Senior confirmed
Anjelica
To meet me, visit the Bradshaw Animal Shelter Tuesday-Sunday, Noon - 5:00 pm, Wednesdays, Noon - 6:00 pm. All adoptions are on a first-come, first-ser…
Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA
Senior Chihuahua dogs
Senior Chihuahua dogs for adoption
Meet 555 adoptable senior Chihuahua dogs (age 7+) from shelters and rescues across the country. Older dogs are often calm, house-trained, and ready to love from day one. Showing 61–90 of 555 below.
About adopting a Chihuahua
Chihuahuas live a long time, so a dog just past 7 is often nowhere near the end of the story. That matters, because shelters see a steady stream of older chihuahuas surrendered when an elderly owner passes or moves into care, and these dogs frequently have many good years left. A senior chihuahua that has spent its life on a lap tends to want exactly that again.
Temperament in later life is usually devoted and a little opinionated. Many older chihuahuas bond hard to one or two people, prefer a predictable household, and can be wary of strangers or rough handling. They do well in apartments and with retirees, and their exercise needs are modest: short walks, a warm spot in the sun, and a blanket to burrow into.
Dental disease is the big theme with this breed, along with knee problems, heart murmurs, and weight creep, all things to ask the shelter and your veterinarian about. Small seniors chill easily, so a sweater is not just decoration. Because they are so portable and so long lived, an older chihuahua is one of the easiest seniors to fit into a life, provided you check the shelter's records and have your veterinarian look the dog over early.
Last updated October 18, 2026 at 8:44 AM EDT. Listings refresh throughout the day. Always confirm a dog’s availability with the shelter or rescue before making plans.
Available senior Chihuahua dogs
555 senior Chihuahua dogs available.
10+ years
A2098392
City of Houston, Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care • Houston, TX
10+ years
Mango
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West Valley Animal Care Center • Phoenix, AZ
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Rose
To meet me, visit the Bradshaw Animal Shelter Tuesday-Sunday, Noon - 5:00 pm, Wednesdays, Noon - 6:00 pm. All adoptions are on a first-come, first-ser…
Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA
Senior confirmed
10+ years
10+ years
10+ years
Mary
Iredell County Animal Services and Control Department • Statesville, NC
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Lincoln
South Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center • Los Angeles, CA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
Morticia
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East Valley Animal Care Center • Mesa, AZ
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Semi-Sweet
Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center • Tallahassee, FL
Senior confirmed
10+ years
Kim
To meet me, visit the Bradshaw Animal Shelter Tuesday-Sunday, Noon - 5:00 pm, Wednesdays, Noon - 6:00 pm. All adoptions are on a first-come, first-ser…
Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation • Sacramento, CA
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Harley
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East Valley Animal Care Center • Mesa, AZ
10+ years
Senior confirmed
10+ years
A2098400
City of Houston, Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care • Houston, TX
10+ years
Senior confirmed
10+ years
10+ years
Senior confirmed
Senior Chihuahua dogs by state
Other breeds
Adopting a senior Chihuahua — FAQ
Do senior chihuahuas get along with other dogs?
Some do and some decidedly do not. Older chihuahuas often prefer other small, calm dogs and can be defensive around large or boisterous ones. The shelter can tell you how the dog behaved with kennel mates and during any dog introductions. If you have a resident dog, ask for a supervised meeting before committing.
Are older chihuahuas hard to house train?
Older chihuahuas are not harder to train than other small breeds, but many have gaps from years of inconsistent routines. A senior that has lived indoors on pads may need patient retraining to go outside. Frequent trips out, praise, and a fixed schedule usually get results, and the shelter can tell you what habits the dog arrived with.
What health issues should I ask about in a senior chihuahua?
Ask the shelter and your veterinarian about teeth, since dental disease is common in the breed, and about the knees, heart, and weight. Some older chihuahuas also develop a collapsing windpipe that causes a honking cough. None of these is a reason to walk away on its own, but knowing what has been checked helps you plan.
What counts as a senior dog?
Most shelters and vets consider a dog "senior" around age 7, though large breeds often age sooner and small breeds a little later. Every dog listed here is 7 years or older.
How do I adopt a senior Chihuahua?
Open a dog's profile to see the shelter or rescue caring for them, then follow the adoption link or contact details to apply directly with that organization.
Are senior Chihuahua dogs a good fit for first-time adopters?
Often, yes. An older Chihuahua is usually past the high-energy puppy stage and may already know basic commands, which can make ownership easier to ease into. Each profile and shelter can tell you about that dog's individual personality and needs.
Why adopt a senior dog instead of a puppy?
Senior dogs are calmer, usually house-trained, and let you skip the chewing and sleepless nights — and because they are the hardest to place, adopting one can quite literally save a life that might otherwise run out of time.
Are senior Chihuahua dogs good with children or other pets?
It depends on the individual dog more than the breed alone. Each dog's profile and the shelter or rescue caring for them can tell you about their history with kids, cats, or other dogs. Senior dogs are often calmer and more predictable than puppies, which can make reading compatibility easier before you commit.
How much does it cost to adopt a senior Chihuahua?
Adoption fees vary by shelter and rescue, but senior dogs are frequently discounted or even sponsored — because they wait the longest, many organizations offer reduced fees or cover initial vet care. Open a dog's profile and ask the organization directly for their current fee and what it includes.
Can I foster a senior Chihuahua instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues offer a foster program, sometimes with a foster-to-adopt path. Fostering a senior Chihuahua gets them out of a kennel and into a calm home — which is especially beneficial for older dogs who find shelter life stressful. Ask the organization on any dog's profile whether fostering is an option.
Guides to help you decide
Getting started
Why Adopt a Senior Dog? 7 Reasons Older Dogs Make Wonderful Companions
Senior dogs are often calm, house-trained, and overlooked at shelters. Here are seven honest reasons an older dog may be the best companion you ever bring home.
6 min readUnderstanding ageHow Old Is a "Senior" Dog? Senior Age by Breed and Size
A dog is not "old" at the same age across the board — size and breed change everything. Here is how to tell when a dog becomes a senior, and what it means for care.
5 min readCare & healthCaring for a Senior Dog: Health, Diet, and Everyday Comfort
How to keep an older dog healthy and comfortable — vet care, senior-appropriate diet, joint and dental health, exercise, and simple home adjustments that make a big difference.
8 min readKnow a senior dog who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.