Have you ever seen those commercials for Taco Bell and thought to yourself “yo quiero a Chihuahua, but how much does one cost?”
On average, the Chihuahua dog price falls between $400 to $1,200, with most dogs closer to the $500 to $800 Chihuahua price range.
This isn't a bad price at all for a dog, especially one from a breeder.
However, even a good deal is too much if the dog isn't a great match for your home.
How about we take a look at the typical Chihuahua temperament and personality before you make your ultimate decision on this breed?
The Chihuahua, Up Close
People often want to know more about a breed's history before they bring a dog home.
This is partially because it makes for good conversation when someone's meeting your new pet. And it is also because you can better understand a breed's personality when you study its ancestors.
In the case of the Chihuahua however, she is a dog for the mystery lovers out there, because no one is sure where the Chihuahua came from!
Most experts settle on the theory that the Chihuahua originated from the Techichi, a pre-Columbian dog.
Some believe people named the Chihuahua after the Mexican state of the same name.
Others, however, believe the Chihuahua originated from the Techichi when New World explorers brought the latter over with them.
Something we do know about the Chihuahua breed that may attract you as a buyer is that they are the smallest dog breed in the world!
Chihuahua Temperament and Personality
Sure, a dog's history can be fascinating. But, what do you need to know about everyday life with the Chihuahua?
Take a look here at some of the personality traits of the Chihuahua to determine whether this is a breed you would truly want to live with.
She's Not Great with Young Kids
The Chihuahua is not the best dog for families with small children.
You may think it's because she's snappy, but it's actually because she can become very jealous of the attention you give your child.
This can lead to her acting out, like chewing the couch, digging in the yard, or other anxiety-related behaviors.
She's Doesn't Take Kindly to Strangers
If not properly socialized, the Chihuahua can be rather aloof with strangers. This is because she is suspicious by nature.
Over time, she’ll approach the person once she gets to know them, provided they don’t push her before she’s ready.
However, any Chihuahua owner will tell you that she’s more likely to be lovey and friendly toward her masters than she is to outsiders.
She's Iffy Around Other Animals
While the Chihuahua is perfectly at peace with other pets in her family, she is rather abrasive toward animals she doesn’t know.
However, they tend to get along better with other Chihuahuas than any other breed – probably because everyone else is bigger than her and she feels intimidated.
In fact, put two Chihuahuas in a room together, and you’ll notice they incessantly lick each other’s ears – it’s just their thing.
This is another problem you should be able to overcome so long as you provide her with the proper socialization.
Keep Her on a Leash
It’s a good idea to keep your Chihuahua on a leash most of the time. While you can carry her around, this is a good way to keep tabs on her too.
In other words, if you’re guiding her around with her leash, you’re less likely to accidentally hurt her because you always know where she is.
Plus, this gives you leverage at the dog park, in case she sees another dog she doesn’t like and tries to make a stand.
Chihuahua Size
The Chihuahua grows to an adult height and weight of only 3.3 to 6.6 lbs., and 5.9 to 9.1 inches tall – yes, really.
And, as with other small dog breeds, particularly toy breeds like the Chihuahua, she is rather fragile.
You and the other members of your family can easily hurt or even kill a Chihuahua by failing to see her and either stepping or sitting on her.
(This is yet another reason why she’s not the smartest choice for homes with young children.)
You have to have eyes in the back of your head while walking around the house and before sitting on the couch or getting into bed.
This is something you must remain mindful of always, so if you don’t think you can do it, pick another, larger breed.
Chihuahua Price – How Much Do Chihuahuas Cost?
As mentioned above, the Chihuahua puppy price can run you between $400 to $1,200.
Most Chihuahuas will be closer to the $500 to $800 price range, but the purebred Chihuahua price you can expect to be closer to the $800 to $1,200 range.
There are some things you can do to try to save money on the purchase price, such as adopt a Chihuahua from your local shelter.
Just be aware if anyone marks their Chihuahuas lower than this average Chihuahua puppies’ price.
This can be a sign that you are dealing with a scam artist who only wants your money and doesn’t care about the quality of their dogs.
Demand
Here is a sad truth: Chihuahuas are actually in abundance because it’s easy for puppy mills to make and “store” them in cages due to their size.
So, the popularity of Chihuahuas – and they are certainly a popular breed – results largely from their mass overproduction.
That said, the demand for Chihuahuas is high – but so is the supply.
This drives down the cost of the breed, which is better for you but sad for the dogs in the long run.
This is one of many good reasons why you should never buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet shop.
Chihuahua Rescue and Adoption
Rescuing a Chihuahua is rewarding and a reward in itself – not only do you feel personally fulfilled, but you can save a few bucks in the long run.
Some adoptions can run around $400 to $500 if the organization is a dedicated rescue.
For this price, yes, you can just buy a purebred Chihuahua from a breeder, but it’s always better to adopt a dog who already needs a home.
Chihuahua Rescue & Transport can help guide you on how and where to adopt a rescue Chihuahua.
You can also check with your local shelter, who should be a few hundred dollars cheaper than a rescue organization.
All you pay for at a shelter are the costs involved in spaying/neutering the dog and administering veterinary care before bringing her home.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Chihuahua Cost of Ownership
In addition to the average Chihuahua price tag, you also need to consider the other financial factors that go into owning a dog.
Cost of Food
While you, of course, need to feed your dog, you don’t have to worry about the Chihuahua breaking the bank on her food budget.
There are a variety of brands and qualities out there. Check with your vet to see what they recommend insofar as the healthiest brand of food to feed your Chihuahua.
Else, you can probably expect to spend around $30 a month to feed your Chihuahua, maybe less.
If you opt for one of the larger bags of dog food, then you’ll be set for a while with this teacup-sized pup.
Health Care Expenses
Health care is the main aspect of owning a dog that tends to make many owners go bankrupt.
However, shockingly, despite the overbreeding issue presented above, the Chihuahua breed actually doesn’t have anything too concerning insofar as medical issues.
The only things you need to watch out for with the Chihuahua include:
- Patellar Luxation
- Eye Issues
- Heart Issues
- Epilepsy
While heart issues can certainly pose a concern, the other issues are mild to moderate and can be treated accordingly.
Of course, you’ll need to account for whether you’ll need to visit the vet more often, and if you’ll need to administer regular medication.
Both of those things cost money, of course, so you may also want to look into pet insurance as a CYA kind of thing.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Training Programs
Some breeds, you can get by without paying for a trainer because you can effectively train the dog yourself.
The Chihuahua, however, may give you a run for your money.
This is because experts agree that this is one of the hardest breeds out there to housebreak.
Even the professionals have a hard time getting Chihuahuas to learn that they do their business outside, not inside.
You can always use wee-wee pads, since their output is so small. But, if you want your Chihuahua to learn to go outside, then you might want to consider paying for a professional trainer.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Grooming Costs
With the Chihuahua, you don’t really need to worry about going broke on grooming costs.
In addition to being so tiny, they’re certainly not what you would consider shaggy.
If, however, you have trouble brushing her teeth or trimming her nails, then you may want to consider it.
But the price of the Chihuahua’s grooming needs should be minimal, considering her size.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.
Looking for a Dog Breed Price that Meets Your Budget?
Check out our