Tiny Terror Kicks Tail: Chicago's Top Chihuahua Repeats Last Year's Winning Performance; Advances to America's Fastest Chihuahua Championship Race in San Diego

CHICAGO, 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. 206 dogs participated in the event Saturday in the Chicago market, held at the PETCO store at 348 South State Route 59 in Naperville, Illinois.

Chalupa, a 7-year-old, 9-pound short hair Chihuahua owned and trained by Alfonso Salinas Jr. of Hammond, Indiana, prevailed in numerous preliminary heats and then held off several late challengers to pull away down the stretch to claim victory for the second year in a row. Chalupa not only won last year's regional Chicago race but went on to the final race in San Diego to win the title "America's Fastest Chihuahua." In all races, Fritos helped coax her to the finish line.

After covering the 1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track in 3.2 seconds in the final round of the Chicago regional races, Chalupa (a female) 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. Chalupa 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 Chicago featured heats of 10 Chihuahuas. Trailing winner Chalupa, Tequila placed and Jack finished strongly to show. Tequila, owned by Jessica Jones of Des Plaines, Illinois received a one-year supply of Chihuahua food from race co-sponsor Royal Canin, and Jack, coming from Vernon Hills, received a $25 PETCO gift card. 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 was the leader of the pack," said Salinas Jr. of Chalupa. "It was sweet to repeat," he added, saying Team Chalupa's t-shirts in San Diego will read "We're in it to win it."

Regional races also took place today in Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami 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 Chicago 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 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/.

Contacts: Melissa Levy Erin Mathe Don Cowan Carmichael Lynch Spong Carmichael Lynch Spong PETCO [phone] direct [phone] direct [phone] direct [phone] cell [phone] cell [phone] [e-mail]