Chihuahua, anyone?

If you’ve been living somewhere besides outer Mongolia of late, you’ve probably seen celebrities like Paris Hilton clutching these tiny, adorable dogs. The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. Having evolved over the years in sunny Mexico, they enjoy the warmer climes. But if you happen to live in New York, things are still a-okay — they’ll wear a doggy sweater to keep warm and cozy. All great things, but are they would they be a good dog for you to own?

The Chihuahua weighs very little, anywhere between 1 and 6 pounds, and stands only five inches high. These guys can be any color, but tan or black are the most common. Their ears are always pricked up and alert, an outstanding feature which goes with their big, expressive eyes. There are both short and long-haired Chihuahuas.

The American Kennel Club classifies Chihuahuas as Toy dogs. And like the Bichon Frise, the Chihuahua was born and bred to be a companion dog. A Chihuahua hates to be alone and will absolutely flourish when in the thick of things.

Chihuahuas are great apartment dogs, not taking up much room, and not needing a ton of exercise. If you want, you can litter train your pup and make him an entirely indoor dog. But don’t get them wrong; Chihuahuas can really enjoy a house with a yard. The breed loves exercise and playing outdoors when it’s warm.

Chihuahuas can be nippy with small children, and the more so if a child has mistakenly injured it. If the dog’s owners let it get away with bad behaviors, the dog can become bossy and spoiled. If you own other dogs, make sure your Chihuahua doesn’t bully them. They’ll pick fights with much larger dogs — Chihuahuas typically see themselves as Rottweilers. An unexpected side benefit of this slightly delusional behavior is that the Chihuahua is actually a wonderful guard dog and might even take on human intruders.

They can be self-centered and badly-behaved, so Chihuahuas should get puppy obedience training. After all, even the tiniest tyrant simply won’t be pleasant to be around. The classes will also teach your pup important social skills. At an early age, he’ll learn to get along with people and other dogs. These are very intelligent dogs and they’ll learn well. They’re quick too, and will also enjoy agility classes.

Chihuahuas eat very little, but feeding costs can be relatively high. These dogs are picky eaters, and the right food can be expensive. Some Chihuahuas can’t even eat dry food. Chihuahuas can dislocate their jaws, have bone fractures, or develop epilepsy or even rheumatism.

The short-haired variety requires very little grooming. Long-haired Chihuahuas, on the other hand, need a bit more care — but still don’t need to be brushed more than once a week. Like most small dogs, some Chihuahuas are prone to developing dental problems, so you’ll need to brush your dog’s teeth daily.

If you’re pining for a pocket-dog with a big heart, then a Chihuahua just might be right for you. Famous for “Yo quiero taco bell,” the Chihuahua has sure left its mark on pop culture. Will it also make a splash on your life?