Chihuahuas love to chase small animals. After spotting a squirrel or chipmunk, their predatory instinct will kick in. Many Chihuahuas will stop what they are doing and begin chasing the small animal — just like their ancestors did to hunt for food in the past.
This desire to chase small animals leads many people to believe that Chihuahuas are terriers. Chihuahuas may exhibit similar behaviors and characteristics, however, but that doesn’t mean they are terriers.
What Are Terriers?
Terriers are purpose-bred dogs that were originally used to hunt vermin, especially burrowing vermin that build underground tunnels. The word “terrier” comes from the Latin word “terra,” meaning “earth.” Terriers are adept at digging into the earth, which allows them to hunt burrowing vermin.
In the past, dogs were often bred to perform specific tasks. Some were bred to guard their owners’ homes or herd livestock. Terriers were bred to hunt rats, field mice, gophers, voles and other types of vermin.
Farmers have struggled to protect their livestock and crops from vermin for centuries. Vermin can devour entire crops, and they can spread diseases and parasites to livestock. A report by the U.S. National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) states that 20% to 40% of all crops are lost annually due to vermin and pests.
Terriers offer a solution. They’ve been selectively bred to hunt vermin. Terriers can dig into the ground or squeeze into vermins’ underground tunnels to force them out. Upon surfacing, most vermin won’t be able to outrun a skilled terrier. The terrier will instinctively chase it down. Most terriers today are now raised for companionship, but they still possess this same instinct to chase down vermin as their farm-raised ancestors in the past.
Terrier Behaviors and Characteristics
Terriers are excellent hunters. They are alert, agile, fearless and have a strong bite. When terriers see a small animal, their vermin-hunting instinct will kick in.
Most terriers are small. There are a few exceptions. The Kerry Blue Terrier, for instance, weighs 30 to 40 pounds on average, whereas the Bull Terrier weighs 49 to 84 pounds on average. Nonetheless, most terriers are small. Their small size allows them to fit into the otherwise narrow burrows of vermin.
Terriers are independent. They aren’t particularly clingy, nor do they demand the companionship of their owners or other dogs. Terriers can still develop separation anxiety, but they are highly independent and free-spirited when compared to other types of dogs.
Terriers are very vocal. They will bark at passing cars, other animals and even their owners. Their vocal nature can be attributed to two things: terriers’ high energy levels and their vermin-hunting indistinct. Terriers will bark to release their energy, and they will bark to scare vermin out of burrows.
Terriers are stubborn. Many first-time owners struggle to train them because of their stubbornness. Terriers can still be trained, but doing so requires an understanding of their natural instincts. Terriers are driven by a desire to hunt and chase vermin, which can cause them to become distracted during training sessions. Owners must focus on short, consistent training sessions while using positive reinforcement to achieve success.
Terriers are energetic. You can’t keep a terrier cooped up in a cage all day long. With hunting being hardwired in their DNA, they require a lot of exercise to expend their pent-up energy. Most terriers should receive 60 to 90 minutes of exercise per day.
Are Chihuahuas Terriers?
Terriers don’t consist of a single breed. Rather, they are a group of breeds with vermin-hunting origins. The American Kennel Club (AKC) currently recognizes over two dozen terrier breeds. The oldest is the Fox Terrier, which was added to the AKC’s list of breeds in 1885. The latest is the Biewer Terrier, which was added to the AKC’s list in 2021.
Chihuahuas are not terriers. They may chase small animals and share other common characteristics, but Chihuahuas aren’t classified as terriers by the AKC or any other reputable kennel club.
AKC-recognized terriers include:
- Airedale Terrier
- American Hairless Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Biewer Terrier
- Border Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Cesky Terrier
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Glen of Imaal Terrier
- Irish Terrier
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lakeland Terrier
- Manchester Terrier
- Miniature Bull Terrier
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Miniature Schnauzer
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Norfolk Terrier
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Norwich Terrier
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Parson Russell Terrier
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Rat Terrier
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Russell Terrier
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Scottish Terrier
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Sealyham Terrier
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Skye Terrier
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Smooth Fox Terrier
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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Welsh Terrier
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West Highland White Terrier
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Wire Fox Terrier
Why Chihuahuas Aren’t Classified as Terriers
Notice a pattern with the AKC-recognized terrier breeds listed above? They all contain the word “terrier” in their name. There is no “terrier” in “Chihuahua,” so it’s safe to assume that Chihuahuas don’t fall under this category. Why aren’t Chihuahuas classified as terriers exactly?
There’s a lot of speculation surrounding the Chihuahua’s origins. Some experts believe the Chihuahua is a descendant of a Mexican dog known as the Techichi. Others believe the Chihuahua originated as a mixed breed between the Techichi and the Xoloitzcuintle or Chinese Crested. Regardless, Chihuahuas weren’t bred to hunt vermin, so they aren’t classified as terriers.
The breed receives its namesake from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico from which it originated. In the mid-1800s, dog fanciers in the United States would travel to Chihuahua, Mexico to purchase Chihuahuas from local merchants. Back then and even today, Chihuahuas were bred primarily for companionship. Terriers, in comparison, were bred to protect livestock and crops from vermin.
How Chihuahuas Are Like Terriers
They may not be classified as terriers, but Chihuahuas share some key characteristics with these vermin-hunting dogs. Both the AKC breed standard and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) breed standard, in fact, describe the Chihuahua as having “terrier-like” qualities.
Chihuahuas and terriers are energetic. They have high energy levels and enjoy running and playing.
Chihuahuas and terriers are alert. If they hear a strange noise or see an unfamiliar person or animal, they will likely bark. Their always-on-the-lookout demeanor makes them excellent watchdogs.
Chihuahuas and terriers are courageous. They aren’t afraid of potential threats, including other animals. Chihuahuas and terriers will often stand their ground to protect their territory from other animals.
While there are different terrier breeds, many of them are small. The Yorkshire Terrier weighs an average of 3 to 7 pounds, whereas the Rat Terrier weighs an average of 10 to 25 pounds. Chihuahuas, of course, are also small.
Chihuahuas exhibit many of the same behaviors as terriers. They have a natural instinct to chase small animals. Whether it’s a squirrel, chipmunk or another small dog, Chihuahuas and terriers will often dart after it without thinking twice.
Chihuahuas and terriers have a natural instinct to burrow. Terriers have been trained to hunt vermin — a task that often requires burrowing or digging. While Chihuahuas weren’t originally bred to hunt vermin, many of them possess this same instinct. Their ancestors would dig at the ground to hunt small animals, so many modern-day Chihuahuas continue to dig.
Popular Chihuahua-Terrier Mixed Breeds
There are many popular Chihuahua-terrier mixed breeds. One of the most well-known Chihuahua-terrier mixed breeds is the Chorkie. A cross between a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire Terrier, the Chorkie is an affectionate and playful small dog.
The Rat-Cha is another popular Chihuahua-terrier mixed breed. It’s a cross between a Chihuahua and a Rat Terrier. Rat-Chas are known for their unwavering loyalty, courage and high energy levels.
Along with the Rat-Cha, there’s the Jack-Chi. Also known as the Jackahuahua, it’s a cross between a Chihuahua and a Jack Russel Terrier. Jack-Chis inherit qualities from both Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers. They are smart, friendly, affectionate and playful.
We can’t talk about popular Chihuahua-terrier mixed breeds without mentioning the Wire Chiwoxy. It’s a cross between a Chihuahua and a Wire Fox Terrier. Wire Chiwoxies are curious, fun-loving and feisty.
In Conclusion
They may exhibit similar behaviors and characteristics, but Chihuahuas aren’t terriers. Terriers were originally bred to hunt vermin. Chihuahuas lack this vermin-hunting lineage. There are many popular Chihuahua-terrier mixed breeds — the Chorkie, Rat-Cha and Jack-Chi — but Chihuahuas aren’t terriers.
References:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/the-terrier-group-planet-earthdog
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