
How smart is the Chihuahua Dog?
Chihuahua is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the Americas. They are among the top-most recommended watchdog breeds by experts. The Chihuahua dog requires minimum training space, making it the perfect dog for the city.
Some basic facts about the Chihuahua dog are:
- They are very energetic
- They are excellent companion dogs
- For their size, they tend to eat a lot
- Their social attention needs are very high
- They are bold and confident
- Despite their tiny size, they make for good watchdogs
According to Hillspet, Chihuahuas are very loyal, and they love physical activity. They are also dominant to their owners, and very temperamental.
History of the Chihuahua in short
The Modern Dog Magazine gives a brief history of the Chihuahua dog. The breed is believed to have originated from Mexico. It derives its name from the state of Chihuahua, where it was discovered in the mid-1800s. American visitors to Mexico were fascinated by this Chihuahua dog, and they brought it back to the Us, where they gained popularity.
In 1904, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Chihuahua dog as a breed. This recognition was after they gained popularity from being exhibited at dog shows for a certain period.
To read more about Chihuahua’s history, please visit our post here.
The Nature of Chihuahua
Chihuahua thrives on human attention. They love to be carried around, pampered, and given as much attention as possible. However, the Chihuahua temperament is one that makes them react at the slightest provocation, as they are very nervous by nature. For this reason, they are not the best dogs to keep in a house with kids under 12 years of age.
When left alone, the dog can quickly get agitated and bark a lot, because; according to Terrific Pets they suffer from separation anxiety. A well-trained Chihuahua dog will overcome this anxiety if well-conditioned. Nothing a little training can’t fix!
The Chihuahua dog can also be timid and aggressive in large crowds. In such a situation, a gradual introduction to the outside world comes in handy, especially if you have to use public transport. A frightened Chihuahua dog will be a distraction, with constant barking and restlessness, and can cause a mess by urinating and vomiting.
The best option is to train them on sitting or lying down when in a car, to keep the Chihuahua’s temperament in check during travel.
How Do You Socialize Your Chihuahua?
The ultimate nature and habit of any dog breed are dependent on how well they were trained or socialized into society. Chihuahua should be socialized as soon as they settle in the family. They should learn how to get along with the entire household, including visitors because they tend to prefer only one or two masters.
If you have other pets, Chihuahua should learn that their boundaries can sometimes be crossed, for instance, another pet using its bowl, or capturing your attention, if you wish to keep their snappy nature in check.
Chihuahua should be trained on acceptable behavior in the home, clicker training, and most importantly, on the understanding that you, the owner is in command. They are a special kind of smart, and they can even teach you a few tricks if left in control.
Read more on how to take care of your Chihuahua
Chihuahua’s Intelligence
How smart is Chihuahua? Check out Animal Planet’s video on this unique breed of dog:
According to scientists, Chihuahua is among the most intelligent dogs. They have the largest brain even with their size. As small as they are, they carry a larger brain in comparison to other dog breeds.
Chihuahua Dogs are intelligent and fast learners. With the right mental stimulation, they will be the best dog to keep at home. They tend to react better to training, and they have a unique ability to bounce back from some mistakes and shortcomings.
Conclusion
Chihuahua is one breed that you would enjoy having around your home, as they are top companions. They rank among the top in intelligence, agility ven, and activity. In spite of the Chihuahua Dog’s terrier-like nature and temperament, they will bond correctly with you.