Country life in America. v.30. 1916 May-Oct.                  (July 1916)

 

THE DOGS OF MEXICO. 

 

By Walter A. Dyer

 

While the Eskimo dog and the husky are closely related to the Arctic dogs of Europe and Asia, and while the Newfoundland and other so-called American breeds all have European blood in their veins, there are, nevertheless, native breeds in the western hemisphere which are like no others and which are found nowhere else. I refer to the dogs of Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America, of which the best known is the Chihuahua.

Perhaps the most curious of these are the hairless and semi-hairless varieties of the warmer section of America, which somewhat resemble the hairless dog of China, the Philippines, and certain parts of Africa.

"There seem to be two types," says Leighton: "one built on the lines of the Manchester terrier, and sometimes attaining the racy fineness of the whippet; and the other a short-legged, cloddy animal, less elegant and prone to run to ungainly obesity. The size varies. Some are small dogs of four or five pounds in weight; others may average from ten to fifteen pounds, while some are as heavy as twenty-five pounds."

There is also in Mexico a little known breed which is variously called the Mexican poodle, lap-dog, etc.

It is popular with some Mexican ladies, but i doubt if it has ever been seen in the States. 

It is said to be an uninteresting dog, though attractive in appearance. It has long silky hair and butterfly ears, and resembles the Belgian papillon or squirrel spaniel, of which, according to some authorities, it is the possible ancestor.

 

But of all the dogs of Mexico - and there are a number of less well defined varieties there - the only one which has gained any considerable degree of popularity in this country is the cunning little toy terrier of northern Mexico, known as the Chihuahua dog. 

 

The Chihuahua (pronounced Che-wa-wa) is probably the smallest of the canine race, though there are occasionally freak toy black-and-tans which weigh less. 

The smallest specimens appear to be no larger than a slender rat and can easily stand upon a man's hand and be carried about in the pocket. 

 

Mature specimens have weighed as little as twenty-two ounces, though they often run up to four pounds in weight. 

Small size is the essential characteristic of the breed, and other things being equal, the smaller the specimen, the better. 

Still, there is a good demand for Chihuahuas weighing anywhere from one and one-half to three and one-half pounds.

They are said to become larger when bred in colder countries - to become "degenerado", as the Mexicans say - but there are a number of American breeders who have been remarkably successful in keeping down the size. 

 

Miss Daisy M. Hall writes: I don't think that those raised in this part of the country are any larger than in Mexico. I saw a great many more large ones than small, and they have some that are larger than any I ever saw here. Dogs properly raised will always be small."

 

The Chihuahua is a native of the Mexican table lands, where it is bred to no particular standard and varies considerably in size, shape, and color, though the smallest ones are most desired.

They are chocolate, tan, cream, and white, the rarest being all white. In this country the white and fawn colors have been most popular, particularly the latter. 

 

The coat is short and smooth and easily kept clean.

The eyes are large, bright, and round, and the face intelligent. 

The ears are large and erect, flaring , slightly outward. 

The tail is comparatively long. 

 

In a general way the breed resembles the toy Manchester, and should be built on the lines of a small hunting dog - that is, not too cobby or fat, but rather long in the body.

The nails are long and claw-like.

 

The head is round and domed.

 

One peculiarity of the pure-breed Chihuahua is a soft spot, or "muellera", on the top of the skull, which one can easily detect with the finger.

The well informed judge of toy always looks for this.

 

The Chihuahua is naturally delicate and requires special care during our northern winters, though the specimens bred here are said to be hardier. 

 

Miss Hall writes :"I do not find it hard to acclimate them. At the present time my yard is covered with snow and I let them run in and out as they wish. They seem to enjoy the snow, running and playing just as in summer."

 

The breed is somewhat timid and very sensitive. 

They have small utilitarian value, except that they are very alert and will give the alarm if an intruder enters the house. 

 

They make gentle and loving house pets. Mrs. C.D. Atwood, owner of several prize-winning Chihuahuas, writes: "They make ideal pets and are good little watch dogs. They are shy in disposition, but are very affectionate and possess more than the average intelligence. They are usually long-lived; fifteen or eighteen years is not rare for a Chihuahua." 

 

Mrs. Maurice E. Callahan writes: "I find Chihauhuas the best toy dogs as pets. Having a short coat of hair, they are almost no care. They make good watch dogs and are most intelligent, affectionate, and companionable." 

 

A few years ago the Chihuahua was scarcely known with us, but has been increasing in popularity of late. 

Taking 1915 shows as an indication, seven were benched in New York, five at Mineola, and three at Southampton. 

Last February only three were shown at Madison Square Garden. On account of the present troubled conditions in Mexico it is difficult to learn what the status of breed is there, but it is safe to say that there will be few importations for some time to come.