Where are Chihuahua’s from?
The Chihuahua Chronicles
Discover the legendary origins of the world’s smallest dog.
By Kim Campbell Thornton
The Aztec emperor faced his death calmly. As he closed his eyes and drew his last breath, he was unafraid, for he knew that his favorite little yellow dog, his techichi, would be sacrificed and his spirit would guide him safely through the underworld.
The belief that dogs were spirit guides that could take on the burden of sins and protect souls from evil spirits as they traveled through the underworld is just one of the many myths that surrounded the ancestors of the modern Chihuahua. Like that of so many breeds, the Chihuahua’s true origin is lost to history. Among other theories, it’s been suggested that the tiny dogs from Mexico were the first true native dog of the Americas or that they were brought to the new world from Asia by Spanish traders after Hernán Cortés’ conquest of Mexico in 1519.
Some cynologists (people who study dogs) believe the Chihuahua began as a miniaturized version of a local pariah dog, a stray or feral dog. According to the American Kennel Club’s history of the breed, a letter written by Christopher Columbus to the King of Spain makes mention of tiny dogs in the new world.
Figures that resemble Chihuahuas have been found in the pyramids of Cholula and in the ruins of Chichen Itza on the Yucatan peninsula, both of which predate the arrival of the Spanish. Some archaeologists argue, however, that dogs didn’t exist on the American continent until after the arrival of the Spanish. They suggest that the doglike figures portrayed on pottery and in drawings, and seen by the Spanish were more likely prairie-dog-type animals that were raised for food.
Whatever the case, the little dogs seem to have disappeared from history after the arrival of the Spanish. There’s a dearth of information about them from the time of the conquest until the mid- to late 19th century, when they were “discovered” by American tourists visiting the Mexican state of Chihuahua. People brought the tiny dogs home as souvenirs, naming them after the place where they acquired the dogs.
Owen Wister, author of The Virginian (1902), is also credited with giving the Chihuahua his name, says Lynnie Bunten of San Antonio, Texas, secretary of the Texas Chihuahua Club. “Wister visited Presidio, Texas, in the late 19th century and brought back a couple of little dogs from that area. They were described as Chihuahua dogs and named after the state in Mexico where they were found.”
Essentially, the modern Chihuahua was developed in the United States in the 20th century. “Although legend has it that there were similar dog breeds in Mexico in past centuries, there’s no direct link to connect them to the modern-day Chihuahua,” Bunten says.
By 1890, Chihuahuas were being exhibited in dog shows, and a stud book (a record of breeding) had been started for the breed. Within five years, people began to take notice of the breed, and it was recognized by the AKC in 1904, making it a relatively old breed for the registry, which itself wasn’t formed until 1884. The first Chihuahua registered by the AKC was named Midget, who was owned by H. Raynor of El Paso, Texas. The following year, a fawn-and-white Chihuahua named Beppie, owned by Mrs. McLean, became the breed’s first Champion.
It wasn’t until 1923, however, that the Chihuahua Club of America was formed. Part of the delay, apparently, was due to fanciers’ disagreement over the correct Chihuahua tail. Fortunately, they were able to overcome their differences and prepare a breed standard (written description) that everyone could agree on.
One of the great early Chihuahua sires was Little Meron III, who earned his Championship in just three shows. In a 1927 AKC Gazette magazine column, he was described by then-CCA Secretary Ida H. Garrett, who wrote that he was “a solid fawn dog with the most perfect apple dome skull, short nose, a balanced eye neither too full nor small, a level back, straight legs, strong and sturdy, well placed. An ear such as I have long looked for, and few champions of today carry — not small, nor yet over-large or too flaring — with the gait of a little racer. Also, no more perfect ring manners could be desired.” Garrett purchased Little Meron III, and he went on to sire many Champions.
What makes a great Chihuahua? From Ch. Little Meron III to Ch. Ouachitah For Your Eyes Only, the first Chihuahua to win the Toy Group at the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City (2004), when looks, attitude and movement come together to create a dog that refuses to be ignored — who seems to say to the world, “Hey, look at me!” — then you know you have a winner. Breeders work to achieve this ideal Chihuahua by breeding to the standard, a guideline for creating the perfect dog.
A Picture in Words
The breed standard describes what the ideal Chihuahua should be like in both appearance and personality. Dog-show judges use this description to help them rate Chihuahuas in the show ring, but more importantly, breeders use the standard to guide them in breeding better Chihuahuas.
“The standard is like a blueprint for a good Chihuahua, and having it in writing means that breeders all over the country have the same set of instructions, so hopefully we all breed Chihuahuas that are more alike than different,” says Micki Giroux of Panama City Beach, Fla., who has been breeding and showing Chihuahuas since 1995. “When you buy a Chihuahua, or any purebred dog for that matter, the standard is what makes that breed of dog unique from all the others.”
Even if you don’t plan to show or breed your Chihuahua — and you shouldn’t unless it’s an outstanding example of the breed — it’s important to know and understand what the breed standard says. Chihuahuas come in a wide variety of types and colors, they have two coat types (which many people don’t know), and can be found at all levels of quality and price ranges. They’re also a breed whose size and demeanor make it the object of fad breeding, which occurs just about every time the Chihuahua makes an appearance in a movie or advertisement.
“From the Taco Bell dog in the 1990s to Paris Hilton’s Tinkerbell in 2004, Chihuahuas are often in the public eye,” Giroux says. “When a breed becomes popular in this way, the public may develop an inaccurate picture of the breed, and unscrupulous breeders and pet sellers take advantage of the enthusiasm for a popular breed of dog. I still get inquiries about ‘deer-type’ and ‘teacup’ Chihuahuas, even though there is no such thing. I also see people paying top dollar for supposedly ‘rare’ colors of Chihuahuas. If people read the standard, then they would know that these things are either wrong according to the standard, or normal, and not worth paying extra for.”
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