AmigoReal in the Ring

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At AmigoReal, showing is a way to evaluate our breeding programme, represent the Chihuahua and document the dogs we produce. We now show selectively rather than attending every weekend, presenting dogs when the experience is worthwhile for them and meaningful for us.

We are proud to present a carefully selected show team that reflects our commitment to health, sound structure and true Chihuahua type. We generally present no more than four dogs at any one show. Our team rotates according to each dog’s age, development and confidence; not every dog is shown continuously, and no ribbon is more important than a dog’s wellbeing.

Of the 26 Chihuahuas bred by AmigoReal to date, six have achieved their New Zealand Champion titles, with several promising younger dogs continuing to develop. Each dog featured below is linked to their individual DogzOnline profile, where you can explore their show history and achievements.

We are proud to have our dogs recognised by respected local and international judges, but showing remains only one part of how we assess them. We enjoy the show ring and value every meaningful result, but time with our dogs—young, old, shown or never shown—will always matter more. Shows and ribbons will always be available; the time we have with each dog cannot be replaced.

Whether in the ring or at home, every AmigoReal Chihuahua remains exactly what the name promises: Your Royal Friend for life.

AmigoReal appears in DogzOnline pointscore records because we believe our results should be publicly available and easy to verify. However, we do not campaign specifically for rankings and have never entered Breeder of the Year.

Points alone do not reveal the full strength of a result. In a numerically small breed, dogs can accumulate points by attending frequently with little or no competition. A Best of Breed may be awarded when only one kennel is represented, while age-group points can accumulate even when a puppy is the only exhibit in its class.

For example, a puppy can collect 60 points across one weekend after winning three Baby Puppy of Groups—even if it was the only Baby Puppy of its breed present. Kennels also receive 30 points when a dog gains its Champion title, regardless of how much direct competition was involved in earning it.

Scratched dogs may still appear within published entry numbers, making a line-up look larger than the number of dogs actually exhibited. Selective entries and tactical scratching can also influence pointscore outcomes.

These results remain valid, but their context matters. There is a difference between receiving an award uncontested and being selected from a strong line-up under comparative judging. We do not believe the two should be presented as though they demonstrate the same thing.

AmigoReal does not choose shows simply to collect easy points. We have travelled more than ten hours to compete in stronger line-ups because genuine competition gives us more meaningful information about our dogs.

One particularly special result came at the Pencarrow Kennel Association shows in Feilding. At her first show, AmigoReal Hidden Code—Coda—was awarded Best of Breed from an entry of 10 Long Coat Chihuahuas, shortlisted in a Toy Group of 74, awarded Best Baby Puppy of Group and then Best Baby Puppy in Show.

The significance was not merely the titles attached to the win. It was the depth of competition and the number of dogs from which she was selected. 

That is the type of context we believe deserves to be recorded alongside the result.

We are also willing to scratch a dog when continuing is no longer in their best interests.

At Feilding, Bumble had shown beautifully earlier in the weekend. By the fourth show, the atmosphere had changed and she was no longer comfortable. We withdrew her rather than risk damaging her confidence for the sake of another possible result. Chihuahuas are sensitive, intuitive dogs. A poor experience, rough examination or badly timed show can affect a young dog well beyond a single day. 

We would rather leave without a ribbon than ask a dog to continue when they are no longer enjoying the experience.