Chihuahua Breed Standard
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884. The American Kennel Club
exhibited Chihuahua's for the first time in 1890.
The name Chihuahua is pronounced (Chih-wah-wah). The Chihuahua is the smallest
breed of dog and is named for the Chihuahua region in Mexico.
The Chihuahua is the only breed of dog truly indigenous to the Western Hemisphere.
The American standard is world-wide and probably every Chihuahua in the world
traces its ancestry to purely American bloodlines.
Up until 1935, there was a strong terrier influence in the breed; this can still be seen
occasionally in Chihuahuas with typical terrier markings and movement. Dog expert
James Watson wrote about procuring his first Chihuahua in El Paso, Texas in 1888 --
for a mere $3. He went on to acquire a half dozen, noting differences in shape and
size from the petite square-proportioned shape preferred today to somewhat larger
dogs with a long-bodied, short-legged terrier-like profile.
The first Chihuahua was registered in 1904 (just twenty years after AKC was
founded) this Chihuahua was named Midget. She was registered along with three
others .
By 1915 there were now thirty Chihuahua's that were registered in the United
States Of America and that number steadily increased to over 25,000 by the early
seventies. The number of Chihuahua's registered annually has increased from 29,860
in 1991 to 38,926 in 1997. The Chihuahua is dropping in number of Chihuahua's being
registered but they have continued to maintain their popularity. The Chihuahua's
were ranked in popularity as 10th in 2004 at 24,853 and 11th in 2005 at 23,575.
The Chihuahua Club of America was organized in 1923. The CCA developed the
written breed standard that has not changed significantly since then. Chihuahuas
shown prior to 1940 were generally of the "deer" or "Bambi" type. They appeared
to be a bit leggy and longer bodied than todays Chihuahua and most of them were
roach backed. In the 1930's the breed was still showing the results of mixed breeding
done before 1923 and the CCA written standard (the terrier was introduced into the
Chihuahuas to help improve their stamina and improve their temperament so that
they would show better by not being so scared and shaky).
In 1940 the Chihuahua breeders recognizing the true Chihuahua type by following the
CCA written standard helped to make the Chihuahua what it is today. In 1952, the
Chihuahua Club of America did vote to split the Chihuahua into two varieties. The
two are judged on the same standard, the difference being is that one variety is
smooth coated and the other is long coated.
To me the Chihuahua can best be described as affectionate, loyal and intelligent.
They are also a very easy to care for dog. The Chihuahua has been described by
some as a wash and wear dog. There is not a lot of grooming that needs to go into
them. A bi-weekly bath and a good brushing once a week will maintain their coats.
NOTE: THIS IS MY INTERPRETATION OF THE AKC
CHIHUAHUA STANDARD.
General Appearance
The Chihuahua is a graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with a saucy expression.
The Chihuahua will overall be compact in size and the Chihuahua should also present
with a terrier-like temperament. The AKC breed standard stresses equal weight to
head, body, legs and gait
Size, Weight & Proportion
Size - The Chihuahua is a well balanced little dog.
The male Chihuahua will usually tend to average about 6-9 inches tall while female
Chihuahua's will tend to average usually around 6-8 inches tall.
Weight -The Chihuahua should not to exceed 6 pounds.
Proportion - The body is off-square.
The Chihuahua will be slightly longer when measured from the ‘point of shoulder’
where the shoulder actually juts out at the furthest point in the front shoulder to the
‘point of buttock’
(where the tail starts), than height at the withers to be measured from the floor up to
the highest point of the front shoulder blade.
Somewhat shorter bodies are preferred in males.
Show Disqualification - For showing any dog over 6 pounds in weight.
Head
The head is the trade mark of the Chihuahua. It should be a well rounded "apple
dome" (Think of a cooking apple NOT round like a ball) with a well defined stop.
There should be greater width between the ears than above the eyes. The base of
ears will be in line with the center of the Chihuahua's eyes and the base of the stop.
The tips of ears should be about half an inch above the dome of the Chihuahua's
skull. The skull may either have a molera present or it may not.
Expression - Saucy ( The Chihuahua should know that they are bigger than life).
Eyes - Full. Not protruding (frog like) and never small almond shaped eyes. The
eyes should be balanced and set well apart. The color of the eyes should be luminous
dark brown or luminous ruby. (Lighter eye shades of the dark brown or ruby are seen
in blond or white-colored dogs.) Blue eyes in either one or both eyes or any
combination of two colors in one eye or in both eyes are a serious fault.
Ears - This is another trade mark of the Chihuahuas. The ears should be large and
erect.
The ears will be held more upright when alert, but flaring to the sides at a 45 degree
angle when the Chihuahua is relaxed. If you think of a clock the ears will be at the 10
and 2 o'clock position. The length of the ears is important. You don't want to see
"kitten ears" on a Chihuahua. Measure from the occiput ( this is where the back of
the head joins the neck) to the stop(or bridge) of the nose. Write this down. Then
measure from the base of the ear to the tip of the ear. These two measurements
should be the same.
Muzzle - Moderately short,slightly pointed. Should make a 90 degree angle.
To measure the length to see if it is in proportion: Measure from the back of the
head where it joins the neck (occiput) to the tip of the nose. Write this down. Then
measure from the bridge of the nose(or stop) to the tip of the nose. Write this down.
Then you should see if the results are at least 1/3 to 1/4 of the first measurement that
you took.
The Cheeks and jaws are lean.
Nose - Any color is okay. Self-colored noses in the diluted colors and even pink are
allowed in the diluted colored Chihuahuas.
Bite - Level bite or a scissor bite. Can have a missing tooth or two. Overshot and
undershot or any type of jaw or bite distortion will be penalized as a serious fault.
Show Disqualifications - Broken down or cropped ears. Bites that are not level or
scissor or having any distortion of the jaw are to be penalized as serious fault.
Neck, Topline, Body & Tail
Neck - Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders.
Topline - Level.
Body - Ribs rounded and well sprung. This does not mean a "barrel" shaped
Chihuahua.
Tail - Moderately long. The tail carriage should be like a sickle either up or out. The
tail may also make a loop over the back with tip of the tail just touching on the back
of the Chihuahua.
The tail should never be carried tucked between legs or in so tight of a curl that it
looks more like a "pig's" tail.
Show Disqualifications - Docked tail or bobtail.
Forequarters
Shoulders - Lean, sloping shoulders at a 45 degree angle above straight forelegs that
are set well under, giving a free play at the elbows.
To measure you will need to have your Chihuahua face you. Look and find the point
where the shoulder blade sticks out then look for the top of the shoulder blade where
it juts out. This should make a 45 degree angle. Next, find the place again where the
point of the shoulder blade sticks out while your Chihuahua is looking at you.
Measure from that point to where you will feel the bone join the foreleg. (This is
called the humerus bone). It should be the same length as the previous measurement.
These two combined bone placements should also make a 90 degree angle (L-
shaped) placement.
Feet - A small, dainty foot with toes well split up but not spread, pads cushioned.
(Neither the hare nor the cat foot.) Dewclaws can be removed on both the hind and
front feet if desired.
Pasterns - Strong. While looking at your Chihuahua from the side drop a line or tape
measure to the table top ( if you have your Chihuahua on the table that is) from
where the neck enters the back. The front of the legs will be right on the front side of
the line while the back of the foot will fall in front of this line. This is a slight 20
degree slope.
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.
Long Coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly wavy, with
undercoat preferred.
Ears - Fringed.
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
Groom the Chihuahua to make a neat appearance do not over groom.
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 top back of the
Chihuahua should remain firm and the back level as the dog moves. No slinky effect
or roach back. No walking like a stiff toy soldier. No swinging feet in and out and
around while moving.
Temperment
Alert, proclaiming the attitude of self importance, confidence, and self-reliance. A Pit
Bull wannabe.
Article Resources on A.K.C.Standard
To see the Official Standard go to CCA website. This is the Approved Standard Effective
October 1, 2008.
1. The Complete Chihuahua Encyclopedia, By Hilary Harmar. (Out of print)
2. http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/chihuahuas.html
3. The Chihuahua By Sallie S. Buckman & Martha D. Hooks in TOP NOTCH
TOYS / DECEMBER 1995 can also be viewed online at see #4 below.
4. http://www.thedogplace.com/Reference/Chihuahua/Buckman-Hooks.htm
5. http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/1495/index2.html
6. http://www.akc.org/breeds/chihuahua/index.cfm
7. http://www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.com/
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884. The American Kennel Club
exhibited Chihuahua's for the first time in 1890.
The name Chihuahua is pronounced (Chih-wah-wah). The Chihuahua is the smallest
breed of dog and is named for the Chihuahua region in Mexico.
The Chihuahua is the only breed of dog truly indigenous to the Western Hemisphere.
The American standard is world-wide and probably every Chihuahua in the world
traces its ancestry to purely American bloodlines.
Up until 1935, there was a strong terrier influence in the breed; this can still be seen
occasionally in Chihuahuas with typical terrier markings and movement. Dog expert
James Watson wrote about procuring his first Chihuahua in El Paso, Texas in 1888 --
for a mere $3. He went on to acquire a half dozen, noting differences in shape and
size from the petite square-proportioned shape preferred today to somewhat larger
dogs with a long-bodied, short-legged terrier-like profile.
The first Chihuahua was registered in 1904 (just twenty years after AKC was
founded) this Chihuahua was named Midget. She was registered along with three
others .
By 1915 there were now thirty Chihuahua's that were registered in the United
States Of America and that number steadily increased to over 25,000 by the early
seventies. The number of Chihuahua's registered annually has increased from 29,860
in 1991 to 38,926 in 1997. The Chihuahua is dropping in number of Chihuahua's being
registered but they have continued to maintain their popularity. The Chihuahua's
were ranked in popularity as 10th in 2004 at 24,853 and 11th in 2005 at 23,575.
The Chihuahua Club of America was organized in 1923. The CCA developed the
written breed standard that has not changed significantly since then. Chihuahuas
shown prior to 1940 were generally of the "deer" or "Bambi" type. They appeared
to be a bit leggy and longer bodied than todays Chihuahua and most of them were
roach backed. In the 1930's the breed was still showing the results of mixed breeding
done before 1923 and the CCA written standard (the terrier was introduced into the
Chihuahuas to help improve their stamina and improve their temperament so that
they would show better by not being so scared and shaky).
In 1940 the Chihuahua breeders recognizing the true Chihuahua type by following the
CCA written standard helped to make the Chihuahua what it is today. In 1952, the
Chihuahua Club of America did vote to split the Chihuahua into two varieties. The
two are judged on the same standard, the difference being is that one variety is
smooth coated and the other is long coated.
To me the Chihuahua can best be described as affectionate, loyal and intelligent.
They are also a very easy to care for dog. The Chihuahua has been described by
some as a wash and wear dog. There is not a lot of grooming that needs to go into
them. A bi-weekly bath and a good brushing once a week will maintain their coats.
NOTE: THIS IS MY INTERPRETATION OF THE AKC
CHIHUAHUA STANDARD.
General Appearance
The Chihuahua is a graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with a saucy expression.
The Chihuahua will overall be compact in size and the Chihuahua should also present
with a terrier-like temperament. The AKC breed standard stresses equal weight to
head, body, legs and gait
Size, Weight & Proportion
Size - The Chihuahua is a well balanced little dog.
The male Chihuahua will usually tend to average about 6-9 inches tall while female
Chihuahua's will tend to average usually around 6-8 inches tall.
Weight -The Chihuahua should not to exceed 6 pounds.
Proportion - The body is off-square.
The Chihuahua will be slightly longer when measured from the ‘point of shoulder’
where the shoulder actually juts out at the furthest point in the front shoulder to the
‘point of buttock’
(where the tail starts), than height at the withers to be measured from the floor up to
the highest point of the front shoulder blade.
Somewhat shorter bodies are preferred in males.
Show Disqualification - For showing any dog over 6 pounds in weight.
Head
The head is the trade mark of the Chihuahua. It should be a well rounded "apple
dome" (Think of a cooking apple NOT round like a ball) with a well defined stop.
There should be greater width between the ears than above the eyes. The base of
ears will be in line with the center of the Chihuahua's eyes and the base of the stop.
The tips of ears should be about half an inch above the dome of the Chihuahua's
skull. The skull may either have a molera present or it may not.
Expression - Saucy ( The Chihuahua should know that they are bigger than life).
Eyes - Full. Not protruding (frog like) and never small almond shaped eyes. The
eyes should be balanced and set well apart. The color of the eyes should be luminous
dark brown or luminous ruby. (Lighter eye shades of the dark brown or ruby are seen
in blond or white-colored dogs.) Blue eyes in either one or both eyes or any
combination of two colors in one eye or in both eyes are a serious fault.
Ears - This is another trade mark of the Chihuahuas. The ears should be large and
erect.
The ears will be held more upright when alert, but flaring to the sides at a 45 degree
angle when the Chihuahua is relaxed. If you think of a clock the ears will be at the 10
and 2 o'clock position. The length of the ears is important. You don't want to see
"kitten ears" on a Chihuahua. Measure from the occiput ( this is where the back of
the head joins the neck) to the stop(or bridge) of the nose. Write this down. Then
measure from the base of the ear to the tip of the ear. These two measurements
should be the same.
Muzzle - Moderately short,slightly pointed. Should make a 90 degree angle.
To measure the length to see if it is in proportion: Measure from the back of the
head where it joins the neck (occiput) to the tip of the nose. Write this down. Then
measure from the bridge of the nose(or stop) to the tip of the nose. Write this down.
Then you should see if the results are at least 1/3 to 1/4 of the first measurement that
you took.
The Cheeks and jaws are lean.
Nose - Any color is okay. Self-colored noses in the diluted colors and even pink are
allowed in the diluted colored Chihuahuas.
Bite - Level bite or a scissor bite. Can have a missing tooth or two. Overshot and
undershot or any type of jaw or bite distortion will be penalized as a serious fault.
Show Disqualifications - Broken down or cropped ears. Bites that are not level or
scissor or having any distortion of the jaw are to be penalized as serious fault.
Neck, Topline, Body & Tail
Neck - Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders.
Topline - Level.
Body - Ribs rounded and well sprung. This does not mean a "barrel" shaped
Chihuahua.
Tail - Moderately long. The tail carriage should be like a sickle either up or out. The
tail may also make a loop over the back with tip of the tail just touching on the back
of the Chihuahua.
The tail should never be carried tucked between legs or in so tight of a curl that it
looks more like a "pig's" tail.
Show Disqualifications - Docked tail or bobtail.
Forequarters
Shoulders - Lean, sloping shoulders at a 45 degree angle above straight forelegs that
are set well under, giving a free play at the elbows.
To measure you will need to have your Chihuahua face you. Look and find the point
where the shoulder blade sticks out then look for the top of the shoulder blade where
it juts out. This should make a 45 degree angle. Next, find the place again where the
point of the shoulder blade sticks out while your Chihuahua is looking at you.
Measure from that point to where you will feel the bone join the foreleg. (This is
called the humerus bone). It should be the same length as the previous measurement.
These two combined bone placements should also make a 90 degree angle (L-
shaped) placement.
Feet - A small, dainty foot with toes well split up but not spread, pads cushioned.
(Neither the hare nor the cat foot.) Dewclaws can be removed on both the hind and
front feet if desired.
Pasterns - Strong. While looking at your Chihuahua from the side drop a line or tape
measure to the table top ( if you have your Chihuahua on the table that is) from
where the neck enters the back. The front of the legs will be right on the front side of
the line while the back of the foot will fall in front of this line. This is a slight 20
degree slope.
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.
Long Coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly wavy, with
undercoat preferred.
Ears - Fringed.
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
Groom the Chihuahua to make a neat appearance do not over groom.
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 top back of the
Chihuahua should remain firm and the back level as the dog moves. No slinky effect
or roach back. No walking like a stiff toy soldier. No swinging feet in and out and
around while moving.
Temperment
Alert, proclaiming the attitude of self importance, confidence, and self-reliance. A Pit
Bull wannabe.
Article Resources on A.K.C.Standard
To see the Official Standard go to CCA website. This is the Approved Standard Effective
October 1, 2008.
1. The Complete Chihuahua Encyclopedia, By Hilary Harmar. (Out of print)
2. http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/chihuahuas.html
3. The Chihuahua By Sallie S. Buckman & Martha D. Hooks in TOP NOTCH
TOYS / DECEMBER 1995 can also be viewed online at see #4 below.
4. http://www.thedogplace.com/Reference/Chihuahua/Buckman-Hooks.htm
5. http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/1495/index2.html
6. http://www.akc.org/breeds/chihuahua/index.cfm
7. http://www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.com/
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