CompanionshipThroughout centuries, these pint-sized pups have been bred to be friends and lap companions for humans. The evolution of the Chihuahua’s breed makes them an excellent buddy you can always have (almost literally) in your back pocket.
There is a lot of debate about what Chihuahuas were bred for, but it seems that this breed has served a number of purposes throughout history. While historical evidence doesn’t indicate their primary function in ancient times as a pest- controlling breed, Chihuahuas possess a lot of tenacity and a strong prey drive.
As the breed became more popular in North America, this quality may have helped it grow in popularity as a household pest controller. The Chihuahua’s contemporary mix-breed relation, the Chiweenie, is also a dog known for their strong prey drive and pest control skills.
Chihuahuas were not bred specifically for the role of watchdogs. But their barky natures and alertness to the presence of intruders in the yard or their home makes them great at letting their humans know when something is afoot.
While this grim historical fact is something we cringe at today, historically, Chihuahuas were commonly raised as food and considered a delicacy in ancient Central American cultures. Thankfully this practice, while very rare today, is completely outlawed in the United States, and is no longer a common practice in Mexico. Other parts of the world, such as a mainland city in China, have also banned the practice as more attention to animal welfare and love for pets becomes recognized.
The ancient Aztecs bred Chihuahuas as holy animals and considered them to have magical properties. One aspect of this breeding was the regular ritual sacrifice of Chihuahuas in religious ceremonies. The practice of sacrificing animals for religious purposes has been practiced across many cultures and millennia.
It’s not considered common today to sacrifice living animals in the United States. However, it is technically protected by the First Amendment constitutional law of freedom of religion. Animal sacrifice rituals are still regularly practiced by some African tribes and Jewish religious sects in Israel.
Yes, people often slept with Chihuahuas or held them against their bodies for warmth or to ease muscle tension.
Chihuahuas are thought to be bred from some combination of dogs with the now extinct Techichi dog. It is possible they may have also been crossbred with the Chinese Crested.
Chihuahuas make loyal, loving pets and excellent watchdogs.
