Exclusive:
Veterinarian Dr Anna Foreman has warned that two dogs, whilst tiny, are prone to developing attachments to their owners – which could lead to aggressive behaviour
Don’t be fooled, these innocent-looking pooches can have a bit of a mean streak. A lot of small dogs have a bad reputation for being ‘yappy’. Let’s face it, we’ve all walked passed that one tiny Jack Russell that reckons it can take on the entire world: barking at creatures 50 times its size, and refusing to back down no matter what.
The Chihuahua, a Mexican breed of toy dog, is no exception. Famed for being the smallest dog breed in the world, this handbag dog catapulted to fame in the 90s thanks to a slew of celebrities using them as ‘the latest’ accessory. Standing at just five-eight inches tall, and weighing around 6lb, these tiny creatures aren’t afraid to let you know who’s boss (and it’s not you).
Dachshunds (aka sausage dogs) are another breed that won’t let their small stature get in the way of being heard. Originally bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, these long-bodied dogs can still exhibit some questionable behaviour.
While inherited genes can have an influence on a dog’s hostility, environmental factors play a much bigger part. Dr Anna Foreman, in-house vet at Everypaw Pet Insurance, says the ‘nurture of a dog – how it is raised by its owner, particularly in the first 16 weeks of life (the learning period)’ tends to be the main reason our dogs are how they are.
In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, she explained: “Dogs who are not well socialised or trained, or have negative experiences within this period, are prone to anxiety/fear – particularly in unfamiliar circumstances or with new people/animals… Dogs who were puppies during the COVID-19 pandemic are a prime example of this. Without socialisation and with excessive contact with their owners during the first 16 weeks, many of these dogs now are fear anxious/aggressive and have separation anxiety.”
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The expert added that some small breed dogs, including chihuahuas and dachshunds, are ‘prone to aggressive temperaments’, even if they’re trained well. “These dogs often become very attached to their owners, and so are very protective of them,” Dr Anna stated. “Also being of a smaller stature, they often make up these shortcomings with a big voice!”
The expert stressed that ‘generalisations should not be made’, as there are ‘many lovely’ chihuahuas and Dachshunds in the population. Again, any breed can show aggressive tendencies if it hasn’t been socialised or trained well during its youth. Aggression can also be a sign your dog is not well. If you’re concerned your pooch’s behaviour has suddenly changed, it’s worth taking them to the vet. If they receive a clean bill of health, it might be worth visiting a qualified and experienced dog behaviourist.
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