Chihuahuas exhibit huge personalities despite their small size. They are active and energetic dogs that are always up for a good time. Small Chihuahuas are not passive by nature, but rather they are curious and playful, always seeking out new adventures and experiences.
They thrive on interaction and attention from their human companions and can be quite demanding when it comes to affection. Despite their stature, Chis have a big presence and are sure to make their mark in any situation.
Chihuahuas Originated in Mexico
The Chihuahua breed originated in Mexico, where the Toltecs kept them as lap dogs as early as the 9th century CE. The Chihuahua is believed to be a descendant of an ancient breed called the Techichi.
Chihuahuas Traveled the World
It is unclear how Chihuahuas made their way to Europe, but experts speculate that Christopher Columbus might have brought some of these small canines back from his travels. Chihuahuas are a well-traveled breed.
Chihuahuas Shrank in Size
The Chihuahua was probably much larger in earlier times. However, it is believed that after being crossed with a smaller hairless dog from Asia, the breed shrank in size. It is thought that this smaller dog was perhaps a Chinese Crested brought to Alaska across the Bering Strait.
Chihuahuas Have a Soft Spot on Their Heads
Like human babies, Chis have a soft spot on their heads called a molera. However, a Chihuahua may have this spot for its whole life. Whether a dog keeps its soft spot depends on size, genetics, and skeletal structure.
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Chihuahuas Have Two Different Head Shapes
There are two different shapes of Chihuahua noggins – apple or deer-shaped heads. The deer-headed Chihuahua has a narrower head and longer snout, while the apple-headed pooches sport a bulbous dome. The AKC strongly prefers the apple shape for show dogs.
Chihuahuas Are Smart and Quick-Witted
Relative to their bodies, Chis have the biggest brain in the dog world. They’re quick-witted and easy to train. However, as desert dogs, they are not too keen on the rain or cold. Chihuahuas are not easy to housebreak due to their tiny bladder and willful personality.
Chis Are Fierce and Aggressive
Chis may be tiny, but they compensate with fierceness. According to one study, tiny pups are one of the most aggressive breeds toward humans and dogs outside their own breed. To combat this, owners are urged to socialize with other people and dogs early.
A Feral Pack of Chihuahuas Terrorized an Arizona Town
In 2014, a group of strays overran a small town in Arizona. Packs of the dogs would run around Maryvale, terrorizing children and defecating freely. They would form large groups and harass the townsfolk. Sometimes they even teamed up with larger dogs.
Animal Control received about 6000 calls and had a difficult time wrangling the disobedient pooches. The animals were not spayed or neutered, which also contributed to the problem.
The Smallest Dog in the World is a Chihuahua
Milly the Chihuahua is currently the smallest living dog, according to height. When she was born, she was petite enough to fit in a teaspoon.
The Taco Bell Chihuahua Was a Star
Gidget, the Taco Bell Chihuahua, was found at a kennel. She didn’t have a dog show good looks, but she knew she was a star. In addition to her Taco Bell gig, the diva dog also appeared in 2003’s Legally Blonde 2 and a GEICO commercial.
Gidget was credited with sparking a resurgence in the breed’s popularity. When she passed away in 2009, Taco Bell released a statement: “Our deepest sympathies go out to her owners and fans.”
