Chihuahua puppies are some of the most adorable dogs out there, and many of them find their forever homes in a wonderful family environment every year. So, how much does it cost to purchase and maintain Chihuahuas as pets?
Our extensive guide on Chihuahua prices and maintenance will give you a better idea of what it means financially to give one of these animals a new home.
The price of Chihuahuas can vary based on your location and the specific colouring and coat type of your puppy. The average Chihuahua can cost anywhere from about $ 1,300 to sometimes up to $ 2,500.
Colouring is a factor in meeting a breed standard and thus influencing the price of a true purebred puppy. Smooth coat Chihuahuas, as well as having long coats, can be slightly more expensive than other dogs, though.
Because Chihuahuas come in many different colours and patterns, this does not affect prices as much. But you should be on the lookout for extremely cheap Chihuahuas if they have been bred with merle colour, as these dogs can be prone to more genetic diseases and might be sold at a lower price for that reason.
If the parents of your puppy have been real show dogs and have been used for breeding specific successful Chihuahua puppies, the price might be significantly higher than those of an average litter.
If the litter is relatively small, your puppies might also be more expensive than usual. The same goes for a year where the request for this particular dog breed, and therefore, this dog might be specifically high, thus driving Chihuahua prices in Australia up.
But, you can always opt for adoption, as this is much cheaper and, in some cases, even completely free if you agree to give a Chihuahua a new forever home.
It is easy to spot a good breeder if you know what to look out for. Reputable breeders will, for instance, never sell you a puppy that is under 12 weeks old, as they require the attention of their mother until this age and can have behavioural problems if they get separated from their mother too early.
Your registered breeder should also provide you with documentation of your puppies getting health tests, vet checked, and necessary vaccinations and have their puppies microchipped and de-wormed before selling them.
Bad breeders might not want you to see the puppies and their parents before selling them to you or not be making much of a fuss about reputations and official documentation.
Even though they have a small size, these dogs will still require quite some money to maintain their health, feed them, pay the vet bills, etc., throughout their life.
In the first year of owning a Chihuahua, you can expect to pay about $350 on initial purchases such as a dog bed, crate, toys, treats, etc.
You can expect to spend about $90 for high-quality dog food for your Chihuahua, as they eat very small portions, and a big bag will go a long way with these tiny dogs.
The first year of your Chihuahua puppy will take anything between $300 to $650 for health checkups and getting it vaccinated and microchipped.
Afterwards, your annual costs will probably drop down to anything between $100 and $300, depending on your dog’s health and needs.
As your little one does not necessarily require professional grooming (especially those with a smooth coat), you will be able to save a lot of money by just clipping its nails and trimming its coat (if you have a long-haired Chihuahua) by yourself.
Chihuahua puppies are not cheap and will cost you some money throughout their lifetime. Still, they are playful, fiercely loyal to their owners, have a quirky temperament, can learn lots of cute tricks and commands and will thrive to become a valuable family member if raised in loving homes.
The interest in Chihuahua pups has been high worldwide for a long time, as these dogs are easily one of the most popular breeds out there.
Owning a dog comes with responsibilities and quite a hefty price tag sometimes; therefore, you should do your research and be sure it is financially viable to bring a pup into your house or whether other pets might be a better option.
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