Animal

Chihuahua – Dogster


Weighing just under 6 pounds, the Chihuahua fits easily in the arms of a family. But don’t be fooled: He’s just small in stature, not character. Chihuahuas are aggressive, loyal, obstinate and (let’s just call it that!) quite full. Perhaps their pride today comes from their precious heritage. Chihuahua’s predecessors were, after all, considered sacred.

Where do Chihuahuas come from?

Although the stories of the breed’s origins are unclear, historians generally agree that the Chihuahua originated in present-day Mexico, possibly descended from the ancient Techichi breed. Famous for serving sacred and friendship purposes, the Chihuahua was very popular with the Aztecs; The Montezuma II seems to have hundreds of them. Chihuahuas were originally venerated, sacrificed, mummified, and buried with their owners. One of their supposed missions was to help their deceased owners safely navigate the world of the dead. And while the Aztecs may have valued the early Chihuahuas, they may also have eaten some of them. Eek!

How to train a Chihuahua

two chihuahuas in a wallet
The Chihuahua’s small size makes him an easy companion, but that doesn’t mean he should be carried around all day. © Chris Stein / Getty Images

Today, most Chihuahuas still retain the noble temperament of their ancestors and tend to believe that they are the stars of the family. Despite being a Toy breed, the Chihuahua has a very distinctive personality: He is confident, self-directed, spirited, and sometimes reckless. He often gives his love to someone special. Most Chihuahuas certainly won’t run up and kiss strangers.