Chihuahua Dog Breed

Posted by Jeanne on December 9, 2008

• Chihuahuas, despite their extreme smallness, are instinctive hunting dogs and ratters. In their native desert country in Mexico and the Southwestern parts of the United States, they readily go to ground after small vermin. They are natural retrievers and will attempt to carry anything.
• Head – Well rounded “Apple Dome,” cheeks and jaw lean, teeth level. Nose moderately short and black. In chocolate, coffee, seal, brown, and mole, self-colored.
• Ears – Large and thin, “Rose” or “Tulip” pointed, held erect, placed well back, flaring slightly to the side.
• Eyes – Round and full, prominently placed, set well apart. Black, dark, or luminous.
• Neck – Clean, not throaty, slightly arched, gracefully sloping into shoulders.
• Shoulders – Sloping, lean, neither too narrow nor too broad.
• Chest – Neither narrow nor broad, with good depth of brisket.
• Back – Level, gracefully sloping over hips to the tail.
• Forelegs – Straight, well placed under fine pasterns, free play at elbows, but not turned out, not leggy and not short, holding the shoulders well up, giving balance and soundness to forequarters.
• Feet – Very small, neither “Hare” nor “Cat.” Toes well split up, but not spread, pads well cushioned.
• Nails – Moderately long.
• Hindquarters – Muscular, hocks well apart, not out nor in, well let down, giving firm and sturdy action.
• Tail – Moderately long, upper portion meaty and break or kink is felt midway or near end, below which tail finishes to a “rat” end carried cycle or loop-fashioned. Born bob-tails are common and not disqualifying.
• Coat – Smooth, fine, glossy in dark shades, well placed over body and neck, more scanty on head and ears, inner portion of legs and under body bare.
• Color – All shades of fawn, gold, red or sand, most popular cream, white, black, silver, mole, chocolate and many shades of brown marked or solid preferred to broken or ticked.
• Weight – Two to six pounds. The more diminutive, the more desirable.
• General Appearance – A graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression, compact, and tiny with terrier qualities.