The Prominent Features of the Chihuahua Breed
 
Head
 
     A well rounded "apple dome" skull, with or without molera. Expression - Saucy. Eyes - Full, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart-luminous dark or luminous ruby. (Light eyes in blond or white-colored dogs permissible.) Ears - Large, erect type ears, held upright when alert, flaring to the sides at a 45 degree angle when relaxed, having space between the ears. Muzzle - Moderately short, and should be slightly pointed. Cheeks and jaws lean. Nose - Self-colored in blond types, or black. In moles, blues, and chocolates, they are to be self-colored. In blond types, pink nose permissible. Bite - Level or scissors. Overshot or undershot bite, or any distortion of the bite or jaw, should be penalized as a serious fault.
 
Neck
 
     Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders. Topline - Level. Body - Ribs rounded and well sprung (not to be "barrel-shaped"). Tail - Moderately long, carried sickle either out or up, can be in a loop over the back, with the tip just touching the back.
 
Shoulders
 
     Lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support above straight forelegs that are set well underneath, giving "free play" at the elbows. Shoulders should be positioned well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping to a level back. There should be a "chestiness," and strength of the forequarters, but not like a "Bulldog" chest. Feet should be small, dainty foot with toes well split up but are not to be spread, pads cushioned. Pasterns should be "Fine."
 
Hindquarters
 
     Muscular, with hocks set well apart, neither out nor in, well let down, firm and sturdy. The feet should match the base and stature of the front feet.
 
Color
 
     Can be any color-Solid, marked or splashed. There is some controversy over the Merle color and it is being considered for removal of the allowable colors for this breed.
 
Coat Types
 
     In the Smooth Coats, the coat should be a soft and "silky" texture, close and glossy. (Heavier coats with undercoats permissible.) Coat placed well over body with ruff on neck preferred, and more scanty on head and ears. The hair on the tail should be furry. In Long Coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly curly, with undercoat preferred. Ears - Fringed. Tail - Full and long like a "plume." Feathering on feet and legs, pants on hind legs and large ruff on the neck desired and preferred.
 
Movement
 
     The Chihuahuas gait should move swiftly with a firm, sturdy action, with good reach in front equal to the drive from the rear. From the rear, the hocks remain parallel to each other, and the foot fall of the rear legs follows directly behind that of the forelegs. The legs, both front and rear, will tend to converge slightly toward a central line of gravity as speed increases. The side view shows good, strong drive in the rear and plenty of reach in the front, with head carried high. The topline should remain firm and the backline level as the dog moves.
 
Appearance
 

     A Chihuahua should be graceful, alert, swift-moving with a "saucy" expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament.
 
Weight
 
     A Chihuahua should be well balanced. They should be at least two pounds and should not exceed six pounds.
 
Proportion
 
     A Chihuahuas body should be "off-square." (Slightly longer when measured from the point of the shoulder to the base of the tail, than the height at the withers.) Shorter bodies are preferred in male Chihuahuas.
 
Disqualifications
 
     Any dog over 6 pounds in weight. Broken down or cropped ears. Cropped tail, bobtail. In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.
 

Chihuahua Impression