The Chihuahua takes its name from the Mexican state adjacent to west Texas and New Mexico.

Some breed historians, however, believe that ancestor of the Chihuahua was a hairless dog that came from Asia to Alaska through the Bering Straits, and was later crossed with ancient Techichi dogs of the Toltecs, people that dominated central and southern Mexico prior to the Aztecs.

Montezuma II, last of the Aztec rulers, is said to have had hundreds of Chihuahuas in his palace.

The breed was discovered in Chihuahua State in the 1850s and quickly became popular. The first record of this breed occurred about 1884 when enterprising Mexicans began selling them to tourists in the border markets. The first Chihuahua officially registered by the American Kennel Club was dog named “Midget” in 1904.

The Chihuahua is the smallest of the breeds registered by American Kennel Club. Chihuahuas are long-livers; they often achieve 16 or more years of age. However, Chihuahua, like most toy breeds, is susceptible to knee injures and fractures, and may suffer from eye, tooth and gum problems.

A Chihuahua named Gidget was a popular advertising figure and mascot used in 1990s by Taco Bell, American fast-food restaurant chain.