There is no doubt that Chihuahua dogs, originating in the north of Mexico, are the world's smallest dog breed. The question is: which Chihuahua can be crowned as the world's smallest dog?

Dancer, a rust-colored Chihuahua, measured 5 inches (12.5 cm) in height at his first birthday. That makes him smaller than the last world's smallest dog, which according to officials with the Guinness World Records was amazingly 5.4 inches (13.4 cm) high!

Dancer could not have claimed the crown officially before being 1 year old, but this happened one month ago.

"As close to the skin as you can get it, Doc," Jenny Gomes of Okahumpka, Dancer's owner, told veterinarian Dr. Jay H. Allen while holding Dancer erect by his front legs to be measured.
Gomes plans to petition Guinness to make official Dancer's distinction.

"While I enjoyed Dancer's publicity, the fanfare came with nasty e-mails from people who threatened to "step on him and squash him. I have truly seen some ugliness." said Gomes.

But now Lisa Messier from Massachusetts claims her shorthaired 4.9-inch (12.3 cm) Chihuahua, Ducky, has been officially named by Guinness World Records the world's smallest living dog by height.

"I had mixed feelings when she received word about the record. I just sat there, and I was kind of down.I felt happy for Ducky but sad for tiny Dancer," said Messier.

The 3-year-old Ducky was also measured one month ago. Messier said she was encouraged by Ducky's breeder and about a year and a half earlier had attempted to turn Ducky into the record holder for the smallest dog by weight, a nonexistent category.

"Dancer wasn't even born when we were trying to do this. Ducky could have held the title a year and a half ago." said Messier.

Messier received a sentinel letter from Guinness with news on the achievement: "Welcome to the very select club of Guinness World Records holders!"