by Christine G.

Created on: February 09, 2008

On the highway from Mexico City to Puebla stands the monastery of Huejotzingo, constructed by Franciscan monks around 1530, using re-cycled stones from the Toltec civilization. The Toltecs, who inhabited present-day Mexico as early as the 9th century A.D., had a breed of dog they called the "Techichi". Carvings on the stones at Huejotzingo include a head view and also an entire dog that closely resembles the modern-day chihuahua. Archaeologists have found remains of this breed in human graves in Mexico and the United States.

The chihuahua (pronounced Chih-wah-wah) is the oldest breed of dog on the American continent and the smallest breed in the world. Some are so tiny that they can stand on all fours in a person's palm! Chihuahuas were named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. They were introduced to Europe at the end of the nineteenth century.

This is the only true toy dog, small by nature rather than the result of selective breeding of larger versions. Chis come in a large variety of colors (including brindle, blond, black, brown, fawn, blue, and "splashed"), and can be either smoothcoat or longcoat. In the United States, both can occur in the same litter. In the United Kingdom, they are considered two different breeds and are never interbred.

According to the American Kennel Association standard (1990), the chihuahua is "a graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament." The have a well-rounded "apple-dome" skull, large erect ears which flare to the sides when in repose, and a moderately long sickle-shaped tail, carried up or out, or in a loop over the back. The maximum weight for the breed is six pounds. Smaller dogs are more highly valued.

Chihuahuas are graceful, energetic, and swift-moving canines who are alert, observant and keen on interacting with their chosen people, to whom they are fiercely loyal. They consider their households their personal domain, are wary of intruders, and easily become jealous. Chis are very high-energy, but will calm down when they are in a familiar environment with their special person. They need a great deal of touching, petting, and general attention. They are so high-maintenance that they have been described as "a baby with four legs." Their need for contact and exclusivity makes them ideal for people who live alone. These diminutive buddies are willing to spend hours lying on their person's lap or burrowed under the blankets in bed, snoring. Each

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>