Chihuahua history is very fascinating and goes back hundreds of years. The Chihuahua got its name from the state of Chihuahua Mexico. It is thought by some to be the oldest breed of dog in North and South America. It might even date back to the pre-Columbian Mexico.
Spanish Conquistadors likely brought this dog back to Europe from the new world. The Spanish conquistadors kept these dogs as symbols of higher class. When Columbus was in the Americas he wrote a letter to the King of Spain describing a tiny dog that would appear to be the Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas are thought to be descended from dogs known as Techichi, named after their owners the Toltecs. It is thought that the crossing of the Techichi and the miniature Chinese dogs give us what we know at the Chihuahua today. Toltecs used these dogs in religious ceremonies.
There is evidence that this breed has existed for thousands of years, and clay Aztec sculptures were found resembling Chihuahuas. The Aztecs believed that this dog was a spirit guide for the dead and so when the owner died, the dog was also killed to be a guide for the spirit.
In terms of actual Chihuahua history there is still some debate on whether the Spanish Conquistadors brought this dog into the new world, or whether the dog was originally in the new world at the time of their arrival.
Excavated early remains of Chihuahuas found in the Americas shows that they used to be much larger than the present day Chihuahua. The reason for this scientist think is because the present day Chihuahua was breed with smaller Chinese dogs, most likely the Chinese Crested Dog.
The American Kennel Club first recognized the Chihuahua breed in 1904. There are two types of Chihuahuas recognized, the short haired and the long haired. The breed standard is for a weight of 6 pounds and a height no taller than 9 inches.
It is the smallest breed of dog in the world, and the current world record holder for the smallest living dog is a Chihuahua named Boo Boo. Although its true origins may never be known, Chihuahua history is very fascinating.