FCI Standard for Chihuahuas

by admin · 21/12/2023

Size:

Head (Skull, Stop, Nose, Muzzle, Lips, Face, Jaw/Teeth, Eyes, Ears):

Skull: Very round “apple head” (a characteristic of this breed), may have a small molera (fontanel), but preferably none.
Stop: Well-defined, deep, and broad, with the forehead rising above the base of the muzzle.
Nose: Can be of any color, appropriately short, and slightly forward-pointing.
Muzzle: Short, straight when viewed from the side, wide at the base, tapering towards the tip.
Lips: Slanting and close-fitting.
Face: Slightly developed, clean.
Jaw/Teeth: Scissor bite or level bite. Protrusion of upper or lower jaw or other irregularities are severe faults.
Eyes: Large, round, expressive, not protruding, preferably dark but not too light.
Ears: Large, straight, open, wide at the base, tapering to a slightly rounded tip. In repose, they tilt sideways at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

Body (Neck, Chest, Ribs, Back and Loin, Forequarters, Skin):

Body: Compact and naturally structured.
Topline: Level.
Shoulders: Slightly defined.
Back: Short and firm.
Loins: Very muscular.
Hindquarters: Wide and strong, nearly level or slightly sloping.
Chest: Wide and deep, well-expanded ribs. From the front, spacious but not excessive; from the side, reaching the elbows. Not barrel-shaped.
Underline: Formed by a distinct upward curve. The abdomen may be loose but preferably not.

Limbs (Forequarters, Shoulders, Upper Arm, Elbows, Pasterns, Hindquarters, Thighs, Hock Joints, Hocks, Feet, Toenails):

Forequarters: Straight and long; when viewed from the front, in line with the elbows; when viewed from the side, vertical.
Shoulders: Neat, moderately developed muscles. Proper angle between the scapula and upper arm.
Elbows: Solid and close to the body, ensuring freedom of movement.
Pasterns: Slightly sloping, strong, and flexible.
Hindquarters: Long bones, well-muscled, vertical to the ground, parallel to each other. Proper angles between the hip, knee joint, and hock joint, coordinating with the forequarters.
Hocks: Short, Achilles tendon well-developed; when viewed from the rear, naturally separated, straight, and perpendicular to the ground.
Feet: Very small, oval-shaped, toes naturally separated but not excessively (not hare or cat feet). Toenails curved and of proper length. Pads well-developed and elastic. Dewclaws should be removed unless prohibited by national law.

Tail:

Tail: Set high, appearing flat, of appropriate length, broad at the base, tapering towards the tip. The tail is an essential feature when raised: during movement, it curves or is carried high in a half-circle style, contributing to balance. The tail should not be between the hindquarters or curled below the topline. Tail hair varies with the coat but is consistent with body hair. In long-haired dogs, the tail hair resembles a feather.

Gait/Movement:

Long, powerful, and lively strides. Good extension in the front and well-propelled hindquarters. When viewed from behind, the hind feet move almost parallel to each other, adapting to the front footprints. With increased speed, limbs tend to converge towards the central gravity (single tracking). Easy, elastic movement, not showing effort, with a raised back.

Disqualifying Faults:

Deviations from the above points are considered faults, and any dog displaying significant abnormalities in behavior or physique is disqualified. Examples include pointed ears, short neck, long body, arched or straight back (convex or concave spine), narrow chest, flat chest cavity, improperly positioned tail, short or twisted tail, short limbs, elbows turned out, hind legs too close together, narrow skull, small, deep-set, or protruding eyes, long muzzle, protruding upper or lower jaw, dislocated knee joint, overly aggressive or excessively shy behavior, deer-type conformation (atypical or extreme physique: refined head, long neck, slender body, long limbs), large molera, drooping or short ears, excessively long, fine, and wavy coat in long-haired dogs, bald spots (alopecia) in short-haired dogs, and a weight exceeding 3 kilograms.

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