The Chihuahua is the Oldest Breed in the Americas
So popular! Everyone in Mexico seems to have one of those cute, but sometimes fierce, little dogs with big ears. The breed is named in honor of the Mexican state of Chihuahua which borders Texas and New Mexico.
The Chihuahua is the oldest breed on the American continent. Historians believe they evolved from a wild dog called the “Techichi” that was domesticated by the Toltecs in 9th-century Mexico. Chihuahuas are also the world’s smallest dog breed, normally weighing between 2 and 8 pounds, with an average height of 6 to 9 inches.
People in the United States first became familiar with the breed around 1850, when Mexican merchants started selling them to tourists. The dogs quickly became popular and the breed was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1904.
Chihuahuas come in virtually any color combination, from solid to marked or splashed, allowing for colors from solid black to solid white, spotted, or a variety of other colors and patterns. Colors and patterns can combine and affect each other, resulting in a very high degree of variation. Standard colors are fawn, red, cream, chocolate, blue, and black.
Chihuahuas are the ideal lovable, loyal, and long-term pets. They are constant companions –they sleep on your lap, sit by your side, or follow you from room to room while you do chores. They are also surprisingly effective watchdogs! They protect your home like their personal domain, barking at the sign of an approaching stranger.
However, this sweet love and devotion can sometimes evolve into a fierce protectiveness, making them a force to reckon with when they compete with other pets or family members for your attention. Nevertheless, this big-time attitude packed inside a pint-sized frame has a remarkable way of being endearing rather than annoying.
Whether in an apartment, a house, or a palace, a Chihuahua is perfectly accommodated. They are fairly easy to care for, needing minimal exercise and food. But they love attention! Chihuahuas crave affection and companionship to the point where they may resort to attention-getting tricks. And, before you know it, you’ll probably find yourself responding with an overtime shift of petting, scratching, and cuddling!
