Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest dogs, weighing in at no more than two pounds and standing just 20 cm high. They have a rounded skull, erect ears, short pointy muzzles and large round eyes.
There are two varieties of this breed, one with a long coat and the other with a short smooth coat, but in every other way, there are identical. Although small, Chihuahuas possess a big personality, bursting with charm, confidence and attitude, and, although often thought of as lap dogs, this is a breed that likes to be kept busy and at the heart of the action. They are good family pets but may not do well with smaller children. They can occasionally be snappy towards strangers or to anyone else that seems threatening to their diminutive size.
History
Chihuahuas are believed to originate in the Americas and take their name from the Mexican State where they were discovered in the late 19th century. Undoubtedly their heritage goes back much earlier than this and figurines of small dogs found in a number of ancient Mayan cities, appear very similar to the present-day Chihuahua. Additionally, the word chi in Mayan means dog, further hinting at their ancient heritage. Today, the Chihuahua has become a popular breed due to celebrity endorsement.
