Many owners want to adopt/buy a dog and begin to research the breed’s characteristics that best adapt to their routine. Many questions can be asked including the type of sound emitted by these dogs. Due to the current conditions where people live in small houses and apartments, the chihuahua breed has become very famous due to its physical characteristics, but do you know the chihuahuas barking sound? Are chihuahuas loud dogs? Is a chihuahua barking very annoying?
Chihuahua barking sound
The sound emitted by chihuahua dogs tends to be long, loud and monotony barking. Sometimes it can be shrill enough to annoy the owners and the neighbors. Chihuahua dogs tend to be louder and even bark at their own shadow.
If the owner has problems with noise, chihuahua dogs may not be a good choice for a dog adoption. Therefore, dogs that emit less noise, quieter dogs and don’t need to spend so much energy are indicated.
Excess energy can make dogs even more agitated, and some dogs may even experience anxiety. Anxiety and stress can result in constant barking, intended to get the attention of the owners.
Is it possible to control chihuahua barking?
Barking can be controlled with physical activity and daily training with a veterinary doctor specializing in canine behavior. By doing the daily activities, the tutor can shape the dog to bark only when necessary. However, the tendency to bark a lot of these chihuahua dogs can make it difficult to learn this type of task.
In the past, surgeries to remove the vocal cords and even devices that shocked animals when they barked were used to reduce noise. However, in many countries, these practices have become a crime for configuring animal mistreatment, for preventing dogs from demonstrating natural behavior.
Still in doubt if the chihuahua is a dog for you? Below we will talk a little more about the characteristics of this adorable breed.
About the Chihuahua breed
One of the theories about the origin of the Chihuahua believes that these dogs lived wild in Mexico. These small dogs were captured and domesticated by the indigenous people of the region.
Physical characteristics
The head is very round and small, and the eyes are round. The ears are large and are always on alert. It is a dog with a compact body, short and muscular limbs, its tail is moderately long, carried high, arched or in a semicircle.
The Chihuahua’s coat can be short-haired or long-haired and can be found in many shades and combinations except for the merle color.
Behavior / Temperament
Chihuahuas have a strong personality. They are small dogs but agile, alert, restless and very courageous. It’s a dog that can bark a lot. They can react to any strange movement, always calling the tutor’s attention. Therefore, it is considered a good guard dog.
Breed health
Chihuahuas are very healthy animals, but they need to do physical activities such as playing and going for walks to burn off some energy. This breed can have some genetic diseases such as:
- Patellar deviation;
- Cryptorchidism;
- Hydrocephalus.
Patellar deviation is a disease where the animal may limp and feel local pain, as the patella leaves the anatomical place, which may lead to injuries from temptation and other complications.
Cryptorchidism is the disease present in males where one or both testicles are not observed in the scrotum. The puppies are born with the testicles in the cavity and until 8 months these testicles tend to be in the scrotum.
After 8 months of the absence of one or more testicles the animal is considered a cryptorchid. In these cases, castration of the animal is indicated, since the testicle in the cavity has a greater predisposition to become a tumor that can worsen the health of the animal.
Hydrocephalus, on the other hand, has no well-described causes. It is the disease that happens in the intra uterine life where there is a large accumulation of liquids in the puppy’s skull. Thus, the bitch may have difficulties when giving birth to the animal in a natural way, being a necessary cesarean section. Puppies often die due to neuronal complications generated by hydrocephalus.
Dogs with these genetic disorders are discouraged from breeding. And there must be veterinary monitoring for better resolution of the cases.
These animals do not have so many reproductive problems, but gestational follow-up with a veterinarian is advised due to the high incidence of hydrocephalus, which can lead to dystocia, resulting in the mother and the offspring’s death.
Animals must have a routine of being vaccinated and dewormed. In addition to care with ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks. When these preventive cares are not applied, the animals can present health problems.
Illness, happiness, excitement, or fear can cause the animal to shiver; this same sign can be seen when they are cold. If constant tremors are observed, a veterinarian should be sought.
Conclusion
Chihuahua dogs can be an excellent companion for people who don’t mind barking dogs. The chihuahua barking tends to be long and very loud, sometimes it can even be strident. To reduce barking, dogs can be trained by their owners through physical activity and continuous exercise. Finally, Chihuahuas are small dogs full of affection and love, making them excellent companion dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Chihuahua barking sound
How heavy is a chihuahua?
The Chihuahua’s weight should be between 1 and 3 kg.
How long does a chihuahua live?
Chihuahuas usually live between 12 and 20 years, depending on their genetics and general care.
Does the chihuahua bark a lot?
Yes, because they are dogs that have great hearing and any noise they find suspicious they will bark. Thus making them good dogs to guard.
Reference
CBKC – Brazilian Canine Confederation, 2015 Official Breed Standard: chihuahua. Available at: https://cbkc.org/application/views/docs/padroes/padrao-raca_187.pdf, accessed January 22, 2022.
Pictures from flirck.com/ pixabay.com
