In this article we will give an answer to the question: What were Chihuahuas bred for?
When talking about Chihuahua dog breeds they are known for their tiny size, spirited personality. They are very loving and protective dogs that are bred as a family pet. But the question arises: why were Chihuahuas originally bred for the first time? We will explain in detail about this question. So, be with us!
What were Chihuahuas bred for🐶
The Techchi Origin of the Chihuahua👀🐕🦺
Chihuahuas got their name from a place in Mexico. A long time ago they were such a special kind of dog called Techichi. They were really important to the Aztecs. They were not only pets but used for several jobs as well.
Chihuahuas and the Toltecs🐕
The ancient Toltecs pre-Aztec civilization respected the Techichi and included them in their daily life and religious practices. Archaeological findings from the Toltecs’ paintings revealed their importance.
Chihuahua bred as Companion🤷♂️😺
The Techichi dogs are friends of people. They were small and loved to be close to their owner, making them great for people’s company.
The Aztecs (Maxicans) believed that these were bit magical dogs and even guided the people even after they passed away. So, people wanted to make these kinds of dogs.
Chihuahua were bred for Food🧽
Can you believe some people even ate Chihuahuas in the past? It’s strange but its true lets have a look, why this happened:
A long time ago, the Aztecs ate multiple types of meat including small dogs like Techichies. But this occurred a long time ago.
When the food was not available the people might have used different animals for food but Chihuahuas were not made just for eating.
Ancient Mayans used Chihuahuas for their daily food. Breeding dogs was an easy process so they bred them, ate them, and got a reliable protein source.
Chihuahua were bred for sacrifice⚡
The Chihuahua breed as we see nowadays has a very old story in Mexico. A long time ago their family called Tachichi did different jobs. Some were special friends of the people and some had stories about magic.
Now we are going to explain the another part of their history where Chihuahua was bred to sacrifice:
The ancient Aztecs considered Chihuahuas as holy animals and believed that they have magical properties. One of the breeding purposes is their sacrifice in religious ceremonies. This practice of sacrificing animals has been done across many cultures. It’s not common today in the United States.
Symbol of the royal Class💫
Chihuahuas were often owned by the Aztec elite class and royalty. Their small size and unique appearance became a symbol of status and affluence.
Chihuahua bred for Hunting and kill Rats🦮
Chihuahuas were good at catching small animals like rats. People keep them in their houses and around the farm houses to free them from pests. Even though they are small, they have instincts like bigger dogs. They are clever and quick making them suitable as hunting dogs.
Good Watchdogs😚😸
Chihuahuas are small dogs so they do not specifically play the role of watch dogs but their temperament, barky and alert nature can make them great watch dogs. So as a guard dog people want to breed them.
Perfect bed warmers👍😺
In the cold region of Mexico they are used as perfect bed warmers. Their petite frames provide warmth to their owners. These little furballs snuggle towards their owners and provide them with warmth which they need on cold nights.
Modern Chihuahuas🐕
These dogs were common sight in Central Asia and South America in the 1800s. They were sold to American tourists who brought them back to the US as pets. Since they had no official name, they were named after the place in which they were originally found: the state of Chihuahua. The American Kennel Club officially recognized this breed in 1904. In 1923 the “Chihuahua Club of America” was established to further produce the breed in the US.
Chihuahua today🐶
The Techichi dogs were around 10 to 20 pounds, which is bigger than today’s Chihuahua. By 1964 the Chihuahua was the 3rd most popular dog breed in the US. They rank as the 34 no in the list of the most popular breed in 2022 of American Kennel club.
Today’s Chihuahuas are beloved pets for families. They are affectionate lap dogs. Chihuahua don’t serve the same purpose as they did in the past. But you can get one Chihuahua to enjoy hunting rodents.
They are excellent watch dogs alerting you to any strangers or threatening noises. Due to their barking habit they can use it as home protection.
Conclusion 🐾
Chihuahuas were not bred for only one job but past shows that they were bred for hunting, companionship, sacrificing, for special Aztecs events and were excellent watch dogs. Not only in the past but nowadays Chihuahuas are bred because of companionship, guard dogs and fit in different places and do many jobs. This shows how great they are in adjusting in many situations.
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