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  • I bought my daughter a Chihuahua and I fell in love with it.

  • So now I carry Coco around with me all the time.

  • Denis Leary

  • Welcome to Animal Facts, the channel with the surprisingly, simplistic name.

  • Today, we look at a fan favorite; the charming and sassy Chihuahua.

  • 10.

  • While currently at 29th, the Chihuahua's highest AKC breed ranking was in 2002 when it peaked

  • at 9th place.

  • This was possibly due in part to the immensely popular Taco Bell commercials of the time.

  • Yes, you still remember...

  • 9.

  • The Taco Bell Dog was actually a female.

  • The commercials that aired from 1994 - 2009 feature a female Chihuahua named Gidget.

  • In addition to her Taco Bell gig, the canine thespian also appeared in Legally Blonde 2

  • and a GEICO commercial.

  • Not bad for a former kennel dog.

  • When she passed away in 2009, Taco Bell released a statement: "Our deepest sympathies go out

  • to her owners and fans."

  • 8.

  • The Chihuahua has one of the longest lifespans.

  • It has an average lifespan of 10 - 18 years.

  • With many Chihuahuas living well over 20 years.

  • What doesn't take long is liking this video and subscribing to Animal Facts.

  • 7.

  • The Chihuahua is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.

  • They are believed to be descendants of an ancient breed, the techichi.

  • The Toltecs, the native people that flourished in Mexico before the Aztecs, kept them as

  • lap dogs as early as the 9th century.

  • 6.

  • Chihuahuas were once a sacred breed.

  • Mummified remains have been found in Meso-American grave sites.

  • Ancient people believed the pups helped them travel to the afterlife, as well as posessing

  • healing qualities.

  • 5.

  • In 105 years of competition, a Chihuahua has never won Best in Show at Westminster.

  • 4.

  • The Chihuahua has one of the largest color combinations of any breed.

  • Chihuahuas can come in virtually any color combination.

  • Their hair also comes in long, short or mid-coat.

  • It can be wiry or silky, and can be single coat or double coat.

  • 3.

  • Chihuahuas can either have apple or deer shaped noggins.

  • Deer-headed Chihuahuas have a narrow head and longer snout, while the apple-headed pups

  • sport a bulbous dome.

  • Both are adorable, but the AKC strongly prefers the apple shape for show dogs.

  • 2.

  • Relative to their bodies, Chihuahuas have the largest brain in the dog world.

  • They're quick-witted and easy to train.

  • They're not, however, easy to housebreak, as a result of a tiny bladder and a willful

  • personality.

  • 1.

  • CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT THEM TO EUROPE.

  • While experts are certain the small dogs come from Mexico, the route they took to Europe

  • is less clear.

  • Some point to Christopher Columbus, who wrote a letter to the King of Spain referencing

  • the tiny dogs.

  • It's possible that he brought some of the cute canines back from his travels.

  • So there we have it.

  • 10 huge facts about tiny dogs with big personalities.

  • Did we miss any fun facts about the lovable Chihuahua?

  • If so, let us all know in the comments below.

  • And don't forget to like and subscribe for more fun facts about your favorite animals.

  • Nos vemos la próxima.

  • Catch ya next time.

I bought my daughter a Chihuahua and I fell in love with it.

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