Chihuahuas may be the smallest breed of dog, but what they lack in size they make up for in personality. These mini canines are a part of the American Kennel Club (AKC) toy group and a mainstay of pop culture, charming audiences as Elle Woods’s dog Bruiser in “Legally Blonde” and getting their own franchise with “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.”

 

 

The Chihuahua shares its name with a Mexican state, and it has a long history with the country. The breed likely arose from the Techichi, a small, mute dog that lived with the Toltec people of Mexico. (Whatever traits the Techichi passed on to the Chihuahua muteness is not one of them. The modern Chihuahua is known as a vocal breed.)

 

Back in the 12th century, the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs. Eventually, the Aztecs refined the Techichi breed, resulting in the smaller stature of the Chihuahua that we recognize today, according to the AKC. 

 

The breed has a long history in the Americas dating back centuries. The U.S. first started taking interest in Chihuahuas in the 1800s, and the AKC first registered a Chihuahua in the early 1900s. 

 

 

Chihuahuas are often jokingly referred to as “purse dogs.” Their diminutive size does make it easy to put them in a bag and carry them everywhere. Dogs of this breed weight just two to six pounds and stand less than a foot from the ground, according to The Spruce Pets. These petite pups come with some serious longevity; their life expectancy ranges from 12 to 20 years.

 

Aside from its size, the breed’s characteristics include perky ears and prominent eyes. The Chihuahua coat can be short to medium in length and come in a wide variety of colors, either monochrome or a pattern of two colors.

 

Chihuahuas can be quite a handful, which might come as a surprise considering their stature. You might be able to pick one of these dogs up with one hand and pop her in a purse, but this breed is about more than sitting still and looking cute. Chihuahuas are high-energy dogs that need regular physical exercise and stimulation. “Sassy” is one of the most common words to describe this breed, which is very opinionated and not afraid to show it.

 

Take the time to properly train and socialize this breed, especially if you live in a household with other pets or children. Just because a dog is small does not mean it will automatically get along with other animals or small children.

 

 

Whether you are looking for a Chihuahua or a mix, you may have luck finding one in a local shelter. You can also try rescue organizations like the Midwest Chihuahua Rescue & Transport. If you decide to go the breeder route, always make sure to do your homework and find a responsible option.

 

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Sources:

 

1. https://highlandcanine.com/the-smallest-dog-breeds-in-the-world/

 

2. https://www.britannica.com/animal/Chihuahua-dog

 

3. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua/

 

4. https://www.thesprucepets.com/breed-profile-chihuahua-1117953