The world's smallest dog, the Chihuahua is the breed of dog considered truly indigenous to the Western Hemisphere . The breed?s name indicates its ancestors came from the State of Chihuahua in Mexico . However, the breed?s origins more properly belong to the whole of the country. It is thought that the Chihuahua is derived from an earlier breed known as Techichi, popular during the Toltec period, around the 7th century A.D.

It is said that the Long Coat variety was developed entirely in the United States by crossing the Short Coat to the Papillon and the Pomeranian. The Chihuahua has evolved primarily as a human companion.

General Appearance

A graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression. Compact, and with terrier-like qualities.

Temperament

Saucy, superior intelligence, generally reserved towards strangers.

Size

A well-balanced little dog not to exceed 6 lb. (2.7 kg), 2-4 lb. (1-2 kg) preferable.

Coat and Colour

In the smooth, the coat should be soft in texture, close and glossy. (Heavier coats with undercoats permissible.) Coat placed well over body with ruff on neck, and more scanty on head and ears. Any colour - solid, marked or splashed.

Head

Skull: Well-rounded apple-dome skull, with or without molera. Cheeks and jaws lean. Muzzle moderately short, slightly pointed. Nose self-coloured in blonde types, or black. In moles, blues, and chocolate, they are self-coloured. In blonde types, pink nose permissible. Mouth: Teeth level or scissors bite. Eyes full, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart - dark, ruby or luminous. (Light eyes in blond types permissible.) Ears large, held erect when alert, but flaring at the sides at about an angle of 45 degrees when in repose. This gives breadth between the ears.

Neck

Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders, may be smooth in the very short types, or with ruff about neck preferred.

Forequarters

Shoulders lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support, well up, giving balance and soundness. Upper arm set on to give chestiness and strength of forequarters, yet not of the bulldog chest. Lower arm - forelegs straight, set well under, giving free play at the elbow. Pasterns fine. Feet - a dainty small foot with toes well split up, but not spread, pads cushioned, with nails moderately long. (Neither the hare nor the cat-foot.)

Body

Topline - level back (never down or low), slightly longer than height. Chest - plenty of brisket. Ribs rounded (but not too ?barrel-shaped?). Loin well muscled. Croup in balance with rear assembly. Abdomen - slight tuck up.

Hindquarters

Hipbone well covered. Upper thigh muscular, in balance with front assembly. Lower thigh muscular, in balance with front assembly. Hocks well apart, turning neither in nor out, well let down, with firm sturdy action. Stifle bend - well bent and strong. Feet - a dainty small foot with toes well split up, but not spread, pads cushioned, with nails moderately long. (Neither the hare nor the cat-foot.)

Tail

Moderately long, carried sickle either up or out, or in a loop over the back with tip just touching the back. (Never tucked under.) Hair on tail in harmony with the coat of the body, preferred furry.

Gait

A graceful, swift and flowing straight forward movement with good reach and strong drive.

Serious Faults

Undershot, overshot, weighing more than 6 lb. (2.7 kg); bobtail.

Disqualifications

Cropped tail, broken down or cropped ears.

Scale of Points

Head, including ears   20

Body, including tail     20

Coat     20

Legs     20

General appearance and action           20

TOTAL           100

Long Coat

The Long-Coated variety of the Chihuahua is judged by the same standard as the Short-Coated variety, except for the following:

Coat

In the Long Coats the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly wavy, with undercoat preferred. Ears fringed (heavily fringed ears may be tipped slightly, never down). Feathering on feet and legs, and pants on hindlegs. Large ruff on neck desired and preferred. Tail full and long (as a plume).

Disqualifications

Cropped tail, broken down or cropped ears, too thin a coat that resembles bareness.

Scale of Points

Same as Short Coat