***I found this information from the American Kennel Club at akc.org
General Appearance
A graceful, alert, swift moving, compact little dog with a saucy expression and terrier-like qualities of temperament.
Size
Should not exceed 6 pounds (over 6 pounds will disqualify them).
Proportion
They should have an off-square body, which means they are slightly longer when measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks than the height at their withers (ridge between shoulder blades). It is preferred for males to have a shorter body.
Their skull should be a well rounded “apple dome” skull with or without molera (which is a “hole” or soft spot in their head).
Expression
Saucy, which is defined as bold and lively.
Eyes
Full and round but not protruding, well balanced and set well apart. The color should be luminous dark or luminous ruby (luminous means bright). Light eyes are okay in blonde or white Chihuahuas. Blue eyes and different colored eyes are considered a serious fault.
Ears
Ears should be large, erect and standing upright when alert but should move to a 40 degree angle when in response. Cropped ears will disqualify the dog.
Stop (the indentation between the eyes where the nasal bone and cranium meet)
The stop should be well defined and form a 90 degree angle, from a side view, where the muzzle joins the skull.
Muzzle (everything in front of the eyes)
The muzzle should be moderately short and slightly pointed.
Nose
Self-colored, which means the same color all over, except for lighter shades. In blonde Chihuahuas, a pink nose is acceptable.
Bite
They should have a level bite (when the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws meet exactly edge to edge) or a scissor bite (when the the outer side of the lower incisors touches the inner side of the upper incisors). An under-bite or over-bite is penalized as a serious fault. One or two missing teeth is acceptable.
Neck
Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders.
Topline (outline from shoulders to tail)
Level
Body
Ribs rounded and well sprung (curved) but not barrel-shaped.
Tail
Moderately long and sickle (curved) up or out, or in a loop over the back with the tip barely touching the back. The tail should never be tucked between the legs. A cropped tail or bobtail will disqualify the dog.
Shoulders
Shoulders should be lean and sloping into a light broadening support above straight forelegs that set well under, giving free movement at the elbows. Shoulders should be well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping into a level back. This gives a well developed chest and strength of forequarters. The shoulders should never be down or low.
Feet
They should have small, dainty feet with toes that are well split but not spread cushioned pads. They should never have a “hare foot,” where the two inside toes are noticeably longer, or the “cat foot,” where it is a perfectly round foot with high arched toes held tightly together. Dewclaws (the fifth toe) can be removed.
Pasterns (ankle area)
This should be strong and not bend.
Hindquarters
Muscular, with hocks well apart, neither out nor in, well let down, firm and sturdy. Angulation (angles created by bones meeting joints) should be equal to forequarters. The feet are as in front.
Coat
In smooth coats, the coat should be soft, close and glossy. Heavier coats with undercoats are acceptable. Coat placed well over body with ruff on the neck preferred and more scantier on head and ears. Hair on tail is preferred furry.
In long coats, the coat should be a soft texture, either flat or slightly wavy with an undercoat preferred. A thin coat that resembles bareness will disqualify the dog.
On the ears, the fur should be fringed. On the tail, the fur should be full and long like a plume. Feathering on feed and legs, pants on hind legs and large ruff on neck is desired and preferred. They should only be groomed to create a neat appearance.
Color
Any color is acceptable; the color may be solid, marked or splashed.
Gait
The Chihuahua should move swiftly with a firm, sturdy action, with good reach in front equal to the drive from the rear. From the rear, the hocks remain parallel to each other, and the foot fall of the rear legs follows directly behind that of the forelegs. The legs, both front and rear, will tend to converge slightly toward a central line of gravity as speed increases. The side view shows good, strong drive in the rear and plenty of reach in the front, with the head carried high. The topline should remain firm and the backline level as the dog moves.
Temperament
Alert, projecting the ‘terrier-like’ attributes of self importance, confidence and self reliance.
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My dogs are the cutest Chihuahuas in the world, but they wouldn’t pass the standard. Charlee would be disqualified because he has a bobtail (he was born with his tail cropped). He also has a really bad under-bite which would cost him some serious points. I’m not quite sure, but I don’t think he weighs less than 6 pounds. He was about 5 pounds last time he went to the vet and he has been gaining weight. Neva is said to be a really good-looking Chihuahua, and she is pretty close to the standard. However, her eyes protrude a little bit and she has a slight over-bite. I think she has a pretty good gait because she looks amazing when she prances. She doesn’t show the personality that the judges would like to see. She is very timid and insecure, and her tail finds its way between her legs a lot.
How are your Chihuahuas measuring up? I’d like to hear about it in the comments.
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