They can be very beneficial to children. They are fairly healthy but may need vet care along the way. Quite a difference between expectation and reality isnt it? Techichis are the dogs that were bred by the Toltec people. Its a big part of what makes the Chihuahua smarter than people think. It gained lots of views, shares, and comments on social media. Chihuahua puppies are born with their eyes closed and their ears drooping. 18 Surprising Reasons + 5 Tips. I know what youre thinking Chis are small and look so fragile. We dont know what these dogs looked like and have not found any remains that may have given us DNA to compare to modern breeds. Aside from being sacrificed and eaten, Chihuahuas were also popular companions for the families of the Toltec. For those who may be suffering from deeper emotional issues, they can even be trained pups. The dog itself is named after the area in Mexico called Chihuahua. Based on this information, there is no way that Chihuahuas can be rat-dog hybrids. The Truth Revealed + 3 Myths, 13 Different Chihuahua Types (With Pics, Videos & Facts). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For they were able to produce more than 150 living dog breeds today! These dogs are normal shedders. Stein, Rob. They can kill a variety of vermin, including squirrels and other small prey. Jokes aside, the Chihuahuas were registered with AKC for the first time in the year 1904. Pet Keen is reader-supported. Theres the rumor. Even if their heritage can be truly thanked to Asia, the dogs are still highly loved in Mexico. There are of course bigger dog breeds that are used to pull wheelchairs up ramps. 25 May 2004. Ah, but it was all just a bit of satirical fun involving dog breeders and several types of small dogs that some people typically associate with the stereotype of overly pampered, annoyingly yappy little pets, all suggested by a 2004 scientific study that found several breeds of dogs which "aficionados have long believed dated back thousands of years are actually much more modern animals re-creations that were probably produced by breeders.". Plus they have ears bigger than their faces. Chihuahuas are dogs, and, just like every other dog, they are related to wolves and all other types of dogs. They only adopted dogs that were useful on the farm and could work (by herding sheep for example). Then the humans thought, Wow, they sure look like good cuddle buddies during cold nights!. When these dogs arent being sacrificed or buried, they were very well cared for. The Chihuahua really is a born hunter just like every other dog breed out there; as such, Chihuahuas definitely are not fond of other dogs besides their own breed. Its the great Christopher Columbus himself! (Chihuahua-Yorkie) or "Morkie" (Maltese-Yorkie). In fact, about 10% of meat consumption of the ancient Mayans came from their beloved dogs. If Chihuahuas are rats, then how come yours love to hunt them? Chihuahuas are not dogs, they are rodents!. Youll quickly learn this when obedience training starts, as theyre stubborn little dogs. Use the search! We have evidence of these dogs through artifacts and pictures, so we do know that they resemble the modern Chihuahua in size and many other physical traits. Going hand in hand with this, the Aztecs and Toltecs believed that the dogs guided them into the underworld. And youll be more mobile. This meant that Chihuahuas were sacrificed during sacred Toltec practices. Chihuahuas are great for elderly individuals and can be trained as diabetic alert pets. However, it is equally possible that people mistakenly believed that these dogs came from that region and named them as such. Chihuahuas make poor ratters because of their small size and lack of aggression. Imagine Chihuahuas as rats. While your lounging Chihuahua may not look like a rat killer, they often retain strong hunting instincts. Lets take a look at their physical characteristics. For this reason, the Techichi dogs were often buried with deceased family members and owners. These can be whenever they hear an alarm go off, or when a baby is crying, after the kitchen timer goes off or someone is at the doorbell. However, trying to prove that a Chinese dog ended up in South America in great enough numbers for this to be true is difficult. A common misconception about Chihuahuas is that they are descendants of rats due to certain similarities they have such as their physical characteristics. This is during one of the most extreme cold events that happened thousands of years ago. If you have a rat problem in your home, then a Chihuahua may be your best weapon! That way your Chihuahua will have their own designated place in a car, or a plane. Only animals within the same genus can be interbred, and rats arent even close to dogs. However, pictures can date back from as far as 300 BCE. These dogs all have small bodies and a surprising amount of energy. Chihuahuas have a very extensive history. They also make for a wonderful family dogpersonality-wise, they are playful and charming although they can be headstrong and get into trouble if ignored for too long. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. ).Nov 5, 2021. A Chihuahuas weight averages from 2 to 6 pounds (1 to 3 kg). Were Chihuahuas bred to hunt rats? This innate skillset is their instinctive intelligence. It is named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua and is among the smallest of all dog breeds. This leads to the question: why do we still have Chihuahuas today? These characteristics make them look more like rodents instead of dogs. They are also popular as therapy dogs because of their ability to bond with humans. But oh boy, can they bark! Yorkies were initially bred as ratting dogs. More than a few people have noted similarities in appearance between chihuahuas and rats, so much so that the Chihuahua is frequently mentioned in a well-traveled urban legend (familiarly known as the "Mexican Pet") which involves a hapless tourist's mistaking a large rat for Terriers were purposefully bred to hunt and kill small predators and rodents (such as rats and mice), and terrier owners often . Its hard to comprehend why these people decided to eat such a sacred pet and animal. The article also claimed that other dog breeds are not descendants of wolves. However, they believe that they were bred for hunting purposes by the Toltec people. However, their small size does make them effective ratters! The Aztecs continued to revere this small dog, and it became even more important when Montezuma II, who ruled from 1502 to 1520, made it his royal companion. What Were Chihuahuas Bred For? However, those who live with pets from a younger age are less likely to develop the allergy later on in life. Many people think that they were developed by breeding . You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. It is all theory that is debated heavily. 19 interesting and fun facts about Chihuahuas. In this case, the dogs may have been bred solely for this purpose. Rumors say that they were walking the Earth in the same period as the dinosaurs were. Were saying they can be greatwatch dogs, and notguard dogs. Thats right, these tiny dogs were once used for pest control in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Similarly to emotional support pups, they can be trained professionally in several areas. If you will compare a Chihuahuas feet to a rats, you could see the similarities. And unlike some dogs, its not as obvious as black and white. But they will protect you just the same. The Chihuahua was truly a multi-purpose dog. These two floppy things have a life on their own. How owning a Chihuahua can benefit the development of a child. The same goes for owners with limited mobility. (And if you live in an area with a rat problem, that might not be such a bad thing!) People are pretty passionate about their dogs. With a strong bond and loving relationship, theres nothing they enjoy more than cuddling up with their owner. If you suffer from issues like rheumatoid arthritis, pets may help. The idea is that if a child sleeps with a Chihuahua in their bed, the illness will transfer to the pup. Chihuahuas were used for food as well as companionship. Instead, they are descended from an ancient breed of dog that once existed in Central and South America. Did McDonald's own the Padres? Just some of the many health benefits of Chihuahuas include: Those who have had heart attacks have actually had a better chance of survival if they owned a pet. However, they still have a unique appearance and spunky personality many love. The Chihuahua is the worlds smallest purebred dog, so theyre really limited on what jobs they can do for humans. Photo credit: 272447, Pixabay. However, research has shown that other pros of these pups are: When children grow up with pets in the home, they show more empathy. The genetic evolution of wolves to dogs took thousands of years. In Mexico, they are prized as top ratters. That they were, in fact, from pigeons, rabbits, and other animals. When we have one of his dog park friends over, there is always competition for for the available lap. Who is the Chihuahuas major league team? This is often why the Techichi dogs were buried with deceased family members, to serve as a spirit guide. Also, consider your schedule, as some dogs cant spend too much time alone. They must have thought that Chihuahuas, like them, are great dancers. Whether this be through spiritual guidance or to help cure their people. That breed of dog does not weigh more than 6 pounds. Designer Yorkies, like all crossbreeds, may have traits . And according to Purina, Chihuahuas are among the top 11 best companion dogs in the canine kingdom. Even in other parts of the world where consuming dogs is legal, its still considered taboo (such as Korea). ", According to the American Kennel Club, the Chihuahua is recognized as a breed that is "a graceful, alert, swift-moving compact little dog with saucy expression, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament.". Other Reddit users chimed in, saying thats pretty typical for a Chihuahua. However, there is no evidence that they were ever bred to kill rats. Some claim that trading ventures between China and the Americas are to blame. It is reported that Mexican merchants sold the small dogs to tourists, which were then brought home to the USA as pets. And the sooner you get them used to it, the better. This can be annoying for many owners. Search our database of over 13528 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. In fact, these dogs are fearless ratters that take down squirrels, rats and other rodents in their native country of Mexico. To cover all the original roles of the Chihuahua, we must first look at the Techichi in ancient Mexico. Its a win-win without a doubt. There are still some who are curious. These pups can be there to provide comfort. So what are Chihuahuas bred for today? For example, Chihuahuas were thought to be bred to rid Mexico City of rat and mouse infestations. Alas, she also seems to have inherited some of the bad traits from each breed as well. Oops, dont get your hopes up! But these ancient Mexican civilizations may not be to credit for the pups. They were able to identify each dog's breed by its genes with 99 percent accuracy. These dogs were originally bred in Mexico, and they were named after the state of Chihuahua. Some colonists claimed that the Aztecs raised small dogs for food, but we do not have much more information on this.1. Such areas include: Lets look at these areas a bit more in-depth: A Chihuahua thats been trained to be a hearing dog can alert their owner in a variety of situations. There are people who believe that Chis wheeze, because theyve taken the symptoms of a persons asthma. But as mentioned before, they were long here before we even knew about them. The drawings found in the Yucatan Peninsula were their oldest record. For hundreds of years, experts believed Chihuahuas started in Mexico. However, when you actually have an unwanted intruder invade your property, youll be happy that your little Chihuahua was able to alert the family. For example, if you have a gated front yard and pedestrians walk by, a Chihuahua will go investigate and bark as theyre passing. Like a pocket-sized or teacup pet. Theres rarely a dull moment when youre with a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas were bred for their loyalty, not for their ability to kill rats. The AKC didnt even register the breed until 1904. The Aztecs, in particular, sacrificed various animals, including dogs. Whether you want to train the dog to be an official emotional support dog or not, Chihuahuas are great at keeping you company. Also the reason Chihuahuas were cultured is the hunt of rats. What makes a hound dog a hound dog? Their namesake says it all: Rat Terriers make ideal ratters. The people bred the dogs that they liked best, and then the dogs developed in this manner. [3] It is usually kept as a companion animal or for showing . Similarly, to breeding the pups for companionship, the breed stays popular for their emotional support. Therefore, it is possible that these dogs contributed. Your cholesterol and blood sugar can be greatly affected by owning a pet. Chihuahuas are quite fearless hunters and can take down smaller prey. If you have been considering adding a pet to your home, Chihuahuas are an absolutely great option. While many would never consider this, for ancient civilizations, they were a food source. This can be a good or bad thing. While they are a great seller for breeders, beyond this they are a great pet for owners. The dogs are very vocal and are sure to warn you if they see anything through barks or growls. Furthermore, rats and dogs cannot interbreed. Laura Petersis a trending topics reporter for the News Leader. However, once people began adopting pups for companionship, the breed picked up popularity. You cannot have a dog that isnt descended from wolves. As soon as they spot anything that looks out of order, youll hear from them (literally). One of them could be because of the many similarities Chihuahuas have with rats. These small, intelligent dogs are a great way to provide comfort and solace. We rate the claim that Chihuahuas are not dogs but a large breed of rodent as FALSE because it is not supported by our research. Goldfish Aquaponics 101: Feeding, Stocking, & Care Guide, How Do Cats Show Affection? The Chihuahua originated around the 19th century from the Techichi, a breed of dog kept by the Toltec people of Mexico.