9781422279328

ing part of a family and joining in all activities. He is an ideal choice for older owners, as his exercise requirements are minimal, but he will also enjoy life with a younger family. Because he is small and therefore more vulnerable to injury, he is not a good choice for fami- lies with very small children. The Chihuahua is totally fearless, and will mix with other, larger dogs. Indeed, he usually ends up the boss! However, care should be taken with initial interactions. Beware, because Chihuahuas are very collectible, and although you may start off with one, you may soon find yourself with a little tribe of them. Chihuahua history The Chihuahua has a long and tangled history, and it is some- times hard to separate fact from fiction. There are colorful tales, now shrouded in the mists of time, that make the Chihuahua the most fascinating of breeds.

There are two schools of thought as to where the Chihuahua came from. Both are equally plausible, so you can take your pick. Mexican roots The Chihuahua gets its name from the state of Chihuahua in the northern

part of Mexico, bordering on Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. The ear- liest archaeological ev- idence dates back to the fifth century. The Mayans made clay sculptures of small dogs that look like

10