Hi Susan The whole purpose of the AKC standards is to keep Chihuahuas (all breeds actually) looking like chihuahuas. Without the standard, breeders (ethical ones) could breed any old chi with any old chi. Eventually they would not look like chis anymore. By using the standard, the breeder will use the closest specimens to use for breeding only and that way hopefully ensuring that chis will always look like chis. This is not important for pet owners because the ones that don;t come so close to the standard are sold as pets, but they do look like chis, they just have something about them that doesn't measure up to the standard. If they were to be used for breeding, their babies will also have something that doesn't measure up to the standard and each subsequent generation will be farther and farther from the standard untill the chi maybe looks more like a terrier than a chi.
Although we all want to be happy with our dogs and our dogs to be happy with us, as you say. You want to be happy with your "Chihuahua", not your chihuahua that looks more like a fox hound. We all want to be happy with our dogs but we all have the vision of what our favorite breed is and we want them to look (and act) like what that favorite breed is. The standard does that. So you see the standard is very important, even to pet owners. Just my 2 cents worth Lisa In a message dated 12/8/2006 11:09:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > Not trying to be smart or anything, but I could care less about > AKC's standards. I've never gotten into the whole "show dog" thing. > As long as we're happy with our dogs, and our dogs are happy with us > that's all I care about. I'm sure that's how the majority of you > feel, though.....right? > > Susan > > > > >
