American Kennel Club - Meet the Chihuahua

Brought to you by The American Kennel Club and The Chihuahua Club of America.

Lead Editor: Karen Julian

Art Director: Cindy Kassebaum

Production Manager: Laurie Panaggio

Production Supervisor: Jessica Jaensch

Production Coordinator: Leah Rosalez

Vice President, Chief Content Officer: June Kikuchi

Vice President, Kennel Club Books: Andrew DePrisco

I-5 Press: Jennifer Calvert, Amy Deputato, Karen Julian, Jarelle S. Stein

Photographs by: Blackhawk Productions (Dwight Dyke): 117; Cheryl Ertelt: 4, 14-15, 30, 40, 50, 54, 58-59, 85, 121; Christopher Appoldt Photography: 56; Close Encounters of the Furry Kind (Jeannie Harrison): 3, 22, 23, 43, 44, 55, 71, 109; Fox Hill Photo: Daniel Johnson, 53, 77; Paulette Johnson, 27, 39, 63, 78-79, 86, 90, 92, 97, 100; Connie Summers/Paulette Johnson, 38, 82, 83; Gina Cioli/I-5 Studio: 4, 68, 80, 91; Jos Alberto Christiansen: Cover insets, 4, 9, 10, 16, 18-19, 26, 33, 34, 60, 62, 64, 65, 72, 73, 75, 84, 113, 115, 118; LMEimages (Laurie Meehan-Elmer): 42, 46, 81, 93, 94, 102, 107, 110-111; Mark Raycroft Photography: Cover insets, 1, 4, 6-7, 11, 13, 17, 20, 21, 24-25, 29, 32, 35, 36-37, 41, 47, 48-49, 51, 52, 57, 61, 66-67, 69, 76, 88-89, 98-99, 103, 104, 108, 114; Shutterstock: Cover, Back cover, 12, 70, 87, 95, 96, 116, 119, 120, 124; Sporthorse Photography (Tara Gregg): 101, 112

Copyright 2012 The American Kennel Club and I-5 Press

I-5 Press

A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of I-5 Press, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The American Kennel Clubs meet the Chihuahua : the responsible dog owners handbook.

p. cm. -- (AKCs meet the breeds series)

Brought to you by The American Kennel Club and The Chihuahua Club of America.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-937049-97-3

eISBN 978-1-620080-33-7

1. Chihuahua (Dog breed) I. American Kennel Club. II. Chihuahua Club of America. III. Title: Meet the Chihuahua.

SF429.C45A44 2012

636.76--dc23

2012017881

Printed and bound in the United States

15 14 13 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Meet Your New Dog

Welcome to Meet the Chihuahua. Whether youre a long-time Chihuahua owner, or youve just gotten your first puppy, we wish you a lifetime of happiness and enjoyment with your new pet.

In this book, youll learn about the history of the breed, receive tips on feeding, grooming, and training, and learn about all the fun you can have with your dog. The American Kennel Club and I-5 Press hope that this book serves as a useful guide on the lifelong journey youll take with your canine companion.

Owned and cherished by millions across America, Chihuahuas make wonderful companions and also enjoy taking part in a variety of dog sports, including Conformation (dog shows), Obedience, Rally, and Agility.

Thousands of Chihuahuas have also earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification by demonstrating their good manners at home and in the community. We hope that you and your Chihuahua will become involved in AKC events, too! Learn how to get involved at www.akc.org/events or find a training club in your area at www.akc.org/events/trainingclubs.cfm.

We encourage you to connect with other Chihuahua owners on the AKC website (www.akc.org), Facebook (www.facebook.com/americankennelclub), and Twitter (@akcdoglovers). Also visit the website for the Chihuahua Club of America (www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.com), the national parent club for the Chihuahua, to learn about the breed from reputable exhibitors and breeders.

Enjoy Meet the Chihuahua!

Sincerely,

Dennis B. Sprung

AKC President and CEO

Contents

T here is mucho machismo in this little puppy! The pint-sized Chihuahua is popular around the world for his spirited, intelligent, and loving personality. The AKC breed standard refers to his ineffable expression as saucy, an adjective that Merriam-Webster defines as impertinently bold and impudent and amusingly forward and flippant. In other words, the Chihuahua is confident like no other dog. Despite his six pounds (or less), he will stand up to any dog, no matter the height or weight, completely unaware of his diminutive stature.

Chihuahua, Chihuahua

The Mexican state of Chihuahua, officially named El Estado Librey Soberano de Chihuahua, is the largest state in our neighbor to the south. Chihuahua is located in the northwestern part of Mexico, bordering Texas and New Mexico. Founded in the early sixteenth century, the capital city is also called Chihuahua. The breed derives its name from the Mexican state, where the earliest specimens of the breed were found.

In fact, adult Chihuahuas can weigh as little as one pound, making the Chihuahua the smallest breed in the world. The AKC standard states weight not to exceed 6 pounds, while European standards say that weight can be between 500 grams and 3 kilograms (16 pounds), with a preference for 12 kilograms (24 pounds). In both Europe and America, dogs weighing over 3 kilograms (6 pounds) are disqualified from competition in the show ring.

Chihuahuas come in two coat varieties, long and smooth. Long-coated Chihuahuas have soft, flat, or slightly wavy hair with excess feathering on the ears, tail, and legs. Smooth-coated Chihuahuas have glossy, short, straight hair. And both long and smooth Chihuahuas come in almost every color.

PEOPLE OF THE CHI

Were you born to be a Chihuahuan? The only thing small about the Chihuahua is his sizenot his personality, attitude, ego, or heart. Hes an active little dog with a big story to tell. He is tremendously loyal and always wants to be close to his owner. Your life wont be your own anymore, and there will be little privacy!

Chihuahuas never fully outgrow their puppy mischief, often tearing up magazines, digging up flowers, and chasing the family cat well into their adult years. The breeds saucy personality and unquenchable curiosity will provide years of amusement for its keepers. Most owners accept the Chis inventive naughtiness and welcome their games and clowning. Chihuahuas are often compared to a small terrier for their feisty tendencies and their enjoyment of digging. Also like terriers, Chihuahuas have big opinions and dont hesitate to share them. If you live in close proximity to your neighbors, they may not appreciate your barky pooch. Extra training and socialization can keep the Chihuahuas vociferous inclinations in check.

Get to Know the AKC

The countrys leading canine organization, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the betterment and promotion of purebred dogs as family companions. The AKC is the largest and most prestigious dog registry in the United States. It was founded in 1884 with the mission of upholding its registry and promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Supporting everything from health and wellness to breed standards to fun activities for the whole family, the AKC thrives on the participation of dog lovers like you.