JUDGING THE LITTLES CHIHUAHUAS by SHARON NEWCOMB
(Illustration courtesy of Sandy Bergstrom Mesmer)
A ll breeds are three things: how they look; how they act; and how they move. Chihuahuas are “off square.” Males are preferred, “somewhat shorter.” “Ears are flared to the sides at a 45 degree angle when in repose.” That is when the dog is not alert. They may be higher when alert but the standard says never lower than 45 degrees. (Papillons are 45 degrees when alert and may have their ears lower when in repose.) Chi- huahuas may alert their ears straight up, Papillons should never get their ears straight up.) “Ears are large.” Little ears are a common fault. “Eyes are full and round.” You will see small, squinty and protruding. The eye should be well placed into the skull. The skull is “apple domed” and “with or without molera.” Stop is “well defined.” The muzzle is “short” and “slightly pointed.” You will see dogs with muzzles that are too blocky and too long and narrow. (Think Taco Bell for the long narrow one.) Noses can be “self-colored in blond types, or black. In moles, blues and chocolates, self colored. Pink is permis- sible in blonds.” Bite, level or scissors.” This standard does not call for a lot of neck, “slightly arched” is mentioned. Topline is “level.” Tails are interest- ing. There are three carriages allowed. It must be “sickle” but can be “up or out or in a loop over the back with tip just touching the back.” Notice it does not say touching the hip. In a perfect world, the breeders prefer the sickle to point right between the ears, well up off the back. The feet are “neither cat nor hare”, “small and dainty” and the foot should not be spread. Pasterns are strong. This breed has two coats, smooth and long. The smooths can be “soft, close and glossy with a ruff on the neck preferred.” The Longs are “soft texture either flat or wavy with under- coat preferred.” Ears are “fringed ears, tail—full and long, feathering on feet
and legs, pants and large ruff on neck desired and preferred.” (The Chihuahua should be groomed only to create a neat appearance.) This is telling us not to over groom. This is an “alert, swift-moving com- pact little dog with saucy expression and with terrier-like qualities of tem- perament.” They should not be skulk- ing around the ring. Some Chihuahuas do not like the casual stranger. Examin- ing one of these can be done from the rear after the handler shows the bite. They may not like your hands on them but, after all, they are small and can be held in place while you touch them. Do not think for one minute that you are going to coochie coo one of these and make friends. It probable isn’t going to happen. I find it best to be quick and thorough and move away. This can be somewhat timid temperament or I’m in charge and just give me a chance to show you. Either way, a quick, quiet exam is best. Chihuahua are a reach and drive breed. The standard also says, “swiftly moving with firm, sturdy action.” The head should be carried high. The move- ment is very harmonious in a proper moving dog. The back remains level and firm. Faults that are common in the breed are: rubboard toplines, woncky tails, small or bulging eyes, small ears, wide at the base with short ears and some are “THIS IS AN ‘ALERT, SWIFT-MOVING COMPACT LITTLE DOG WITH SAUCY EXPRESSION AND WITH TERRIER- LIKE QUALITIES OF TEMPERAMENT.’”
just common in type. A well-made, swift moving, Chihuahua with beauti- ful breed type and character is a wee
treasure and a delight to judge. DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Any dog over 6 pounds in weight. broken down or cropped ears and Docked tail, bobtail. In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sharon Newcomb, about fifty years in dogs, breeder, owner handler, profes- sional handler, trainer (obedience and one field trial lab), AKC conformation judge of thirty-five years, whose breeds include Toy Group, Herding Group, Non-Sporting Group and breeds in all the other groups. Mrs. Newcomb has bred or owned: Weimaraner, Min. Poo- dle, Shetland Sheepdog, Pom, Peke, Ger- man Shepherd, Doberman, Papillon, Anatolian Shepherd, Pointer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Chihuahuas. Has had BIS dogs in Poms, Paps, Chi- huahuas, Pointers, Shetland Sheep- dogs, German Shepherds. Gives Semi- nars on German Shepherds, Papillons, Anatolian Shepherds and Chihuahuas. Has judged in England, Ireland, Can- ada, Mexico, China and Sweden. Has given lectures on Diet and Vaccines. Has taught obedience and show han- dling classes. Has judged the Papillon National Specialty in four countries.
T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2016 • 73
Powered by FlippingBook