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Chihuahua Breed Standard
Toy Group Size, Proportion, SubstanceWeight - A well balanced little dog not to exceed 6 pounds.
Proportion - The body is off-square; hence, slightly longer when measured from point of shoulder to point
of buttocks, than height at the withers. Somewhat shorter bodies are preferred in males. Disqualification
- Any dog over 6 pounds in weight. HeadA well rounded "apple dome" skull, with or without molera. Expression
- Saucy. Eyes - Full, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart-luminous dark or luminous ruby. (Light
eyes in blond or white-colored dogs permissible.) Ears - Large, erect type ears, held more upright when alert,
but flaring to the sides at a 45 degree angle when in repose, giving breadth between the ears. Muzzle - Moderately
short, slightly pointed. Cheeks and jaws lean. Nose - Self-colored in blond types, or black. In moles, blues,
and chocolates, they are self-colored. In blond types, pink nose permissible. Bite - Level or scissors. Overshot
or undershot bite, or any distortion of the bite or jaw, should be penalized as a serious fault. Disqualifications
- Broken down or cropped ears.  Neck, Topline, BodyNeck - Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders. Topline
- Level. Body - Ribs rounded and well sprung (but not too much "barrel-shaped"). Tail - Moderately
long, carried sickle either up or out, or in a loop over the back, with tip just touching the back. (Never tucked between
legs.) Disqualifications - Cropped tail, bobtail. ForequartersShoulders
- Lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support above straight forelegs that set well under, giving a free play at the
elbows. Shoulders should be well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping into a level back. (Never down or low.) This gives
a chestiness, and strength of forequarters, yet not of the "Bulldog" chest. Feet - A small, dainty foot with
toes well split up but not spread, pads cushioned. (Neither the hare nor the cat foot.) Pasterns - Fine.
Hindquarters
Muscular, with hocks well apart, neither out nor in, well let down, firm and sturdy. The feet are as in front.
Coat
In
the Smooth Coats, the coat should be of soft texture, close and glossy. (Heavier coats with undercoats permissible.)
Coat placed well over body with ruff on neck preferred, and more scanty on head and ears. Hair on tail preferred furry. In
Long Coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly curly, with undercoat preferred.
Ears - Fringed. (Heavily fringed ears may be tipped slightly if due to the fringes and not to weak ear leather,
never down.) Tail - Full and long (as a plume). Feathering on feet and legs, pants on hind legs and large
ruff on the neck desired and preferred. Disqualification - In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.
Color
Any color-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 head carried high. The topline should remain firm and the backline level
as the dog moves.
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Australian Shepherd
Herding Group
General Appearance
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding
instincts. He is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. He is well balanced, slightly longer than tall, of
medium size and bone, with coloring that offers variety and individuality. He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile,
solid and muscular without cloddiness. He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. He has a docked or natural bobbed
tail.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--The preferred height for males is 20-23 inches, females
18-21 inches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size. Proportion--Measuring from the breastbone to rear
of thigh and from top of the withers to the ground the Australian Shepherd is slightly longer than tall. Substance--Solidly
built with moderate bone. Structure in the male reflects masculinity without coarseness. Bitches appear feminine without being
slight of bone.
Head
The Head is clean cut, strong and dry. Overall size should be in proportion to the body.
The muzzle is equal in length or slightly shorter than the back skull. Viewed from the side the topline of the back skull
and muzzle form parallel planes, divided by a moderate, well-defined stop. The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and
is rounded at the tip. Expression --Showing attentiveness and intelligence, alert and eager. Gaze should be keen
but friendly. Eyes are brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof, including flecks and marbling.
Almond shaped, not protruding nor sunken. The blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on eye rims. The red merles and
reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on eye rims. Ears are triangular, of moderate size and leather, set high on
the head. At full attention they break forward and over, or to the side as a rose ear. Prick ears and hanging ears are severe
faults. Skull Top flat to slightly domed. It may show a slight occipital protuberance. Length and width
are equal. Moderate well-defined stop. Muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip. Nose--Blue
merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the nose (and lips). Red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on the
nose (and lips). On the merles it is permissible to have small pink spots; however, they should not exceed 25% of the nose
on dogs over one year of age, which is a serious fault. Teeth--A full complement of strong white teeth should
meet in a scissors bite or may meet in a level bite. Disqualifications--Undershot. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch.
Loss of contact caused by short center incisors in an otherwise correct bite shall not be judged undershot. Teeth broken or
missing by accident shall not be penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck is strong, of moderate length, slightly arched at the crest, fitting
well into the shoulders. Topline--Back is straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints. The croup
is moderately sloped. Chest is not broad but is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow. The ribs are well
sprung and long, neither barrel chested nor slab-sided. The underline shows a moderate tuck-up. Tail is straight,
docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed four inches in length.
Forequarters
Shoulders--Shoulder blades are long, flat, fairly close set at the withers and
well laid back. The upper arm, which should be relatively the same length as the shoulder blade, attaches at an approximate
right angle to the shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight, perpendicular to the ground. Legs straight and
strong. Bone is strong, oval rather than round. Pastern is medium length and very slightly sloped. Front dewclaws
may be removed. Feet are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient.
Hindquarters
The width of the hindquarters is equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders.
The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an
approximate right angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The hocks are short, perpendicular
to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Rear dewclaws must be removed. Feet are oval,
compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient.
Coat
Hair is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant and of medium length. The undercoat
varies in quantity with variations in climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, ears, front of forelegs and below the
hocks. Backs of forelegs and britches are moderately feathered. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs
than in bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults.
Color
Blue merle, black, red merle, red-all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points,
with no order of preference. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point of the withers at the skin. White is
acceptable on the neck (either in part or as a full collar), chest, legs, muzzle underparts, blaze on head and white extension
from underpart up to four inches, measuring from a horizontal line at the elbow. White on the head should not predominate,
and the eyes must be fully surrounded by color and pigment. Merles characteristically become darker with increasing age. Disqualifications
White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters
in all colors.
Gait
The Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free and easy gait. He exhibits great agility of movement
with a well-balanced, ground covering stride. Fore and hind legs move straight and parallel with the center line of the body.
As speed increases, the feet (front and rear) converge toward the center line of gravity of the dog while the back remains
firm and level. The Australian Shepherd must be agile and able to change direction or alter gait instantly.
Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active dog with an even disposition; he is good
natured, seldom quarrelsome. He may be somewhat reserved in initial meetings. Faults Any display of shyness, fear
or aggression is to be severely penalized.
Disqualifications
Undershot. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch.
White body splashes, which means white
on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters in all colors.
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