We love our little Chihuahua! He’s very lucky in that he has 4 little girls (my daughters) to play with him, take him for walks and give him plenty of attention.
Still, I wonder if he would be happier if he had another Chihuahua friend just like him?
Mostly I just want to convince my husband to let me have another one! But still, sometimes I wonder if my Chihuahua is lonely? I decided to talk to other Chihuahua owners to see what I could find out.
There are many factors to consider when thinking about getting your Chihuahua a friend or companion.
Chihuahuas generally benefit from having another Chihuahua or companion dog in the house, but you need to proceed with caution. Chihuahuas don’t always get along with other breeds. You will need to choose carefully the sex and breed of your additional pet.
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If your Chihuahua is not well-behaved and you are wanting to get him or her a companion because you think that will help them be less bored, think again! I’ll explain why that might just add to your problem instead of helping it. We’ll also learn about what the best companion for your Chihuahua might be and how to introduce them to each other successfully.
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How to Tell if My Chihuahua is Lonely
You may be wanting to get a friend for your Chihuahua if you think they are feeling lonely and need some companionship. Here are some clues that might indicate your Chi is lonely.
- Your Chihuahua follows you around the house everywhere
- Your Chihuahua howls or cries when you leave
- Your Chihuahua is less interested in playing and sleeps more than usual
- Your Chihuahua licks their fur so much that they start to lose their hair
- Your Chihuahua is destructive and getting into trouble
Why you Should Get another Dog for Your Chihuahua
Chihuahuas thrive on attention and socialization. They love nothing more than to play and be part of a pack! Getting another dog for your Chihuahua to play with and grow up with can be a great idea for many reasons. Having a playmate can help your chihuahua from getting bored, and can take some of the pressure off of you to constantly entertain.
Note: Having more than one Chihuahua can be a lot of fun for you. I can picture the extra loves and snuggles I would get from having multiple little fur balls running around my house. Animals are so fun to watch and their antics are always entertaining.
Just think about how many hours you can spend on YouTube watching cute Chihuahua videos. (Speaking of….. We have a few below for you to enjoy!
If your Chihuahua has separation anxiety and gets very lonely when you leave him alone getting him a companion to keep him company could be a great comfort and help to him.
Chihuahuas are so small they eat so little when compared to the rest of their doggy counterparts that adding another one really won’t be too much of an additional cost.
That isn’t to say there will be no added cost. You do need to think about the cost of vet visits and possible grooming or training that you will need to invest in.
Why You Shouldn’t Get Another Dog for Your Chihuahua
If you are thinking of getting a friend for your Chihuahua because your Chihuahua is bored and getting into a lot of trouble, think again! You shouldn’t get your Chihuahua a companion dog if your Chihuahua is already not well-behaved.
Finding that tipped-over garbage can with chewed-up tissue, or food and treats hidden all over the house (check out my article on why Chihuahuas hide and bury their treats) isn’t fun for any pet parent, but it will be double trouble if you add another puppy to the mix.
You may think that he’s bored and his antics of getting into the garbage can or constantly barking at the neighbors indicate he needs a playmate, but that’s not necessarily true.
Note: Making sure to well train your Chihuahua now will make it a lot easier for you if you do add another pet down the line. Not only will your pet be better able to handle the new transition, but he will also be better equipped to help you train a new dog on the right ways to do things.
If you aren’t prepared to deal with the financial cost of another dog then you shouldn’t get one just for the sake of your Chihuahua to have a friend.
Vet visits, vaccinations, flea treatments, grooming, treats, and toys can all add up. You don’t want to feel like you need to get a second job to pay for a second pet, that kind of just defeats the purpose.
Do Chihuahuas Get Along With Other Dogs
This is a tricky one. If your Chihuahua is very well socialized and has had a lot of practice around other dogs it’s possible that they might be ok with another breed. The size and temperament of both dogs are big factors.
If you have a gentle giant that is very aware of their space, completely non-aggressive, and aware of his space so he won’t accidentally sit on your little Chi, then it might work. Likewise, if your Chihuahua can be around other larger dogs and never show signs of aggression then you might have the perfect combination.
But… If your little guy suffers from what I like to call little dog syndrome, then I would stick to the smaller breeds.
Little Dog Syndrome: When your Chihuahua thinks they are bigger and bossier than their britches!
Something that you can do to test your Chi’s sociable nature would be to take them to a place that has a lot of other dogs and very closely monitor and observe how they react to other dogs.
A good place to try this out could be Pet Smart, or perhaps a dog park. If they are inquisitive and want to be social and get to know other dogs without being aggressive at all that is a great sign that you can proceed to try and find them a companion.
Do Chihuahuas Get Along with Each Other
For the most part, Chihuahuas get along very well with each other and can really benefit from one another’s company. Chihuahuas have a pack mentality and are happy to rule the roost with each other, but beware, if you do get multiple Chihuahuas you need to make sure that you are giving equal attention to them all so that jealousy doesn’t start to play a role in how they treat each other (Check out my article, Why Your Chihuahua is Jealous and What to Do?).
Training will be essential when having multiple Chi’s and it could be a little tricky to train your new puppy with your senior Chihuahua around watching you give all the attention to the newest member of your family.
What Else You Should Consider With Multiple Chihuahuas?
You should avoid getting littermates as it’s likely you could have to deal with littermate syndrome in the future. I don’t know about you, but I get enough arguing with my kids, I don’t need fighting puppies to go with it!
You also need to consider the age of your Chihuahua.
If you have a very senior Chihuahua then they might not have the energy or desire to keep up with a new puppy. Yet some studies show that having a senior dog and getting a puppy can be good for your older dog. It can keep them more fit and active. The puppy may also accept the older dog as the Alpha as well.
What about just getting 2 puppies at the same time?
Double the cuteness right! Well, that may work out ok in the long run, but if you haven’t had experience with taking care of and training a puppy I would suggest you start with one.
Having one puppy is a lot of work! Two puppies to care for and train at the same time is downright exhausting!
So when is the best time to introduce another puppy to your household? Most behaviorists recommend waiting at least a year before adding a playmate.
Note: A new puppy will mirror the behavior of your already established Chi, the good and the bad. It’s best to spend a least a year training your Chihuahua before getting another dog. A good strong foundation of training and socialization will help them be ready to be a rolse model for the new recruit. In the long run this will make adding another one less work for you.
Trying out a fun training program together like this widely popular program Brain Training for Dogs can help unlock your dog’s hidden potential and help them learn how to avoid problem behaviors.
With Chihuahuas like most other dogs, opposites attract! If you have a male chihuahua then you should try to get a female, if you have a female then a male could be a good match. There is usually less competition for alpha status between the sexes than if they were the same gender. Of course, remember that you’ll end up with a litter of puppies if one of your Chi’s isn’t fixed.
Note: Have you heard of multiple Chihuahua syndrome? When one Chihuahua just isn’t enough! This adorable video shares the story of one such owner!
What Other Chihuahua Owners Say
“I have a Chihuahua, a Shih Tzu, a Pom, a Pug crossed Yorkie and a lion head rabbit they all love each other very much and get along great!”
“I have 6 dogs…all different sizes and breeds. All get along fine…”
“I have a cocker spaniel hound mix who is very gentle with my two little Chihuahua puppies.”
“I have a Chihuahua, a Frenchie, and a terrier/poodle mutt. The Chi is territorial and doesn’t play well with the others. This is my first Chi and I have learned so much about the breed that I wish I knew upfront. I would have socialized her better with the other two dogs to have mitigated these problems.”
Want to learn more about your favorite Chihuahua?
Check out these other fun articles!
Why Does My Chihuahua Stare at Me? (6 Reason Why?) | Paws and Learn
Should I Let my Chihuahua Sleep With Me? (Let Sleeping Dogs Lie) | Paws and Learn
Do Chihuahua’s Whine A lot? (Complete Guide to Chihuahua Whining) | Paws and Learn
While we strive to give the most accurate and helpful information about your pet’s health that we can, this article is meant to be informational only and not medical advice. Never disregard, avoid or delay in obtaining medical advice from your veterinarian or other qualified veterinary health care provider regardless of what you have read on this site or elsewhere.
