If you have kids and are looking for a new pet, it might seem like a tiny Chihuahua would be a better choice than a 100-pound Bernese Mountain Dog. The reality is that the latter would probably be a more suitable pet. Several factors lead us to discourage individuals from considering Chihuahua if they have kids, especially young ones. But why is this?
The size of the dog is one reason. This breed is usually less than 6 pounds. That can make them quite fragile if a child mishandles them. Kids may drop pets if they squirm when picked up incorrectly. However, there are some other reasons that Chihuahuas may not be the best pet choice if you have kids. We’ll get into those reasons below, but note that there are exceptions, and just because Chihuahuas are generally not a good choice for families with small children doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t welcome one of these tiny dogs into your family’s home.
Potential Reasons Why Chihuahuas Aren’t Great With Kids
The Chihuahua’s Temperament
A breed’s traditional role often provides valuable clues about a dog’s temperament. After all, enthusiasts typically selectively breed dogs for specific traits that can help them do their jobs more effectively. Think of the alertness of a Border Collie to livestock or the intelligence of a Doberman Pinscher to recognize a potential threat.
Evidence suggests the Chihuahua has an ancient history. The breed likely originated in Central America, but conflicting accounts exist. The breed may have played a role in Aztec spirituality that involved the sacrifice of these animals, and there are also anecdotal reports that they may have been bred for human consumption.
This early history may have made the Chihuahua more wary and defensive. That can explain why this breed has a propensity for aggression and a reputation for being “snappy.” They tend to be less patient and forgiving than other breeds. While their size makes a bite far less dangerous than a larger dog’s, it can still do damage, especially to children. With that said, some of a dog’s temperament has to do with how they are trained and socialized.
The Fierceness Factor
The barking Chihuahua challenging formidable foes is a cliché. However, there is a grain of truth behind this stereotype that has given scientists much to consider. One theory is that there wasn’t any evolutionary pressure to eliminate aggression. After all, these dogs didn’t pose much of a threat to anyone or anything. Undoubtedly, bite injuries are underreported.
Some researchers point to pet owners perpetuating undesirable traits that make them unsuitable for households with children. They may treat these dogs similarly to how they would kids and let them get away with unwanted behavior because they are small and seemingly don’t know better.
Situational factors may also play a role. One form of the resulting unwanted behavior involves redirected aggression. Think of their small size. When an animal can’t attack the target they want to, they might turn on the nearest animal or person, and children are the most frequent victims of dog bite injuries.
Children and Dogs
Undoubtedly, you know how to respond to a growling dog. You realize you can’t provoke the animal without risking injury, and you can read the warning signs of the canine’s body language and vocalizations. But that’s not always the case with kids. Children under 5 years have a limited ability to read those clues. That helps to explain their place in the unfortunate statistics.
Kids over 6 years tend to be better at recognizing the red flags, but they have to be taught to respond appropriately. They need to learn when to leave a dog alone, how to properly handle them, and what behaviors can provoke aggression.
When discussing whether Chihuahuas are good with kids, we must also consider the reverse. Are children good for Chihuahuas? The child must understand the animal and have received instruction from their parents about how to approach and interact with these dogs. Only then can we dial back from our initial answer.
Final Thoughts
The Chihuahua can make an excellent pet for the right household. As we’ve seen, it sometimes means ones without kids. The limiting factors exist on both sides of the equation. This dog has a history that makes it wary and quick to act. The ability of young children to respond to the warning signs for dangerous dog behaviors isn’t there yet, meaning that Chihuahuas are likely better for families with older children who have been taught how to act around a dog.
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Featured Image Credit: Sonia Dubois, Shutterstock
