The Chihuahua

The Chihuahua, which is the smallest of the toy breeds, has a personality and character all his own. Here is a canine in Miniature who fairly radiates personality; to know him, to really know him as he is, is to love him.

The Chihuahua asks so little and gives so much in return. He is the smallest, most economical and compact bundle of love and sunshine in dogdom. He has the aggressiveness, alertness, and devotion that I have found in no other breed. He is not a "YAPPY' dog, but a very inquiring and interested little creature who will bark when his keen sense of hearing warns of the approach of a stranger or an unusual sound in the house. He is quiet as he scampers around the house, either playing or searching for sunny spot in which to rest. A Chihuahua Loves the warmth of the sun, and will spend hours basking in it; many times one will be seen lying in a spot on sun no larger then a half dollar.

At night while they sleep, most Chihuahuas like to be covered; give them a blanket in their bed, and they will completely cover themselves until they are hidden. Some Chihuahuas have a way of shivering; often an inexperienced person assumes that they are cold, even if it is a hot summer day. It is often a sign of fear when they are wary or unhappy.

Chihuahuas are always eager to go for a car ride with you and they make wonderful traveling companions. In winter traveling, they enjoy the comforts of a wool sweater because of their extremely short coat; and so clad, they will lie contentedly beside you , enjoying the miles.

A Chihuahua can anticipate your moods and feelings, be happy when you are in a good spirits, and sense your grief if you are sad. They easily recognize harsh tones, becoming uneasy and restless.

This toy dog has, on the average, the longest life of any group. There was once a report of a champion attaining the ripe old age of 19, Another Chihuahua, owned by a lady in Chicago, died at the age of 18. This should provide proof that they are a rugged breed.


Did you know?

The Chihuahua comes in two varieties: long and smooth coat.

The Chihuahua is graceful, alert, and swift.

This breed is clannish, recognizing and preferring his own kind.

Legend and history are rich in tales of the ancestors of the present Chihuahua. He is described as a popular pet, as well as a religious necessity, among the ancient Toltec tribes and later among the Aztecs. Archaeologists have discovered remains of this breed in human graves in Mexico and in parts of the United States.

The modern Chihuahua is quite different from his early ancestors, with his variegated colors ranging from snow white to jet black. Mexico favors the jet black with tan markings, and the black and white spotted. The United States prefers the solid colors.


So you want to own a Chihuahua?

The Chihuahua's size makes it a wonderful dog for people who live in small city apartments.

The breed is very hardy and adaptable, but it must live inside a home or an apartment, the Chihuahua should not live outside.

Chihuahuas are good travelers and can easily go anywhere with their owners.



Chihuahua
Toy Group Breed Standard



General Appearance

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, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart-luminous dark or luminous ruby. (Light eyes in blond or white-colored dogs permissible.) 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. 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. Disqualifications Broken down or cropped ears.

Neck, Topline, Body

Neck Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders. Topline 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 at the elbows. Shoulders should be well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping into a level back. (Never down or low.) This gives a chestiness, and strength of forequarters, yet not of the "Bulldog" chest. Feet A small, dainty foot with toes well split up but not spread, pads cushioned. (Neither the hare nor the cat foot.)

Pasterns Fine.

Hindquarters

Muscular, with hocks well apart, neither out nor in, well let down, firm and sturdy. The feet are as in front.



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. In Long Coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly 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.

Disqualification-In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.

Color
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 topline should remain firm and the backline level as the dog moves.

Temperament
Alert, with terrier-like qualities.

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.