Chihuahuaukcstandard
Chihuahuaukcstandard
Chihuahuaukcstandard
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders are clean and moderately muscled. There is
good angulation between the shoulder blade and upper
arm.
FORELEGS - The legs are straight and of good length,
with the elbows held close to the body. The pasterns
are strong yet flexible. Dewclaws may be removed.
BODY
A properly proportioned Chihuahua is slightly longer
(measured from prosternum to point of buttocks) than
tall (measured from the withers to the ground), and
length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow
to the ground) should approximately equal one-half of
the dogs height. Whether the dog is standing or
moving, the line of the back is strong and level. The loin
is moderately short and deep, with very little tuck-up.
The ribs extend well back and are well sprung, but not
barrel shaped, forming a body that would be heartshaped if viewed in cross-section. The brisket extends to
the elbow. Viewed from the side, the forechest extends
in a slight, gentle curve in front of the forelegs.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are muscular and the angulation of
the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the
forequarters.
HIND LEGS - The legs are parallel to one another with
good angulation at the stifle and the hock. Rear
pasterns are short, well apart and vertical. Removal of
rear dewclaws is preferred but not mandatory.
FEET
Feet are small and oval-shaped with the toes well split
up, but not spread out. Pads are well cushioned.
Toenails may be any color.
TAIL
The tail is moderately long, set on high, and never
docked. It is thick at the base tapering gradually to a
point.
Acceptable tail carriages include sickle or a single
curl with the tip just touching the back. Tail carriage is
an important characteristic of the breed. It should never
be carried between the hind legs or curled below the
backline.
Disqualifications: Cropped tail. Bobtail.
COAT
The Chihuahua comes in two coat types, and it may be
single or double coated. If undercoat is present, it is
soft, dense, and close fitting.
GAIT
When trotting, the gait is effortless, energetic, active
and springy, with good reach and drive. The hind legs
should move nearly parallel to each other so that the
rear feet appear to land in the footprints of the front
feet. At greater speed, there is a tendency to converge
toward a center line of travel. The head is carried high
and the backline remains firm and level.
ELIMINATING FAULTS
(An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it
eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a
conformation event.)
Over 6 pounds.
Under one pound.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered
for placement in a conformation event, and must be
reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Drop ears after six months of age.
Cropped ears.
An open fontanel, a hole or gap in the center of the
skull, referred to as a molero.
Cropped tail.
Bobtail.
Bald patch (alopecia) in the Smooth Coated variety.
Merle color.