Chihuahua History and Standard
History
The history of the Chihuahua’s introduction from Mexico to the United States until 1898 remains unclear. Some assert that the breed originated in South America, initially revered by the Inca tribe as a sacred breed, later making its way to the Aztec tribe. Others speculate that the breed accompanied Spanish invaders to the New World or perhaps arrived from China in the early 19th century.
Various assumptions, based on statues from the Toltec period and small dog bones discovered in Mexico, contribute to the prevailing mystery of the Chihuahua’s origin. Symbols on Chinese crests suggest its distant Asian roots.
These conjectures point towards the Chihuahua being a result of cross-breeding various breeds since ancient times.
Size
Weight ideally should not exceed 6 pounds. Proportioned rectangularly; length from shoulder to rear slightly exceeding height at the shoulder. Males having slightly shorter bodies are ideal. Weight above 6 pounds is a disqualification.
Head
Preferred “apple-shaped” round head with a pleasant expression. Eyes should be large but not protruding, symmetrical, ideally bright black or ruby (light or white dogs may have lighter eyes). Ears are large and erect, more so when alert, but when resting, they diverge at a 45-degree angle.
The muzzle is relatively short, slightly pointed. In black, blue, and chocolate varieties, the nose matches the body color. Light-colored dogs may have a pink nose. Either a scissor bite or a pincer bite is acceptable. Overbite or underbite is a severe fault. Cropped ears lead to disqualification.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck slightly arched, blending perfectly with the shoulders. Topline remains horizontal. Well-rounded ribs support the chest, giving the body strength without appearing barrel-chested. Tail is of moderate length, carried sickle-like, outwards, or curled over the back, just touching it (never tucked between the legs). Short or docked tails are a disqualification.
Forequarters
Shoulders are narrow, broadening downward; legs straight, not restricting elbow movement. Shoulders must be balanced, sturdy, and sloping (not downturned or too low). Chest is broad, forequarters robust, but not resembling a “bulldog”. Feet delicate, toes distinctly separated but not overly so, with thick pads (not resembling rabbit or cat feet). Wrists are slender.
Hindquarters
Musculature is robust, spaced properly, neither too inward nor outward. From behind, they appear strong and sturdy. Feet resemble the forequarters.
Coat
Short-haired variety has a very soft, close, and glossy coat (with adequate undercoat permitted). The coat covers the dog, thicker around the tail, but sparse on the head and ears. The tail fur resembles a mane. Long-haired variety has a soft, straight or slightly wavy coat, ideally with an undercoat. Ears have fringes (heavy fringing might cause them to tilt slightly but never droop). Tail is plush and long (feathery). Ideally: feet and legs have fringes, breeches on the thighs, mane around the neck. Disqualification for the long-haired variety: sparse coat, nearly bare.
Color
Any color, patches, or spots.
Gait
Chihuahuas move swiftly and firmly, with potent rear drive. From behind, their legs remain parallel, rear feet closely following the front. Both fore and hind legs tend to converge toward the centerline for speed. From the side, the forequarters reach corresponds with rear drive. The topline remains horizontal and stable during motion, with a graceful, effortless stride – forelimbs stretching, strong rear drive. From the side, the stride is appropriate, straight from the front and rear due to a sound skeletal and muscular system.
Temperament
Alert, with a terrier-like demeanor.
Disqualifications
Weight above 6 pounds; ears not standing erect or cropped; short or docked tail; long-haired variety with sparse coat, almost bare.
Standard approved date: September 11, 1990
Standard effective date: October 30, 1990
