AmigoReal's Show Team

At AmigoReal, we are proud to present a small, carefully selected show team that reflects our commitment to health, sound structure, and true Chihuahua type. While not every dog is actively shown year‑round, we typically present no more than four at a time—allowing our team to rotate, rest, and shine at their best.

Of the 24 dogs we’ve bred to date, six have achieved New Zealand Champion titles, with several promising youngsters now stepping into the ring. Each dog featured here is linked to their individual DogzOnline profile, where you can follow their show history and achievements.

We are honoured to have our dogs recognised by respected judges, both local and international, and as breeders, we remain dedicated to representing this special breed with purpose, humility, and deep respect for its heritage

You may see AmigoReal appear in DogzOnline’s pointscore for Show Dog of the Year or Rising Star. We participate to track our progress transparently—but we don’t campaign for rankings, and we’ve never entered Breeder of the Year.

Why? Because points alone don’t tell the full story. In a small breed like Chihuahuas, it’s possible to climb the leaderboard simply by attending frequent shows with little or no competition. That’s not necessarily wrong—but it’s important to understand the context.

For example, a dog can earn 60 points in one weekend if it’s the only Baby Puppy present and wins three consecutive Baby of Groups. Those wins may be awarded on default—not through comparative judging.

Likewise, kennels receive 30 points per new Champion. This year alone, we could have banked 60 points from two dogs finishing their titles—without any extra effort or travel. On top of that, Best of Breed earns one point per show, and in a low-entry breed like Chihuahuas, that point is often awarded by default if no other prefix is represented. While technically valid, that doesn’t always reflect competitive depth or merit.

It becomes a numbers game: more shows, more puppies, more points. Even scratched dogs can count toward entry numbers, sometimes creating the illusion of deeper competition than actually exists.

There’s nothing wrong with entering lightly contested shows or showcasing wins—but there’s a big difference between doing that and relying on it.

Some kennels selectively enter low-entry shows, scratch tactically to boost points for a littermate, or market default wins as major achievements. But there are also breeders who consistently produce dogs of substance—dogs that hold their own in deep line-ups and under international-level judges. We know the difference. And so do many others.

At AmigoReal, we choose to let our dogs speak for themselves. We’ve never claimed the spotlight through strategy—we earn it through quality, consistency, and care.

We’re not afraid to scratch our dogs—and we’ve done it more than once.

Not because they’re unprepared, but because we refuse to push a dog into the ring when the atmosphere no longer supports their confidence or comfort.

At the Feilding shows, for instance, our girl Bee had done beautifully earlier in the day. But by the fourth show of the weekend, the energy had shifted. The ring was sluggish, exhibitors were restless, and tension crept in. Bee sensed it, and so did we. Rather than push her through, we made the call to scratch her.

That wasn’t a loss—it was a win. A win in trust, timing, and respect for her limits.

Toy breeds like Chihuahuas are especially intuitive. They're sensitive to noise, crowd mood, and even the subtle changes in handler stress. A rough lift, a firm mouth check, or one badly timed show can set a young dog back months in confidence. That's not drama—it's reality.

That’s why we always prioritise the dog. We’d rather leave with a tail wag than a ribbon earned at the cost of their joy.

We’ve travelled over ten hours to compete in stronger line-ups—not to avoid them. We campaign selectively, choosing shows that offer genuine opportunity to grow and learn—not just to collect points. While we don’t always know the judging panel in advance, we aim for environments that challenge and reward quality.

One such highlight came at the Pencarrow Kennel Association shows in Feilding, where one of our AmigoReal babies took Best of Breed from a line-up of 10 Long Coats, made the Toy Group shortlist of 74, then took Best Baby Puppy of Group, and went on to win Best Baby Puppy in Show—at her very first show.

That kind of win—earned through merit, not circumstance—is what we value.

Our record-keeping isn’t about titles. It’s about documenting our dogs’ stories, recognising their growth, and preserving their legacy. When an AmigoReal dog is recognised under the same judge that once awarded their sire or dam—that’s the kind of full-circle moment that matters most.