A Little Dog with a Big Personality
Chihuahuas are named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where the dog was discovered around 1850. They are one of the smallest breeds of dogs, usually weighing two to six pounds. Despite their small stature, these spunky dogs are full of personality.
Chihuahuas tend to be:
- Excellent companion dogs – they like attention and are loyal to their owners
- Active – when they aren’t poised on their owner’s lap, they like to be kept busy
- Vocal – like many small dogs, they may be more prone to barking than larger dogs
Adapting to Little Dog Syndrome
Chihuahuas are notorious for thinking that they can take on foes much larger than they are. Sometimes despite how well they were socialized, trained, and raised, it’s in their blood to be territorial, and in their design to overestimate their size. For that reason, Chihuahuas often don’t naturally mix well with other dogs. If considering a Chihuahua for your pet, you’ll want to keep this in mind and be prepared to slather your pup with lots of undivided love and attention.
Controlling the Sass
Chihuahuas are good family pets when treated with respect, but they do have a reputation for snapping at strangers or small children who they perceive as a threat. The Chihuahua is known to be both dignified and fearless; however, this dignified persona and confidence can make them hard to train and housebreak.
Early socialization is a key part of the training process. “Introduce your Chihuahua to different environments, strangers, and other dogs,” according to Canna-Pet. “The more you accustom your puppy to foreign environments, people, and dogs, the likelihood of him being more confident and sociable increases immensely.”
Looking for a dog trainer to help you make the most of your relationship with your tiny friend? Consider searching for local resources through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.