Are Chihuahuas Good Apartment Dogs

Are Chihuahuas Good Apartment Dogs?

When living in an apartment, saving space can be a vital aspect to remember. Apartments, or flats as they are known here in the UK, are often on the smaller side of living spaces; they might have very few rooms, less storage, and might be on a budget. This can sometimes mean that keeping a pet in a flat is seemingly impossible.

But some people do manage to keep various pets in apartments successfully, even dogs. Some dog breeds suit apartment living better than others; one such breed that is often kept in flats is the Chihuahua.

The good news is that, yes, chihuahuas can be great apartment dogs. They have a few qualities that make them perfectly suited to living in apartments, such as their small size, lack of barking, and adaptability. However, each dog is an individual, so their behaviour will vary; this can affect their suitability to live in a flat.

This article will explain why chihuahuas make good apartment dogs, as well as how you can make sure that your pet chihuahua is happy, healthy, and safe.

What Qualities Make Chihuahuas Good Pets in an Apartment?

Certain qualities make some dog breeds easier to house in a flat. Chihuahuas have a few of these qualities that make them good dogs for people who live in an apartment, as listed below:

Have Low to Moderate Energy Levels

This is deemed the most important aspect of what makes a good apartment dog. No matter the size of the dog, if it has high energy, then being cooped up in a flat is not ideal.

Chihuahuas are known to have low to moderate energy levels, so they can handle the confinement of an apartment quite well. This makes them perfect for people who want to keep a dog but can only provide a small living area.

Small Size

Little dogs, like chihuahuas, don’t take up too much space. They can fit comfortably into small living spaces, so you don’t have to worry about them taking up too much room or feeling cramped. This makes them perfect for people living in smaller flats.

are chihuahuas good apartment dogs

These petite pups are commonly referred to as “lap dogs” as they will happily lie on top of their owners’ laps and be carried around. Even when walking, their little paws will barely cause a tap on the flooring, while large breeds, like a Great Dane, might sound like an oncoming thunder store when running down around the living room.

Little to No Barking

To avoid angry neighbours, a quiet dog is best. Apartments can sometimes have thin walls, so loud barking can be a problem, especially if you have people living below you. Thankfully, although chihuahuas have a reputation for being a “yappy” dog breed, they tend to be quite quiet, meaning they won’t disturb the neighbours with their barking.

With proper training, they will hardly bark at all, which makes them an ideal choice for apartment living. To begin training your chihuahua not to bark, reward them with treats and affection when they quieten down after they bark; you can later add in a command to quiet the dog.

Adaptability

Chihuahuas also tend to be highly adaptable. They can adjust to new environments easily, which makes them great for flats. They don’t need too much space and can easily adapt to the smaller living space. These little dogs can also be trained quite easily, allowing you to teach them the rules of your apartment quickly and without much difficulty.

However, even though a chihuahua can adapt easily to a small space, these dogs should not be left alone for long periods of time. This can cause separation anxiety, which might lead to destructive or even aggressive behaviour.

Low-Maintenance

Owning a chihuahua in a flat can be a simple experience. This dog breed doesn’t need much in terms of grooming and exercise, so they don’t require a lot of time or effort to look after. This makes them suitable for busy people who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to caring for their pets.

These dogs do sometimes require an additional layer in cooler weather due to their smaller size, so buying a winter coat suitable for a chihuahua is essential.

As most chihuahuas possess these qualities, the answer to the question, “Are chihuahuas good apartment dogs?” is yes, they can be.

How to Make Sure Your Chihuahua is Happy and Healthy in an Apartment

Although chihuahuas are well-suited to living in apartments, there are some steps that you should take to ensure your pet is happy and healthy. Here are a few tips on how to look after your chihuahua in a flat:

Exercise

Although they are little dogs, it’s important to make sure your chihuahua is getting enough exercise. Even if they have low energy levels, they still need to be taken for a daily walk, given playtime and have regular play sessions with their owners. This will help keep them active, alert, and healthy.

The ideal amount of exercise for a chihuahua dog is half an hour daily minimum; this will differ for puppies and senior dogs. This can be split into two shorter walks or play sessions to ensure they burn enough energy before returning home. This can help the dog adjust better to apartment life.

Enrichment

Chihuahuas can become bored very easily, so you need to make sure that you provide them with enough enrichment toys and activities to keep them entertained. This can include things like puzzle toys, interactive toys, and even a few minutes of playtime each day.

dog snuffle mat

Some good toy options for enriching your chihuahua’s life include Kong toys and snuffle mats, which you can even make yourself following the instructions here. Teaching new tricks and hiding treats around the flat are also good ideas to keep them busy.

Training

Training is essential for chihuahuas; this is how you can teach them the rules of the house and get them used to living in an apartment. When you first bring them home as a puppy, you can start to train them with basic obedience commands, such as their name and recall, and then move on to teaching them more complex ones.

In a small area like a flat, dogs need to be taught which behaviours are unacceptable, such as chewing furniture, scratching walls, soiling carpets, etc. This training should be started as soon as the dog is first brought home.

Socialisation

Chihuahuas need to be socialised in order to be happy and well-adjusted. This means introducing them to new people and animals and teaching them how to behave in different situations. Allowing a young dog to experience as many new and different things as possible will produce a well-trained dog.

Being correctly socialised is especially important if the dog is a family pet for small children, but this mainly falls on the responsibility of the adults. Dogs should not be left alone with young kids as even the most docile dog can bite if irritated, but children should also be taught to be gentle, as chihuahuas are small and fragile. Due to this, this small dog breed might be more suitable for families with older children.

What Other Dogs Suit Apartment Life?

Although chihuahuas are popular apartment dogs, other breeds can be just as suitable. Dogs that are good for flats tend to have the same qualities as chihuahuas; they are usually small, have low to moderate energy levels, are quiet, and are adaptable.

Other dog breeds to consider include:

  • the French Bulldog
  • the Pug
  • the Shih Tzu
  • the Pomeranian
  • the Maltese
  • the Boston Terrier
boston terrier

These dogs can all be kept in a flat successfully as long as they are given enough exercise, enrichment, and training.

To Sum Up

Simply put, the answer to “Are chihuahuas good apartment dogs?” is yes; chihuahuas can be great dogs for people living in flats. These small dogs have a few qualities that make them perfectly suited to living in small spaces, such as their energy levels, lack of barking, and adaptability. Like many pets, they can also provide you with the love and companionship you need when you live in a flat.

However, just like any other pet, chihuahua dogs are a long-term commitment, so be sure to research what care this dog breed requires before purchasing one. You must also make sure that you can provide the time and energy needed to look after your pet dog to keep it happy, healthy, and safe throughout its life.

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