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The
Chihuahua comes in two varieties: long and
smooth coat. |
|
The Toltecs,
who existed in what is now Mexico as early
as the 9th century AD, possessed a breed of
dog called the Techichi. The breed was small,
but not tiny, and heavy-boned. This breed,
regarded as indigenous to Central America,
is the progenitor of the Chihuahua that exists
today. |
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The breed derives
its name from the Mexican State of Chihuahua,
where the earliest specimens of the breed
were found. |
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The Chihuahua
is clannish, preferring companions of his
own breed. |
|
Pictures of
dogs resembling the modern Chihuahua appear
in ancient paintings in Mexico. |
|
It is assumed
that the small size of the modern Chihuahua
results from a cross of the Techichi with
the small hairless dog brought from Asia to
Alaska over the land bridge that is now the
Bering Strait. |
