When considering an adult Chihuahua there are some important things you need to know, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about history and behaviour. I’m sure you will have your own questions but here are some more that you may not have thought of, and some of the answers that I would consider to be honest and legitimate.

Why is the Chihuahua available?

A breeder may have kept it for showing or breeding, but the potential shown as a puppy did not develop.

The Chihuahua may have fine show or breeding potential, but the breeder has decided to place it because he has other Chihuahuas in the line that are better suited for the purpose.

The Chihuahua may have finished its show career and championship but the breeder has decided not to use it for breeding because of size, pigmentation, or age.

If a female, she may have had a Caesarian section and the breeder had her spayed for safety reasons. Or she may have had several litters, and her breeding days are over.

The Chihuahua may have been sold as a puppy but returned to the breeder because of divorce, illness, moving, or a death in the family.

How has the Chihuahua been raised?

If this Chihuahua has been returned to the breeder by a previous buyer is there a history of abuse?

How much socialisation has the Chihuahua had?

Dogs need to be socialised properly both with humans, (adults & children) and other dogs.

What kind of lifestyle and schedule is the Chihuahua used to?

Dogs need to have some routine and you need to know if it is accustomed to being left alone all day because they may tend to destructiveness and barking if bored and lonely.

Is the Chihuahua housebroken?

Does that mean newspapers, a litter box, or outdoors? How often does it have accidents?

Has the Chihuahua had any training?

Any obedience? Was the Chihuahua easy or difficult to train? How does it walk on a leash? How does it travel in a car. How is the Chihuahua at the Vets.

How is the Chihuahua with strangers?

Does it ever growl? How is it with other dogs? With cats? These answers may indicate nervous temperament or poor socialisation.

How does the Chihuahua react to new situations, when you take her somewhere new? Is the Chihuahua very sure of itself, or is it more uncertain?

You can expect it to be wary but settle quickly with confidence if you are with it.

What makes him/her bark? Does the Chihuahua stop barking when you tell it to?

Most dogs use their voice to warn you that something unusual is happening in the vicinity. Once you have acknowledged the alarm and checked, the Chihuahua should stop barking.

What things does the Chihuahua chew on?

Once out of teething stage a Chihuahua should not chew on things just for the heck of it.

What other habits does the Chihuahua have? If there is some behaviour trait that you and your family cannot tolerate, make it clear to the breeder or rescue person.

Build and appearance

If you're looking to show, you should already know how to compare Chihuahuas to the Standard. If not, be sure to bring along someone who is experienced with showing. If you're not interested in showing or breeding, but still want a specific type of Chihuahua, does this Chihuahua match your expectations?

Health and handling

Does the Chihuahua have any health problems? Can you afford to treat these, or to provide whatever care this animal may require, i.e. reduced exercise, special shampoos for skin conditions, and so on?

Does the Chihuahua let you pick him/her up to be held? Is it relaxed in your arms, or stiff and resistant?

Gently lift its lip and look at the teeth. Does it really struggle and object or does it not mind?

Scratch the base of its tail and gently push it into a sit position. Is the Chihuahua willing or resistant?

Gently place it into a lying down position. Willing or resistant?

Ask the breeder or rescue person if a food bowl or toy can be easily taken from it without causing any growling. Ask him to demonstrate.

Ask the breeder or rescue person to clip one or two nails so you can see the dog's reaction.

Temperament and behaviour

Bear in mind that if the Chihuahua is in a the Shelter, or has only recently been turned in to the breeder or rescue home, the Chihuahua will still be the shell-shocked and not showing true temperament. Also remember that you are a complete stranger to it, so the Chihuahua may not be very outgoing. Unless you specifically want an over-friendly Chihuahua, don't let an initial reserve bother you. Remember if the Chihuahua will allow you, a total stranger, to pick it up and carry it off this Chihuahua will let anyone carry it off from your yard also.

What is the general expression? Bright, disinterested, unhappy or frightened? Are the ears mostly up, or does the Chihuahua keep them flattened? When you talk to it, does the Chihuahua look at you?

Will the Chihuahua come to you when you crouch down or sit on the floor or grass? Will the Chihuahua take a treat from you? A Chihuahua who is uncertain but willing to be bribed with food will be easier to win over.

Does the Chihuahua seem quiet, or does it bark a lot when it hears things? Does the Chihuahua seem energetic and playful, or more calm and laid-back?

If the Chihuahua is afraid, how does he/she show it? Does the Chihuahua simply retreat, freeze, or shake, or does it growl or lift its lip? A Chihuahua who is frightened but doesn't offer to growl or bite is a much safer choice than a defensive fear-biter.

Away from home

You always want to see an adult Chihuahua away from its familiar environment. Often the temperament changes markedly -- for better or worse -- when the Chihuahua is not on its own turf. After you have formed an impression of it at its home or shelter, ask the breeder or rescue person if you can all go to a nearby park or somewhere else where there are other people and interesting sights and sounds. Once there, put a leash on him/her and take it for a walk.

How does the Chihuahua react to everyone and everything? When the Chihuahua sees cars, bikes, strollers, etc., is it confident and relaxed, or more uncertain? Does it scurry away at sudden sounds or movements? Watch the tail closely -- is it mostly up or mostly down?

Ask the other person to hold the leash while you walk out of sight. After a few minutes, come out of hiding and return, looking directly at the person and paying no outward attention to the Chihuahua -- but watching her out of the corner of your eye. Say hello to the person, chat for a minute, then leave, and all the time paying absolutely no attention to the Chihuahua. How did it react?--A sound-tempered Chihuahua may be friendly or indifferent the whole time, or it may bark furiously when you approach, either from suspicion or excitement. But when you reach the two of them, the Chihuahua should either become friendly or move away from you. It should not continue to growl or bark, or bolt to the other end of the leash and stay there with tail between legs, or even worse, rush at you to bite.

Special circumstances

Some Chihuahuas are afraid of men. If you're female and you know the breeder or rescue person is too, you might want to bring along a male friend.

If you have children, make sure you bring them along (on the second, if not the first, visit).

If you have another pet, you may want to ask if you could bring them along, perhaps on a second visit. Otherwise, be sure to get a written money-back guarantee if this Chihuahua doesn't get along with your other pets within a week or two.

If you do adopt it, take it to your vet the same day or the following day. If there is something seriously wrong, you want to find out before you've had it long enough to get really attached.

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