Chihuahuas are a very unique breed of dog and have many traits that only apply to them. They are the oldest breed in North America, they have a wide range of coat colors, and they are the smallest dog breed in the world! Chihuahuas were also a very important part of Mesoamerican cultures. The Toltec and Aztec people considered the modern day Chihuahua’s ancestors to be sacred.
I chose this topic because I have a Chihuahua myself. My mom found her on the street about five years ago and when nobody claimed her, she became a part of our family. Having her in my life has motivated me to learn the Spanish language and learn more about Mexico. As a part of my graduation present, my mom and I even traveled to Mexico so I could experience the language and culture first-hand. Chihuahua-like dogs were a big part of the Toltec lifestyle. They were called Techichi, which is the Aztec word for “dog.” The Techichis were kept as
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In the Aztec culture, the dogs were also considered sacred. Aztecs believed that they had special powers like the ability to heal the sick, see the future, and guide lost souls into the underworld. The Techichi were also used for food, pelts, and sacrifices for the Aztec. In fact, Montezuma II, the last Aztec ruler, had hundreds of Chihuahuas in his palace.
In the 1500’s when Hernán Cortés colonized the new world, the Techichis disappeared for about 350 years. They returned in 1850, when three small dogs resembling the Techichi were discovered roaming the ruins of Casas Grandes in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The modern day Chihuahua gets its name from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It is believed the Techichi bred with a dog that was brought over by the Spanish and the result is the Chihuahua we breed today. The modern day Chihuahua has gone through many changes and become very popular since their discovery in the 19th