The Chihuahua – Too Big To Fail

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198 – February, 2023

By Amy Fernandez

Too big to fail, that remark has become so ubiquitous–well at least since 2008–that it really has morphed into a running joke. Bear Stearns? Ha Ha! But at least from a purebred perspective, it retains some relevance. Some breeds truly are too big to fail. And maybe it sounds ironic but the classic example is the smallest breed of all, the Chihuahua. As the standard says, “A well balanced little dog not to exceed six pounds.” Officially, that makes it the smallest genuine breed.

The Chihuahua–although it’s debatable whether it deserved the classification at the time–entered the AKC studbook in 1904. It was a cultural phenomenon long before that time. According to official history, the breed emerged in the 9th century Toltec culture, then known as the Techichi. Although there was scant evidence to support any aspect of this theory it sounded as good as anything else. There were, in fact, several well-established breeds spanning the American continent when Europeans first landed here. Among the more prevalent breeds was the Terrier-sized Techichi. In terms of size, style and ubiquity, the Techichi of post-conquest Mexico was very documented by several independent European sources. Of course, along with most aspects of Native American culture, it evaporated in the wake of conquest. The point is that no part of that story, actual or mythical, explains the evolution of the Chihuahua.

The mid- to late 19th century marked the beginning of concerted efforts to define and differentiate dogs by breed, and any incentive to improve or protect a particular breed was contingent on its social and/or economic value. Hunting dogs, both Gundogs and Hounds, naturally headed the list, as did many Terriers. That began changing after the Civil War when breeds began to gain traction as status symbols and once that money tap was turned on, rapid improvement followed. The Chihuahua was a different story.

Click here to read the complete article
198 – February, 2023

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