Tiny Terror Kicks Tail: New York City's Top Chihuahua Advances to America's Fastest Chihuahua Championship Race in San Diego

NEW YORK, June 10 /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. Two hundred dogs participated in the event Saturday at Riverside Park in New York City.

A tan, short-haired Chihuahua named Voodoo claimed victory after prevailing in 20 preliminary heats and a semi-final round. The 4-year-old Chihuahua, adopted by Laura "Tils" Tilbury in Queens, is named after a Thoroughbred horse racing at Belmont Racetrack today.

After covering the 1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track in mere seconds during the final round of the New York City regional races, Voodoo 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. Voodoo 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, a $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 six to eight 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 New York City featured 20 heats of 10 Chihuahuas. Trailing winner Voodoo, the 2005 New York City regional winner, Snoop Dog, placed second. Snoop Dog, owned by Jessica Guff of New York and trained by youngster Casey Gleicher, 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 three-pound bag of Royal Canin Chihuahua food.

"There are a lot of Chihuahuas in New York City," said Tilbury, a professional race horse exercise rider at Belmont Racetrack. "I don't know if we'll win in San Diego, but Voodoo's the fastest dog in New York. Now that's bragging rights."

A regional race also took place today in San Diego, on the heels of regional contests held last week in Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and San Francisco. 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 New York City are passionate about doing the right thing for animals," White said. "We regularly work with local animal care organizations to hold adoption events in our stores to help find good homes for abandoned animals."

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 Chihuahua adoption, 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/.

Contact: Don Cowan Sara N. Blood PETCO Carmichael Lynch Spong [phone] direct [phone] direct [phone] cell [phone] [e-mail]