Do chihuahua dogs hunt? Are they good hunting dogs? Many owners, before buying or adopting a Chihuahua dog, may wonder if these dogs can be good companions for sport hunting. To answer these questions, this post will talk about some of the qualities of Chihuahuas in addition to presenting their physical and behavioral characteristics that make them the companion dogs they are.
Chihuahua hunting
There are reports that chihuahua dogs were born in indigenous tribes in Mexico. During this period these dogs had the habit of hunting small animals such as rodents, small birds, squirrels, and some insects. They are dogs with a good hunting ground. Over time, they were selected to develop guard skills.
Due to their small size and the physical characteristics of these Chihuahuas, the dogs are no longer used for hunting and guarding. Nowadays they are excellent companion dogs, extremely dedicated to their tutors.
Chihuahuas are dogs that can go hunting with their owners, but due to their size they can be more fragile animals and can suffer damage to the animal’s health.
In addition, they can scare away prey because they are noisy dogs, so when observing a strange animal, they can start barking, growling, and even facing other animals, thus scaring the preys away.
In addition, chihuahuas are energetic dogs, but they do not like to do very heavy physical activities. So, these little dogs can get in the way of hunting rather than helping their owners.
Is it possible to train a chihuahua to hunt?
Yes, it is possible for Chihuahuas to develop this skill with frequent training and activity. For this, a veterinary doctor specializing in animal behavior can help tutors to develop activities that must be done constantly so that the dog understands and develops the hunting skill.
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.
General Care
Short-haired dogs do not need clipping, while long-haired animals may need clipping. Bathing these animals must be done constantly and they must have their fur brushed at least twice a week.
Baths in this breed are indicated with specific shampoos for dogs and neutral shampoos. Bathing should be done very carefully, especially to avoid getting water into the ear. The animal must always be very dry after bathing to avoid the growth of microorganisms that can lead to dermatitis.
Brushing the dog’s teeth is necessary to prevent tartar buildup. Brushing the teeth should be done every 48 hours, using specific toothpaste for dogs. As for nail clipping, the nail should be cut once or twice a month. Cutting the nails prevents the animal from getting hurt or even hurting the tutor.
Conclusion
Chihuahuas were reportedly good hunting dogs for small rodents, birds, and insects. However, because they are dogs that bark a lot, dogs were selected to be used as guard dogs. Over time due to physical conformation and behavior these dogs are used as excellent companion dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Chihuahua hunting
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.
Do the chihuahuas 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.
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