were chihuahuas bred to hunt rats

Though these Mexican dogs are tiny, they have big and bright personalities. For hundreds of years, we believed Chihuahuas originated from an ancient civilization of Mexico. Why Is My Dog Acting Weird? The Aztecs believed that these sacrificial dogs joined owners in the afterlife. Are Chihuahuas rats? The dogs can alert their owners of these upcoming seizures. If you have seen a similar-looking Chinese Crested pup, these links may not be surprising. The rumor appears to stem from the urban legend of the "Mexican Pet"and an onlinesatirical piece dating back to 2004. In fact, the people of Toltec loved and respected these dogs! Chihuahuas are solely bred as loving companion dogs today. Small, energetic, and feisty, this breed is often used by exterminators to rid farms and other large homestead properties of rats. "This is clearly going to raise some eyebrows in the Chihuahua world," said Peggy Wilson, president of the Chihuahua Club of America. However, it wasnt until recently that anyone actually used science to prove this theory. People went nuts. Snopes debunked this in a post from March 18, 2007. What makes a hound dog a hound dog? Theres rarely a dull moment when youre with a Chihuahua. To cover all the original roles of the Chihuahua, we must first look at the Techichi in ancient Mexico. If either of us are sitting down, Brinkley (Chihuahua) is in one of our laps. They are also fast. ). Its certainly a controversial claim, considering how iconic and significant the Chihuahua is to the culture of Mexico. Still, some people believe in it. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Reach her at lpeters@newsleader.com or via Twitter at @peterslaura. However, this perception was not always the case around the world. Children who suffer from disorders like autism, social anxiety, ADHD, behavioral issues, PTSD, and more can benefit greatly. And they are the perfect size for hunting smaller prey. Some Chihuahuas are brown. Older adults can struggle with mental functions. Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog, and they have a reputation for being fierce and predatory. Rats make good pets, if you find some baby rats and raise them as pets, they will chase the other rats away. Most of the western world did not ban the consumption of eating dog meat until the early 1900s. Furthermore, rats and dogs cannot interbreed. Chihuahuas are derived from the Techichi dog and were first used as sacrificial dogs. The Chihuahua today has come a long way from the Techichi ancestors. The myth is that sleeping next to a Chihuahua can relive asthma symptoms. These dogs are normal shedders. However, it is safe to say that Chihuahuas have a funny, rodent-like appearance. For companionship to ancient civilizations. They all say that these dogs weremeant to be lap dogs. However, if you are an avid traveler, these pups are a great choice for you. Youll clear your head before and after work. In the mid 1800's, rat infestation was a big problem. When we have one of his dog park friends over, there is always competition for for the available lap. In this case, the dogs may have been bred solely for this purpose. The Aztecs, in particular, sacrificed various animals, including dogs. Its the great Christopher Columbus himself! They dont require as much physical activity as other dogs. Yes. Were Chihuahuas Bred To Hunt Bears. At least until I tell them that no one is afraid of them. Feel it. Owning a Chihuahua can help boost cognition in seniors. Other small dogs are usually bred for that purpose unless they're solely companion animals. There are still some who are curious. These pups can be there to provide comfort. Though it may seem like these ancient civilizations treated these dogs poorly, this is not the case. Some of the reasons include:-They are not well-adapted to life in a human environment.-They are not very social and may not be . The consumption of dogs was not banned until the early 1900s. In fact, these dogs are fearless ratters that take down squirrels, rats and other rodents in their native country of Mexico. They can be used to teach responsibility and increase emotional intelligence. In Mexico, they are prized as top ratters. The Chihuahua was truly a multi-purpose dog. Why Were Chihuahuas Bred? - The Halo Pets But because of that, they were also used as sacrifices for ceremonies. She is my shadow and goes everywhere with me. 10 Gentlemanly Facts About the Miniature Schnauzer Kidding! No, Chihuahuas were not bred to kill rats. Wouldn't it be a hoot if it turned out that Chihuahuas actually were a type of rat? Were Chihuahuas bred to hunt rats? Also, caring for a pet can benefit the ability of performing daily tasks. Now, lets take a look at the publisher of the article claiming this rumor. However, this perception was not always the case around the world. This resulted in the development of a strong rat-chasing instinct in Frenchies. Whether were talking about your mental or physical health, a Chihuahua will benefit you greatly. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. This is actually one of the biggest reasons why people adopt the breed for these reasons is to warn them of any sketchy activity. Reading tip: Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix: 13 Rat-Cha Facts, Pics & Videos. Considering how Chihuahuas are notorious barkers, its a bit hard to imagine they came from these bark-less dogs. Its name is derived from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where the earliest specimens of the breed were found, the American Kennel Club. However, just because your breed of dog wasn't named doesn't mean Fido won't be able to keep the mice . Some took the hint of the sarcasm. This can be a good or bad thing. The Chihuahuas history is convoluted, and many theories surround the origin of the breed. 88 Hollow Pine Dr Debary Florida(FL) 32713, 2023 Arew - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Don't expect any disturbances to get past them: They can hear frequencies twice as high as humans. Are Chihuahuas Actually Dogs? Fact Check. (2023) Researchers have recently found that the ancestors of Chihuahuas were actually from Asia. [3] It is usually kept as a companion animal or for showing . ", According to the American Kennel Club, the Chihuahua is recognized as a breed that is "a graceful, alert, swift-moving compact little dog with saucy expression, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament.". Since then, the rumor has spread rapidly and couldnt be further away from the truth. The ancestors of the Chihuahua were originally bred for various purposes, such as companionship, religious ceremonies & rituals and food However, modern Chihuahuas are bred solely for companionship today. For instance, they might have been used for food, as a few reports say. Also, consider your schedule, as some dogs cant spend too much time alone. These small but mighty terriers were. With their always-alert erect ears, they seem to always pick up on the slightest of sounds. But when were outside and someone walks by, they bark like theyre pit bull/Rottweilers that just happen to be in small bodies. Every chance you get, shower them with love and affection nothing less. These tiny dogs are even ideal for very small homes. What breed of dog kills rats? - Peculiarities Process Investment What do Chihuahuas suffer from? This is often why the Techichi dogs were buried with deceased family members, to serve as a spirit guide. The dogs are very vocal and are sure to warn you if they see anything through barks or growls. No. Believe it or not, Yorkies were originally bred to hunt rats and other vermin, just like other terrier breeds. I know what youre thinking Chis are small and look so fragile. Their yapping bark is not as scary as big dogs. They have something in common with other pet owning peers. Thats right, these tiny dogs were once used for pest control in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Names, places and events are generally fictitious, except for public figures about which we may have heard something down at the pub. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Its fascinating and sad at the same time, isnt it? And Chihuahuas love to do this with their family members. (And if you live in an area with a rat problem, that might not be such a bad thing!) Most breeds came on boats with travelers. So what are Chihuahuas bred for today? Sacrificial reasons for the Toltec people in Ancient Mexico. Owners of the Chihuahua dog breed started crying. Fdration Cynologique Internationale. Most people lived on farms during this time and did not have a need for these tiny pups. So what exactly is a ratter? Theyre dogs developed specifically for helping humans in the capture and killing of rats. 2. However, once people began adopting pups for companionship, the breed picked up popularity. They are also popular as therapy dogs because of their ability to bond with humans. While many would never consider this, for ancient civilizations, they were a food source. While Mexico is involved in a deep part of their history, China could very well be the root of the ancestry of the dog. Chihuahuas were used for food as well as companionship. However, that does not mean that Chihuahuas (or any other dog) is extremely similar to wolves or anything of that sortthese dogs have not been wolves for a very long time! This site is owned and operated by Jenco Digital LLC. Similarly to how Chihuahuas are now some of the best apartment dogs, the Techichi dogs were ideal for those living in that time period. The Chihuahua is one of the oldest dog breeds and like most ancient breeds, it was bred for a purpose. But this feature doesnt make them look like the other dogs. Chihuahuas are a very old breed. What dogs were bred to kill rats? The domestication of wolves is also known as taming. The Institute of Technology in Stockholm recently did a study into the Chihuahuas DNA and found that about 70% of it originated from the Techichi. We dont know exactly what these dogs were used for, which also means that they dont know what they were developed for. Overall though, she's highly intelligent and very loving so we have few complaints. While most of the modern Western world has banned the consumption of food, this was not the case long ago. We dont know much about where the Chihuahua came from or how they ended up as the dogs they are now. Quite a difference between expectation and reality isnt it? And some Toltec families benifited from the Chis companionship. It is named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua and is among the smallest of all dog breeds.

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