Its huge ears and alert eyes give the impression that it is constantly watchful. Never still, it compensates for its small size with a strident voice which it makes sure is always heard-sometimes unnecessarily! Unable to attack larger dogs or other hazards, it has a highly developed sense of danger. Despite its puny appearance, the chihuahua is a robust little dog which has adapted well to all climates. This pocket-size dog is affectionate, faithful, and possessive. It hates to be left alone and, intelligent and cunning, it can put on an air of helplessness. Its size destined it to be a lap dog and it lives up to the role magnificently!
They can weigh as little as 1kg (2 pounds, 4 ounces), but some reach 2kg (4 pounds, 8 ounces) in weight. From 15-22 cm. (5-7 inches) in height. The coat is usually short and straight, but there is also a longer, wavy coat variety. They can be reddish brown, silver, black, or blue-grey in color.
The Chihuahua is the only breed of dog truly indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Legend and history are rich in tales of the ancestors of the present Chihuahua. The breed's name indicates the ancestors of the dog came from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. However, the breed's origins more properly belong to the southern part of Mexico or to the whole of the country rather than to the specific state that bears its name. It is thought that the Chihuahua is derived from an earlier breed known as the Techichi, which was popular during the Toltec period around the seventh century. This breed was well known among the Aztecs as well as the Toltecs. Legend has it that the Chihuahua was also involved in the religious worship of the Aztecs. The dog was presumed to have the power of leading the dead through the fearful regions of the underworld. When a dog was sacrificed at the time of the death of a human, the sins of the human were supposed to be transferred to the animal that appeased the gods. The pyramids of Cholula, Mexico are of Toltec construction. One finds here some carvings of the early specimens of the breed. In America, the Chihuahua Club of America was organized in 1923. Since then this dedicated Club has continued to work toward the betterment of this unique and loved toy breed. (Grace L. Shroyer)
I got this HISTORY information you just read from http://www.petcrest.com/chihuahi.html which is a site of PetCrest.
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