“Chihuahuas are not dogs. They are rodents!” People went nuts. Owners of the Chihuahua dog breed started crying. Everyone was scrambling about, searching for answers if the rumor was true.
Was everything a lie?
There are many questions in your head. You look at your Chihuahua, wondering –
“How could this be possible?”
Before you pull your hair out, keep reading this article to learn:
- The similarities between Chihuahuas and rats.
- Is your Chihuahua a small dog or a large rodent?
- What are the pieces of evidence that prove the rumor as true or false?
- Five fun facts about Chihuahuas.
- And much more…
Are Chihuahuas rats?
Chihuahuas are proven to be descendants of wolves and not rats. A common misconception about Chihuahuas is that they are descendants of rats due to their similarities and physical characteristics. While this may be a funny concept, there is no proof or facts behind this claim.
Are Chihuahuas related to rodents?
The rumor stating Chihuahuas are related to rodents was a fake study that The Watley Review published for satirical purposes. While the statement was proven false, the post went viral, and many people believed it was true.
Are Chihuahuas even dogs?
Chihuahua (which originated from Mexico) is one of the modern-day dog breeds. They are the same descendants as any canines, such as the Labrador and the Rottweiler. Their evolutionary roots can be traced back to the gray wolf, also known as the Canis lupus.
Is it a dog? A rat? It’s a Chihuahua.
Okay, let’s get this out of the way.
Chihuahuas don’t look like wolves. They are unlike other big dogs like the Golden Retriever or German Shepherd.
They are the smallest dog in the world.
Size-wise, they don’t cut it.
They are nervous, and their high-pitched barks don’t intimidate. And the way they pitter-patter around when walking can be pretty funny.
Plus, they have ears bigger than their faces.
Let’s take a look at their physical characteristics. It isn’t surprising that people would think Chihuahuas look more like rodents.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
This gave an idea to the editors of The Watley Review, and they made the rumor that started it all.
“This article would be viral!
Imagine – Chihuahuas as rats. People will lose their minds.”
And indeed, the news article made everyone mad.
The similarities between Chihuahuas and rats
There are two main reasons why people think Chihuahuas are rats.
There’s the rumor. And then there’s the urban legend in Mexico where tourists mistook Chihuahuas for giant rats.
But as years go by, these ridiculous ideas have repeatedly been proven wrong.
Still, some people believe in it, and there are still some who are curious.
Are the rumors and the stories true?
There could be many reasons why they question it. One of them could be because of Chihuahuas’ many similarities with rats. Here are some of them:
Both have round heads
There are two kinds of Chihuahua heads: the apple head and the deer head. Take a look at your Chihuahua’s head. Feel it.
If yours has a round-shaped skull, then yours has an apple head, which is the standard for Chihuahuas.
This characteristic is similar to many rodents.
Large ears
Chihuahuas are tiny, but they sure have big ears like Mickey Mouse!
Your Chihuahua’s ears are not just good for hearing; you can also tell their emotions based on how their ears appear.
These two floppy things have a life on their own. They perk up as they get older. And when Chihuahuas are on alert mode, these ears become more noticeable.
These characteristics make them look more like rodents instead of dogs.
Buggy eyes
One of the cutest features of Chihuahuas is their eyes. They’re round and full of expression, and it also seems like they look at you like they see through your soul.
But this feature doesn’t make them look like the other dogs. Not really…
Because it’s pretty funny how their eyes are enormous compared to their size.
Skinny bodies
Celebrities like Paris Hilton carry Chihuahuas around inside their bag. Like a pocket-sized or teacup pet.
Some are so small that they don’t grow more significant than your hand. If you look at it, the Chihuahua’s size and weight compared to other dogs is a far stretch.
A Chihuahua’s weight averages from 2 to 6 pounds (1 to 3 kg).
A Pitbull’s? 33 to 59 pounds (15 to 27 kg).
That’s a big difference.
So when the rumor spread that they were rats, many believed it true. Who can blame them?
Regarding their size, Chihuahuas are more identical to large rodents than wolves.
Long, thin tails
A rat’s tail is long and skinny.
Your Chihuahua’s tail? Also, long and skinny.
But here’s something to take note of.
A rat’s tail doesn’t wag when they see you. Your Chihuahua does.
Small and dainty feet
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
It’s the sound your Chihuahua’s feet make every time they come to you when you call them.
Compared to other dogs, Chihuahuas have shorter limbs. So they make hundreds of steps before they can reach you.
Their legs are not as strong as other dogs as well. You can see the similarities if you compare a Chihuahua’s feet to a rat’s.
Both of them have short limbs and tiny feet.
Short coat
There are different kinds of Chihuahuas. Some have short hair, and others have theirs long.
Some Chihuahuas are brown. At the same time, some are in color white or grey.
Not all of them are the same.
But take a look at the short-haired Chihuahuas, those with a coat colored black or gray. You would notice they look like a giant rat.
The truth uncovered – Chihuahuas are dogs!
To know the truth, we must go back to square one.
What’s the rumor?
“Chihuahuas are rats.”
According to a fake study, the DNA of Chihuahuas are ancestors of a large rodent. They were genetically bred to look like dogs instead of rats.
And that’s not all.
The article also claimed that other dog breeds are not descendants of wolves. That they were, in fact, from pigeons, rabbits, and other animals.
Some took the hint of the sarcasm. They thought of it as a joke.
But others didn’t.
The article went viral the instant it was published. It gained lots of views, shares, and comments on social media.
It was a day when the fate of Chihuahuas all over the world lies unknown.
But there’s a saying that goes,
“You should not believe everything you see on social media.”
We must always fact-check and look for reliable sources. It will help us understand and learn more about our beloved Chihuahuas.
Now, let’s look at the article’s publisher claiming this rumor.
In its disclaimer, The Watley Review states that all the content they produce is a parody.
They say that their readers won’t read their articles if they publish accurate content. What they produce isn’t based on facts but only for entertainment.
So that settles it.
Chihuahuas are 100% dogs.
Many studies prove that this dog breed is a descendant of the mighty wolves.
Chihuahua’s howl is not as loud as wolves. Their yapping bark is not as scary as big dogs. But they will protect you just the same.
They are indeed ‘small but terrible.
Five fun facts about Chihuahuas
#1: The evolution of Chihuahuas dates back over 100,000 years ago
Scientists have always studied the relationship between humans and dogs.
How did it start, you ask?
The domestication of wolves is also known as ‘taming’. It started as early as when humans were still nomads.
The wolves must have followed humans around as any regular dogs do. Then the humans thought,
“Wow, they sure look like good cuddle buddies during cold nights!”
Based on research, wolves were tamed to make companions for humans. This is during one of the most extreme cold events that happened thousands of years ago.
Not only that. The wolves also helped humans in agriculture and hunting.
Pretty cool, isn’t it?
Regardless of the timeline, they have always proven time and time again. Dogs – such as your Chihuahua – come from the lineage of wolves.
Not rats.
#2: Humans genetically changed wolves to become Chihuahuas
It’s not magic.
Humans didn’t snap their fingers to change wolves into Chihuahuas or any other breeds.
The genetic evolution of wolves to dogs took thousands of years. But all are worth the time and patience of the scientists…
For they were able to produce more than 150 living dog breeds today!
#3: Chihuahuas are from Mexico
Chihuahua comes from a breed known as the Techichi. That’s what the American Kennel Club believes.
Technics are the dogs that the Toltec people bred. They were a civilization that inhabited Mexico from the early 900s to the mid-1100s.
This breed no longer exists for unknown reasons. There are two suggestions why the Techichis disappeared.
First, they were bred with other breeds to the point that they became extinct.
And second, the Spanish ate them.
Yikes.
So now we bid goodbye to the Techichis and say hello to the Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas became popular in Mexico. The Mexicans possibly adore their little pitter-patter steps.
They must have thought that Chihuahuas, like them, are great dancers.
So after the Chihuahuas won over the people of Mexico’s hearts, they’ve decided to make their way around the world.
They started in Spain, then decided to take over Europe. Do you want to know who brought the Chihuahuas to England?
It’s the great Christopher Columbus himself!
#4: They are an old breed
Rumors say they were walking the Earth in the same period as the dinosaurs. Kidding!
Jokes aside, the Chihuahuas were registered with AKC for the first time in 1904. But as mentioned before, they were long here before we knew about them.
The drawings found in the Yucatan Peninsula were their oldest record. These were from the mid-16th century.
They were even believed to be living in Mexico even before the rise of the Mayans and Aztecs!
They were believed to be sacred animals with healing powers. But because of that, they were also used as sacrifices for ceremonies.
It’s fascinating and sad at the same time, isn’t it?
#5: Chihuahuas are great ratters
You come home to your house. You open the door. There’s a dead rat on the floor. Again.
You gasp.
Because your Chihuahua is sitting beside it with a proud look on their face!
You think about the rumor. You know for sure this time that it isn’t true. That’s silly.
If Chihuahuas are rats, then how come yours love to hunt them?
Well, it’s because they are not rats. But you already know that.
Chihuahuas are intelligent. They are also fast. And they are the perfect size for hunting smaller prey.
That’s why the Mexicans bred them in the first place. They enjoy hunting and killing vermin like rats, squirrels, and rodents.
Even now, households in Mexico’s rural areas use Chihuahuas to lower the number of rats in their homes.
Chihuahuas are more domesticated in the present. Still, they are excellent at hunting and killing these little furry things.
But don’t expect them to end all the vermins in your house overnight.
Bonus: There’s a Chihuahua breed called ‘Rat-Cha.’
Oops, don’t get your hopes up! Chihuahuas are still not rats.
‘Rat-Cha’ is a mix of a Rat Terrier and a Chihuahua.
Like the Chihuahuas, Rat Terriers love to hunt smaller pets and rats. That’s why they are called as such.
The ‘Rat-Cha breed has a long life expectancy that could last up to 18 years. This makes them ideal for long-term commitments and lifetime companionship.
