Are Chihuahuas Smart? Vet-Approved Intelligence Explanation

Chihuahuas are notorious for being the ‘handbag dogs’ of the early 2000s – if Paris Hilton had one, everyone else in the world wanted one, too. Their popularity soared, making them one of the most sought-after little dogs of all time.

However, when more and more families bring these dogs into their homes, they realize the certain challenges that come along with them. While Chihuahuas can make amazing additions to many different families, there are certain things you should know about them if you plan on bringing one into your home.

Chihuahuas are not for the faint of heart, and often their intelligence and overall temperament are questioned. However, the short answer is that Chihuahuas are very intelligent. Let’s explore this topic.

Chihuahuas Are Considered Intelligent Dogs

There is a misconception that just because Chihuahuas are sometimes needy and even disobedient, they might not be the smartest. However, that’s simply not the case. Chihuahuas are considered very intelligent little dogs, permitting that they want to listen to you.

Don’t let these guys fool you; they’re capable of picking up a variety of concepts, even if they don’t always like to listen. Many Chihuahuas just tend to have a mind of their own. That means that if they don't like the direction you're going, they might very well veer another way. In many ways, these tiny Mexican canines are more cat-like in their behavior, seeming to have worked out how to manipulate the system; it’s not that they are unable to learn the rules, they just choose if and when they will follow them! Chihuahuas tend to be borderline conniving sometimes, using tactics to get their point across, which can come across as bad behavior. We would like to think that Chihuahuas are just headstrong and sometimes unpredictable, but always adorable!

On the flip side of their stubbornness, Chihuahuas have plenty of positive notes as well. They are extremely fast learners and respond well to positive training methods. Sometimes, they are very gifted in one category but lacking in another. For example, learning to read your body language and respond to your commands might be extremely easy for them. However, going to the potty outside might prove to be more challenging.

Then, there are other Chihuahuas who might get the concept of potty training pretty easily but seem to miss tones and other verbal cues when you mean business. The truth is that every dog is incredibly intelligent in their own right, but they all have some flaws or different eccentricities that make them a little hard to manage for certain people.

That is why it is so important to learn all you can about any breed that you choose to bring into your home. We're going to go over a few more things about Chihuahuas and their intelligence so you can know what to expect when owning one of these dogs.

House-training Challenges

Chihuahuas are pretty notorious for not using the bathroom outside. Many pet parents find it easier simply to puppy pad train these dogs to avoid accidents in the house and alleviate the frustration of house training. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that Chihuahuas are incapable of using the bathroom outside.

There are several factors to consider here and very few of them have anything to do with actual intelligence. You have to consider the size of a Chihuahua. These dogs are very small, so they naturally have tinier bladders that aren't capable of holding a lot of urine for an extended period of time.

They need to be able to frequently relieve themselves, so it's almost like having a puppy forever. If you're the person who's home all day, whether you work from home, you're retired, or you get the luxury of being a stay-at-home parent, it can be easy for you to manage potty training. But people who work long and vigorous schedules might find it to be extremely frustrating and challenging.

Additionally, their small size means that inside accidents are often not witnessed, so the opportunity to interrupt them and relocate them outside is usually missed. The result is that they get a positive reaction to toileting outside and a neutral one to going indoors. With all dog training, consistency is the key to success, so when we take our dogs outside to the toilet and praise them every time, they catch on pretty quickly. With the Chihuahua, there’s a good chance you’ll miss some opportunities, resulting in mixed messages for them.

Some Chihuahua parents overcome this issue by installing a cat flap to allow them to go outside whenever they want, but this isn’t really potty training because they aren’t learning to wait to be taken or let outside. If that doggy door is closed for any reason, they haven’t learned to signal to you to let them out.

Chihuahuas have also been known to exhibit marking behavior. This may or may not stop once the animal gets fixed, so it's sometimes a gamble on how they will be long-term. Marking is a very difficult behavior to break and it takes extensive determination to overcome.

Rounding out the Chihuahua potty-training obstacles is that these dogs are very sensitive creatures, and even a raised voice will send them running for the hills. Although punishment is never a good idea when it comes to toilet training dogs, a loud “No!” or “Stop!” with a clap is usually an effective way to stop them from doing what they’re doing, giving you a chance to take them outside. If you shout at a Chihuahua, be prepared to be avoided or ignored for several days.

Chihuahua Personalities Vary

Every single dog has a different personality. However, on a large scale, Chihuahuas are known for being very challenging little dogs to deal with for many folks. They might completely warm up to you, cuddling up on your lap and accepting everything you do. However, the same sentiment might not be extended to other people in the household.

Chihuahuas are typically one-person dogs, meaning they are excellent for single owners or retired couples. However, they can have a little bit more of a challenge acclimating into a more chaotic lifestyle, especially if they haven't been exposed to it at an early age.

Chihuahuas tend to be very needy, but also fiery and independent. It tends to be an odd combination that some owners have trouble navigating. You might find that one Chihuahua is extremely even-tempered and calm, cool, and collected. Another Chihuahua might growl and bare their teeth every time you get a little too close. It is really hard to tell, as they are notoriously different and even sometimes unpredictable.

It’s important to keep in mind when approaching these pint-sized pups that EVERYTHING is giant to them, so when a hand comes looming over them, it’s understandable that they may feel threatened and act defensively. And if this keeps the threat away, they will continue to react in this way. Calm, slow approaches to the side of a Chihuahua head are less threatening, and if you have a snarly dog, curl your fingers to your palms, and present the outer surface of your hand – this may save fingers from snapping alligator teeth!

Chihuahuas Can Be Both Dependent and Independent

As we touched on above, Chihuahuas can be both independent and dependent in the same breath. They might literally not be able to live without you and require constant attention from you.

However, they will also boss you around and do whatever they want in return. Many Chihuahua parents find this to be such an adorable quality about these dogs. Granted, if these personality traits existed in the larger dog, they could probably do some real damage if they're feeling frisky!

However, due to their compact size, all of the growling and biting really doesn't do much. If you have a smaller child, it can be very complicated to have a Chihuahua as they like being the baby, and don't so much want to be around the actual baby.

That isn't to say that some Chihuahuas aren't absolutely fantastic with children. If a dog is raised alongside of them, often they are at least tolerant of little ones. Of course, you would always need to train your child to respectfully handle the dog for the best results.

When you get a Chihuahua at any time, you have to be prepared for the possibility that this dog will need you, need you, need you. It’s often like having a toddler forever—and for some folks, that’s exactly the type of dog they want!

Chihuahuas Can Have Separation Anxiety

Chihuahuas can definitely develop separation anxiety! These dogs are tiny, and they look to you for protection. If you're not around them 24/7, it can cause a lot of pent-up anxiety and really create an issue for the future.

These dogs do best when someone is home at all times. They are not independent in the sense that you can leave them home alone all day and expect them to do well with it. That isn't to say that a human needs to be around them constantly, but they do look for other leaders around them.

You might have a larger dog that doesn't mind the fact that your Chihuahua is bossy and will lead them efficiently. It takes a certain kind of personality to match with the Chihuahua sometimes, so it is imperative to understand the breed on a cellular level.

Providing your Chihuahua with a crate can be a very simple way to help them feel safe and secure when you’re not around, instead of pacing and fretting all over the house.

Conclusion

For the uninitiated, the Chihuahua may seem less intelligent than their highly trainable, obedient canine relatives. However, much like cats, this is a dog breed that has learned how to get what they want from their humans without needing to jump through as many hoops as larger dogs. Chihuahuas can be stubborn, independent, and bossy, while at the same time being affectionate, needy, and agreeable. Although they are still dogs and should be provided with the same sort of socialization, training, and boundaries as any other dog, there is no doubt that these tiny creatures will often get away with – and even be cherished for – being a little bit naughty from time to time.

Many Chihuahua owners never thought that this would be the breed for them, but much like potato chips, it’s hard to stop at just one. They are dogs like no others, and if you have the patience, understanding, and love to share your life with a Chihuahua, you won’t regret it.

Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock