Chihuahuas

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Chihuahuas - Origin

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Chihuahuas are the descendants of a small dog whose carvings have been found in the regions of Mexico. The carvings in the Monastery of Huejotzingo are reported to depict small dogs that were known to the Toltecs civilization. This civilization is said to exist as long ago as the 9th century A.D. Though there is little information on the Toltecs, it is a sure thing that they did know a small dog close in its appearance to the Chihuahua.

Techichi, the ancestor of the Chihuahua, might also have existed at Chichen Itza in Yucatan. The Techichi had a long coat and was heavy-boned. The dog was often in religious rituals. In fact, many remains of the dog have been found in graves.

The Aztecs conquered the Toltecs and adopted the small dog. The Aztecs considered the dog to be the guide of the human soul into the underworld. Sometimes, rituals appeared rather cruel from the modern standpoint. Thus, the Aztecs burnt a dog with its owner. This was done to allow the dog to take on the owner's sins and ease its way into the underworld.

The Spanish played a very important role in the development of the breed. They brought the small dogs to Spain and they crossed them with a few native terrier breeds. It is believed that the Chihuahuas have resulted from these crossings.

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