Why do Chihuahuas have such a 'snappy yappy' reputation?

Question

I feel it is not right. Just because Paris Hilton has one, doesn't mean that someone with a Chihuahua has followed in her footsteps. I mean, Pink has bulldogs, but they are not classed as celebrities dogs, are they? I mean, Chihuahuas are lovely, lively little dogs which are perfect for someone with very little space in their home and can make the ideal companion. WHY DO THEY HAVE SUCH A SNAPPY YAPPY REPUTATION? I once saw a woman walking 2 chihuahuas and a man went by saying 'I see you are following in Paris Hiltons footsteps' i am fed up of it! I don't actually have Chihuahuas, but am planning to get one and I do not want to be insulted by people! In fact, that womans chihuahuas are very lovely and friendly and if that man had just went down and stroked them, he would not have said that.

Also, before one of you replies 'they are snappy yappy dogs' then for your information, any dog is snappy and yappy without propper training. It's not just Chihuahuas.

Answer 1

Cause they are flippin' tired of people coming up to them and saying: "Yo Quiero Taco Bell." LMAO!

Answer 2

By the simple fact that these dogs are small with big attitudes, you are going to get snappy, and probably yappy with it. The part of this breed that aligns with the terrier breeds isn't too tough to figure out. The breed was created to be tough and somewhat intimidating in nature. You can't completely ignore breeding and the function of the breed when you look at a dog.

That said, you have to also take into account that much of a dog is nurture, almost as much as nature. ;') An owner brings so much to the mix that you can't really ignore that either. While a few saavy owners spend a large amount of time socializing and training their dogs, the majority are less inclined to do so. Therefore, as you meet more and more dogs, you find fewer of them well socialized and well trained (in the whole group of dogs, mind you).

Little dogs have fallen into an odd category. They suddenly have status by virtue of the fact that their owners cuddle and coddle them. They are picked up all the time, so they have positional status that way, too. Why wouldn't a dog who is treated in this manner develop some interesting personality traits?

We have a chi that is about 12 pounds. He's maybe not full chi, but behaves in keeping with the chi attitudinal tendencies. We spent a great deal of time working him through some of the behavioral stuff. There are only a few things we haven't been able to completely extinguish: biting when nails are being done, biting a child when he feels like it, and thinking he is alpha over anything furry in our house. (Note that I didn't say over everything in our house, as we have made it CLEAR that people are over dogs! It's just the child thing we are still working on.)

By the way, these dogs can be quick as a whip when it comes to learning tricks! I've NEVER seen a dog pick up new tricks like this little dog does. It's nuts how fast he learns!!!! And, he's better behaved with every trick session we do. ;')

Answer 3

Im actually on a waiting list for a chihuahua. first off chihuahuas do not have a snappy yappy reputation. you are absolutly right. they are rumors. anyways i feel that the rumors continue to go on all because of paris hilton. but if you really liked chihuahuas you wouldn't care about being insulted. i would feel more upset for my chihuahua than me. so they are great little dogs,they are easy to train,they are very cuddley and are great companions.
i love chihuahuas and that is the reason im getting one not because paris hilton has one. continue to do your reserch.they are awesome dogs but can be very complicated and have some very serious heath issues.

Answer 4

People carried around and coddled Chihuahuas long before Paris Hilton was born. Like many other small breed dogs they have a reputation of being snappy, yappy and flat out mean because people don't think they need to train or socialize a 'small dog'. They think it's 'cute' when Fifi tries to attack someone just because they can't do much damage. These dogs are a prime example of how ANY dog can be vicious without training and socialization and not just the hot button breeds like Pits.

Answer 5

Even with training, some dogs are more prone to being "snappy yappy" some dogs are generally speaking more of the quiet type. Accept the fact that chihuahuas have that reputation for a reason. I showed chihuahuas for many years and although they were very well trained for the ring and very well-mannered and sweet at home, they still barked their heads off when the doorbell rang or something set them off in the backyard. So what if they bark a lot. If you like them, get one, and accept the breed for all its pros and cons.

Answer 6

Some breeds are opinionated, and others are more laid-back. I personally think that anything with a perspective of life from 5" off the ground has the right to be yappy - it beats getting stepped on or kicked! And following in Paris Hilton's footsteps? Sorry, she's just like many other Chihuahua, Greyhound, etc. owners - they fall in love with the breed and get more than one (frequently referred to as "chippies"). Not hoarders, they just love the breed. And Chi's are VERY clannish - they like other Chi's, but aren't crazy about other breeds. (Like Pit Bulls, it's frequently the owner that influences the dog's final personality.)

Answer 7

If a person trains a chi, they are fine little dogs. The problem is, since they are so small, many people let the training slide. It's not as big of a problem to just pick up a 5lb dog if it's not going where you want, compared to an 80lb dog. Or they think it's "cute" and "the dog wants to play" when it bites at someones pants. We had a woman bring a chi into our shelter, the dog was literally trying its hardest to attack one of our workers and the woman said "oh she likes you, look she wants to play!". Just b/c the dog was small and couldn't get through jeans didn't mean it was playing. That was one of the nastiest dogs we ever had in the place. We had to use one of those long dog catcher poles every time we went to take the dog out of the cage to clean or give it food/water.
That being said I've also had experiences with people who trained the chi's like any other dog, and they were wonderful sweet little dogs.

Answer 8

They have a snappy yappy reputation for the same reasons pit bulls have the reputation they are. It's just the way they are. I have a pit bull and I am tired of people telling me she is a killer, when in reality she is the sweetest dog you'll ever meet. I honestly don't think people should judge a dog based on the actions of some of them. They should base their judgement on the individual dogs. That's what I do. I don't judge until I know...hope you are the same...and others learn to do so.

Answer 9

ACTUALLY.......My family breeds Chihuahua's and yes....they are "yappy"....all of them.


We own 3 chihuahua's and all of them are very very well trained and very smart. But they are yappy in an uncomfortable situation.

Chihuahua's are very protective dogs. I know that if my big dog goes near my mom all 3 chichi's will yap and sit right by my mom.

It is their nature.

As far as people making - paris hilton - comments....no one has ever made that to me or my mother.....I dont really think it is that typical so that could be an exaggeration on your end.

I also reccomend you doing research on the breed you are looking to buy. You obviously are having some anger toward people telling you that YES they are by nature more yappy than other dogs. It is due to their temperment.

Answer 10

I hate the stereo types too. Just like pitbulls always being mean dogs. Its just the way the dogs are raised. Nothing more nothing less. You raise him to be mean, he is mean. You raise him to be nice and loving...guess what he is nice and loving!!

I have a Chihuahua and had him long before Paris Hilton and I still get the stereo type that I got him to "Fit it" Its crap. I got my dog because I have a one bedroom condo and did not feel right having a large or even medium sized dog there and I hate cats!!

I have never had any little dogs before this one and he has been the best dog I have EVER had, I dont know that I will ever have a big dog again!

Answer 11

yeah your right. Aperson shouldnt be labeled cuz they have somthing or a "pet" similar to a celebrity. It's weird that something a person has liked for so long will be labeled a follower for something just cuz a celebrity has made it overtly popular! But thats how the world works the real follower are the ones who notice it after their celebrity has worn it or done it,otherwise how else will they have noticed it, there are style looks things and "pets" that all descrbie a person on their own terms,and for someone to deem you a follwer cuz a certain celebrity does it,SUCKS! but then the celebrity gets bored of it and goes off to something else and the true people are left alon with their stly look and "cute pets" for ourselves once again.

And yeah,chihuahuas can bet a bit more snappish than other dogs,I suppose it's in thier genes to be that way cuz they need to compensate for their small size. But alot of dogs like you said can be that way if they aren't trained properly.So there you go.