Chihuahua history is filled with one of the larger mysteries surrounding the smallest breed of dog. There are many who believe that the truth will never be known.
The newest DNA evidence might shed some light onto the actual genetic precursor Chihuahuas. There have been Techichis included in ancient graves all over Mexico. Perhaps some of them can be tested to unravel the true Chihuahua history.
For those new to Chihuahua history, there is an accepted version of this tiny dog's heritage. It is commonly accepted that this is the only native breed of the Americas. The animal has gone from a mute companion of the Olmec, Toltec and Aztec civilisations to a very vocal member of the smallest registered breed in modern times. As each culture conquered and supplanted the prior, the Chihuahua's ancestor remained an important part of the then current society.
Aztec drawings and pottery show animals similar to the modern day Chihuahua as being integral members of the upper class families. In some cases, the dogs are thought to be able to communicate with the gods, though mute themselves! The pictured dogs are larger than the current Chihuahua, with thicker necks, pointed tails and ears. They are also pictured as accompanying their masters to the grave. Chihuahua history abounds with divergences about whether they went along as guides, companions--or as food!
When the Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortez, and his men conquered the Aztecs in the years 1519-1521, much of the Aztec culture was lost. Chihuahua history suggests that the Spanish took a few of the little dogs with them back to Spain, where they were bred with other small breeds. Other discourses maintain that the Techichi were traded to China, where they were bred with a hairless, but vocal, breed and miniaturised for the next several hundred years.
This does not tell us how the dogs came to be discovered in modern day Chihuahua in their current form. Chihuahua history is full of mystery to this day. Nevertheless, the state of Chihuahua, which is due south of New Mexico and Texas, was where the current short- and long-haired Chihuahuas were discovered in the 1850s. The third dog to come from this area and further south in Mexico, is hairless and known as the Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzquintle, pronounced show-low-eats-queent-lee), but it is not considered to be a Chihuahuan kin.
Chihuahua history has the breed being first recognised in 1884, but not registered by the American Kennel Club until 1904. England didn't register the breed until 1924! It remains the smallest toy breed in the world.
The newest DNA evidence might shed some light onto the actual genetic precursor Chihuahuas. There have been Techichis included in ancient graves all over Mexico. Perhaps some of them can be tested to unravel the true Chihuahua history.
For those new to Chihuahua history, there is an accepted version of this tiny dog's heritage. It is commonly accepted that this is the only native breed of the Americas. The animal has gone from a mute companion of the Olmec, Toltec and Aztec civilisations to a very vocal member of the smallest registered breed in modern times. As each culture conquered and supplanted the prior, the Chihuahua's ancestor remained an important part of the then current society.
Aztec drawings and pottery show animals similar to the modern day Chihuahua as being integral members of the upper class families. In some cases, the dogs are thought to be able to communicate with the gods, though mute themselves! The pictured dogs are larger than the current Chihuahua, with thicker necks, pointed tails and ears. They are also pictured as accompanying their masters to the grave. Chihuahua history abounds with divergences about whether they went along as guides, companions--or as food!
When the Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortez, and his men conquered the Aztecs in the years 1519-1521, much of the Aztec culture was lost. Chihuahua history suggests that the Spanish took a few of the little dogs with them back to Spain, where they were bred with other small breeds. Other discourses maintain that the Techichi were traded to China, where they were bred with a hairless, but vocal, breed and miniaturised for the next several hundred years.
This does not tell us how the dogs came to be discovered in modern day Chihuahua in their current form. Chihuahua history is full of mystery to this day. Nevertheless, the state of Chihuahua, which is due south of New Mexico and Texas, was where the current short- and long-haired Chihuahuas were discovered in the 1850s. The third dog to come from this area and further south in Mexico, is hairless and known as the Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzquintle, pronounced show-low-eats-queent-lee), but it is not considered to be a Chihuahuan kin.
Chihuahua history has the breed being first recognised in 1884, but not registered by the American Kennel Club until 1904. England didn't register the breed until 1924! It remains the smallest toy breed in the world.
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