The Origin Of The Chihuahuas

The chihuahua has its origin in Mexico. His ancestor was known as techichi and lived with the ancient pre-Columbian civilizations.

Chihuahuas are one of the most common breeds in households with dogs. Their small size, their large eyes and the expressiveness of their features make them one of the most famous dogs in the canine world.

The Chihuahua is a breed native to Mexico. The presence of these dogs in paintings and sculptures gives us an approximate idea of ​​the centuries that they have lived with humans. If you want to know more about the fascinating origin of these little furry, we encourage you to continue reading.

The origin of the Chihuahuas or Chihuahueños

The original name of this breed is Chihuahuan, as the chihuahua denotation comes from its pronunciation in other foreign languages. The Chihuahuan is considered the smallest breed in the world. It comes from the Mexican Republic of Chihuahua, where it is assumed that its predecessor lived in the wild and was later captured and domesticated.

The most accepted hypothesis affirms that the chihuahua descends from a companion dog of the pre-Columbian Toltec civilization, called techichi . We know the aspect of techichi through codices, sculptures and archaeological remains found in Mexico, where the oldest date from the 9th century.

Different vessels, toys, frescoes and sculptures of dogs that look very similar to Chihuahuas have been found both in Mexico and in North America. Their presence there is probably due to the introduction of these dogs as exotic companion dogs.

The pre-Columbian dogs of America

A small number of existing breeds on the American continent, including the chihuahua,  xoloitzcuintle  (Mexican hairless dog), and the Peruvian hairless dog, have been found to be descended from pre-Columbian populations.

Archaeological finds in South America make us think that pre-Columbian dogs were not only wild animals, but were increasingly integrated into human societies.

Why are Chihuahuas so small?

If we look at a Chihuahua, we find it hard to believe that it has the same ancestor as a Saint Bernard. Its small figure is the result of a strong artificial selection at the hands of the human being in the last centuries.

The current Chihuahua is considerably smaller than its techichi predecessor . It is believed that this may be due to crosses with other breeds brought to America by early settlers, such as European miniature dogs. The Chinese Crested is also another candidate breed for these first crosses.

How did this breed become popular?

Chihuahuas are the most popular dogs among celebrities and their fame makes them one of the most in-demand breeds today. But, in addition to being “a trend”, Chihuahuas reach many homes mainly because of their small size.

They are easy to handle dogs and do not need the space that a large dog requires, although it is still important to dedicate time to their training and education.

Another advantage of this breed is its survival, as they can become very long-lived dogs, although their strong selection predisposes them to certain genetic diseases. Eye conditions are common in these dogs, and cases of hydrocephalus are relatively common as well.

The modern Chihuahua, different from its ancestor

The chihuahua keeps some characters of its ancestor, but the crossing with European dogs and the subsequent artificial selection has modified the traits of the techichi until it is the current chihuahua that we know.

The chihuahua’s ancestor is believed to have been somewhat larger and stockier with a more prominent snout. His character was passive and docile and he could have been a helper to the labors of ancient American civilizations, such as gathering corn and other crops.

The current chihuahua is small, usually measures between 15 and 23 centimeters and does not exceed three kilograms in weight. Its skull is apple-shaped, the eyes are bulging and the muzzle is short. There are short-haired and long-haired dogs and the colors they can present are very varied, from beige to black.

The breeds of dogs that we know today are the result of multiple crosses throughout history, always looking for a type of color, ability or character. The dogs of South America share a common ancestor dating back to the time of pre-Columbian civilizations and have come to the present day looking different from their ancestors through crosses with European and Asian dogs.