
| Chihuahuas |
BREED HISTORY The smallest breed of dog, the Chihuahua has a controversial history. One theory holds that it originated in China and was brought to the New World by Spanish traders, where it was then crossed with small native dogs. The other theory contends that it originated entirely in Central and South America, descending from the native Techichi, a small mute dog. These small red dogs were believed to guide the sould to the underworld. The Techichi apparently were well cared for during life by the priests or their families. In fact, the most likely of origin of the Chihuahua is a combination of these theories: the native Techichi was probably crossed with tiny hairless Chinese dogs, but again the date when this occurred is controversial. The Chinese dogs may have been brought over when a land bridge spanned the Bering Strait, or they may have been brought later by Spanish traders. When Cortes conquered the Aztecs in the sixteenth century, the little dogs were abandoned and left to fend for themselves. About 300 years later, in 1850, three tiny dogs were found in Chihuahua, Mexico. A few were brought to the United States. When Xavier Cugat ("the rhumba king") appeared in public with a Chihuahua as his constant companion, the breed captured the public's hearts. It experienced a meteoric rise in popularity and has continued as one of America's most popular breeds. |