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Punky's History is a Mystery
With the delicate build of the chihuahua, few people would guess the history of this breed dates back a thousand years or that they were companions to the Aztecs and Mayans. In truth the origins of the breed is a bit of a mystery and there are competing theories on how the chihuahua came to be the modern dog we know today.
Both folklore and archeology shows that the breed originated in Mexico. The most popular theory is the chihuahuas are descended from the Techichi, a companion dog to the Toltec civilization in Mexico; however, there are no records prior to the 9th century to prove this. Dogs resembling the chihuahua were found in the materials from archeological digs searching the Pyraminds of Choul (predating 1530) and in the ruins of Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Many believe that the breed was brought over to Europe through the travels of Christopher Columbus, as one of his letters to the King of Spain references the tiny dog. However, some historians believe that the chihuahua came from the island of Malta in the Mediterranean and this theory is supported by European paintings that include a dog resembling the chihuahua that predate Columbus's travels. One of the most famous of these paintings is a fresco in the Sistine Chapel by Botticelli from 1482 (Scenes from the Life of Moses) in which a small boy holds a small dog with a strong resemblance to the chihuahua.
Regardless of its origins the progenitor of the modern breed was reputedly found in 1850 in ruins near Casa Grandes in the Mexican state of Chihuahua from which the breed gets its name. The breed crossed over into the states through Texas, Arizona and New Mexico and began to rise in popularity that has yet to end. The AKC first registered the breed in 1904, making it one of the oldest recognized breeds in America.
Is Apple just like you?
In need of odd trivia to make it through the week? Just like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age. They do say dogs are just like their owners!
If you are searching for your canine double, perhaps you will find it in Apple or Maddy.
This young man is smart and spunky! He has figured out that being close to you and on your lap is about the best thing in the world and loves to be held! Apple gets along well with other dogs, but really is a people person.
Maddy is a three-year-old Chihuahua/Corgi mix that is healthy and active. She is housebroken, eager to please, extremely loving, and pretty much the perfect lap dog!
