The AKC Breed Standard for the Chihuahua

Due to their popularity, and considering that they are among one of the first breeds of dog established in the Americas, it comes as no surprise that there are many variations of Chihuahuas.

So what is the true breed standard? Why does it matter? If I want a Chihuahua, do I need a purebred Chihuahua? Read on to find out.

What is the AKC Breed Standard?

The official AKC standard for the Chihuahua includes every physical aspect of a Chihuahua, even areas you may never think to study carefully, as well as their temperament.

As of October 2008, the American Kennel Club formalized the breed standard description below:

Expression and Temperament

Chihuahuas should have a saucy expression. They are alert and project “terrier like” attitudes of self importance, confidence, and self reliance”.

As amusing as this description is, most Chihuahua owners will tell you this is completely accurate!

Appearance

The AKC describes the general appearance of Chihuahuas as graceful, swift, and compact.

Coat

AKC Judges expect smooth coat Chihuahuas to have glossy coats with a smooth texture.

Heavy coats with under coats are acceptable.

The coat should be evenly disbursed all over the body, and some ruff on the neck is ideal. The coat on the head and ears should be a bit less thick.

In long coat Chihuahuas, the coat may be flat or slightly wavy, have a soft texture, and an undercoat is ideal.

The ears should be fringed.

The tail should be long with a full plume.

Judges look for a few ideal traits; feathering on legs and feet, “pants” on the hind legs, and majestic ruff on the neck.

The AKC states that Chihuahuas should only be groomed to be kept tidy, not to obtain a specific coat appearance as a Bichon would be groomed for example.

Colors

The AKC will accept Chihuahuas of virtually any coloring; solid or marked. This is good, because a significant variety of handsome colors and markings have developed over the years of their breeding.

The AKC lists the following colors:

• Black
• Black & Tan
• Blue & Tan
• Chocolate
• Chocolate & Tan
• Cream
• Fawn
• Fawn & White
• Red
• Black & Red
• Black & Silver
• Black & White
• Black Sabled Fawn
• Black Sabled Silver
• Blue
• Blue & White
• Blue Brindled Fawn
• Blue Fawn
• Chocolate & White
• Chocolate Blue
• Chocolate Brindled Fawn
• Chocolate Sabled Fawn
• Cream & White
• Fawn Brindled Black
• Gold
• Gold & White
• Red & White
• Silver
• Silver & White
• White

The AKC lists the following markings:

• Black Mask
• Black Brindling
• Black Sabling
• Merle Markings
• Spotted on White
• White Markings
• Black Mask with White Markings
• Blue Mask
• Cream Markings
• Fawn Markings
• Red Markings

Weight

The AKC states that Chihuahuas should not weigh more than six pounds.

They do not recognize “teacup” Chihuahuas.

Proportion

Chihuahua’s bodies should be “off-square”; if their length is measured from shoulders to buttocks, this length exceeds their height at their withers.

Judges prefer that males have slightly shorter bodies than females.

Head

They should have a round shaped skull, referred to as an apple dome skull. They may or may not have a molera.

Eyes

Their eyes should not protrude from their faces, and they should be described as dark or ruby colored, full, round, and luminous.

In blond or white Chihuahuas, light eyes are accepted.

Blue eyes, or two different colored eyes, are considered faults. While this would not disqualify a Chihuahua from showing, it would severely impact their chances of winning.

Ears

Chihuahuas should have large ears, which are erect, not floppy.

They are held up more firmly when alert, and may flare to the sides at a 45 degree angle when relaxed.

Muzzle, Nose, and Bite

Their stop should be well defined, forming a 90 degree angle when viewed from the side.

Their muzzle should be short and slightly pointed.

The nose should be black, or self colored in mole, blue, chocolate, or blond coats. Pink noses are accepted only in blond Chihuahuas.

Their bite should be a scissor bite or a level bite. An overbite or under-bite is considered a serious fault. One or two missing teeth are accepted.

Neck and Body

An AKC Judge would want to see a moderately arched neck that gradually slopes to meet lean shoulders.

The shoulders slope into a level back, they should not be low.

The top line should be level.

The rib cage should be round, but not barrel shaped.

The tail should be slightly long, never tucked between legs, either curled over the back with the tip barely meeting the back, or carried up right.

Legs and Feet

Forelegs should be straight and set well, with free movement possible at the elbows.

Chihuahuas should have little dainty feet with cushioned pads, and toes should not be spread.

The removal of declaws is permitted.

Hind Quarter

AKC Judges expect Chihuahuas to have muscular and sturdy hind quarters. Angulation of hind quarters should be equal to forequarters. Hocks should be well apart, and set neither out nor in. Declaws are permitted to be removed.

Gait

AKC Judges will look for Chihuahuas to carry their heads high, and display a sturdy, swift and firm gait.

Their front reach should be equal to their rear reach.

The front and rear legs should coincide toward their central line of gravity as they move faster.

The hocks should remain parallel when observed from behind, the top line should remain firm, and the back line should remain level when they move.

Disqualifications

If a Chihuahua has any of the following physical characteristics, they will be disqualified from showing:

• Weight exceeding 6 pounds
• Cropped or broken ears
• Cropped tail or bobtail
• In long coat Chihuahuas, a very thin or nearly bare coat

A dog with these physical traits would likely never be bred by anyone who shows, as this would risk passing these traits to puppies.

Why does the breed standard matter?

From a practical standpoint, breed standards matter because they define what a typical dog of a particular breed should look like. The name of the breed and what it looks like is formally defined by the American Kennel Club. It is comparable to a dictionary telling you what a word means. If you think of a certain breed of dog, you likely picture him a certain way; this picture was painted by the AKC.

In everyday life, the AKC’s breed standard only matters if you plan to show your Chihuahua. Some people enjoy owning dogs that conform to a breed standard even if they never plan to show the dog simply because that is what they prefer.

Others plan to breed dogs, and want quality stock to breed from. Showing and breeding are often linked, and Chihuahuas who conform to the breed standard are most valued in these circles. Chihuahuas who have won shows fetch a higher price per puppy when bred. Breeders who actively show dogs may offer their puppies who do not conform to the breed standard for a reduced rate and refer to them as pet quality puppies.

If you are interested in showing Chihuahuas, here are two Westminster Dog Show videos for your reference: the Short Coat Chihuahua Group and the Long Coat Chihuahua Group.

Do I need a pure bred Chihuahua?

If you just want a Chihuahua as a pet to love and enjoy, it does not matter if they conform to the official breed standard.

Chihuahuas who are not conformed to the breed standard are not less healthy or any less valuable as an individual.

In fact, dogs who are not pure bred may have fewer health problems than those who are pure bred, due to the simple fact that their genes were collected from a more diversified pool.

Further, Chihuahuas who are not born to an AKC official litter are often less expensive to purchase, as puppies purchased from “pet quality” breeders tend to cost less than puppies bred by breeders who breed Chihuahuas to conform to the AKC standard.

That being said, there are many Chihuahuas who need homes in the world due to their long life span.

If you plan to adopt a Chihuahua, you will easily be able to find a mixed breed or purebred adult, a mixed breed puppy, or even a purebred puppy, if you search diligently.