Pies: The world’s smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua

Evidence: 100 • authority: 72

The Chihuahua or Chihuahueño is a Mexican breed of toy dog and the smallest recognized dog breed in the world. It is primarily kept as a companion animal and is characterized by its compact size, large erect ears, and rounded skull. The breed occurs in both short- and long-coated varieties, with a wide range of colors and patterns. Genetic studies indicate that the Chihuahua retains a small proportion of pre-Columbian indigenous American dog ancestry, distinguishing it from most modern breeds, which are largely of European origin. The breed was formally recognized in the early twentieth century and has since become one of the most popular companion dogs worldwide.

Evidence: 84 • authority: 72

Boo Boo was the world's smallest dog from 2007 to 2013. She stood at a height of 10.16 cm (4.00 in) according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Boo Boo was replaced as the World's Smallest Dog by Milly, another Chihuahua who stood at 9.65 cm (3.80 in). Other contenders for the record included Beyoncé, a Dachshund-Chihuahua mix, and Scooter, a Maltese.

Evidence: 67 • authority: 72

A lap dog or lapdog is a dog that is both small enough to be held in the arms or lie comfortably on a person's lap and temperamentally predisposed to doing so. Lapdog is not a specific breed, but a generic term for a type of dog that is small in size and friendly toward humans. Lap dogs historically have been kept in many societies around the world by individuals with the resources to support a non-productive animal, and a lifestyle which allows for much contact with the dog. They are docile companion dogs with no working function other than companionship. Genetic analysis reveals that lapdogs are among the earliest specific types of dogs to live with people. Today, most lapdog breeds fall…

Evidence: 67 • authority: 72

The Techichi is an extinct breed of small dog bred by the Toltec culture in the 9th century C.E. It is thought to be an ancestor of the modern Chihuahua.

Evidence: 51 • authority: 80

Evidence: 51 • authority: 92

Inference of admixture in dogs from whole genome sequences.. Background Understanding the genetic architecture of domestic dogs provides unique insights into the processes of domestication, breed formation, and the genetic basis of complex traits and diseases. Dog populations, characterized by their diverse morphologies and behaviors, also exhibit extensive evidence of historical and ongoing admixture. This widespread mixing, driven by both natural migration and selective breeding practices, has profoundly shaped the genomic landscape of modern dog breeds. Though global admixture has been extensively estimated in human population studies, where the number of subgroups is typically limited,…

Evidence: 51 • authority: 92

Evaluation of Two Commercial DNA-Based Breed Identification Tests for Pit Bull-Type Dogs in Taiwan: A Pilot Study.. The "Declaration of Specified Breed Names of Animals Banned from Being Owned, Imported, or Exported" was promulgated in Taiwan in response to aggression involving pit bull-type dogs. To support enforcement, we developed standards for visual breed identification based on international breed standards and UK guidance. Given the subjectivity of visual identification, samples from 21 healthy dogs, including 12 pit bull-type dogs, were submitted to Embark ® and Orivet Genetic Pet Care for SNP-based breed identification. Across pit bull-type dogs, American Pit Bull Terrier signature…

Evidence: — • authority: 38