The Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a dear breed to my heart. My mother had a little Pepe who
was her shadow and was carried by Mum everywhere. When Pepe died a friend
of mine who bred the Chihuahua present me with a Mongol albino’ puppy as
gift. This dog who was named ‘Bouffy’ he was one of the most loveable
creatures God created and Mums best friend.
Carvings found in the Monastery of Huejotzingo, constructed by Franciscan
Monks around 1530 using stones from the Toltec civilization, give strong
evidence as to the Chihuahua’s origins. The Toltecs had a breed of dog they
called the “Techichi.” The carvings on the stones at Huejotzingo give a
full head view and a picture of an entire dog that closely resembles the
modern-day Chihuahua. From this evidence, we can safely assume that the
Chihuahua is a descendant of the Techichi.
Chihuahuas go under the classification of “toy breeds.” They are the
smallest breed of dog in the world and are, in fact, the only “natural” toy
breed. That is, they are naturally small and are not a result of
“breeding-down” larger breeds, as were other toy breeds.
Chihuahuas tend to be graceful, energetic, and swift-moving canines. They
have often been described as having the terrier-like qualities of being
alert, observant, and keen on interacting with their masters. They are
extremely loyal and get attached to one or two persons. Tiny dogs,
Chihuahuas certainly seem unaware of their diminutive stature: they can be
bold with other dogs much larger than themselves, and protective of their
masters. They are fiercely loyal to their masters and wary of any strangers
or new guests introduced into the household, which the Chihuahua considers
to be its personal domain. For these reasons, Chihuahuas make good watch dogs.
The Chihuahua needs a great deal of human contact: touching, petting, and
general attention. Keeping more than one Chihuahua can greatly ease the
dog’s stress when left alone each day. Because they are by nature gentle,
loyal, and sweet-tempered, Chihuahuas are ideal for single people, the
elderly, the handicapped, and shut-ins. They will keep you company for
hours by lying on your lap or beside you in bed, and treat you like royalty.
Chihuahuas are a good breed for city-dwellers, or those who just don’t have
the time to walk their dogs that often. They are quite happy in apartments,
as long as there is enough to play with and explore. They tend towards
short bursts of energy each day which quickly die down. You should provide
toys for your Chihuahua to keep it occupied. Old slippers are ideal, as
well as stuffed toys with squeakers inside.
Finally, while Chihuahuas do shiver when they’re cold, they also shiver
when they are wary, excited, unhappy, or frightened. This is a result of
having a high metabolism, and is a normal characteristic of this breed.
David the Dogman