Some Chihuahua Information

The history of the Chihuahua* or Techichi, is traceable back to the ninth century It is likely that it went back to a period prior to the Mayan tribes in the fifth century. Evidence of this little dog's existence during the several centuries the Toltecs who occupied what is now Mexico City dates back to the ninth century. The evidence has firmly established the Techichi to the Toltec period. There are pictures carved in stone still in existence in the Monastery of Huejotzingo, on the Highway from Mexico City to Puebla. The monastery was constructed around 1530 from materials taken from Pyramids of Cholula built by the Toltecs. These carvings give a full-head view and a full picture of a little dog that looks approximately like the Chihuahua of today. There is also some evidence of the little dogs existence in the remains of pyramid constructions at Chichen Itza in distant Yucatan. 

Most of the Toltec civilization was around Tula which is close to the present Mexico City. Most of the relics are found here and the speculation is that the earliest specimens of the breed were found in this location in the state of Chihuahua. The dogs were found in 1850 in old ruins near Casas Grandes, which are believed to be the ruins of the palace built by Emperor Montezuma I. 

The relics of the Techichi indicate that the breed was longhaired and mute. There is speculation that the size of the Chihuahua was reduced by crossing the Techichi with a small hairless dog brought from Asia to Alaska over the land bridge where the Bering Strait now runs. 

The Aztecs conquered the Toltecs and flourished for several centuries and there was a time when the wealthy regarded the blue-colored Chihuahuas as sacred. At the same time, the common people had little or no use for these little dogs and they were even used for food. 

Cortez conquered Montezuma's possessions during his 1519-20 crusade in Mexico. There is little or no record of Montezuma's dogs for several centuries. 

There is a historic letter written by Christopher Columbus stating that in Cuba he found a small dog that was mute. Aztecs were not seafarers so it is theorized that they did not take the Techichi to Cuba. 

Archaeologist have found remains of the Chihuahua in human graves in both Mexico and the United states. It is speculated that the little dog played a part in the religious and mythological life of the Aztecs. 

The Tiny Chihuahua of today endured many changes. His color variations are limited only by the imagination.  The smooth coated variety is still the most publicly recognized, but the long-coat variety has increased in numbers and popularity. 

*this portion of the Chihuahua History excerpted from the Official Publication of the American Kennel Club THE COMPLETE DOG BOOK, Golden Anniversary Edition, 1983, 16th edition-fifth printing, HOWELL BOOK HOUSE, Inc.