Now that your eyes are set on the smallest dog breed as your future pet, the next decision is whether it will be a male or a female Chihuahua. Well, why don’t we take a look at their differences first to help you decide?
In general, male Chihuahuas are slightly taller than female Chihuahuas. Temperament-wise, they are also more playful and affectionate. Meanwhile, female Chihuahuas are more docile and protective. Although male Chihuahuas learn faster, females are said to be more obedient.
This article will discuss the differences between male and female Chihuahuas in greater detail. As you read through, this will help you realize which gender fits your personality and lifestyle better!
Physical Differences
Male Chihuahuas
In terms of physical features, the only observable difference between the male Chihuahua and the female is height. Male Chihuahuas stand 5 to 9 inches at the shoulder, approximately two inches taller than females.
Male Chihuahuas even share the same average weight as females at 2 to 6 pounds. This makes them ideal lap dogs and easy travel companions due to their size.
The similarities in the physical traits of a male and female Chihuahua are true even in other variants of this breed, such as long-haired or long-legged Chihuahuas. They even share the same adorable haircuts!
Female Chihuahuas
As mentioned, the only physical difference between the female and the male Chihuahua is height. A female Chihuahua stands 2 inches shorter than a male. Its average height is just between 4 and 7 inches.
Female Chihuahuas also weigh only around 2 to 6 pounds. Due to the small size of the Chihuahua puppy, it may even be more challenging to determine the gender of newborns compared to other dog breeds.
In other breeds, females tend to have a slimmer body type than males. For the Chihuahua, the tiny bodies of both genders usually do not have enough room for this feature. Expect both males and females to have the same build.
Temperamental Differences
Male Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are known to be playful and comical by nature. Their terrier-like demeanor also makes both males and females very feisty for a small breed.
A male Chihuahua has a more affectionate, tender, and loving nature compared to its female counterpart. It also tends to create a more special bond with its owners, as it consistently seeks their attention.
Male Chihuahuas are also calmer and are easily contented. They are fine being left alone while you are busy doing something else.
A male adult Chihuahua’s temperament may change if it is unneutered. It may tend to be more confrontational and aggressive, which may not be present in unspayed female Chihuahuas.
Unneutered male Chihuahuas tend to mark their territories more aggressively too, which may spoil your walls and furniture at home. They are also more likely to challenge the leadership of their owners and may ignore commands.
Similar to other male dogs, unneutered male Chihuahuas may also resort to humping. They may even hump male or female dogs alike.
They would feel a strong urge to chase female Chihuahuas or other female dogs when they smell someone in heat. During this period, males tend to be more anxious than usual and would have a tendency to take off.
Female Chihuahuas
Female Chihuahuas are more docile than male Chihuahuas. They are also less rowdy at home. This makes them better family pets for those living in smaller homes or apartments.
Females also constantly seek attention and love to climb the lap of their owners for a cuddle. They are also generally more active than their male counterpart.
Aside from that, female Chihuahuas are also more cautious and critical of strangers, making them more alert and protective of their families.
Our two adult female Chihuahuas, Reese and Luli, have the same exact temperament of being sweet, affectionate, and calm when around us. However, they become too noisy when they detect strangers. They will not stop barking and following the guests but will never attack or bite.
What we normally do is put them in another room with toys for them to get busy with so they can get distracted whenever we have guests at home. On the other hand, socialization training can help manage this behavior in female Chihuahuas.
Nevertheless, a female Chihuahua is also bossier and may assert dominance even over a male Chihuahua. Females bark more often as well as a result of their innate maternal instinct to protect their puppies.
Non-spayed females are also subject to mood swings when they are in heat. During this period, their hormones give them the strong urge to run away to find a male mate.
This video will give you an idea of the differences in personality between male and female Chihuahuas:
Behavior and Training
Male Chihuahuas
Male Chihuahuas generally learn faster than females, and this is primarily influenced by their love to please their owners. Their proficiency in obedience training can even match those of large dog breeds.
The male Chihuahua responds very well to positive reinforcement, which is also true for the female Chihuahua.
Given their quick learning skills, the male Chihuahua may get bored easily during training. When this happens, they may show unpleasant behaviors like nipping, growling, barking, and even ignoring commands.
Male Chihuahuas also tend to display possessive aggression. Thus, socialization training at a young age works best to prevent this issue and minimize aggressive behavior.
If you decide to keep your males unneutered, you would need to spend more time as well in housebreaking to address their marking behavior.
Female Chihuahuas
Female Chihuahuas are not difficult to train. However, due to the female Chihuahua’s high-mindedness, it takes more time to respond to commands. Training female Chihuahuas would then require more patience than males.
Positive reinforcement is needed more for females in addressing obedience issues. Proper and consistent training should be able to turn your female Chihuahua into one graceful dog.
For unspayed female Chihuahuas, additional training may be required for them to be comfortable staying in a limited area while on their heat cycle.
This will help you manage their heavy shedding and prevent them from staining your sofa, carpet, and other items in your house during this period.
However, the easy part of training female Chihuahuas is that they do not exert dominance over authorities when they get bored, unlike males. They do not aggressively mark territories as well, making housebreaking training easier.
Health Differences
Male Chihuahuas
The major difference in health issues between male and female Chihuahuas is conditions related to their reproductive organs.
Like other dogs, unneutered male Chihuahuas are prone to cryptorchidism or more commonly referred to as undescended testicles.
When this happens, additional testosterone levels in the male Chihuahua may cause more aggressive behaviors and an even higher risk of cancer.
Prostate cancer is another critical condition that may develop in unneutered males. Prostate cancer in canines is fatal and is the leading cancer type in almost all dog breeds.
Neutering is the best way to prevent the occurrence of these health issues in male Chihuahuas. However, it is still best to consult with your veterinarian first when it comes to the safety and timing of the procedure.
Female Chihuahuas
As mentioned, female Chihuahuas share the same risk of obesity as males. Giving them high-quality dog food in the right amount should help manage this condition.
Similar to other dogs, an unspayed female Chihuahua’s conditions may be more life-threatening compared to those of the male.
Some of the major conditions they may get are mammary, uterine, and ovarian cancer.
They are also prone to pyometra. In this condition, an infection may occur in the female dog’s uterus three to five days after the heat cycle. During the heat cycle of the female Chihuahua, they may also be prone to heavy bleeding.
Spaying is the best preventive measure against these health issues. Similar to the process of neutering, the safety, and timing of the procedure are something that needs to be consulted first with your local veterinarian.
Further, to ensure the health of the Chihuahua, always deal only with its reputable breeders.
With Other Dogs and Pets
Male Chihuahuas
A male Chihuahua’s playful nature makes it more instinctively sociable with other dogs, even with cats and other pets.
Male Chihuahuas are also good at interacting with larger dogs, although precautions should be practiced when their companions are larger than them. Due to their size and fragile features, monitor them closely to avoid injury.
If you decide to go for two males in your house, a male Chihuahua may fight for dominance with the other male dog.
When this happens, the older, more established dog usually becomes the alpha or the leader in the pack. You might want to consider going for the opposite sex as a companion dog for a male Chihuahua to avoid this issue.
Socialization training as a puppy should be able to prevent behavioral problems like this one from developing as they grow older.
Female Chihuahuas
Due to the female Chihuahua’s protective nature, expect that it will also be more cautious of other dogs and pets at home, except if introduced properly or raised together.
The female Chihuahua’s strong will and assertive nature also make it more aggressive in fighting for dominance in the household, especially with other female dogs.
Since Chihuahuas may develop the Napoleon complex and may not be aware of their actual size, female Chihuahuas that exert dominance over larger dogs may need to be monitored closely to avoid getting hurt.
This behavior of female Chihuahuas means they take longer to get accustomed to other pets than male dogs. Early socialization training should help prevent this behavior from manifesting as they grow older.
With Children
Male Chihuahuas
Regardless of gender, the Chihuahua is recommended for families with older children and sufficient canine education to handle these fragile pets appropriately and with utmost care.
As sociable and loving as they are, the tendency of younger children to run, scream, and play rough may be overwhelming and stressful, even for the male Chihuahua. It can also easily get injured when mishandled.
If handled well, though, male Chihuahuas would be more likely to bond with all members of the family, including the children. Once the bond is formed, they tend to be too playful.
Setting definite boundaries inside the house and monitoring them accordingly should help create a healthy routine for them. This will help them to act within their limits and give them a much safer environment around children.
Female Chihuahuas
The protective and serious nature of female Chihuahuas makes them more cautious with humans. Though they are less playful and interactive, they are gentler than their male counterparts.
Their need to seek attention and cuddle with their owners means that the same careful treatment should also be given to them.
The small size and the fragile nature of the Chihuahua require that children in the household be properly trained to handle it gently. Older family members should be able to demonstrate how to take care of the dog properly.
Training young members at home should include reminders on what not to do to avoid agitating the female dog, such as avoiding touching them while eating or sleeping.
Once done, expect a peaceful coexistence between your Chihuahua and the young members of your family.
If you need more guidance in socializing your Chihuahua with your children at home, watch this video:
Pros and Cons of Male and Female Chihuahuas
Male Chihuahuas
There are always certain advantages and disadvantages to owning a male and a female dog. The Chihuahua is not an exception.
A major advantage to the male Chihuahua is its playful and loving nature. Pet lovers will appreciate the affection shown by these male dogs. They are also calmer, quieter, and easily contented compared to females.
Since male Chihuahuas love to please their owners, they also learn quickly and are more obedient than their female counterparts. They can even be compared to the learning proficiency of large breeds.
The male Chihuahua’s friendly nature makes it more sociable with other dogs and pets. It also gets along well with all members of the family, including the children.
On the other hand, male Chihuahuas tend to be more aggressive, especially if left unneutered. They also have the unpleasant habit of marking their territories, which makes it harder to keep a clean environment at home.
If not sterile, male Chihuahuas become susceptible to certain critical diseases like cryptorchidism and prostate cancer. They may also exert dominance over other male dogs and may display possessive aggression.
When bored, male Chihuahuas also tend to challenge their authority to the point of growling, nipping, and ignoring commands.
Here is the summary of the discussed pros and cons of a male Chihuahua:
| Pros | Cons |
| More playful and affectionate | More aggressive |
| Calmer and quieter | Frequently marks territories |
| Requires less attention | Prone to life-threatening illnesses when unneutered |
| Learns faster | Exerts dominance with other male dogs |
| More sociable with other dogs, pets, and children | Challenges authority when bored |
Female Chihuahuas
Female Chihuahuas are generally less rowdy and gentler than their male counterparts, making them better candidates for people living in smaller areas and apartments.
Unlike their male counterparts, female Chihuahuas will not challenge their owners when they get bored. They also do not mark their territories as often as males nor hump other dogs.
Female Chihuahuas are also more cautious and alert to strangers, potentially making them excellent guard dogs.
Nonetheless, females tend to also bark a lot due to their protective nature. They are more bossy and assertive compared to the male Chihuahua, too.
Female Chihuahuas also take longer to train for obedience compared to their male counterparts and would require more patience.
Unspayed female Chihuahuas are also subject to more conditions. This includes critical illnesses, heavy shedding, staining, bleeding, and mood swings.
Their suspicious behavior takes them longer to interact and connect with other dogs, pets, and other people as well. Expect them also to exert dominance and fight to achieve the alpha status in their household.
Here is the summary of the discussed pros and cons of a female Chihuahua:
| Pros | Cons |
| More gentle | Barks more frequently and louder |
| More suitable for apartment living | Bossier and more assertive |
| More protective and alert | Prone to life-threatening illnesses when unneutered |
| Less likely to challenge authority | Sheds a lot |
| Less likely to mark territories or hump | Exerts dominance with other dogs more |
Should You Get a Male or Female Chihuahua?
The sharp differences between male and female Chihuahuas in this article should help you decide on whether to own a male or a female Chihuahua based on what suits your environment, culture, and lifestyle better.
The male Chihuahua will seem to be an obvious choice if you want a dog that will shower you with energy and affection. However, a female may fit you better if you want a gentler Chihuahua that doesn’t mind sitting on your lap.
If you have enough space for play and recreation, the male Chihuahua will enjoy the environment with you. If you are a homebody and do not need a large space to live in, the female Chihuahua is perfectly ok with that.
When you don’t have enough patience for training, a male Chihuahua will meet your expectations by learning faster. Should you enjoy challenges, the female Chihuahua will be a more fulfilling experience once trained successfully.
Furthermore, if you are a well-rounded person, the male Chihuahua will be a better companion.
Meanwhile, if enjoying a laid-back environment and being very cautious is more your personality, the female Chihuahua will not mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Male or Female Chihuahuas Calmer?
Male Chihuahuas are calmer and quieter compared to their female counterparts, even if unneutered. Females tend to be more reactive and assertive due to their protective instincts.
Are Male or Female Chihuahuas More Affectionate?
The male Chihuahua is more affectionate compared to the female. Female Chihuahuas have their way of showing affection too. They are fond of sitting on your lap, but they are mostly bossy and moody.
Are Male or Female Chihuahuas Easier to Train?
Male Chihuahuas get the award for being faster learners than their female counterparts. This is primarily due to their willingness to please their owners. Females take a longer time to respond to commands.
Final Thoughts
It is very difficult to see the physical and temperamental differences between a male and a female Chihuahua. Their size makes it even more difficult to differentiate. Anyhow, these differences become more visible as they mature.
Though gender is a major factor in the differences in a Chihuahua’s physical and behavioral traits, these distinctions are also influenced by the environment, training, neutering or spaying, and nurture, amongst others.
No matter what gender you end up with, Chihuahuas make for great lap dogs and excellent companions. Have you decided which between the male and female Chihuahua fits you better? Drop us a comment below!
