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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 200 dogs participated in the event Saturday at the Chula Vista PETCO.

A tan, short-haired Chihuahua named Junior claimed victory after prevailing in 20 preliminary heats and a semi-final round. The 2-year-old Chihuahua, is owned by Monorum Dith and Jonathan Factor of Normal Heights, who adopted the dog from Monorum's sister.

After covering the 1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track in mere seconds during the final round of the San Diego regional races, Junior 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. Junior will head to PETCO Park that day where he 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 San Diego featured 20 heats of Chihuahuas. Trailing winner Junior, Desi, owned by Cathy Fontaine of San Diego, placed second. Desi 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.

"We trained Junior by creating a box for him to get in and then practiced having him to run to us," said Factor. "In last year's race Junior did not get out of the box too well, so we decided we needed to work on getting out of the box better and it worked," he added.

A regional race also took place today in New York City, 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 San Diego 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/.

SOURCE: PETCO