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Chihuahua

A breed that has a long history in the mediterranean regions of Europa but was not introduced into Britain until after the first World War.The Chihuahua is also known as the butterfly dog because of its large prick ears which have soft feathering. There is , however, a drop eared variety that shows clearly the spaniel ancestry of the breed. It is said that these dogs were taken to Central and South America by the early Spanish explorers and used in the development of the Papillon. Although his origins are debatable, and probably South American, he takes his name from a Mexican city and state. The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of the dog in the world. Aptly described as cheeky and with a saucy expression, there is no doubt he thinks he is a big dog - and at heart he is. His size makes him very easy to take him anywhere. He is highly intelligent, easily trained and makes a delightful companion. Elderly people find him an ideal pet, happy to be a much loved lap dog and also a good house dog annoucing the appoach of strangers. However, he is not a suitable pet for small children. There are two varieties of Chihuahua - the smooth Coat and the long Voat. The Long Coat has fringes on the ears and legs, and a soft silky body coat, with a plumed tail. Both the Smooth and long coats have their special attractions, and are equally easy to keep clean and well groomed.

General Appearance *** Small, dainty, compact.

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

Temperamen t*** Gay, spirited and very intelligent, neither snappy nor withdraw.

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 srop, 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 closly 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 longerthan 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 spead, pads cushioned, fine, strong, flexble pasterns. Neiher 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 the centre and tapering to point.

Gait and Movement*** Brisk forceful action, neither high stepping nor hackney, good reach without slackness in forequarters, 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 *** Smooth, of soft texture, close and glossy, with undercoat and ruff permissible.

Colour *** Any colour or mixture of shoulders

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.

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

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

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.