Chihuahua Breed History and Info
The Chihuahua breed history is intensely interesting and heart breaking! We’re fortunate to even have this delightful little dog with us today, when we consider how close to extinction the tiny Chihuahua came.
During the 9th century AD, a tiny dog breed called the Techichi, owned by the Toltecs, lived in what is now know as Mexico. The Techichi, which originated from Central America, is the progenitor of today’s Chihuahua. Part of the evidence of the Chihuahua breed history is that dogs, resembling modern day Chihuahuas, even appear in ancient paintings in Mexico.
Most people do not know that the Techichi were horribly obliterated during an invasion sometime during the 1500s. Tragically, none of these beautiful little dogs were seen again until 1850. Then, near Casas Grandes, in some old ruins, several tiny dogs were incredibly discovered in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. The origin of this breed’s name came from the location of their discovery in the state of Chihuahua.
Today, we enjoy the Chihuahua, which is known as a toy dog due to its size, and is the smallest of all dog breeds. Of interest is that their height can vary considerably, much more than any other breed. The typical height for a Chihuahua is 6-9 inches, but some can grow up to 15 inches. The weight range is 2-6 pounds. Any weight above 6 pounds is considered out of balance for the breed. If a Chihuahua was entered in competition, it would merit ring disqualification if it weighed more than 6 pounds, since disqualification is based on weight, and not on its size.
Chihuahua Types and Temperament
Only two types of Chihuahuas exist – long and short hair, and Chi(s), as they are affectionately known, come in many colors and several types of markings. Breeders like to use a myriad of terms for marketing purposes, but Chihuahuas come in only one size range as stated above, which is classified by AKC as Toy Group. Consistent with Chihuahuas breed history, Chi(s) have large, alert ears, big moist eyes, and bigger-than-life personalities! Chihuahuas are miniature rulers of their domain so they need to be taught what is acceptable to their owners, so that they don’t become king of the roost! They are known for their sassy temperament, but they can also be gentle and charming. Chihuahuas often seem unaware of their diminutive size and at times become fearless and furious watchdogs. Because Chi(s) are both intelligent and motivated, they usually learn very quickly and don’t need extensive training.
How Did We Get Introduced to Chihuahuas?
During the mid 1900s, Chihuahuas became popular due to their appearance with stars in movies and on television. In 1964 Chihuahuas reached the peak of their popularity and became the 3rd most popular breed of choice in the USA. Today they are still a popular breed choice with an 
approximate AKC registration of 40,000 annually. Chihuahuas have terrier-like qualities-sprightly, spirited, charming-even though they belong to the AKC Toy Group. Because of the Toy size, Chi(s) are delicate. As far as health is concerned, Chihuahuas are hardy dogs, but can be sensitive to cold temperatures since they were bred for Mexico which is very warm. Chi(s) especially like to snuggle under blankets to keep warm.
Is the Chihuahua a Family Dog?
They can be a good family dog if the children understand that they 
must be gentle and patient with their tiny friend. Chihuahuas like to be cozy warm and they like attention. They are not loners, and tend to be clannish, preferring to have other Chihuahuas around. They also get along well with most other family pets. Most of the Chihuahua’s exercise can be done at home because they are so tiny and can scamper about the house, and for that reason, they do well in apartments and cities.