Chihuahua - Long Coat
Purebred dogs have a breed standard to maintain consistency in appearance, temperament, and function within each breed.
1. Preserve the Breed’s Purpose
Most dog breeds were originally developed for specific jobs (herding, hunting, guarding, etc.). The breed standard defines traits—like size, strength, coat type, and behaviour—that support those original purposes.
2. Ensure Predictability
Breed standards allow people to predict a dog’s behaviour, size, coat, and needs before bringing one home. This helps match dogs with suitable owners and lifestyles.
3. Guide Ethical Breeding
Responsible breeders use the standard to:
Avoid exaggerations or defects.
Maintain health and function.
Prevent inbreeding or random variation.
Standards provide a benchmark to select dogs that best represent the breed for future generations.
4. Enable Fair Competition
In dog shows, breed standards are the criteria for judging. Judges compare each dog to the ideal version of its breed—not to the other dogs in the ring.
5. Preserve Heritage
Many breeds are centuries old. Standards help maintain the historical identity and genetic integrity of a breed across generations and regions.
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Group: 1 (Toys)
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General Appearance:
The Standard of the Chihuahua (Long Coat) is the same as the Standard of the Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) with the exception of the following:
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COAT: - Long, soft texture (never coarse or harsh to touch) either flat or slightly wavy. Never tight and curly. Feathering on ears, feet and legs, pants on hind quarters, large ruff on neck desirable. Tail long and full as a plume.
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Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
A direct extract of the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Club) standard. Correct as of the 9th July 2016
