The Chihuahua's history is convoluted, and many theories surround the origin of the

breed. Both folklore and archaeological finds show that the breed has origins in
Mexico. The most common theory is that Chihuahua are descended from the Techichi, a
companion dog favored by the Toltec civilization in Mexico.[2] No records of the
Techichi are available before the 9th century, although dog pots from Colima,
Mexico, buried as part of the western Mexico shaft tomb tradition, which date back
to 300 BC, are thought to depict Techichis.[3] The earlier ancestors probably were
present before the Mayas as dogs approximating the Chihuahua are found in materials
from the Great Pyramid of Cholula, antedating 1530 and in the ruins of Chichen Itza
on the Yucat�n Peninsula.[2] However, a genetic study indicated that there was less
than 2 percent pre-European mitochondrial DNA in modern Chihuahuas due to admixture
with the European dogs.[4]

Wheeled dog toys in Mesoamerica depicting both "apple" and "deer" headed chihuahuas
range from Mexico to El Salvador. The earliest of these were found at Tres Zapotes
in Veracruz, Mexico, which dates to 100 AD,[5] indirect evidence that a Chihuahua-
like breed was in Mexico over 1400 years before the first Europeans arrived.[5]

Dog effigy pots dating to around 1325 AD discovered in Georgia and Tennessee also
appear to represent the Chihuahua.[6] In 1850, a pot featuring the Chihuahua-like
dogs was unearthed in old ruins at Casas Grandes in the Mexican state of Chihuahua,
which dates from 1100�1300 AD showing the long history of such dogs at this site,
[5] although most artifacts relating to its existence are found around Mexico City.
It has been argued that these pots arrived with survivors from the Casas Grandes
site in Chihuahua, Mexico, after it was attacked and destroyed around 1340 AD.

In a 1520 letter, Hernan Cort�s wrote that the Aztecs raised and sold the little
dogs as food.[7] Colonial records refer to small, nearly hairless dogs at the
beginning of the 19th century, one of which claims 16th-century Conquistadores
found them plentiful in the region later known as Chihuahua.[8] Small dogs such as
Chihuahuas were also used as living hot-water bottles during illness or injury.
Some believe this practice is where the idea of pain being transferred to animals
from humans originated, which gave way to rituals such as burning the deceased with
live dogs, such as the Techichi, to exonerate the deceased human's sins.[9]
Chihuahuas as we know them today remained a rarity until the early 20th century;
the American Kennel Club (AKC) did not register a Chihuahua until 1904.[10]
Appearance
A longhair apple head Chihuahua
A shorthair deer head Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are the smallest breed recognised by some kennel clubs.[11]

There are two varieties of Chihuahua recognised by the AKC� the Smooth Coat (short
haired) and the Long Coat (long haired). Both the Smooth and the Long Coats have
their special attractions and are equally easy to keep clean and well groomed.[12]
The UK Kennel Club considers the two as distinct breeds; mating between the two are
not eligible for KC registration.

Dogs of either coat type may be identified as either "apple head" or "deer head"
Chihuahuas, particularly in the United States. Apple heads have rounded heads,
close-set eyes, and relatively short ears and legs. Deer heads have flat-topped
heads, more widely set eyes, larger ears, and longer, more slender legs. Deer heads
were the breed standard conformation in the mid-20th century, but current breed
standards defined by registries such as the AKC specify the apple-head
conformation.[13]

Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height; only a weight and a
description of their overall proportions. Generally, the height ranges between 6
and 9 in (15 and 23 cm);[11] however, some dogs grow as tall as 30 to 38 cm (12 to
15 in).[14] Both British and American breed standards state that a Chihuahua must
not weigh more than 5.9 lb (2.7 kg) for conformation.[11] However, the British
standard also states that a weight of 4�6 lb (1.8�2.7 kg) is preferred. A clause
stating. "if two dogs are equally good in type, the more diminutive one is
preferred" was removed in 2009.[15] The F�d�ration Cynologique Internationale
standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and 3.0 kg (3.3 and 6.6 lb), although
smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring.[16]

Pet Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions rather than show
dogs) often range above these weights, even above 10 lb if they have large bone
structures or are allowed to become overweight.[11] This does not mean that they
are not purebred Chihuahuas; they just do not meet the requirements to enter a
conformation show. Oversized Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best, and worst,
bloodlines. Chihuahuas do not breed true for size, and puppies from the same litter
can mature in drastically different sizes from one another. Also, larger breeding
females are less likely to experience dystocia (obstructed labour). Many breeders
try to breed Chihuahuas as small as possible, because those marketed as "teacup" or
"tiny teacup" command higher prices.[17] Typically, the breed standard for both the
Long and Short Coat Chihuahuas will be identical except for the description of the
coat.[18] Chihuahuas have large, round eyes and large, erect ears, set in a high,
dramatically rounded skull.[11]

The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom and the AKC in the United States recognize
only two varieties of Chihuahua: the long coat and the smooth coat, also referred
to as longhaired and shorthaired.[19] The term smooth coat does not mean that the
hair is necessarily smooth, as the hair can range from having a velvet touch to a
whiskery feel. Longhaired Chihuahuas are actually smoother to the touch, having
soft, fine guard hairs and a downy undercoat, which gives them their fluffy
appearance. Unlike many longhaired breeds, longhaired Chihuahuas require no
trimming and minimal grooming. Contrary to popular belief, the longhaired breed
also typically sheds less than its shorthaired counterparts. Up to three or more
years may be needed before a full longhaired coat develops.