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Chihuahua Langhaar

History

These little dogs thrive on attention and enjoy human company very much. They are ideal lap animals and suitable for an apartment lifestyle. The smallest of these dogs may be under 1 lbs and the largest up to 6 lbs. A long haired chihuahua may be obtained from a responsible kennel or from breed rescues.
Although the origin of the Chihuahua is shrouded in mystery, we do know that it is a very ancient breed. It was not until late last century that he came to prominence in Mexico and, in due course, became officially recognised as a pure breed. It is believed that the Long Coated variety was subsequently developed in the United States by crossing the Smooth variety with other Toy breeds, thought to have been the Papillon and Pomeranian. Even the Pekingese, Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Poodle have been mentioned as possibilities.The smallest breed in the world are the Chihuahua. They were named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. A Chihuahua is graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with a saucy expression. There are two distinct breed types of the Chihuahua, one with a long coat of soft texture, the other with a short coat. Identical otherwise, both can be whelped in the same litter. Adored for their small size, the Chihuahua is a bright eyed, dainty dog who is perfect for apartment living. Most breeders recommend adopting Chihuahua between the ages of 4 - 12 months as they will be more mature and agile and not so apt for injury. The Long Coat Chihuahua is basically the same dog in all respects as the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, with the obvious exception of his coat. In fact both types sometimes appear in the same litter, even though they are classified as separate breeds. His coat is long and either flat or slightly wavy with a soft texture. As with all coated breeds, the Long Coat Chihuahua requires regular grooming to keep his coat tangle free. Like the Smooth Coat variety he is a "big dog" in a small body who completely forgets about his lack of size. Not only does he refuse to be intimidated by larger dogs, but his alert nature makes him an excellent household watchdog. He adores his owners but may be nervous with strangers, and is good with older children provided they do no use any

General Appearance Small, dainty, compact.

Characteristics
Alert little dog; swift-moving with brisk, forceful action and saucy expression.

Temperament
Gay, spirited and intelligent, neither snappy nor withdrawn.

Head and Skull
Well rounded ‘apple dome’ skull, cheeks and jaws lean, muzzle moderately short, slightly pointed. Definite stop.

Eyes Large, round, but not protruding; set well apart; centre of eye is on a plane with lowest point of ear and base of stop; dark or ruby. Light eyes in light colours permissible.

Ears
Large, flaring, set on at an angle of approximately 45 degrees; giving breadth between ears. Tipped or broken down highly undesirable.

Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Slightly arched, medium length.

Forequarters Shoulders well laid; lean, sloping into slightly broadening support above straight forelegs, set well under chest giving freedom of movement without looseness.

Body
Level back. Body, from point of shoulder to rear point of croup, slightly longer than height at withers. Well sprung ribs, deep brisket.

Hindquarters
Muscular; hocks well let down, with good turn of stifle, well apart, turning neither in nor out.

Feet
Small and dainty, turning neither in nor out; toes well divided but not spread, pads cushioned, fine, strong, flexible pasterns. Neither hare- nor cat-like, nails moderately short.

Tail

Medium length, set high, carried up and over back (sickle tail). When moving never tucked under or curled below the topline. Furry, flattish in appearance, broadening slightly in centre and tapering to point.

Gait/Movement
Brisk, forceful action, neither high-stepping nor hackney; good reach without slackness in forequarters, good drive in hindquarters. Viewed from front and behind legs should move neither too close nor too wide, with no turning in or out of feet or pasterns. Topline should remain firm and level when moving.

Coat
Long Coat: soft texture (never coarse or harsh to touch) either flat or slightly wavy. Never tight and curly. Feathering on ears, feet and legs, pants on hindquarters, large ruff on neck desirable. Tail long and full as a plume.
Smooth Coat: smooth, of soft texture, close and glossy, with undercoat and ruff permissible.

Colour Any colour or mixture of colours.

Size
Weight: up to 2.7 kgs (6 lbs), with 1-1.8 kgs (2-4 lbs) preferred. If two dogs are equally good in type the more diminutive preferred.

Long coat*** The Standard of the Chihuahua { Long Coat } is the same as the standard of the Chihuahua en wel Smooth Coat with the exception of the following.

Coat *** Long, soft texture Never coarse or harsh to touch either flat or slightly wavy. And never tight and curly. Feathering on ears, feet and legs, pants on hind quarters, large ruff on neck desirable. Tail long and full as a plume.

Faults Any deparure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note *** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.