Discover the World’s Oldest Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is one of the most unique and best loved dog breeds in the world. They are known for their incredibly small size, unrelenting shaking, and fierce attitude that probably belongs in a larger breed’s body. The breed is known for its exceptional lifespan compared to other dogs, but how old can a Chihuahua get? Let’s look at some information on Chihuahuas, as well as the oldest recorded Chihuahua to ever live.

Where are Chihuahuas like?

Regarded as the smallest breed of dog in the world, the Chihuahua makes up for its tiny stature with its incredibly sassy attitude. Chihuahuas rarely grow larger than six pounds and are typically 5-8 inches in height, giving them the title for “World’s Smallest Dog Breed” without too much competition. 

What isn’t small about Chihuahuas, however, is their personality. Known to be sassy, independent, and full of character, these dogs seem to have forgotten that they weigh less than a large bag of sugar. Today, they are often referred to as “purse dogs” and are happy to travel around in a loved one’s tote, provided no strangers get too close.

Aside from their obvious small size, Chihuahuas are expressive, particularly with their large erect ears and head. They love to emote, and you seldom have to wonder what emotions a Chihuahua is feeling at any given moment. When it comes to their family, Chihuahuas are protective and loving. They are fiercely loyal and demand time spent in your lap, where they are happiest. 

With their small size and activity needs, Chihuahua’s make for great apartment dogs. Running around a small space with an occasional walk throughout the day is typically enough for them, especially when you factor in that one of your steps is fifteen of theirs. They are somewhat cold-sensitive, however, so be sure to take proper precautions when it’s chilly.

How long do Chihuahuas live?

As the saying goes, “the smaller the dog, the longer the life”.  While that isn’t always the case, it certainly is so with Chihuahuas. As the smallest dog breed globally, they are also some of the longest-lived. On average, Chihuahuas live between 15-20 years, with many reaching the top end of that spectrum.

From the most recent data, it looks like smaller dogs tend to age at a slower rate, making them more likely to live longer. Additionally, a study from the University of Göttingen in Germany showed that large dogs experience higher cell growth and deterioration, causing them to have increased cancer rates. When a breed has an overall increased cancer rate, the average age of the breed drops.

There aren’t many genetic problems that manifest at scale (like German Shepherds, for example) when it comes to Chihuahuas specifically. The breed being healthier overall pushes the average age up substantially. Considering that small dogs’ cells age slower, plus Chihuahuas being a generally healthy breed, it makes sense that they are some of the longest-lived dogs around. 

The worlds oldest living Chihuahua

Now that we know how long they live, what is the oldest Chihuahua to ever live? Well, there are two answers to that.

The oldest Chihuahua on record was a little dog named Megabyte. Megabyte was born on April 11th, 1993. There isn’t much information about Megabyte, but there are a few different dates out there. Looking at the data, we decided to go with the date verified by the Guinness World Records. Other dates for his birth cite sometime in 1994. 

What we do know for certain is that Megabyte passed away on January 1st, 2014. Living a long and happy life, Megabyte was 20 years and 265 days old when he passed. Currently, he is regarded as one of the oldest dogs ever to live. He is listed on Wikipedia as number 17 on the official list, although that is subject to change.

While Megabyte may be the oldest Chihuahua on record, there is a second contender for the space that isn’t as official. “On record” means there is paperwork or some form of evidence that proves the date, but that isn’t always possible when it comes to rescues (or animals in general). The contender for “Oldest Chihuahua off-record” goes to Maverick.

Maverick isn’t formally recorded as the oldest Chihuahua in history, but he very well might be. Maverick was born in 1995 and died sometime after 2017. Maverick was owned by actor Dermot Mulroney, who brought him on in an interview in 2017. During the interview, listed on Animal Planet’s YouTube Channel, we see Maverick and the statement made by Mulroney is that he was 22-years-old at the time.

The history of the Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are quite possibly the oldest breed in the Americas, making them a triple threat as the smallest, oldest, and longest-lived (on average)! The name itself, Chihuahua, originates from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, located in the northern part of the country. It shares the name as the breed was first recognized in Chihuahua during the mid 19th century. However, the breed existed well before then. The current belief is that Chihuahuas were bred from wild dogs initially kept by a local group known as the Toltec.

The original breed, known as the Techichi, was bred for sacrificial and religious ceremonies performed by the Mayan and Toltec people. They were later bred (around the 16th century) as a food source. 

When archeologists unearthed ancient burial shafts in Colima, Mexico they discovered effigy pots and sculptures dating back to 300 BC depicting a dog with striking similarities to the Chihuahua. Archeologists have also discovered wheeled dog toys in Central America dating back to 100 AD, showing both apple head and deer head varieties. These were likely two variations of the Techichi, the ancestor of the modern day Chihuahua.

By the 19th century, the Mexican people used Chihuahuas as companion animals and possibly to help herd sheep and goats. In 1904, the breed was officially registered by a Texan man named H. Raynor, and the AKC officially recognized them. Since then, they have almost exclusively been used as companion dogs.

Today, the breed is known as a national symbol of Mexico. The breed’s home city, Chihuahua, has imagery depicting the famed dog, and it’s a regional point of pride and symbolism. For many, the Chihuahua is the ideal companion and makes for an incredible friend.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © XopherPhoto/Shutterstock.com