JUDGING THE CHIHUAHUA
by JOAO MACHADO
I have had the honor and pleasure of judging Chihuahuas since 2009 when I got my first breeds approved under FCI system. In fact, this writing brought to my mem- ory that the first dog that I have ever judged was a Smooth Coat Chihuahua in my first judging assignment in the city of Joinville, SC-Brazil. I couldn’t imagine destiny would draw me to this amazing breed many years later. After years of dedication breeding and show- ing Pugs in Brazil, I found my perfect match with Chihuahuas in 2015 when I moved to the US for my job. I currently live in Houston, Texas. Chihuahuas are a great breed; they are fun to have around and they are awesome with all family members including kids and other dogs. Show- ing Chihuahuas is also to be counted. It does not require much groom- ing and due to its reduced size; I can travel with them easily either by car or by air. I can tell I have found more pros than cons with Chihuahuas. Cur- rently, I own a Smooth Coat boy that is ranked in US breed systems this year, recently added my first Smooth Coat girl and I look forward adding my first long coat shortly. There is a very true quote in the internet: “Chihuahuas are like potato chips, you can’t have just one.” As a Toy judge, I have had opportu- nities to judge Chihuahuas in different countries. Like any other breed that becomes popular, which I noticed in some countries where I judged, it tries always emphasize a single feature of the breed, and without a selected breeding program, many important points of the breed are forgotten. Hardly had I found
ABOUT THE AUTHOR My name is Joao Machado and I was born in Vitoria/ES-Brazil, I’m gradu- ated in both English & Portuguese Languages with a Master Degree in Business Administration. In the 80s, I started to become familiar with dogs, when I got from my father a Ger- man Shepherd puppy. Since then, I have been involved with many other breeds like the Great Dane, Toy & Min- iature Poodles, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Wire and Smooth Standard Dachshund, Pomeranian, Afghan Hound, Smooth Fox Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman, Cairn Terrier, Pug and Chihuahua. I was president of the Santos Kennel Club and vice president of the Kennel Club Capixaba both all-breed clubs in Brazil. I had been involved with showing Afghan Hounds attending both spe- cialties and all breeds dog shows in Austria, France and Germany. Cur- rently, as the owner of the Pretty View/ Hyland Kennels, I am dedicated to the breed Pugs producing many champi- ons. Since 2015, I started with Chihua- huas. I was admitted into the CBKC Brazil/FCI judging board since 2009 and I have judged in South America, Eastern Europe and North America. I am currently an active member of the following clubs: Houston Chihua- hua Club (Vice-President), Toy Club of Greater Houston and Baytown Kennel Club (Board Member).
Chihuahuas with bad heads when judg- ing, but in return, I saw several ones with conformation problems such as weak fronts and rear angulation, bad top lines, poor movement and shyness. One point I want to mention that I always look to assess in my judgments is temperament. The FCI standard describes temperament of the Chihua- hua as: “Quick, alert, full of life and cou- rageous.” The AKC standard brings us to the Terriers, as mentioned in its stan- dard: “Terrier-like qualities of tempera- ment.” Both standards are emphatic how breeders, as well as judges, should select the breed stock by also giving strong importance to temperament. In the FCI standard, temperament is taken too seriously that any dog/bitch that shows any sign of aggression or excessive shyness must be disqualified. I usually highlight the following group of characteristics when judging Chihua- huas: head + structure + temperament. The specimen that carries a balance between these three groups of charac- teristics can sure take my breath away. We could talk here on the main differences of the FCI and AKC stan- dards in dealing with colors for exam- ple (as Merle color is a DQ in the FCI standard), weight, molera etc. However, both standards value and define the bal- ance of the parties to create a healthy and correct Chihuahua. May we (and I also include myself in this group look- ing for the improvement of the breed) turn our eyes to all parts that compos- es our beloved breed, it should not be one single feature only. No part alone represents the ideal described for the breed standard in any breed and that includes Chihuahuas.
“I USUALLY HIGHLIGHT THE FOLLOWING GROUP OF CHARACTERISTICS WHEN JUDGING CHIHUAHUAS: HEAD + STRUCTURE + TEMPERAMENT.” 72 • T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2016
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