How Much Is A Chihuahua?

In Positive Dog Training, Questions About Dogs

Post Date:
December 10, 2024

(Date Last Modified: November 13, 2025)

Chihuahuas are a small, long-lived dog breed commonly kept as companion animals, and purchase and ownership costs vary widely depending on source, health, and location.

Average Purchase Price

Pet-quality Chihuahua puppies commonly sell in the range of $500 to $2,500 depending on lineage, conformation, and seller type^[1].

Show-quality or kennel-quality puppies from established bloodlines can commonly command $2,000 to $6,000 or more when champion lines are involved^[2].

Rare-color or uncommon-coat-type premiums (for example, blue or merle shades where legal and recognized) frequently add $500 to $3,000 to a puppy’s price in the U.S.^[1].

Adult Chihuahuas offered for rehoming are often listed for $50 to $400 in shelters or rescue networks, reflecting adoption fees rather than market resale value^[3].

Price by Source

Reputable, registered breeders typically charge higher prices that include pedigree paperwork and health clearances; price tags from such breeders in the U.S. are commonly $1,000 to $4,000 for pet-quality pups^[2].

Backyard or unverified sellers often list very low purchase prices, sometimes under $300, but those sales commonly omit health testing and written guarantees^[2].

Shelter and rescue adoption fees commonly range from $50 to $400 and usually include age-appropriate vaccinations and basic spay/neuter or a voucher toward sterilization^[3].

Pet store puppies and brokered imports can carry premiums of several hundred to several thousand dollars above typical breeder prices because of transport, middleman fees, and retail markup^[4].

Breed and Pedigree Influence

AKC- or other national kennel registry registration and documented champion bloodlines commonly increase a puppy’s price by thousands of dollars compared with an unregistered litter mate^[2].

Reputation of the breeder and a proven show history can raise asking prices by 20% to 200% compared with baseline market values for pet-quality Chihuahuas^[2].

Color and coat type premiums vary by market; in some regions a rare color can increase sale price by $500 to $3,000 due to buyer demand and breeder rarity claims^[1].

Age, Size, and Sex Effects

Puppies typically cost more than adults; a young puppy from a breeder is often priced $300 to $2,000 higher than the same dog listed for rehoming as an adult^[3].

“Teacup” or micro-sized Chihuahuas are frequently marketed at premiums of 25% to 150% above standard-size puppies, but those size premiums are associated with increased health risk and veterinary needs^[5].

Sex-based price differences are often small; in many U.S. markets males and females sell for similar amounts, though some buyers pay a small premium (commonly under $200) for a preferred sex for breeding plans^[2].

Health Screening and Genetic Testing Costs

Common pre-sale health screens for Chihuahuas that reputable breeders provide include patellar luxation evaluation, cardiac auscultation or echo when indicated, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) testing; individual test fees range from $50 to $500 each depending on procedure and clinic^[6].

Genetic screening panels for inherited conditions typically cost $75 to $300 per dog when run through veterinary genetic laboratories^[6].

Health guarantees, complete vaccination records, and written spay/neuter or return clauses are frequently included with higher-priced purchases and can reduce expected long‑term medical expense by preventing early-onset problems or providing breeder support for certain heritable conditions^[6].

Geographic and Seasonal Price Variation

Urban markets with strong demand commonly list Chihuahuas for 10% to 50% more than rural markets for similar-quality dogs because of higher buyer demand and local cost of living^[2].

Regional import or broker fees, quarantine, and shipping costs for cross-state or international transport can add $200 to $2,000 to the purchase price depending on distance and requirements^[4].

Demand spikes around holidays sometimes increase advertised prices or reduce the number of negotiable sellers, and holiday-period premiums of 10% to 30% are routinely reported anecdotally by sellers and rescues^[2].

Upfront Ownership Costs

One-time supplies for a new Chihuahua—crate, bed, leash, basic toys, food bowls, and initial grooming tools—commonly total $75 to $300 at typical retail prices^[7].

Initial veterinary costs for a young Chihuahua—first wellness exam, core vaccination series, fecal test or deworming, and microchip—commonly run $100 to $400 depending on clinic pricing and whether spay/neuter is included^[3].

Elective early spay or neuter through a veterinarian commonly costs $150 to $500, with low-cost clinic options sometimes available for $50 to $150 under subsidized programs^[3].

Representative retail and adoption price ranges for Chihuahuas by category in the U.S.
Category	Typical Price (USD)	Common Included Items	Notes
Pet-quality breeder puppy	$500–$2,500	Basic health records	Varies with lineage
Show/kennel-quality puppy	$2,000–$6,000+	Registration, pedigree	Champion lines cost more
Rare-color premium puppy	$1,000–$6,000	Often limited availability	Market-dependent
Rescue/shelter adult	$50–$400	Vaccines, spay/neuter	Best value for many adopters

Ongoing Annual and Lifetime Costs

Routine annual veterinary care for a Chihuahua—wellness exam, heartworm test where recommended, core boosters, and parasite prevention—commonly totals $200 to $600 per year depending on region and services used^[3].

Food for a small-breed dog like a Chihuahua typically costs $150 to $400 per year depending on diet and brand choice^[7].

Grooming for a short- or long-coated Chihuahua (bathing, nail trims, occasional professional grooming) commonly runs $50 to $300 per year depending on owner involvement^[7].

Average pet insurance premiums for small dogs vary, but industry data show average annual premiums commonly between $300 and $700 for plans with illness and accident coverage, with higher coverage levels increasing premiums further^[5].

Lifetime medical spending for a small dog can vary widely; many estimates place lifetime veterinary costs (routine plus some unexpected care) in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 over a typical 12–18 year lifespan absent major chronic disease^[5].

Unexpected and Emergency Costs

Common emergencies in Chihuahuas—such as foreign-body ingestion, trauma, or acute gastrointestinal obstruction—can have emergency treatment invoices ranging from $800 to $5,000 depending on diagnostics and surgery needs^[6].

Chronic conditions that sometimes affect Chihuahuas (for example, dental disease, mitral valve disease, or patellar luxation complications) may generate recurring costs of $200 to $1,500 per year when ongoing care or intermittent procedures are required^[6].

Emergency savings recommendations commonly advise setting aside an emergency fund of at least $1,000 to $3,000 per pet or carrying an insurance policy that covers major medical events to avoid unexpected debt from veterinary care^[5].

Ways to Reduce Total Cost Without Sacrificing Welfare

Adopting from shelters or certified breed rescues is often the most cost-effective initial route; adoption fees are typically $50 to $400 and usually include core vaccines and sterilization support^[3].

Negotiate transparently with breeders about what health testing and paperwork are included and request copies of test results and registration paperwork before purchase to avoid hidden downstream costs^[2].
Use preventive care—vaccination, dental hygiene, routine parasite control—to reduce risk of costly diseases later; routine prevention commonly costs far less annually than emergency interventions^[3].
Consider pet insurance early (when puppies are young and healthy) to obtain better coverage terms and lower pre-existing condition risk; average premiums vary but can limit catastrophic out-of-pocket spending^[5].

Careful contract review, avoiding unverified “teacup” claims, and prioritizing documented health clearances are practical steps buyers can take to lower long-term cost while maintaining animal welfare standards^[2].