Adopting a Chihuahua in Birmingham: rescues, costs and health

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every Chihuahua and Chihuahua cross listed with us in Birmingham and within about 25 miles. If it shows none, that is not a fault: Chihuahuas are scarce in the rescues around the city, so the breed rescue below is the main route for most Birmingham adopters.

The Royal Kennel Club calls the Chihuahua "the smallest breed in the world" with a "huge personality in a tiny frame", and describes it as "bold and saucy in temperament". Blue Cross calls it "a highly intelligent and easily trained companion" that needs a family who will make sure it gets plenty of exercise and training.

Dogs Trust makes the point that matters most with a rescue dog: every Chihuahua has its own personality, shaped by its own experiences, so some enjoy meeting new dogs and people and some don't. A rescue knows how its dog behaves at home and with visitors, so ask.

A rescue fee pays towards vet work you would otherwise pay for yourself. At Birmingham Dogs Home it covers neutering, a microchip, flea and worm treatment and four weeks' free insurance. Some charities charge less for older dogs: Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over.

With a bought puppy you pay for all of that separately, on top of the £400 to £3,000 Blue Cross gives for a puppy. Buying also means guessing at adult size and temperament, both of which a rescue already knows for an adult dog.

Rescue Chihuahuas rarely come with their parents' health tests, so ask what the rescue's vet has checked. UK sources name these for the breed:

• Breathing and heat. Dogs Trust describes Chihuahuas as brachycephalic, meaning a short nose, a flat face or both, and says they are at higher risk of heat stroke. Blue Cross tells owners to be prepared for potential breathing problems.
• Syringomyelia. Blue Cross also names syringomyelia among the health issues owners should be prepared for. Ask whether the rescue's vet has seen any sign of it, and ask your own vet what it would mean.
• Eyes, airways and teeth. The Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to have eyes tested and dogs' breathing graded for BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome). Its Breed Watch list for show judges includes incorrect bite and teeth, retained puppy teeth and an excessively short muzzle.

The Royal Kennel Club breed standard gives one size for the breed: up to 2.7 kg, with 1.8 to 2.7 kg preferred. The only varieties The Royal Kennel Club recognises are the smooth coat and the long coat. "Teacup", "micro" and "miniature" are names sellers use, not varieties, and The Royal Kennel Club no longer registers merle Chihuahua puppies because the merle gene carries an increased risk of impaired hearing and sight.

With an adult rescue Chihuahua there is nothing to guess: you can see how big it is, and the rescue can tell you its weight.

The Royal Kennel Club lists the Chihuahua as needing up to 30 minutes of exercise a day and says a flat can be big enough. Not every rescue agrees about flats: Small Dog Rescue won't rehome to one, while British Chihuahua Rescue says it doesn't discriminate on residential status. If you live in a flat, say so on your application.

Dogs Trust says Chihuahuas might not manage long or strenuous walks but still need daily walks, play and enrichment, and care on hot days. Whether a particular dog can live with children or other pets depends on the dog, so go by the rescue's own assessment.

Rescue Chihuahuas are adopted, not sold. You apply, the rescue matches you with a dog, and you pay its adoption fee. Chihuahua puppies are rare in rescue around Birmingham, so be ready to consider an adult, which many people find easier with such a small dog.

If you decide to buy, Dogs Trust suggests asking your vet about a pre-purchase consultation on likely health conditions and rough costs, and The Royal Kennel Club runs a "Find a puppy" service. Be wary of adverts for "teacup" or merle puppies. Report a suspected scam advert to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).