Free Chihuahua Puppies Near Me

You could also arrange to have the puppy checked by a vet before you take it home if the owner permits. You could also ask the owner if you could do a trial period of a few weeks before committing to taking the puppy home. The most important thing to remember is that you need to be 100% comfortable before bringing the puppy home.

Before Beginning Your Search For Free Chihuahua Puppies

• Chihuahuas can weigh from just two to eight pounds (though they typically top out at six pounds) and stand from about five to nine inches tall. Chihuahua mixes can also be teeny tiny, but can get up to about 25 pounds depending upon the other varieties in their DNA.
• Chihuahuas can be short-haired or long-haired, with a range of coat colors, but they all tend to have big, luminous eyes, and large, erect ears (known as bat ears). They typically don’t require a lot of grooming and tend to be very clean pets in general, says Tamie Parker, director of Texas Chihuahua Rescue.
• Like other smaller dogs, Chihuahuas typically live longer than average lives, with a lifespan that can reach 14 and even up to 18 years. Parker urges prospective pet owners to think of adopting a Chihuahua as making a 20-year commitment. People may bring a Chihuahua home without factoring in future changes in their lifestyle, and the demands of keeping this pint-sized pup happy. As with other breeds, some pet owners are drawn to their looks only—in the case of Chihuahuas, they may be attracted to their size, and to the idea that they’re so small that they’re low-maintenance. This is hardly the case!  Chihuahuas require just as much care and training as a larger dog.
• These factors lead to many owner surrenders—Chihuahuas are now, sadly, one of the most common breeds in shelters.
• If you have your heart set on a Chihuahua be sure to put in the time to train your Chi to be happy, balanced, and respectful of all family members (more about that below). Parker also recommends adopting a Chihuahua mixed breed. “These pets are a bit heartier, typically within the 10-12 pounds size range. They are still little, but tend to be more easygoing and have fewer health issues.”

Breed history of Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are named after the Chihuahua state of Mexico. Studies support a native Mexican origin as the dogs’ lineage can be traced back thousands of years to pre-Colombian civilizations that make up present-day Mexico. There are also artifacts depicting Chihuahua-like dogs at various archaeological sites.

Some historians theorize that Chihuahuas are descendants of a dog breed called the Techichi, companion animals raised by the ancient Mesoamerican Toltec civilization. The later Aztec civilization may have raised Chihuahuas to be used as food, as suggested by Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés in a 1520 letter to King Charles V in which he recounted many details of his experience with the Aztecs. Cortés wrote that the “little dogs” were “raised for eating,” along with other animals he saw for sale, including deer and rabbits.

The number of dogs declined after Spanish conquest of the Aztecs, but began to experience a revival in the 1800s when Americans started to take an interest in the breed. The Chihuahua dog breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904, and their popularity grew along with the trend to urbanization in mid-century as people sought out dogs who could thrive in smaller spaces. They’ve remained among the most popular breeds since.

Lifestyle & home

Chihuahuas were bred for hot climates, so they can get cold very easily—hence the disproportionate sweaters-to-Chihuahua ratio. That trademark Chihuahua shiver typically means they’re cold! Make sure your dog has a warm resting place with some blankets to burrow into. Be careful with your Chi outside—limit the amount of time they’re spending outdoors in cool or cold weather and never leave them outside.

With their small stature, Chihuahuas can be easily mishandled and hurt—trauma is one of the leading causes of death in this breed—so interaction with other dogs, children, and careless adults should be supervised closely to avoid accidental injury.

Chihuahuas’ size also means you can bring them anywhere, which is a plus for Chi owners, and can make for good opportunities for socialization for puppies. But be sure that you’re also allowing your pup to walk.

Many people might assume that the little Chi doesn’t need exercise, and will be content being carried around. But Chihuahuas have quite a bit of energy, and like any dog, they need to get out and walk for mental and physical exercise. You can start with about 30 minutes a day and see how they react, keeping an eye out for signs of overexertion. Chihuahuas can be prone to being overweight so exercise and food-portion control are important. “Exercise is super important!” says Nat Correa, mom to long-haired Chihuahua Tuco. “My Chi goes on 10-15 minutes walk two to three times a day,”

Physical exercise and mental stimulation will keep your Chi healthy, and along with training, will help ward off some of the more notorious breed behaviors.

Finding Free Chihuahua Puppies in the United States

• The most important thing to remember when looking for a free Chihuahua puppy is that it may not be completely free. You may receive the puppy for free by luck, but there are other costs associated with keeping a puppy. You will need to pay for food, vet bills, flea treatments, vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering.
• The other thing to remember is that if the puppy is free, it may have health issues. You will need to get a preliminary vet check done after bringing the puppy home to ensure there aren’t any critical health concerns.
• You may also have to invest in fencing, gates, and doors to make your home safe and comfortable for your new puppy. Grooming expenses may not be that much initially, but once the puppy is an adult dog, you will need to take Fido to the salon at least once every six months.

Find Available Free Chihuahua Puppies Near Me

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