OFFICIAL STANDARD OF THE CHIHUAHUA (AKC 1942)

Compiled by the Chihuahua Club of America, approved by AKC on April 14, 1942
This is the Standard that is also recognized by the CKC in Canada

HEAD – A well rounded “apple dome” skull, with or without Molera. Cheeks and jaws lean. Nose moderately short, slightly pointed. In blonde types nose tip can be self-colored or black. In mole, blue and chocolate, the nose tip is self-colored. In blonde type a pink nose is permissible.

EARS – Large, held erect when alert, but flaring out at the sides at a 45-degree angle when in repose. This give breadth between the ears.

EYES – Full, but not protruding, balanced and set well apart. Dark, ruby or luminous. Light eyes in blonde type is permissible.

TEETH – Level.

NECK – Slightly arched and gracefully sloping into lean shoulders, either smooth in the very short type, or with ruff about neck.

SHOULDERS – Lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support above straight forelegs that are set well under, giving a free play at elbows. Shoulders should be well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping into a level back. Back should never be “down” or “low” at shoulders. Well-balanced shoulders gives a chestiness and strength of forequarters, yet not of the “bulldog” chest, although with plenty of brisket.

BACK – Level back, slightly longer than dog’s height, shorter backs desired in males.

BODY – Ribs rounded but not “barrel shaped”.

HINDQUARTERS – Muscular, with hocks well apart, neither out nor in, well let down and with firm sturdy action.

TAIL – Moderately long, carried sickle either up and out, or in a loop over the back with tail tip just touching the back. Never tucked under. Hair on tail to be in harmony with the coat of the body, preferred furry. A natural bob-tail or tail-less permissible if so born, and not against a good dog.

FEET – Small, with toes well split up but not spread, pads cushioned with fine pasterns. A dainty small foot with nails moderately long.

COAT – In the smooth, the coat should be soft texture, close and glossy. Heavier coats with undercoats permissable. Coat well placed over body, with ruff on neck and more scanty on head and ears.

WEIGHT – One to six pounds, with two to four preferrable. If two dogs are equally good in type, the smaller dog is preferred.

COLOR – Any color, solid, splashed, spotted or marked.

GENERAL APPEARANCE – A graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with a saucey expression. Compact in build and with terrier-like qualities.

LONG COAT STANDARD

The aove standard is for the “smooth” or short-coated Chihuahua. The standard for the long coat is the same, except of the addition of the following:

EARS – Ears fringed, if heavily fringed may be tipped slightly, but never down.

NECK – Ruff on neck is desired and preferred.

TAIL – Coat on tail long and full, as a plume.

FEET – Feathering on the feet and legs, and pants on hind legs.

COAT – In the long coats, should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly curly, with undercoat preferred.

WEIGHT – Two to five pounds preferred.

DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH COATS

Cropped tail, broken down or cropped ears, too thin, coat that resembles bareness, and poor leg action.

                                               

SCALE OF POINTS:        Smooth Coat        Long Coat

Head, including ears                 20                     20
Body                                         20                     20
Coat                                          10                      20
Tail                                             5                        5
Color                                          5                        5
Legs                                          15                      10
Weight                                       10                       5
General appearance & action    15                      15

TOTAL                                     100                    100

 

Notes on the breeding Standard
Written by Anna B. Vinyard – well known Chihuahua breeder and Toy Dog Judge
Cincinnati, Ohio

TYPE – is the firs requisite and all important necessity of a perfect or near perfect animal. Not all breeders, fanciers and judges view the Official Standard and interpretations eye to eye.

To listen to or take part in discussions, remarks and comments, you may not always agree wither wholly or in part, but you have food for thought to ponder over. So your writer begs all readers to allow herself to be placed with all others, although having definite views of her own.

HEAD – with 20 point rating – The version of this is best explained by holding the ears down, and placing the hand over the nose or muzzle so as to conceal both, then anyway the head is turned it will be round as an apple on all sides. The wedge, flat head is not considered the ideal, neither is the narrow from eye to the ear.

EARS & EYES – are included in the head rating. Observation has shown that the ears are erect when at attention or when greatly interested, and at a 45 degree angle when in repose, and laid back tightly at the sides of the head when showing devotion or willingness to obey.

There seems to be a wide difference of opinion as to the correct size of the eyes. However, they should never protrude and be a little on the large side, round and expressive and be in balance with the size of the head.

FORELEGS – This is probably the greatest problem, and can best be explained by comparison of the straight and the otherwise when the animals are side by side, or when in action side by side. Those having the straight legs move more freely and with more ease at the shoulders.

BACK – Should be level, and this cannot be over-stressed for not too many have this very fine attractive and important feature of their anatomy. We note the roach, arch and sway in all too many animals. On the whole the ribs are comparatively good and in numbers.

TAIL – With a mere five points this is a matter of some consideration since there are many judges and breeders who feel the standard is not specific on this. Your writer prefers the not too gay tail, yet the not too far down carriage. It is well known that if there is a tendency of length of back it improves to have the tail over the back, or vice versa in the case of a short back.

COAT – In the smooth it should be of a soft texture, close and glossy. This seems to be a matter of preference as we note some judges laying great stress on their particular liking, not always in accord with the standard.

In the Long, with 20 points of rating, it calls for a heavy coat to meet that rating and rarely do we see a coat to come up to that point. There is need for much improvement if this is to be attained.

WEIGHT – There is room and cause for debate for in the case of two dogs of about the same size and conformation one will often out-weigh the other buy as much as nearly a pound. This situation is brought about by – a term used in the larger breeds – Substance. Not always, but usually when substance is found, there is generally stamina in the animal. In a survey conducted recently, it was suggested that the weight be from 2 to 5 pounds in the smooth, and from 2 to 6 pounds in the long coat. However, regardless of size and weight, stamina is most necessary in the animal.

To complete a good Chihuahua he must possess character and this is due in a great measure to heredity, breeding and training. When we get that excellent type of about 3 to 4-1/2 pounds, possessing spirit, showmanship and fearlessness, we might be sure we have the much wanted, Ideal Chihuahua.