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Chihuahuas Have a Little Wild Coyote in Them, New Study Finds

New genetic research identified DNA segments shared with coyotes in a Chihuahua, revealing an unexpected link to ancient canine ancestry.

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Chihuahuas are weird, nervous little dudes who can be crushed by an errant step yet think they are as innately imposing as a Tyrannosaurus rex. Yet this creature, with its weird mix of bravery and skittishness, is, according to some recently published genetic research, part wild coyote.

According to a study published in Nature Communications, these tiny, vibrating dogs, whose natural habitats are the purses of wealthy socialites, carry DNA from wild coyotes, or so say researchers at Stanford University who........

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