There are seven distinct varieties of Chihuahuas, or toy dogs, distinguished by differences in coat length, coat color, teacup size, and head shape, including apple, deer, and pear heads. You may tell a Chihuahua from one of seven distinct types by looking at its coat texture, eye color, size, or one of three head forms.
Types of Chihuahua
This breed of dog is defined by its coat length (short or long), size (teacup), color, and head shape (Deer, Apple, or Pear), among other physical traits. All of these variations apart, they are all members of the same breed.
Apple Head Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas often have an apple-shaped skull and may be any color from gold to black to fawn and beyond. These apple-headed puppies typically reach a maturity age of 14–16 years, with a weight of 4–6 pounds and a stature of 5–8 inches.
Though they may not be the greatest supporters of children, they are considered to be courageous, daring, and a little bit naughty. Compared to Chihuahuas with more pointed or pear-shaped heads, this breed’s wider head might make breathing difficult for them due to their somewhat shorter muzzles.
Deer Head Chihuahuas
While the deer-headed Chihuahua isn’t really a breed, it’s just as lively and fun as any other Chi Chi. These pups are loyal and affectionate, needing positive training for good behavior. Typical measurements include:
- A height of 8 to 12 inches.
- A weight of 7 to 10 pounds.
- A lifespan of 14 to 16 years.
Unfortunately, their size and weight make them ineligible for canine competitions.
Although the precise genetic genealogy of the Chihuahua is still a mystery, canine specialists agree that it descended from a mix of the Techichi and the Chinese Crested dog. The exact moment the Chi Chis split into deer and apple heads is another mystery that they are trying to solve. Due to their larger muzzles, deer-headed Chihuahuas resemble the Techichi more than any other breed.
A deer’s head is characterized by its large ears, long nose, and widely spaced eyes. Despite their widespread use in the 1950s, the Chihuahua Club of America’s list of desirable breed characteristics caused their popularity to decline. Bigger eyes, a more rounded skull, and smaller ears were some of the suggestions. More often than not, you’ll see deer head Chi Chis with shorter hair than longer hair.
Short Hair Chihuahuas
There are more short-haired Chihuahuas than long-haired ones. These dogs are also known as smooth coat Chihuahuas. They got their moniker because their fur seemed so silky. These dogs are low-maintenance since all it takes to keep their coat in excellent condition is a weekly brushing. In terms of stature, they may be anywhere from 3 to 6 pounds heavy, 6 to 9 inches tall, and typically have a lifespan of 10 to 18 years.
Chihuahuas may be either short- or long-haired, and it’s the only difference that the AKC recognizes between the two varieties.
Long Hair Chihuahuas
Despite its endearing appearance, the long-haired Chihuahua is much less prevalent than its short-haired counterpart. One possible explanation for their lower popularity is the increased frequency with which they need maintenance, such as brushing their lengthy coat every other day and, in extreme cases, hiring a professional.
To help your long-haired Chihuahua adjust to bath time, brushing and grooming should begin early on. When Chihuahuas first came to the United States in the 1800s, the long-haired kind was more sought after. According to experts, the long-haired Chihuahua likely originated from a hybrid of the short-haired species and a longer-haired breed, such as a Pomeranian. Chihuahuas are often known as rough-coated dogs because of the rough and fluffy appearance of their hair.
They typically have a lifespan of 14–20 years, a height of 6–9 inches, and a weight of 3–6 pounds. The price of a Chi Chi with long hair is usually more than that of a Chi Chi with short hair.
Fascinating fact: a Chihuahua’s fur will reach its maximum length in around two years.
Teacup Chihuahuas
When the Chihuahua Club of America first recognized a dog breed in 1904, it was the Teacup Chihuahua. Someone, however, decided that a six-pound Chihuahua was too large, so they bred the little Chi Chi into a teacup size that is three pounds and six inches tall. Having a hamster is similar, isn’t it? These small Chihuahuas seem to be quite pleased with their little stature.
Unfortunately, few people consider the health risks associated with breeding teacup Chihuahuas for their small size. Because of their small size, they often only live for seven to twelve years. Problems with their physical and mental health are more likely to occur in this population.
Pear-Headed Chihuahuas
These pear-shaped Chihuahuas don’t have a fancy title, but they get their unusual mix of apple and deer head characteristics. Pear heads are unusual. Thus, some breeders may consider this a defect, while others may choose to charge more for them.
Chihuahuas of this kind are larger and heavier than the average apple or deer head. With a broad top and a narrow, deer-like nose, their skulls are rather distinctive. Their head is flatter, and their snout is bigger than that of other Chihuahuas.
Many Chihuahuas have a molera, a soft place on their skull, similar to a human baby’s. This trait was used to breed the pear-head Chihuahua. A health danger may exist in cases when it does not close up as they develop, albeit this is not always the case.
With few exceptions, pear-headed Chihuahuas are quite similar to their round-headed relatives. Their lifespan is 12–20 years; they weigh 2–6 pounds and are 6–9 inches long.
Color-Named Chihuahua
Chihuahuas may be seen in a wide variety of colors, and some of them are more often seen at dog shows than others. The American Kennel Club gives a nod to solid colors like cream, fawn, chocolate, and black. How often do you see brown Chihuahuas? There aren’t many of them! While fawn Chihuahua puppies are more prevalent, you may be surprised to know that they can really display 39 various hues.
In addition to the basic colors authorized by the AKC, there are other options, such as white, silver, chocolate blue, gold, and blue. With different combinations and patterns, the color options seem limitless.
Many other two-tone coat colors are acceptable in AKC dog shows, including blue and tan, fawn and white, black and tan, black and red, chocolate and tan, and many more. They also recognize a wide variety of coat colors and patterns in Chihuahuas, including merle, sable, and brindle.