THINGS ABOUT CHIHUAHUAS
GENERAL APPEARANCE ~ TOY GROUP ~!
A graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Weight - A well balanced little dog not to exceed 6
pounds. Proportion - The body is off-square; hence, slightly longer when measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, than height at the withers. Somewhat shorter bodies are preferred in males. Disqualification - Any dog over 6 pounds in weight.
Head: A well rounded "apple dome" skull, with or without molera.
Expression- Saucy. Eyes - Full, round, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart-luminous dark or luminous ruby.
(Light eyes in blond or white-colored dogs permissible.) Blue eyes or a difference in the color of the iris in the two eyes, or two different colors within one iris should be considered a serious fault.
Ears - Large, erect type ears, held more upright when alert,
but flaring to the sides at a 45 degree angle when in repose,
giving breadth between the ears.
Stop - Well defined. When viewed in profile, it forms a near 90 degree angle where muzzle joins skull.
Muzzle- Moderately short, slightly pointed. Cheeks and jaws lean.
Nose- Self-colored in blond types, or black. In moles, blues, and chocolates, they are self-colored. In blond types, pink nose permissible.
Bite- Level or scissors. Overshot or undershot bite, or any distortion of the bite or jaw, should be penalized as a serious fault. A missing tooth or two is permissible.
Disqualifications - Broken down or cropped ears.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Weight - A well balanced little dog not to exceed 6
pounds. Proportion - The body is off-square; hence, slightly longer when measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, than height at the withers. Somewhat shorter bodies are preferred in males. Disqualification - Any dog over 6 pounds in weight.
Head: A well rounded "apple dome" skull, with or without molera.
Expression- Saucy. Eyes - Full, round, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart-luminous dark or luminous ruby.
(Light eyes in blond or white-colored dogs permissible.) Blue eyes or a difference in the color of the iris in the two eyes, or two different colors within one iris should be considered a serious fault.
Ears - Large, erect type ears, held more upright when alert,
but flaring to the sides at a 45 degree angle when in repose,
giving breadth between the ears.
Stop - Well defined. When viewed in profile, it forms a near 90 degree angle where muzzle joins skull.
Muzzle- Moderately short, slightly pointed. Cheeks and jaws lean.
Nose- Self-colored in blond types, or black. In moles, blues, and chocolates, they are self-colored. In blond types, pink nose permissible.
Bite- Level or scissors. Overshot or undershot bite, or any distortion of the bite or jaw, should be penalized as a serious fault. A missing tooth or two is permissible.
Disqualifications - Broken down or cropped ears.
CHIHUAHUA { LONG COAT }
Neck, Top line Body:
Neck- Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders.
Top line- Level. Body - Ribs rounded and well sprung (but not too much "barrel-shaped").
Tail - Moderately long, carried sickle either up or out, or in a loop over the back, with tip just touching the back. (Never tucked between legs.)
Disqualifications - Cropped tail, bobtail. Forequarters:
Shoulders - Lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support above straight forelegs that set well under, giving a free play/movement at the elbows. Shoulders should be well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping into a level back. (Never down or low.) This gives a well developed chest/chestiness, and strength of forequarters.
Neck- Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders.
Top line- Level. Body - Ribs rounded and well sprung (but not too much "barrel-shaped").
Tail - Moderately long, carried sickle either up or out, or in a loop over the back, with tip just touching the back. (Never tucked between legs.)
Disqualifications - Cropped tail, bobtail. Forequarters:
Shoulders - Lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support above straight forelegs that set well under, giving a free play/movement at the elbows. Shoulders should be well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping into a level back. (Never down or low.) This gives a well developed chest/chestiness, and strength of forequarters.
PATELLA
Feet - A small, dainty foot with toes well split up but not spread, pads cushioned. (Neither the hare nor the cat foot). Dewclaws may be removed. Pasterns - Fine - Strong.
Hindquarters: Muscular, with hocks well apart, neither out not in, well let down, firm and sturdy. Angulation - should equal that of forequarters. The feet are as in front. Dewclaws may be removed.
Hindquarters: Muscular, with hocks well apart, neither out not in, well let down, firm and sturdy. Angulation - should equal that of forequarters. The feet are as in front. Dewclaws may be removed.
COAT
In the Smooth Coats, the coat should be of soft texture, close and glossy. (Heavier coats with undercoats permissible.) Coat placed well over body with ruff on neck preferred, and more scanty on head and ears. Hair on tail preferred furry.
LONG COAT
In Long Coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly wavy/curly, with undercoat preferred.
Ears- Fringed. (Heavily fringed ears may be tipped slightly if due to the fringes and not to weak ear leather, never down)
Tail - Full and long (as a plume). Feathering on feet and legs, pants on hind legs and large ruff on the neck desired and preferred. (Chihuahua should be groomed only to create a neat appearance.)
Disqualification - In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.
Ears- Fringed. (Heavily fringed ears may be tipped slightly if due to the fringes and not to weak ear leather, never down)
Tail - Full and long (as a plume). Feathering on feet and legs, pants on hind legs and large ruff on the neck desired and preferred. (Chihuahua should be groomed only to create a neat appearance.)
Disqualification - In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.
Color:
A variety of colors are acceptable by "Registry" standards including: sand, chocolate, silver, chestnut, and blue. However there a and endless variety of patterns possible including sables, masks, and more. Their is such a wide variety of possibilities that classifying them all would be daunting. Any color-Solid, marked or splashed.
Gait:
The Chihuahua should move swiftly with a firm, sturdy action, with good reach in front equal to the drive from the rear. From the rear, the hocks remain parallel to each other, and the foot fall of the rear legs follows directly behind that of the forelegs. The legs, both front and rear, will tend to converge slightly toward a central line of gravity as speed increases. The side view shows good, strong drive in the rear and plenty of reach in the front, with head carried high. The top line should remain firm and the back line level as the dog moves.
Temperament:
Chihuahuas are often able to live with other dogs and cats. Getting along particularity well with other Chihuahuas. Remember a with any dog, the importance of a proper Socialization of your Chihuahua. Starting as a puppy to prevent overt aggressiveness. Caution with small children, as they may regard the Chihuahua as a just a toy, treating and handing it as such, and their teasing could easily cause it to snap or bite. Is is advisable not to leave the Chihuahua unattended with children under the age of 12, unless they are well taught, responsible with other animals and/or supervised. Alert, projecting the 'terrier-like' attitudes of self importance, confidence, self-reliance qualities.
Chihuahuas are tough, hardy, little dogs, and are very intelligent attentive, and eager to PLEASE! This combination makes for a very obedient companion. They flourish as watch dogs as well as lap dogs, ~ protectors and protected! They are fiercely loyal to their family, or more often one family member. Saucy, spunk, lively, bold, and quick witted..there is not doubt that chihuahuas make active companions. At the same time.. they are cuddly, loving and demonstrative, sometimes even to the point of being clingy. So please don't get a Chihuahua if you don't want a constant addition to your LAP!! Cause that's exactly what you will have, if you get a chihuahua.
CARE:
Chihuahuas that have a long coat may require regular grooming with a brush and comb. The Chihuahua's claws, as with any puppy/dog must be kept trimmed regularly. A Chihuahua's teeth should be checked just as frequently for tartar buildup as with any other dog breed. Chihuahuas can get cold easily, even if they have a long coat, and should be kept in a warm environment, ideally a soft, warm, and free of drafts. Sometimes, the small nose of a Chihuahua's may cause wheezing or snoring. A Chihuahua, as with any dog should not be overfed, or fed scraps.
Disqualifications:
Any dog over 6 pounds in weight. Broken down or cropped ears. Cropped tail, bobtail. In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.
Approved August 12, 2008
Effective October 1, 2008
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB WEBSITE
A variety of colors are acceptable by "Registry" standards including: sand, chocolate, silver, chestnut, and blue. However there a and endless variety of patterns possible including sables, masks, and more. Their is such a wide variety of possibilities that classifying them all would be daunting. Any color-Solid, marked or splashed.
Gait:
The Chihuahua should move swiftly with a firm, sturdy action, with good reach in front equal to the drive from the rear. From the rear, the hocks remain parallel to each other, and the foot fall of the rear legs follows directly behind that of the forelegs. The legs, both front and rear, will tend to converge slightly toward a central line of gravity as speed increases. The side view shows good, strong drive in the rear and plenty of reach in the front, with head carried high. The top line should remain firm and the back line level as the dog moves.
Temperament:
Chihuahuas are often able to live with other dogs and cats. Getting along particularity well with other Chihuahuas. Remember a with any dog, the importance of a proper Socialization of your Chihuahua. Starting as a puppy to prevent overt aggressiveness. Caution with small children, as they may regard the Chihuahua as a just a toy, treating and handing it as such, and their teasing could easily cause it to snap or bite. Is is advisable not to leave the Chihuahua unattended with children under the age of 12, unless they are well taught, responsible with other animals and/or supervised. Alert, projecting the 'terrier-like' attitudes of self importance, confidence, self-reliance qualities.
Chihuahuas are tough, hardy, little dogs, and are very intelligent attentive, and eager to PLEASE! This combination makes for a very obedient companion. They flourish as watch dogs as well as lap dogs, ~ protectors and protected! They are fiercely loyal to their family, or more often one family member. Saucy, spunk, lively, bold, and quick witted..there is not doubt that chihuahuas make active companions. At the same time.. they are cuddly, loving and demonstrative, sometimes even to the point of being clingy. So please don't get a Chihuahua if you don't want a constant addition to your LAP!! Cause that's exactly what you will have, if you get a chihuahua.
CARE:
Chihuahuas that have a long coat may require regular grooming with a brush and comb. The Chihuahua's claws, as with any puppy/dog must be kept trimmed regularly. A Chihuahua's teeth should be checked just as frequently for tartar buildup as with any other dog breed. Chihuahuas can get cold easily, even if they have a long coat, and should be kept in a warm environment, ideally a soft, warm, and free of drafts. Sometimes, the small nose of a Chihuahua's may cause wheezing or snoring. A Chihuahua, as with any dog should not be overfed, or fed scraps.
Disqualifications:
Any dog over 6 pounds in weight. Broken down or cropped ears. Cropped tail, bobtail. In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.
Approved August 12, 2008
Effective October 1, 2008
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB WEBSITE