Tiny Terror Kicks Tail: Miami's Top Chihuahua Advances to America's Fastest Chihuahua Championship Race in San Diego
June 03 2006 - 4:11PM
PR Newswire (US)
Chihuahuas Scamper to Local PETCO to Compete for Regional Title
MIAMI, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- They might be America's smallest
breed of dog, but they sure are lightning-quick. Chihuahuas of all
sizes came together today to compete for the coveted title of
America's Fastest Chihuahua in the second annual PETCO Unleashed
regional qualifying races. Ninety dogs participated in the event
Saturday in the Miami market, held at the PETCO store at 12012 SW
88th Street. Carolina, a 1-year-old, 6-pound short hair owned and
trained by Melissa and Michael Cole of Miami, prevailed in eight
preliminary heats and then held off several late challengers to
pull away down the stretch to claim victory. After covering the
1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track in 3.5 seconds in the final
round of the Miami regional races, Carolina secured one of only
seven spots in the PETCO Unleashed 2006 National Chihuahua Race to
be held at PETCO Park in San Diego on Sept. 3. Carolina and two
human companions will head to sunny San Diego where they will
compete in the title race during a San Diego Padres baseball game
in front of tens of thousands of cheering fans. Besides earning the
bragging rights of being "America's Fastest Chihuahua," the
national winner will receive a trophy, $300 PETCO gift card and
more than 12 times the average Chihuahua's weight in Royal Canin
Chihuahua food (a year's supply). "The PETCO Unleashed Fastest
Chihuahua race is about getting people and their pets together for
a few hours of fun to celebrate what we call the human-animal
bond," said Clint White, PETCO Manager of Strategic Partnership and
Promotions. "Chihuahuas are great companion animals, and we hope
the races will bring added attention to the adoption of these great
pets." The Chihuahua is the 11th most popular purebred dog breed in
the United States, according to the American Kennel Club. Measuring
6 to 8 inches at the withers and weighing in at 2-1/2 to 4-1/2
pounds, the dogs are considered the smallest and lightest dogs in
the world. Saturday's event in Miami featured nine heats of 10
Chihuahuas. Trailing winner Carolina was Gigi, owned by Marissa
Daugherty of Miami. Gigi received a one-year supply of Chihuahua
food from race co-sponsor Royal Canin. All competitors took home a
2006 PETCO Unleashed goody bag, a T-shirt for their owner and a
3-pound bag of Royal Canin Chihuahua food. "She's all ears," said
Melissa Cole of Carolina. "Her ears are like wings so they probably
helped her to win! She is beyond stubborn and even failed canine
education twice, but she always listens to me when I call her."
Regional races also took place today in Chicago, Los Angeles,
Dallas and San Francisco, with races in New York City and San Diego
scheduled for June 10. One regional winner from each race will
compete for the championship title. PETCO is sponsoring the race to
celebrate America's fastest-growing small breed of dog and to
encourage customers to consider adoption as a first option. For
nearly 40 years, the company has worked with local shelters
nationwide to find homes for millions of homeless animals. "People
in PETCO stores throughout Miami are passionate about doing the
right thing for animals, and we regularly work with local animal
care organizations to hold adoption events in our stores to help
find good homes for abandoned animals," White said. PETCO and the
PETCO Foundation work with Chihuahua Rescue & Transport, Inc.,
across the country to create hundreds of adoption opportunities. To
find out more about how you can adopt a Chihuahua, visit
http://www.chihuahua-rescue.com/. Fast Chihuahua Facts: *
Chihuahuas are said to be able to travel up to 7 mph for short
distances. * Due to its diminutive size, the Chihuahua is
considered the ultimate indoor dog. * The smallest living dog ever
recorded is a Chihuahua. * In 2005, the Chihuahua was the 11th most
popular purebred dog in the U.S., according to the American Kennel
Club. The other most popular dogs are 1) Labrador Retriever; 2)
Golden Retriever; 3) Yorkshire Terrier; 4) German Shepherd; 5)
Beagle; 6) Dachshund; 7) Boxer; 8) Poodle; 9) Shih Tzu; 10)
Miniature Schnauzer. * The Chihuahua has become a popular pet among
celebrities. Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff and Jennifer
Lopez are just a few of the stars who own a pampered Chihuahua.
PETCO (NASDAQ:PETC) is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet
food, supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal
care and education. PETCO's strategy is to offer its customers a
complete assortment of pet- related products and services at
competitive prices, with superior levels of customer service at
convenient locations, by hiring pet lovers and training them to
become counselors to our pet-loving customers. PETCO operates
approximately 800 neighborhood stores in 49 states and the District
of Columbia, as well as a leading destination for online pet food
and supplies at http://www.petco.com/. DATASOURCE: PETCO CONTACT:
Melissa Levy, +1-612-375-8533, cell - +1-612-251-7081, , or Erin
Mathe, +1-612-375-8572, cell - +1-952-261-8148, , both of
Carmichael Lynch Spong, or Don Cowan of PETCO, +1-858-657-2086,
cell - +1-619-417-5244, Web site: http://www.chihuahua-rescue.com/
http://www.petco.com/
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