The Chihuahua

They’re now known simply as tiny, sometimes terrifying dogs, but chihuahuas have a pretty layered history. I know many people in my life who claim that they’d never choose a chihuahua among various other dog breeds to be their pet, but maybe specific facts about chihuahuas in the United States might change their minds. 

Chihuahuas are named after the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, where their presence was first recorded in the 19th century (Britannica). The breed is thought to have been derived from the Techichi dog, another breed kept by the Toltec people who resided in Mexico before the Aztecs (AKC). When the Aztecs took over, those in higher social standing reportedly kept these dogs, which looked similar to today’s chihuahuas, until they were potentially bred with the Xoloitzcuintli to create the chihuahua as we know it today (AKC). Despite their beginning potentially being as far back as the 9th century CE (Britannica), chihuahuas weren’t recognized as an official dog breed by the American Kennel Club (founded in 1884) until 1904 (AKC). Despite this delayed recognition, the American Kennel Club notes that chihuahuas are gifted in many ways. On their website, chihuahuas rank highly in their trainability, energy, playfulness, friendliness, adaptability, and affection levels (AKC).

For this reason, it may seem that chihuahuas are undeserving of their ‘ankle-biter’ status. As it is with every other dog breed, aggressive behavior isn’t an inherent part of their being. You could, hypothetically, develop a great relationship with any dog with the proper care and precautions. However, this fussy classification for chihuahuas is not necessarily unfounded. After all, the American Kennel Club also notes that chihuahuas have high “mental stimulation needs” and a more reserved status when it comes to their possessions, perhaps explaining why there have been many instances of people experiencing angry chihuahuas. If a chihuahua isn’t receiving the mental stimulation they need, it may be more likely to lash out. Not only that, but the unique personality of the chihuahua makes it so that provocation is easier than it would be with a more easygoing breed. All in all, it’s crucial to treat chihuahuas with respect and care. As a smaller dog breed, people are more inclined to overstep the chihuahua’s boundaries when interacting with them, causing the dog to understandably react with fear and aggression, which may be yet another cause of their status as angry ankle-biters. 

Sources:

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The Spanish romped through Ecuador popping up catholic franchises throughout the land. As was done throughout much of South America. Though the indigenous cultures of Ecuador date back to 3500 B.C. with the The Valdivia culture. Until several centuries later the Inca came up from Peru to say “what’s up” in the 1400’s. For the Inca’s, saying “what’s up” consists of conquering the nation and that what they did around 1463. But at this point, Ecuador was becoming quite popular for plunderers and the Spanish wanted their turn! So, Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador popped on over and by about 1537 had made it their own, fully benefiting from the Ecuadorian Civil War that was taking place with the Incas upon their arrival. And then the churches began! #funhistory #incas #ecuador #peterpepper #historyfacts #adventurepunk #travelblog #travelphotography #shotoniphone (at Quito, Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZZdhHbrkaU/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Cool thing from history!

Spartan women where given daggers when the were perposed to and married. Why? Well it was so incase the man they were with turned out to be abusive she could cut his cheek marking him as an abuser and he would be shunned not her!

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I was getting ready for my English Literarure exam tomorrow, looking through Anglo-Saxon riddles and OH MY GOD YOU ANGLO-SAXONS 

DID YOU JUST

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