Are Chihuahuas Good with Kids?

The Chihuahua is the smallest purebred dog in the world. Weighing under 5 pounds and standing just 5 inches, the little Chihuahua can do no harm to small kids, right? But just because they’re petite doesn’t mean they’re great playmates for kids.

Chihuahuas are not good with younger kids. Although a Chihuahua may not seriously hurt a child, rowdy and energetic children can potentially hurt the fragile dog. Chihuahuas also don’t respond well to rough play and may snap back out of “self defense.” However, with training on both sides, it’s possible to nurture a loving relationship between a Chihuahua and a child.

Chihuahuas are some of the best companions and lap dogs the canine kingdom has to offer. But even so, they are special and need to be treated with respect. Read on to learn how Chihuahuas and kids of the home can develop a great relationship.

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Is the Chihuahua’s Temperament Ideal For Kids?

Have you ever walked past a house and out of nowhere a little Chihuahua pops out and starts barking at you? You may be 25 times bigger, but that doesn’t stop them! We call this the small dog syndrome – as commonly seen in Chihuahuas.

When dogs are as small as the Chihuahua, they often act bigger than they are. In fact, they kind of have to. They may bark or show aggression in the face of a much larger dog or rowdy kid. But in reality, it’s just how they “defend” themselves.

The most well known quality of the Chihuahua is their loyalty. Though small in size, this dog won’t back down easily if he or she perceives a “threat” to the family, including the kids. They stand their ground as if they’re 80 pound dogs.

They are very loyal and lovable to the person or people they attach to. Chihuahuas just want to be part of the family and fun!
– Chilala (Chihuahua People)

For this reason, they’re one of the most dignified and fearless breeds. So while they may not be the best protectors, they’re excellent watchdogs. It’s difficult to get past a Chihuahua with their perpetually-erect ears and vigilant demeanor.

With the confidence, sassiness and loyalty of the Chihuahua, also comes the stubbornness. Yes, this is also why they’re known to be a little difficult to train for obedience training. In fact, they’re notoriously hard to housebreak.

But don’t mistaken this for low intelligence. They’re actually much smarter than you think – you just need more patience and consistency with them. Just remember this: Chihuahuas only really want two things – love and attention.

3 Reasons Why Chihuahuas Can be Good With Kids

The Chihuahua is one of the most popular dog breeds in America. In fact, the AKC consistently has them as one of the top 40 dog breeds in the USA! With their popularity among American families, there must be a reason why, right?

It’s because, with the right approach and training, Chihuahuas can be wonderful and loving dogs for both children and adults in a loving environment. Here are some top reasons why these small dogs can get along great with your kids.

1. Chihuahuas can act as excellent watch dogs for kids

As mentioned, these dogs will protect their own like any other dog breed. Or at the least, they will try to fend off any threats. That’s because Chihuahuas tend to be alert and can sometimes be loyal to a fault. It’s both good and bad.

The good news is that you know your Chihuahua will look after your kids in the home. They’re small, but don’t brush off their vigilance. If they sense that something is off, they’ll definitely let you know with a string of barks.

However, the bad is that Chihuahuas are likely to suffer from “small dog syndrome.” Like we discussed, it’s when a small dog feels the need to compensate for its small stature by acting much bigger than they actually are.

A blessing and curse. My Chi protects me by letting me know of all that’s fishy around the home (sounds, insects, etc.) but it can get a little annoying at times.
– Sandra L. (Chihuahua owner)

Chihuahuas will act big by barking and standing their ground when faced with intimidating dogs, people, threats and whatever makes them nervous. But don’t let that discourage you, as there are ways to train this habit out.

The key is to find a balance. Although you don’t want your Chihuahua barking at everything and anything, most parents can appreciate a second pair of eyes on their kids. And, that’s exactly what a Chihuahua can provide.

2. The small Chihuahua is less likely to hurt a child

Chihuahuas may be small and fragile, but it’s not always a bad thing. As the smallest purebred dog in the world, a Chihuahua can weigh between 3 to 7 pounds. In addition, even the largest Chi is likely stand less than 8 inches tall at the shoulders.

It doesn’t matter if your large dog is the sweetest in the world without a single aggressive bone in his body. Accidents can still occur. For a big dog, a simple tail-whack to the face or a small shove can send your small kid into tears.

The good news is that Chihuahuas aren’t capable of unintentionally hurting a child. They’re just simply too small to do any serious damage. However, they may intentionally strike back at a child if he or she is too rough with them.

3. Chihuahuas have a playful attitude, much like kids

Sure, Chihuahuas can be nervous and anxious at times. Though at the end of the day, these dogs are playful little companions. After all, the Chihuahua was bred by the Aztecs to be superb companions and lap dogs.

If your kids enjoy a nice day lounging with a dog by their side, then the Chihuahua is the perfect fit. Due to the Chihuahua’s loyalty, they’re up for whatever you are. On the other hand, they’re also willing to get outside and have some fun.

For a small breed, they’re pretty active dogs. They’re able to keep up with most kids for light activities, such as walking, hide n’ seek, tug-o-war and sometimes fetch. And if you’re curious, here’s some ideas on how you can play with them.

I have a white long haired chi puppy. He is hyper, playful, but loves to cuddle and play with my 18 month old all day. He also snuggles next to my 6 month old.
– Lead48eci (Netmums)

These are all great activities that your children can play with a Chihuahua. It’s not as intensive, so it’s perfect for both parties! Just make sure that the kids learn how treat the small dog with respect, even during play time.

Not only will these activities keep your Chihuahua in good shape, but it’s a great way for your kids to develop a good relationship with the dog. Socialization is so important with Chihuahuas, so let them play together frequently!

3 Potential Dangers of Chihuahuas with Kids

Chihuahuas can potentially make great companions for kids of all ages, but it’s not always a guarantee, especially if you don’t know what to look out for. Here are some realistic pitfalls that parents should be aware of when bringing home a Chihuahua.

1. Your Chihuahua may be aggressive with unfamiliar kids

Be extra careful when the dog is approached by strangers – especially if those strangers are young and unfamiliar kids. They may be small, but they’re feisty snappy dogs that can still cause significant harm to small children.

Just because your Chihuahua gets along great with your children, doesn’t mean they will with your kid’s friends. They may be loyal and sweet to your kids, but Chihuahuas may not be the same to someone else’s kids.

My chihuahua is also not child friendly at all. It took a couple snaps to convince some parents that kept letting their kids try to approach him to stop.
– Exitthewarrior (Reddit)

Unless your Chihuahua is super well-socialized with children, I’d try to avoid this encounter. You will need to provide plenty of socializing with all types of kids early on. And even then, you will want to keep an eye on all interactions.

There is no guarantee of safety with any dog breed. Chihuahuas have been known to react poorly around strangers, especially if rough play is involved. Their wariness of strangers will only increase their anxiety and stress.

2. These dogs are small and fragile

Kids can be fragile and small, but not nearly as much as Chihuahuas. Weighing roughly 5 pounds, these dogs are as small and fragile as they come. With that said, rowdy and overly energetic children should not be playing with these dogs.

This is especially true if the kids are not old enough to learn how to respect the dog. As parents, we know how rough and clumsy kids can be. Even if they don’t mean to hurt the dog, they can inadvertently hurt the dog if they’re not careful.

A good way to protect the Chihuahua during playtime is to lay some ground rules on how the child and dog can play with one another (we’ll discuss more on this later).

If you can control your kid’s actions (yes I know, easier said than done), then you’ll have a much better shot at creating a safe space for both the dog and kids. With small dog breeds, it’s even more important to “train” the kids.

That being said, Chihuahuas are best for children older than 10 years of age. Even so, you can make it work with a younger child. Just remember that if children hurt the Chihuahua, it’s only natural for them to snap back out of self-protection.

3. Chihuahuas aren’t ideal with babies

Chihuahuas may not be a great fit for families with toddlers or infants. According to the Bark Post, the Chihuahua tops the list of “dogs that bark the most.” And, we agree. Many will yap away at the slightest of sounds happening outside the home.

And if you’ve been a parent for long enough, you already know that loud sounds and babies do not mix well. Even if your Chihuahua is well trained, they can and will start barking in certain situations. It’s just in their nature to bark.

However, there are training tactics and methods you can use to minimize barking in these dogs. It does require plenty of work that new parents may not have time for. It’s why I don’t suggest these dogs for families with newborns.

Please stop letting toddlers pull on dogs’ ears. If a kid pulls and it hurts the dog, the dog is going to defend itself by biting at the toddler, and will be blamed for being violent.
– Curiousclam (Reddit)

Rather, you should wait for the baby to grow older before bringing one home. Also, you would not want your baby to play with a Chihuahua anyway. Babies likely have no awareness of the actions that hurt the dog. And, you can’t really blame them for it.

If the baby does something to cause pain or discomfort to the Chihuahua, the dog may just retaliate by biting back. It’s a situation that no parents want to experience, but happens all the time. The good news is that it can easily be avoided.

Either you avoid all physical interactions early on, or you keep a close watch at all times. Don’t leave you baby with the dog and film the moment, like so many parents do. And if you can wait until they’re older, that would be the safest bet.

How to Raise a Chihuahua With Kids

Making the relationship work between a child and Chihuahua can be a little tricky. Often times, it’s not a “match made in heaven” from the very start. It requires some time, effort and patience.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prepare your Chihuahua for your kids (and vice versa). From asking real parents with Chihuahuas, here’s our top tips.

Training the Children

Training your kids is one of the most important steps when it comes to raising them with your Chihuahua. Children need to be trained on how to act around the fragile little dog. Otherwise, the dog may defend himself with aggression.

For instance, there should be absolutely no rough play with the Chihuahua. This needs to be a strict hard rule for them. If they can’t control themselves or understand this, it’s better to wait until they’re older or more mature.

Each household may not have the same rules, as both kids and the dog can vary in personality and temperament. So we leave that up to you.

However, rules such as the following may make sense:

No pulling on the dog’s tail or ears.
No attempting to ride the dog’s back.
Don’t push or shove the dog.
Never run at the Chihuahua. Approach the dog slowly, from the front.
Leave the dog alone when he’s enjoying his meals or treats.
Never put your face too close to the dog’s face.
Don’t make loud noises, such as yelling, around the dog.

Not all rules will apply in every situation. Plus, there may be more rules you’d want to enforce with your kids. Do so as you see fit.

It’s also a good idea to show your kids how to act around the dog. Children, like most dogs, are excellent visual learners. That said, the best way to implement these household rules is if you follow them as well.

Socializing a Chihuahua

Socialization is one of the most crucial parts of training for your Chihuahua. Not only is it crucial to train them with children, but also with other dogs.

And according to The Spruce Pets, the most critical period for socializing a dog will take place between weeks 8 and 16. During this time, they’re less scared of others and won’t likely develop anxiety or stress in situations.

The golden period of socializing means that the Chihuahua will be more willing to learn. They’ll treat the environment as a platform to learn and often accept others. So, it’s important they meet as many kids (of all ages) and dogs as possible early in their lives.

We pretty much invited all our relatives with kids…but set hard rules for them before play time with Nacho. I think it’s important for them to meet kids of all ages during socialization.
– Sandra L. (Chihuahua owner)

Just like with your own kids, you must “train” the other children to properly handle and play with your Chihuahua. Give them a quick run-down of the rules. There should be absolutely no rough play with a fragile small dog.

When you’re socializing your young puppy, it’s important that you supervise all interactions for the time being. One terrible experience is all it takes to potentially traumatize the dog, thus making future interactions more difficult.

The key is to try to present children in a positive light. The more opportunities they get to play and interact with children, the more likely they’ll feel comfortable around new children.

Is the Chihuahua For Me?

Chihuahuas are undeniably special dogs that can easily make a life-long friend to a child. And while they may not be ideal for families expecting babies, they can do well with children if you take training and socializing seriously.

As long as you’re willing to put in the work to foster your dog’s relationship with the kids, you’ll have a happy and healthy family companion for years to come. After all, Chihuahuas are some of the most popular family dogs for a reason.

Remember that these dogs were literally developed for companionship. It’ll take some work to create their ideal environment. However, if your family can make it to the end, the reward will be well worth the journey

I highly recommend these dogs for responsible parents and children. And despite what others may say, it is absolutely possible for them to become superb playmates with your children.

Do you own a Chihuahua with kids? Let us know how their relationship is in the comments section below. Also, do you have any tips for parents with Chihuahuas?

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