Chihuahua

Have you ever wondered, where your beloved Chichuahua originated? The smallest canine in the world is named after the northern part of Mexico, a region that borders Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Of the Western World

Just imagine the breed can trace its origins as far back as the 5th century CE and according to scholars lived not just in Mexico northern, central and southern regions but South America as well. It is most interesting to know, that there are Mayan clay images that resemble somewhat a small dog of the Chihuahua kind.

The Toltecs, who were native rulers of the southern and central parts of Mexico circa 1100 CE nurtured Techichi, a small stature dog that was long coated and heavy boned. According to legends the dog was a part of their lives as well as rituals. Some believe that these dogs were cross bred with the Perro Chihuahueno, a breed that lived in the mountains of Chihuahua and had, round heads, long nails, as well as short erect ears.

From the remains found in Aztecs graves and pyramids one can conclude, that when the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs they also adopted the dogs and according to Aztec beliefs the dogs were burnt along with the human corpse – the soul of the dog accompanied the soul of the owner into the afterlife.

Subsequently, when the Spanish invaded the kingdom they brought with them a small black and tan terrier type dog, which once again bred with the “native” breed, the Techichi producing what we all know and treasure today as the Chihuahua.

There of course exist two other theories –

Botticelli’s muse: Many believe, that the Chihuahua is of European descent and came along with the Spanish conquistadors. Supporting this premise is a painting in the Sistine Chapel by Botticelli of 1482 that depicts a dog that resembles the Chihuahua.

All the way from China: Yet, others attribute the dog’s origins to the Chinese who were recognized as experts in producing miniature dogs. From China the trade routes brought the dogs to the Spanish who then traveled with the dogs to the New World.

The AKC: In the US it was in 1890 that the American Kennel Club first exhibited the Chihuahuas. The first registration followed in 1903/04– the dog was known as Midget. This was followed by the establishment in 1923, of the Chihuahua Club of America and, in the same year the breed standard was drawn up. And, in 1952 the breed was recognized as having two distinct varieties—smooth coated and long coated.

The Americans fell in love with the dogs that were popularly known as: “Chis.” These were being brought from Mexico and they were called them “Texas Dogs,” or “Arizona Dogs.”

Perhaps you may remember the Taco Bell dog of the 1990s – well it is none other than the Chihuahua.