Last Updated on January 12, 2022 by Griselda M.
So, are Chihuahuas smart dogs? Working and obedience intelligence in Chihuahuas is below average. They are the 125th smartest dog breed (out of 138). Chihuahuas, on the other hand, make up for their lack of obedience with extraordinary adaptable intelligence.
The Chihuahua is one of the world’s most popular lap dogs, and there is a reason for that. Charming, and bold, the Chihuahua is one of the most popular lapdogs in the world.
However, whether you’re an inquisitive owner or a future Chihuahua parent, you may be skeptical of this popular Mexican dog breeds’ intellect.
Facts About Chihuahuas
Opinions on the little Chihuahua are different, as they are with other dog breeds. Others are charmed by their snarky attitude and terrier-like behavior, while some find them loud and pushy. Both sides are correct. There is a lot of personality and attitude packed into that cute, tiny body.
Here are nine facts about the breed that every fan should be aware of:
Chihuahuas are loyal and affectionate dogs.
They want nothing more than to accompany you everywhere you go. Yours may follow you from room to room, content to spend the entire day cuddled up in your lap.
His small size makes him highly portable, so it’s not uncommon to find him tucked into a tote bag and accompanying his owner about town.
They tend to be suspicious of people that they don’t know
Chihuahuas have a big-dog demeanor, as well as intelligence and vigilance. They may thus be the world’s tiniest watchdogs, despite their small size.
These little pets have massive personalities
If you allow them, they’ll take over the house. Because a Chihuahua is so adorable and engaging, it might be difficult to be stern with him. However, it’s good for you to teach him the ground rules, or you could find yourself listening to commands from a four-pound monarch.
The breeds’ name Chihuahua comes from the Mexican state
The contemporary Chihuahua is most likely a hybrid between the Techichi, a Central and South American old breed, as well as little hairless dogs from Asia. Even though this dog is currently associated with Mexico, artifacts from cultures worldwide include some form of the Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas don’t like the cold
These canines are designed, so they can keep up with the hot climate of Mexico. However, this allows owners to purchase jackets, sweaters, as well as other winter outfits for their dogs. Chihuahuas will look for the hottest locations in the house, even under the sheets in bed with you at night.
For households with small children, Chihuahuas may not be the ideal choice
Because the breed is so tiny and sensitive, it can’t stand up to hard play. If you have children, you’ll need to educate them how to be kind and nice to the dog, which is a good lesson for children to learn in general.
How Smart Are Chihuahuas?
Each dog breed’s performance in an obedience trial was measured and ranked by the obedience trial judges. It’s not ideal, but it’s a step in the right direction. The following are the criteria that they were using to measure chihuahua intelligence:
The number of times a dog has to learn a new (unknown) command. A smarter dog needs fewer repetitions to learn a new command. The percentage of times a dog obeys a recognized order on the first try. A greater success rate indicates a breed that is more obedient and cleverer.
The final dog IQ rankings were limited to breeds having at least 100 replies. Chihuahuas were one of the top 40 most popular breeds, thus there were a lot of answers.
What is the maximum number of words that your dog can understand?
We all talk to our dogs, say goodbye when we leave, and explain why we’re leaving them, but they don’t always understand what we’re saying. They can understand around 165 spoken words. Walkies, nummies, bed, wait, this way, leave it, down, sit, snack are the obvious ones in our house.
Everything else revolves around eating!
Chihuahuas work performance
Chihuahuas were in the lowest half of all dog breeds in terms of popularity. Are chihuahuas smart dogs? The Chihuahua was ranked 125th out of 138 dog breeds. Clearly, not as high as most Chihuahua owners believe.
This dog, which we classify as having “fair intellect,” can learn a new command after only 40 to 80 repetitions. It may take these dogs several hours to master a new command.
Chihuahuas, on the other hand, would obey a known order on the first try with a success rate of 30% or higher. They don’t appear to be extremely obedient on paper. Owners, on the other hand, say that Chihuahuas behave differently depending on who is providing the orders.
For comparison, the Pug, French Bulldog, Saint Bernard, Great Pyrenees, and Maltese are all popular dog breeds in the same intelligence area. Even so, they outperformed the Beagle, Chow Chow, Shih Tzu, and Bloodhound.
Chihuahua Intelligence
Why Do Chihuahuas Have a Low Intelligence Score? While owners claim that Chihuahuas are intelligent, the dog IQ test proves otherwise. What may be causing the discrepancy?
That suggests that high performers, such as Border Collies, were more inclined to follow established directions. Because different dog breeds and individual canines have varied motivators, standardizing an IQ test for dogs is exceedingly challenging. Some dogs respond far better to rewards than others.
Others may have a stronger reaction to their favorite toy. Border Collies are more likely to heed orders since they enjoy working and will often obey commands only to keep working.
Average dogs compared to Chihuahuas
People that are testing Chihuahuas, classify them as “below average.” But, in comparison to other dog breeds, how did they fare? And what was the average level of dog intelligence?
To learn a new command, the “average” dog needs only 25 to 40 repetitions. In other words, they learn orders almost twice as quickly as a Chihuahua. Furthermore, with a 50% (or greater) success rate, most dog breeds can effectively obey a recognized command on the first try.
These figures aren’t much higher than the Chihuahua’s. They are, nonetheless, superior. For comparison, several of the most popular dog breeds are “average.” The Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Havanese, Great Dane, and Bichon Frise are among these dogs.
Adaptive intelligence in Chihuahuas
Adaptive intelligence is the final component of canine intelligence. It refers to a dog’s capacity to learn from previous experiences and solve difficulties independently. That, in my opinion, is the most significant part of dog intelligence.
The majority of companion dogs have a high level of adaptability. Are chihuahuas smart dogs? Chihuahuas may be capable of learning about their owners and adjusting to their present situation to be amazing companions.
Final Words On Are Chihuahuas Smart Dogs
Chihuahuas, in comparison to other puppies, have a propensity to be somewhat intellectually challenged. Of course, you should never dismiss a pet based on the intellect of most breed representatives. Almost every breed is capable of learning new commands if you use the correct procedure.
Read more about How To Train A Chihuahua To Be Nice?
