The dog is said to have been in an area of ancient ruins in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, in the late 1800s. How they actually got there is a mystery that cannot be answered for lack of witnesses, but there is speculation about their descent (1, 2).
Seattle's climate is classified as oceanic or temperate marine, with cool, wet winters and mild, relatively dry summers. The city and environs are part of USDA hardiness zone 8b, with isolated coastal pockets falling under 9a.
Hotel deals run rampant, but winter is not a great time for sightseeing in Seattle. Average temperatures hover in the 30s and 40s in December and January, and rainfall (and sometimes snowfall) is abundant. However, if you like winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, Seattle makes a great home base for trips to Mount Rainier or the Cascades.