Chihuahua (Long Coat) Breed Standard

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Characteristics: An alert and swift moving little dog with a saucy expression.

General Appearance: Small, dainty and compact with a brisk forceful action.

Head and Skull: A well rounded “Apple Dome” skull with or without molera, cheeks and jaws lean, nose moderately short, slightly pointed. Definite stop.

Eyes: Full, round but not protruding, set well apart, dark or ruby. (Light eyes in light colours permissible).

Ears: Large, set on at an angle of about 45 degrees; this gives breadth between the ears.

Mouth: Level, scissor bite.

Neck: Slightly arched, of medium length.

Forequarters: Shoulders should be well up, lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support above straight forelegs that are set well under, giving free play at the elbows.

Body: Level back, slightly longer than the height at shoulder. Well sprung ribs with deep brisket.

Hindquarters: Muscular with hocks well apart, neither out nor in, well let down.

Feet: Small with toes well split up, but not spread, pads cushioned. Fine pasterns (neither “Hare” nor “Cat” foot). A dainty foot with nails moderately long.

Tail: Medium length carried up or over the back. Preferred furry, flattish in appearance, broadening slightly in the centre and tapering to a point.

Coat: Long, of soft texture (never coarse or harsh to the touch) either flat or slightly wavy. No tight curly coat. There should be feathering on the feet and legs, pants on the hind legs, a large ruff on the neck is desired and preferred, the tail should be long and full as a plume

Colour: Any colour or mixture of colours.

Weight: Up to 2.7 kg (6 lbs) with 0.9 to 1.8 kg (2-4 lbs) preferable. If two dogs are equally good in type, the more diminutive preferred.

Faults: Cropped tail, broken-down ears.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully

descended into the scrotum.