The name of the Chihuahua comes from the Mexican state that is located next to west Texas and New Mexico, but the breed actually came from the ancient Techichi dogs of the Toltecs when they were crossed with a hairless dog from the Orient. Indigenous to Central America Techichi dogs were a heavy-boned small dog that had a long coat. The modern day Chihuahua is smaller than the Techichi and the original breed was mute. When the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs the dogs became a sacred icon of the upper class society and was used in religious ceremonies to help guide the spirits of the dead.

The breed wasn't discovered outside of Mexico until the 1850s and soon after it became very popular throughout the world. In 1904 it was first registered with the American Kennel Club in the modern breed we see today. Today there remains the smooth-coated, vocal Chihuahua and the more traditional longhaired Chihuahua breed.
Graceful, alert and agile with a compact and terrier like quality is the official description of the Chihuahua breed given by the American Kennel Club. Generally the Chihuahua is a very graceful, energetic and swift dog, but each Chihuahua has it's own unique personality and some can be very grumpy, haughty or even nasty when provoke if they have an extreme terrier like quality to them.

This terrier like quality doesn't make the Chihuahua a good breed for large households or those with small or noisy children because of their clannish tendencies and suspiciousness of other people. But the curiosity, intelligence and extreme loyalty of the breed make them an excellent pet for the elderly, individuals and disabled people. The Chihuahua will often become attached to just one or two individuals and want to be pampered. The Chihuahua is also idea for those living in apartments or on a limited income. You should always observe the temperament of your Chihuahua before determining if it is the right breed for you.
The small Chihuahua breed is a dog that isn't aware of their small stature. You can often find a Chihuahua being much bolder than other dogs that are three times the size of themselves. The breed is also highly protective of their owners and fiercely loyal to only one or two individuals, which is why they are often wary of strangers or any new guests that are introduced to the household that the Chihuahua considers it's personal domain. This is why the Chihuahua makes an excellent watch dog, not a very good guard dog though.

A Chihuahua requires a lot of human contact in the form of touching, petting and general attention. Without this, the breed often resorts to various attention getting tricks until they gain attention. For some the Chihuahua comes across as too needy, but the breed will give you so much back in return for your love, affection and care.



Sandra Dean is a dog-lover who has spent extensive time researching the history of dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a diverse breed with no two dogs being the same. As a bold breed, the Chihuahua is highly protective and loyal of their owners. Knowing Chihuahua information can help you determine if it is a breed right for you.