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:

Ladies of Rank & Fashion 1700′s #1: Lady Charlotte Duncombe, Baroness Feversham

Lady Feversham 1774-1849

stipple engraving, 1794 by John Hoppner  She was the only daughter of William Legge, the second Earl of Dartmouth, and in 1795 she married Charles Duncombe, the first Baron Feversham, who was a British Member of Parliament. 

#mexicoinjapan #japan #tokyo #東京 #居酒屋 #randomhistory

5 Facts You Didn't Know About Tea

Now that it's fall and the weather's getting cold, people are starting to drink hot drinks, like tea. So in honor, here are 5 facts you didn't know about tea. 

1. All tea comes from the same plant. The Camellia sinensis plant. The things that make each tea different are, the different varietals, oxidation levels, and different processing techniques. Herbal teas though, are not real tea.

2.  Tea is the second most popular drink over water.

3. Tea shouldn't be prepared with boiling water.

Some teas are able to be prepared with boiling water, although most of the time, tea should be prepared with warm water around 65 to 80 degrees Celsius. The reason tea shouldn't be prepared with boiling water is because boiling it makes it lose it's flavor.

4. China is the biggest producer of tea, supplying 29% of the worlds tea, with India coming in a close second.

5. 85% of the tea consumed in the United States is iced tea.

Here are the sources I used to get this information.

Samovar Tea

http://www.samovartea.com/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-tea/

Random History

http://facts.randomhistory.com/tea-facts.html

Food Network

http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2013/01/10-interesting-facts-about-tea-iron-chef-america-ingredients-101/

River Tea

http://www.rivertea.com/blog/5-interesting-facts-you-didnt-know-about-tea/

A Bit of Spanish History

Up until 1492, Spain was controlled by the Moors. The final city to fall to the soon-to-be Spaniards was Grenada, ruled by King Boabdil (bo-ab-deel-- that's a fun name). He lost the city, and as he and his mean were walking away in chains, his mother came to him, and said:

"Now cry for the city you had not the balls to keep."

Boabdil's mother is one of my favorite women in history.