or arms, a closing door, a dropped toy or a playful larger dog. Your home and your habits have to protect them every day.
2. Company. Chihuahuas are companion dogs in the truest sense. They are bred to be close to people and many find long stretches alone distressing.
3. Time to build confidence. A small dog that is socialised gently and trained with rewards becomes a stable, sociable adult. One that isn’t often becomes fearful, noisy or snappy. That work happens mostly in the first year and continues for life.

02Families with children

This is the question we’re asked most, and the honest answer depends on age.

Babies, toddlers and children under about five

Most breed clubs, rescues and many breeders advise against placing a Chihuahua puppy in a home with very young children. The risk runs both ways. Toddlers move unpredictably, fall over, grab, squeeze and pick things up; a Chihuahua can be badly injured by a child tripping over it or dropping it, and a dog that is hurt or frightened may bite. Bites from small dogs to children’s faces and hands are a real and avoidable harm.

If you already have a Chihuahua and are expecting a baby, it can work very well with planning: baby gates, a dog area the baby can’t reach, constant supervision, never leaving dog and child alone together, and helping the dog get used to new sounds and routines before the baby arrives.

Children aged about five to nine

Possible with an adult dog of known, steady temperament and parents prepared to supervise and teach. Agree rules together: the dog is never picked up by children, people sit on the floor to stroke the dog, the dog is left alone when it goes to its bed, and nobody disturbs it while it eats or sleeps.

Children aged ten and over

Older, calmer children can be wonderful companions for a Chihuahua and often enjoy training and caring for it. They still need to be shown how to lift and hold a small dog safely.

03Multi-pet households

Cats

Chihuahuas often live happily with cats, partly because the two are similar in size. Introduce them slowly with separate safe spaces, food and resting places, and let the cat keep high escape routes. Watch for a confident cat swatting at a puppy’s eyes, which are large and prominent and easily injured.

Other small and medium dogs

Many Chihuahuas enjoy a canine companion, especially another small dog of calm temperament. Two Chihuahuas can keep each other company, though they also tend to bark together. Introduce new dogs on neutral ground and give each its own bed, bowl and quiet time.

Large or boisterous dogs

A gentle, older large dog can be a fine housemate. A young, bouncy large dog is a risk even when it is friendly: one playful paw or body slam can break a Chihuahua’s leg or worse. If you have a large dog, ask honestly whether you can manage play and supervise every interaction, and use gates to separate them when you can’t watch.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and other small pets

Chihuahuas are terriers in spirit and can have a strong prey drive. Keep small animals securely separated and never assume the dog will ignore them.

04Flats and small homes

Chihuahuas are one of the best breeds for flat living, with three caveats.

• Noise. An alert-barker in a block with thin walls can become a neighbour problem. Training helps (see barking), but meet the dog first and ask about its vocal habits.
• Toilet access. Small bladders need frequent trips outside, especially for puppies. If you’re several floors up without a lift, plan how you’ll manage night-time and rainy-day trips. Indoor toilet areas are an option but make outdoor training slower.
• Stairs and balconies. Steep or open-backed stairs are a fall risk, and balcony railings often have gaps a Chihuahua can slip through. Mesh or screening is essential.

Check your tenancy too. Since 1 May 2026, under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, private tenants in England can ask in writing to keep a pet, and landlords must reply within 28 days and must not refuse unreasonably. Earlier plans to let landlords demand pet insurance were dropped before the Bill became law, and pet fees beyond those the Tenant Fees Act allows are banned. Leaseholders and social tenants should check their own lease or tenancy terms. Always ask in writing before the dog arrives.1

05Working owners

Animal welfare organisations in the UK generally advise that adult dogs shouldn’t be left alone for more than about four hours at a time; puppies need far less time alone than that.2 A Chihuahua that is left all day, every day is likely to be lonely, and long gaps without a toilet break are uncomfortable for a small bladder.

Working owners can still offer an excellent home:

• Hybrid or home working, with office days covered by a dog walker, a friend or a neighbour who visits.
• Small-dog day care. Choose a licensed provider that separates small dogs from large ones.
• Bringing the dog to a dog-friendly workplace, if it enjoys that kind of environment.

Whatever the arrangement, build confidence about being alone gradually from the start. It is much easier to prevent separation distress than to treat it.

06First-time owners

A Chihuahua can be a good first dog for someone who is patient, home a lot and willing to learn. Their size makes some things easy, such as travel, space and food bills. Other things are harder than with a sturdier breed: toilet training often takes longer, handling must be gentle, and confidence-building takes real thought.

First-time owners do best when they:

• Consider an adult rescue Chihuahua whose temperament is already known.
• Book reward-based puppy or small-dog classes before the dog arrives.
• Find a vet and register before bringing the dog home.
• Read our behaviour guide and work through the home checklist.

07Older owners

Chihuahuas are popular with older people for good reasons: they need modest exercise, they’re easy to lift and transport, and they’re affectionate company. Three things are worth thinking through.

• Trips and falls. A small dog that follows you everywhere can be a trip hazard. A bell on the collar and a bed placed away from walkways help.
• Lifespan. A puppy may live fifteen years or more. Many rescues place adult and senior Chihuahuas with older owners, which can be a lovely match.
• A plan for the dog. Agree with family or friends who would care for the dog if you couldn’t. Some charities run schemes for exactly this.

08Questionnaire: would a Chihuahua suit us?

Eleven questions, one at a time. There are no trick questions and no score to beat: the result shows where things are likely to be easy, where they will need planning, and where there may be a real problem. You can go back and change any answer.