Are Chihuahuas Even Dogs? (Solved & Explained!)

While you might have heard the rumor about research indicating that Chihuahuas have rodent DNA, a rumor is definitely all that it is. This was addressed on Reuters as a hoax. Chihuahuas are definitely dogs, possibly with some fox DNA, but they certainly aren’t rodents as some on the internet would have you believe.

In this article we’re going to answer some popular questions being asked this week on Chihuahuas. Do they really date back to the Aztec era? What was the purpose that they were bred for? Find out the answers to these and other popular questions – just sit back and read on to learn more!

Are Chihuahuas the dumbest dogs?

Stanley Coren, a canine psychologist, reported that Chihuahuas are considered to rank at 125 out of 138 dogs tested when it comes to obedience and working intelligence. Dogs are individuals, however, so intelligence will likely vary from dog to dog and a lot will depend on the intelligence of their parents.

Are Chihuahuas angry dogs?

These little dogs have big dog tempers, and when they get mad it’s generally amusing at first but not so amusing if that angry Chihuahua gets close enough! These dogs are convinced that the are 10 times larger than they are and definitely act like it, so be sure to watch for when your little one loses their temper.

 With a little love and distraction, they tend to calm down as quickly as they get fired up, and your dog will quickly revert back to normal (hopefully without having nipped anyone in their rage).

How do you punish a Chihuahua?

Your Chihuahua won’t understand punishment. By the time they’ve gone potty in the house or gotten at your shoes, they’ve stopped thinking about it for the most part, so the best thing to do to correct their behavior is to catch them doing in the act that you are trying to correct.

If they squat down to potty, say ‘no’ and gently scoop up your dog and take them outside to finish. Give them a treat after this and they will eventually learn. With shoes, fill a can with pennies to shake to get their attention, say ‘no’, and give them a toy that they CAN chew on.

Are Chihuahuas Mexican?

Chihuahuas are thought by some to be descendants of the Techichi, a small dog that was kept by the Toltec peoples, and the name ‘Chihuahua’ comes from a city state in Mexico. The dogs were named in there in the middle of the 18th century and it has stuck ever since.

What is a Chihuahuas purpose?

Chihuahuas are believed to have been owned by Aztecs, Toltecs, and Mayans, and they were bred for religious purposes, as well as companionship, and sometimes even as a food source! These little dogs have quite the rich history, as it turns out, and it’s well-worth a little research if you’d like to know more about your dog.

Did Aztecs eat Chihuahuas?

Yes, Aztecs supposedly ate the occasional Chihuahua, at least that’s what history seems to indicate. In the year 1520, Spanish explorer Herman Cortes wrote that this little breed was often bred and sold as a food source!

There are also indications that they were used in religious rituals and sometimes simply kept as companions, but the unlucky ones did indeed often end up as lunch!

How smart is a Chihuahua dog?

As far as working and obedience intelligence, Chihuahuas are said to rank ‘blow average’, falling in at 125th among 138 dogs which were tested in a specific study. That said, intelligence seems to vary from dog to dog, and with limited studies the actual intelligence of the breed is still a bit of a gray area.

We’ve all seen clever Chihuahuas, after all, and we’ve seen some that are not-so-clever, so much seems to depend on the individual dog.

Should Chihuahuas sleep with you?

Provided that you don’t toss and turn at night, which can be dangerous for your little one, then it is perfectly fine to sleep with your Chihuahua. These little guys and gals love to sleep close, burrowing under the blanket or even plopping down on the pillow next to your head.

If your dog likes to do this and you don’t mind, it’s a great way for the two of you to bond and it makes winters just a little bit warmer for the both of you!

Are Chihuahuas jealous dogs?

Yes, Chihuahuas are extremely jealous and it seems to be hard-wired with this breed. If you have children, this can sometimes be a bit of a problem, as your dog doesn’t like when you pay attention to anyone else.

Some extra toys can help to keep your dog busy in such cases, just keep an eye out and if your dog starts getting restless or annoyed, then a loving pat on the head and a reassuring tone can help to soothe your jealous dog.

Are Chihuahuas loyal?

Chihuahuas are actually quite fierce when it comes to loyalty. A lot of people don’t like Chihuahuas because they tend to choose one person and everyone else is merely tolerated at best. These little dogs reserve all of their love and loyalty for their owner and they’re extremely obvious about it.

It’s a great feeling if you are their owner but in all likelihood, your friends are going to feel like they are being snubbed… and they’ll be right.

Are Chihuahuas protective?

Chihuahuas are very protective, instantly forgetting their size if they perceive a threat to you. It’s not unheard of for these little dogs to jump on the couch or a higher point in the room and then to jump from there in an attempt to sail across the room and bite someone that they think is threatening you.

Watch for this so that you can make sure that your little one doesn’t get hurt. These dogs aren’t afraid of anything and if they think you are in danger, you won’t believe the things they’ll do to try to save you!