Breed Feature – Chihuahua

CHIHUAHUA

The Chihuahua is a wonderful breed that only wants to please its owner at all times ... ideally they only want to become an integral part of the family and are best when this is possible.

The stories and legends of the origin of the Chihuahua are varied and many but like so many legends we must read between the lines for the faint glimmers of truth.

Chihuahuas are reputed to have originated in the Valle de Allende in the State of Chihuahua in Mexico from where they acquired their name. These little dogs were the sacred dogs of the Mayan Indians and the Toltecs and trace back to between the 7th and 9th centuries A.D. It is written that the Aztecs followed the Toltecs and that they continued to develop the breed. When an Aztec Indian chief died all his belongings, including his little dog, were burnt and the legend goes that when the Indian crossed the nine deadly rivers of the fearful underworld the little holy dog with the symbolic cotton cord tied around his neck would be waiting on the farthest bank for his master. As soon as the little dog recognised him he would swim across the turbulent waters and guide his masters soul to safety.

Amongst the wealth of material passed down from the early Indians, especially from Colima, are statues, which are unmistakably Chihuahua’s. These statues are known as the pottery dogs of Colima. It is said that they could depict the hairless edible breed, the large ancestor of the modern dwarf Chihuahua. The Spanish were to conquer Mexico in the 16th Century and it is reasonable to assume that specimens of the smooth coat Chihuahua were returned to Europe and some believe that these were crossed with long coated spaniels, little Italian spaniels or “comforter” as they were otherwise called which in turn produced the little papillon of later years. Many of the little dogs resembling Chihuahuas have been depicted in oil paintings, particularly in Italy and it is well known that a similar variety of the smooth coat Chihuahua existed on the island of Malta.

It is interesting to note that by 1935 in the U.S.A the breed was definitely showing the results of mixed breeding, particularly with the terrier breeds. Mrs Ida Garrett, one of the greatest pioneers of the breed in the U.S.A travelled many miles looking for litters of Chihuahuas and mentions that for years she interbred the smooth coat variety with Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Papillons and Poodles. She crossed the offspring back to the Chihuahua and only after about three generations it appeared that a Chihuahua similar to the long coat (as we know it today) evolved and was eventually registered in the U.S.A. It was not

until 1952 in the U.S.A that long coats were separated from smooth coats and the Long Coat Chihuahua Club founded. The Chihuahua Club of America was founded in 1923.

Long coats were unknown in Mexico before 1959 but original smooth coat registrations go back to 1934. Chihuahuas were known to have been kept as pets in the U.K. as early as 1850 but they were not registered there until 1907. Up until 1940 in the U.K. there were only 59 registered. During the Second World War a number of dogs perished so that by 1949 there were only eight Chihuahuas registered in the U.K. It was not until 1954 that the first challenge certificates were issued for the breed in Glasgow, Scotland and in 1965 Chihuahuas were classified as two varieties and judged separately as they are to this day. Cross mating of the two varieties was allowed in the U.K. until about 1978 when it was discontinued.

In Australia the two varieties were separated in 1966 when separate Challenge Certificates were offered and whilst some States continued to cross mate the two varieties, it was banned in N.S.W until 1982. After strong representation to the R.A.S.K.C. a trial period of five years ended in 1987 with cross mating in N.S.W. to continue indefinitely.

The breeding stock which has established and improved the breed in Australia has been and still is to this day predominantly English which in turn was based on Mexican and U.S.A. imports. Sadly, few Chihuahuas have been imported from Mexico and the U.S.A. to Australia.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CHARACTERISTICS: Chihuahuas are a breed that are suited for all types of people – singles, young families and retirees. The breed will generally adapt itself well to the situation it is placed into.

It has often been said “Chihuahuas are like potato chips - you can’t stop at just one”. In saying this, the breed is always good in pairs as pets. Predominantly a typical “Toy Breed”, and being known as lap dogs, the chihuahua can also excel in dog sports because they are so active and agile, as well as being keen hunters/ ratters if given the opportunity. Some have also been known to be trained as therapy dogs. They are happy in all types of housing situations – units, townhouses, residential blocks and acreage living. This is a breed that will self exercise as required, and whether they are running around a fenced yard or inside a house or unit, they don’t mind.

They still like to have a walk around their neighbourhood, but this is more to make sure the neighbourhood is just the way THEY would like it to be.

TEMPERAMENT: The Chihuahua is an alert, saucy little dog, with a happy temperament and they should never be snappy. They should have a trademark “Apple Dome” skull, with large ears and large round eyes (not bulging or protruding) – this gives them their special appeal.

It is important that a Chihuahua be trained from a young age and definite boundaries be set in regards to behaviour.

Even though the Chihuahua is small in statue they must still be of sound mind and body.

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COAT AND GROOMING: The breed has two coat types – Long coat and Smooth coat.

The long coat has a longer body coat but lies flat against the body and is around 1-2 inches in length, with longer fringes on the back of the ears, back of the front and back legs, on the chest and the tail to appear full as a plume.

The smooth coat has a soft glossy coat, with undercoat and slight ruff on the neck. Both of these coat types do shed coat at certain times of the year. This is less naturally if the dog has been desexed.

Bathing once a week in a mild shampoo and conditioner. Brush and dry with a hairdyer does help the amount of hair that is shed.

COLOUR AND SIZE: Any colour or combination of colours is available with the exception of Merle in Australia. Colour should not form any basis of deciding which dog is best for you – ideally it should be decided upon by temperament and the best fit for your family.

Size – up to 2.7kgs, but I find the shape of the dog will make them appear larger or smaller. They come in

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