Chihuahua vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison

When Celts began settling in Western Europe, they brought their dogs along. The Celtic Hounds had a duty to hunt, guard and fight in battles. They were, most likely, the ancestors of breeds like Greyhounds and Irish Wolfhounds. The original Austrian black and tan hound was created in Austria during the late nineteenth century. They were very specific dog breed because of their sharp nose, agility, speed, trainability and extraordinary persistence while hunting or tracking.

Quite a bit of the Chihuahua’s history is shrouded in mystery, and there are different versions about its origins.

While historians speculate, most will agree that the tiny dog hails from Mexico. The UK Kennel Club considers the smooth- and long coat Chihuahuas as 2 distinct breeds.It was in 1904 that the Chihuahua became a registered breed by the American Kennel Club.

Chihuahua is actually the name of a state in Mexico, and it is amazing that Chihuahua specimens were found way back in the 1800's already. Today the Chihuahua is a very popular dog breed in several countries.

The Austrian black and tan hound is one of the larger dog breeds. The coat colour of this breed is unique: the coat must be black with small and defined fawn markings. The body, head and legs are black, with dark or fawn markings with the fawn marks above the eyes.

The Black and Tan is a smooth coated, slim breed with the broad chest and a wide skull shape. Their teeth meet in a scissor bite. They don’t have very long ears and their tail is long and slightly bent.

The small Chihuahua stands at about 15 – 23 cm and he weighs about 1,5 – 4kg.

You’ll notice that he shivers when he is excited or when he is cold or frightened. Some people buy him a jersey to don on cooler days. With this tiny toy dog, you get a short- and a long coated Chihuahua.

This is the smallest dog breed and his coat is available in a number of colors such as fawn, tan, white and black. It is the dog’s round apple-shaped head which is a distinctive feature. He has erect ears and huge fruit-bat type eyes.

Temperament:

The Chihuahua is such an alert, fun-loving, feisty little dog, and though he may appear to be an ideal pet for children, he actually isn’t. He is too dainty and frail, and a child, during play, could accidentally crush him.

It’s a pity though because he just loves being around his human family. He is also a highly strung dog, and given the chance, he’ll nip and even bite during games. It is why socialization and training are considered important for the Chihuahua.

Just like with children, how you raise and treat your Chihuahua will determine how he turns out. He is such a sweet little dog that training and socialization can remove these unwanted characteristics. He is very intelligent and responds well to training.

Adaptability

The Austrian Black and Tan Hound get along well with strangers, other dogs or any animals. If they are not trained, their instinct to hunt will be a problem for other, smaller dogs and small animals. This is why this breed can’t be a guard dog. He is usually very friendly, and he remains friendly in most situations. It is very easy to train and socialize them, but you must remain firm while teaching them right from wrong. They are not the breed for the indoor, apartments or senior citizens. If you are not able to fulfil his daily need for activity, he can become quite destructive.

Bite statistic

Nonexistent for the last 30 years. But, if the dog gets mistreated, neglected or threatened – this breed knows to be aggressive. But, if you are a good and loving owner who makes sure that your dog is well raised, fed, loved, trained and socialized while he is still a pup, you will have no reason for the fear.

Small and feisty, the Chihuahua’s personality isn’t set in stone, and the tiny dog can be either shy and timid or he can be social, confident and jaunty.

They're always loyal and affectionate to their human owners, but they don’t get on too well with- and are wary of small children who aren’t disciplined and who could hurt them.

With his big eyes and big ears together with his comical antics, they can be a source of entertainment for their human owners. He is easy to train too and even though he is small, he doesn’t think he is, and he is willing to use his big personality to make you a loving, loyal and devoted companion.

Hip and elbow dysplasia

(hip or elbow joint malformation) can happen from injury or overuse of the joints since the Austrian black and tan hound is a runner and jumper.

Ear diseases

They have sensitive ears and they can suffer from ear infections. To avoid this, you must have regular vet checks and have a habit of regular cleaning - hygiene of their ears.

Demodectic mange

Caused by Demodex canis. If you notice hair loss, redness and scaling you must take your pet to the vet urgently since this disease can be transmitted humans.

The Chihuahua doesn't have any particular health issues, more so when you get him from a reputable breeder. With good care he can reach 20 years of age.

Hypoglycemia:

Known as low blood sugar, hypoglycemia is easily treatable, but if it isn’t caught early it can be fatal.Hypoglycemia makes a dog lethargic and he’ll shiver and could go into a coma. Get him to the vet immediately.

Bloat:

Gastric Dilatation or bloat is when the stomach twists, it becomes enlarged and blood supply is cut off to the stomach. Left untreated, it can be fatal.

Dental Disease:

Chihuahuas are susceptible to dental problems, so you will need to brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to prevent tartar build-up, gum disease, loss of teeth and other diseases.

Feeding

Austrian Black and Tan Hounds don’t eat a lot even if you might think that they do. The truth is that they won’t need more than the prescribed portions that can be found in the instructions of high-quality dry dog food per day. All you have to do is make sure they have 3 meals during the day until they are 6 months old, and later they can settle for two meals per day.

Don’t give them the freedom to eat as much as they want. That can cause serious health complications. Their stomachs won’t be able to digest human food because it is usually made with a lot of spices. You can feed them with treats like eggs, fresh cheese, fruits and vegetables are okay as treats but only if these treats make less than 10% of their daily portion.

Points for Good Health

This playful dog needs the daily dose of outside activities. The grooming is easy but it must be regular. Once-a-week brushing at least is necessary. They don’t need to be bathed regularly but you must check their skin conditions daily since they have high risks of skin diseases. Nails need to be trimmed since they grow too fast and ears need to be cleaned every day to avoid ear infections.

Games and Exercises

The Austrian Black and Tan Hound are like any hound: they have an excellent sense of smell and they love to explore. They like to run and they can run for miles. Any outside activity will be a good choice. They like to bark and they bark even when they are happy. They are usually friendly towards strangers and other dogs, so the dog park is a good choice as well. They will love being at playgrounds as well since they love children and they can be a great Frisbee partner.

Diet:

Always make sure to choose a high-quality dog food for your Chihuahua as this will keep him in tip-top health. A healthy Chihuahua can live to be 20 years of age. Speak to a veterinarian for recommendations on the best type of food to feed your tiny pet.

Giving him some home-made food such as brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken for instance will be a welcome treat for him. Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water close by.

Exercise:

The Chihuahua may well be the smallest toy sized dog breed, but don’t be mistaken – he has plenty of energy and is constantly prancing around. He is more than capable of living in a small apartment, but even so he needs to be taken outside every now and then for a game or a walk.

Be careful with your small pet though, as too much exercise can lead to elbow- and hip dysplasia.

Grooming:

The Chihuahua is a moderate shedder with Spring being their heavier shedding period. Because of his small size, you won’t be bothered by too much hair. The short haired Chihuahua is easy to maintain and with a rubber brush, you can brush him gently twice a week.

You’ll also need to clip his nails and if you can’t manage this your vet can also help you.