History of Chihuahua Dogs

No one knows for sure where the Chihuahua originated. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) some believe the modern Chihuahua is a descendant of the Fennec Fox, which has a small body with large ears and eyes.

  1. Name

    • The name Chihuahua comes from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico where the dogs were first found.

    Central American Theory

    • Sculptures of a similar dog have been found in archaeological digs of Mayan civilizations in Central America, which date to the 5th century. The Toltecs, who lived in ancient Mexico, domesticated a small dog called Techichi which they may have crossed with another native dog to create the Chihuahua.

    European Theory

    • Some believe that the Chihuahua came from Spain and was brought to North America by the Conquistadors in the 1500s. A painting in the Sistine Chapel that was created in 1482 shows a dog that looks like a Chihuahua.

    Chinese Theory

    • The Chinese culture is well-known for developing miniaturized dog breeds. Some believe Spanish explorers "discovered" the dog in China and sailed to the New World with them.

    AKC

    • The AKC first recognized the breed in 1904. They are part of the Toy Group.