"You know, Chihuahuas aren't actually dogs. They're a kind of fox," announced an acquaintance at a party. This woman, who owned two chihuahuas herself, entirely believed that Chihuahuas are the domesticated descendants of the fennec fox. I can understand the reason that many people might believe this: Chihuahuas do resemble fennec foxes in their superficial appearance, with long-haired Chihuahuas appearing almost indistinguishable from from their wild, vulpine counterparts.
The idea that chihuahuas are related to fennec foxes isn't uncommon. Even the American Kennel Club, which is usually a highly credible and reputable source of information, acknowledges the belief and the resemblance between Chihuahuas and fennec foxes. As intriguing as it is to imagine that Chihuahuas are a breed of domesticated fox, this idea simply isn't true. Chihuahuas are, in fact, far more closely related to Great Danes, dingoes, and wolves than they are to fennec foxes.
Chihuahuas are taxonomically classified with other domestic dogs, which are recognized as a subspecies of gray wolf. Like other dogs, Chihuahuas are able to breed with other members within the same species. A chihuahua can readily interbreed with any variety of domestic dog, most frequently including other small varieties like terriers and toy breeds. It could even, in theory, readily interbreed with any subspecies of wolf-- Arctic wolf, timber wolf, and so on.
The Fennec fox is not only a member of a different subspecies and species than the Chihuahua-- it's not even in the same genus. Chihuahuas and fennec foxes are fairly distantly related (about as closely related as a house cat and a leopard). Their similarities occur only because of a phenomenon known as convergent evolution, in which animals develop similar traits to meet similar biological needs.
A simple observation of geography further debunks the idea that fennec foxes and Chihuahuas are related. While the fennec fox is endemic to the deserts of Africa, the Chihuahua hails from Mexico, where it derives its common name. Its closest living relatives are other native Central and South American breeds like the Peruvian Inca Orchid. Its ancestor, the now nearly-extinct Mexican gray wolf, is also a much closer relative to the Chihuahua than any other fox or wolf.
As cute as it may be to imagine the Chihuahua as a little fennec fox adapted to life as a pet dog, this theory is invalid. Chihuahuas are domestic dogs to the same degree as Dalmatians, Labradors and poodles, and no amount of convergent evolution or superficial resemblance will change that. As much as a Chihuahua might look like a fox, it is-- and always will be-- a dog.
I see that it is far fetched that chihuahuas come from fennec foxes, but I need to point out a few faults in your article; chihuahuas are not problem to come from mexico, it is actually more likely that they come from Egypt, which is also where you can find fennec foxes. And fennec foxes are no longer classified as foxes, they are another genus!
ReplyDeleteChihuahuas are most likely descendants of the Techichi, a companion dog favoured by the Toltec civilization in Mexico. This is the most common theory of Chihuahua descent, and is supported by both folklore and archealogical finds.
DeleteWhile the dogs depicted in Egyptian hierogliphics bare a closer resemblance to dog breeds like the whippet, greyhound, saluki etc. As opposed to the Chihuahua. Seeing as ancient Egyptian dogs were primarily depicted as being used for hunting, guarding/policing, for military use and as household pets, I think we can both agree that these breads of hunting dogs also relate closer to the function ancient Egyptian dogs where used for.
Marina, genetic testing has eliminated once and for all the silly idea that chihuahuas have fennec fox ancestry! Convergent evolution can perfectly explain all similarities with fennec foxes. But all chihuahuas have indeed a few genes of the mesoamerican techichi dogs. Chihuahuas are one of just four native American breeds which managed to survive the post-columbian influx of old world breeds. And since the little dogs which were the ancestors of today´s chihuahuas, had to fend for themselves in the Mexican streets and arid desert areas, they became hardy and confident - especially when they formed gangs ;) Even today they show this behavior when they are allowed to run wild! The life expectancy of healthy Chihuahuas is very long! This may be the result of evolutionary selection during the post-columbian centuries of free roaming techichis/chihuahuas.
DeleteStill impossible. And due to genetic testing, they are VULPES ZERDA again!
ReplyDeleteIf the AKC would have you believe the bullbaiters looked like the noseless bulldog of today.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very good. check for Chihuahua Dog Breed Information, Facts, Characteristics, Images & Pictures
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Has anyone taken DNA from a red desert fox from Mexico and compared it to a full blooded Chi. If so what were the results. Just how close or otherwise we're they?
ReplyDeleteDon't need to, as Vulpes and Canis are genetically incompatible
DeleteWorkingdogslive, yes, you are right! The idea that chihuahuas have fennec fox genes was always ludicrous and has been disproved once and for all by recent genetic testing. Why have people such a hard time to understand the concept of convergent evolution? While whales have the body shape of fishes (in German they are still called "Walfisch" now and then), they have no fish genes whatsoever! However, we do know now that today´s Chihuahuas have indeed pre-columbian ancestry. They are just one of four native american breeds which managed to survive the post columbian influx of old-world dogs. I wonder why! Maybe, the little Techichis who were used by the Mayas and Aztecs for food and sacrifices, were left alone in the post-columbian age, and only the hardiest and cleverest survived. And looking cute was not exactly a disadvantage ;)
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