Chihuahuas are tiny dogs and come with a small appetite – but they can be fussy eaters. You should feed them at regular times, twice a day, to get them into an eating routine. Chihuahua puppies will need to be fed more regularly, around 3-4 times a day.

If you’re unsure of how much your Chihuahua should eat, you should be able to find guidelines on the food packaging. Your vet will always be able to offer advice. Small dog breeds can easily become overweight, and an overweight dog is more likely to have health issues. That’s why it’s always a good idea to weigh your dog’s food to ensure the correct daily amount is given.

If you want to change your Chihuahua's food, you must do so slowly to prevent an upset tummy. Add the new food to the original, gradually increasing the new and decreasing the original food. This should take up to a week, depending on how fussy your Chihuahua is.

There are many dog food brands available. Pay attention to ingredients to make sure your dog is getting the nutrition it needs. Again, your vet will be able to advise you on the best food for your dog.

There are two types of coats – the smooth coat and the long coat. You’ll find short-haired Chihuahuas are more common.

Long-haired Chihuahuas need more grooming to prevent the fur from matting and should be brushed twice a week. Short coat Chihuahuas only need to be brushed once a week. Professional dog groomers can offer different grooming styles for long-haired dogs.

Chihuahua clothes and coats are available to help keep them warm and clean. A coat should be worn when outside during winter to protect them from the cold. Because they’re low to the ground, they can get dirty especially when the ground is wet. Clothing will help protect them from the mud, which means fewer baths.

Chihuahuas don’t require much exercise and can be difficult to walk - as they prefer to be carried. How far can a Chihuahua can walk depends on what they’re used to. As they’re a small dog, regular short walks are best because they become tired easily.

Chihuahuas should have up to 30 minutes exercise a day, but exercise doesn’t just mean walking. Playing with your dog and getting them to run around the house is another way to keep them active. They enjoy playing with dog toys, so make sure you have lots available – but watch out for choking hazards.

Thanks to their high intelligence, it’s fairly easy to train Chihuahuas. They can quickly learn commands if rewarded positively. Using toys will make the training fun for both you and your dog.

Your Chihuahua puppy may have started house training with the breeder. But if not, puppy toilet training should be taught first. There will be accidents, but they’ll get there in the end. Training classes are a great way of picking up tips on toilet training and getting your puppy to socialise.

Socialising your Chihuahua can be beneficial, as it can teach your dog from a young age to be accepting of other dogs. They may have a reputation for having ‘small dog syndrome’ and being yappy, so being around other dogs when they’re a pup can help manage this behaviour.

The average lifespan of a Chihuahua is between 12 and 18 years. Chihuahuas typically outlive most dog breeds, but some health conditions can shorten your dog’s life expectancy if not treated. Pet insurance can cover the cost of treatment, giving you less to worry about.

The history of Chihuahuas is unclear, but we do know that Chihuahua dog breeds began in Mexico. They were sold to tourists and brought back to the US in the late 1800s. It is believed that they descended from the Techichi dog.

Yes - all dog breeds do to some extent. The best way to manage this is through regular grooming. Once a week for a short-haired Chihuahua and twice a week for a long-haired dog. Chihuahuas aren’t hypoallergenic. But because they love to lick, it does mean they’re not the best dog breed for people with dog allergies.

Chihuahuas cost between £300 and £2,500 depending on size, colour and age. There is not much difference in price between long and short coat Chihuahuas. Puppies that have been bred from a show dog will cost more. And dogs that have received some training will too.

Despite the Chihuahuas size, they can be fiery and overprotective. They also tend to bark often. This is ingrained in their instinctual behaviours, but it isn’t always down to their attitude. Chihuahuas are high-energy dogs, so if they’re bored or excited, they express this through barking. However, Chihuahuas are easily trained, so it is correctable.

Chihuahuas were bred for companionship. Because they’re a small dog, they make the perfect lap dog. They were favoured for their loyalty to their owner. It was believed that a Chihuahua would guide their owner into the afterlife.