Chihuahuas

Probably one of the most famous dogs in the world known for many of its Taco Bell commercials and appearances in television and movies, the Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world. It is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico where it was also discovered.

Origination

•The Chihuahua is believed to be an ancient breed of dog dating back from Pre Columbian Mexico and has outdated any other dog breed in the Americas
•It is believed that they are a descendant of the Techichi
•Remains of the Techichi have been found in places such as the Great Pyramid of Cholula resembling very closely (somewhat larger) the Chihuahua.
•The most common explanation for its reduction in size is most likely due to a cross breeding with a Chinese Crested Dog.
•The modern Chihuahua was discovered in 1850 near Casas Grandes in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
•Since the state borders with Texas, Arizona and New Mexico the Chihuahua has become quite a popular dog among these states and many other United States.
•It was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904

Appearance

•The Chihuahua is the smallest dog in the world and also the smallest registered with the AKC breeds.
•The Chihuahua can weigh between two to six pounds and are usually six to eight inches tall.
•The body of a Chihuahua is also a little longer than its height.
•The Chihuahua is a find-boned muscular dog. Its head is round with large round eyes; ears that perk straight up when the dog is awake and alert. A Chihuahua's nose is short and pointed.
•A Chihuahua's neck has a slight arch and the tail is a medium length.
•Chihuahuas have a soft and glossy coat.

Temperament

•The American Kennel Club describes the Chihuahua as a "graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament."
•Not all Chihuahua's are the same; some can be extremely saucy, haughty, and even mean when provoked.
•Some Chihauhaus are very easily provoked.
•Chihuahuas are not very suitable house pets as they have a reputation for being suspicious of everyone, temperamental, and dislike other breeds of dogs besides their own.
•They are however perfect for owners who love to pamper their pets and live in small spaces.

Fun Facts and Famous Chihuahuas

•A four inch tall Chihuahua named Boo Boo was named the smallest living dog by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007 weighing in at a whopping one and a half pounds.
•A Chihuahua named Bruiser was used in the movie "Legally Blonde" as Elle Woods' faithful companion.
•The Chihuahua used in Taco Bell commercials and advertisements has definitely made a name for itself.
•"Tito" from the movie Oliver and Company was a feisty Chihuahua that displayed many of the saucy traits known in Chihuahuas.
•In a more recent film that came to Theaters in 2007, "Transformers" Samuel Witwicky's pet dog was a feisty Chihuahua named Mojo.
•The most successful show dog in history is Champion Bramerita Naughty But Nice. She was named Doughnut at home and has won over 100 challenge certificates and championships internationally. She won consecutively for seven years at the Crufts dog show in England.

Although their origin cannot be specifically traced, the Chihuahua has become part of the American cultures and won the hearts of many people around the world.

P.S. Here is a Chichuahua coloring page.

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