Breed History
[AdsenseBig]It is thought that the modern Chihuahua breed we all know and love is descended from a companion dog kept by the ancient Toltecs of Mesoamerica. This ancestor breed, the Techichi, existed at least as far back as the 9th century! Archeologists have discovered evidence of Chihuahua-like dogs on the Yucatan Peninsula that predate the ruins of Chichen Itza.
Researchers think it is likely that the Techichi were bred with the Chinese Crested, brought to America via the Bering Land Bridge, resulting in a reduction in size to reflect the smaller physical characteristics and color variety we see in Chihuahuas today. Chihuahuas were probably first brought from the Americas to Europe by Christopher Columbus or his contemporaries. A letter to the King of Spain from Columbus refers to the tiny breed! The Chihuahua breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904, making it one of the older registered breeds.
So if you have a Chihuahua, your dog is descended from a long line of important companion dog breeds originating from several continents.