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.
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