CHIHUAHUA -
A HISTORY OF THE
SMALLEST CANINE
by Lee Weston
As with any breed of dog, there is speculation, a great deal of paperwork, detective work, and logical deduction involved in what has occurred in the past to understand the present. Archeology and paleontology is used heavily in determining what type of relationship existed between the canine and the human population. This is the case with the history of the Chihuahua.
The Chihuahua received its name from the northern part of Mexico bearing the same name, that borders on the Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico boundary lines. But that is not the limit of its history. There are many theories regarding the development of this tiny breed of dog. Following is just a few of these theories, call them speculations, but all possible.
Through archeological digs and the work of paleontologists, they have pieced together a history that goes back at least to 5th century A.D. and to show the existence of the Chihuahua's ancestors not only in the central and southern regions of Mexico, but also in South America as well.
The Mayan Indians of South America made clay sculptures of small dogs that resemble a Chihuahua "type". These sculptures are dated back to the 5th century A.D. Were they the first to develop a relationship with one of the Chihuahua's ancestors?
A native people of Mexico, known as Toltecs, were known to have conquered the southern and central parts of Mexico by 1100 A.D. They possessed a dog of small stature, but at the same time it was heavy-boned and long-coated. This dog was known as a Techichi. It is described as being long-legged, with a thin body, almost fawn-like, and a humped back. The Techichi was kept by the Toltecs as a pet, and interestingly, this dog was used as part of the religious rites as well. There is a question as to whether or not the Toltecs crossed the Techichi with a dog that inhabited the mountains of Chihuahua, called the Perro Chihuahueno. It is said that the Perro Chihuahueno was a foraging type of dog, that lived in holes in the ground. They had round heads, long nails, and short, erect ears.
When the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs and became the ruling class, they also used the dog as pets and in a religious function. From remains found at pyramids and in graves, it is believed that these people thought that the dog would function as guides for the human soul. Another ritual that was practiced was the burning of a dog with a human corpse. This was done in the belief that the deceased human's wrong-doings would be transferred to the dog.
The story continues with the Spanish conquerors that invaded Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. It is conjectured that they had with them a small, black and tan, terrier type dog. These Spanish dogs were far more friendly with the native dogs than the Spanish conquistadors were with the native peoples. Due to this crossing of the black and tan terrier type dog with the Techichi, it is surmised that the Chihuahua resulted.

Another theory put forth is that the Chihuahua is actually of European descent. That it was the Spanish conquistadors that brought this dog with them to the New World. For proof, the people who support this theory point to the island of Malta where a small breed of dog existed that possessed a natural molera. A molera is like an open fontanel in a human child, a soft spot on the top of the skull where the three sections of the skull bone meet. The molera is extremely rare, and uncommon to other breeds of dog. The Chihuahua, however, does possess this natural molera, it is believed that this points to its descendants as being from Malta. Further proof is offered in of all places, the Sistine Chapel. A painting by Sondro Botticelli, completed in 1482, depicts a dog that is very much like today's Chihuahua. Since this painting was completed before Columbus sailed for the New World, it offers proof that the dog is of European ancestry.

One last theory that we will put forth, is that it is known that the Chinese were adept at developing miniatures of larger breeds of dog. It may be possible that the Chinese developed a dog similar to the Chihuahua, the Spanish traders came to possess this dog, and from China, traveled to Mexico with it. As the Spanish traders crossed Mexico, they had contact with the native population, both the traders and the dogs.

In any case, after the Spanish were finished with destroying the Aztec culture, buildings, and as many people as they could, the fate of the dogs were left to the native people that adopted it into their families, and nature.

When people from the United States first "discovered" this tiny dog, they were referred to as "Texas Dogs" or "Arizona Dogs" probably because that is the border that was used to bring the dogs from Mexico to the U.S. Americans fell in love with the little critters and ever since the Chihuahua has been a favorite. Interestingly, the "Chis" have undergone a great deal of change since the 1950's. Breeders have made great strides in improving the temperament, the number one concern, and type. Today's kennels are noted for different characteristics and bloodlines, so when shopping for a puppy, it is important for the prospective buyer to understand and know expectations of the bloodlines. The only way to find out is to go to the dog shows, talk to owners, handlers, breeders and ask lots of questions. Read books about the Chihuahua, educating yourself can be time consuming, but can also save a lot of headaches and heartaches in the future.

In the United States, the American Kennel Club exhibited Chihuahuas for the first time in 1890. The first Chihuahua was registered in the U.S. in 1903. However, the Chihuahua Club of America was not established until 1923, along with a written breed standard that has not changed significantly since. In 1952, the Chihuahua Club of America did vote to split the Chihuahua into two varieties. The two are judged on the same standard, the difference being is that one variety is smooth coated and the other is long coated.