Tiny Terror Kicks Tail: Los Angeles' Top Chihuahua Advances to America's Fastest Chihuahua Championship Race in San Diego

LOS ANGELES, 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. Nearly 250 dogs participated in the event Saturday in the Los Angeles market, held at the PETCO store in Montebello.

Peanut, a 1-year-old, 5-pound short hair Chihuahua owned and trained by Briana Crowley of Reseda, Calif., prevailed in the five-dog final race down the 1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track.

With his victory, Peanut 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. The championship race will be run 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 Los Angeles featured about two dozen preliminary heats of 10 Chihuahuas. Trailing winner Peanut, Tinkerbell placed and Oreo finished strongly to show. Tinkerbell, a 2-year-old, 12-pound short hair Chihuahua owned by Tammy Gainer of Los Angeles, received a one-year supply of Chihuahua food from race co-sponsor Royal Canin. Oreo, a 1-year-old, 2-1/2 pound short hair Chihuahua owned by Ismael Gutierrez of Rosemead, Calif., 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.

"We just came here today to have some fun," Crowley said after Peanut's victory. "We had no idea we'd win!"

On a hot Los Angeles day, pet parents lured their Chihuahuas to the finish line with everything from squeaking toys to jiggling keys to favorite foods. Crowley used Snausages, one of Peanut's favorite treats.

Regional races also took place Saturday in Chicago, 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 Los Angeles 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]