You probably would cool at a Miniature Chihuahua at first sight. You can’t be blamed – Chihuahuas are naturally cute, especially since they’re small in size.
Despite being small, however, Mini Chihuahuas are extremely energetic that you would sometimes wonder where they store such energy?
Aside from that, they’re also very affectionate and loyal to their family.
Those facts are already given to you once you’ve got a Chihuahua, or maybe planning to adopt one.
But there is still so much more to a Miniature Chihuahua that you probably have never heard of yet.
This could be their origin, varieties, and even their IQ level.
By the end of this list, you’d find yourself falling for your Chihuahua friend more than you already do; or maybe you’d be more excited to adopt one right now.
Small, cute, and a whole lot more – Chihuahuas would be the perfect fur friend for you!
1. Miniature Chihuahuas are One of the Smallest Dog Breed to Exist
There are many dog breeds in the world, but Miniature Chihuahuas have been known to be one of the smallest ones to exist.
A Chihuahua’s height could vary between 5 and 8 inches and would weigh around 5.9 pounds.
Some Chihuahuas could be taller, with a height between 12 to 15 inches.
Despite this, they are still acknowledged as one of the smallest fur friends.
To add to this fact, Mini Chi are believed to be taller than they are now.
The “earlier version” of this dog breed was estimated to be taller than the standard 8 to 15 inches.
But after being bred to other dog breeds, the Miniature Chihuahua eventually shrunk in size and became the cute toy-sized dog that it is today.
Despite its size, a Mini Chihuahua is still sure to be a lovely friend and companion! It remains to be cute, as well.
2. There Are Two Types of Chihuahuas
There are two officially recognized types of the Miniature Chihuahua breed: the short-coated and the long-coated Chihuahuas.
It’s not that hard to differentiate these two types; their name suggests the look of their type.
The long-coated type of Chihuahuas, like what its name says, has long, silky fur.
Some of these long-coated fur friends sport a fluffy look, too; these could probably fit your taste.
On the other hand, the short-coated Chihuahuas have short, needle-like fur that is frequently perceived to be smooth.
However, a short-coated Miniature Chihuahua’s fur is not exactly the kind of smooth you’d expect it to be.
Most people have misconceptions about these two varieties of Chihuahua, though.
You would think that the short-coated one would be easier to take care of since it would probably shred less, but the short-coated Chihuahuas shred more than the long-coated ones.
Long-coated Mini Chi are easier to look after since they don’t need excessive or regular grooming and trimming.
In contrast, a short-coated Chihuahua will need more grooming than the other type.
3. A Chihuahua Has a Soft Spot on Their Head
This soft spot is about its molera. If you’re rubbing your fur friend’s head and feel a sort of “opening” on top of it, then it would be the Miniature Chihuahua’s molera.
This is normal and nothing to be afraid of; your dog is perfectly fine even if it has a molera.
Most newborn mammals have openings on their skulls, as well.
“Molera” is just the term used specifically for dogs, since moleras aren’t limited to Chihuahuas only.
Newborn puppies also have an incomplete skull, but the opening eventually closes and disappears over time.
In comparison to Miniature Chihuahuas and other toy breeds, their moleras would probably stay with them forever.
Though there are still chances of your fur friend’s molera closing, the problem is you wouldn’t be able to know if it has closed or not fully.
You can spot your Chihuahua’s molera, however, and it can be done by simply running your hand over their head; once you spot an indentation, then that would be the soft spot of your dog.
You shouldn’t worry too much about this, though you still have to be cautious regarding your Mini Chihuahua’s safety.
4. Miniature Chihuahuas Have a Difficult Time Giving Birth
At first look, you would immediately notice that a Chihuahua has a rather small body and a large head, setting the proportion off.
This type of body makes it hard for female Chihuahuas to give birth and can lead the mother into undergoing the Caesarean option.
To add to this fact, the main reason that Miniature Chihuahuas have a soft spot (or a molera) is that the mother’s pelvis is small, whereas its puppies’ heads are big.
This molera helps the mother deliver her puppies easier because this soft spot makes the puppies’ head flexible as it goes out of the mother’s pelvis.
Given this fact, most Chihuahuas have dystocia, meaning that they have difficulty when it comes to labor.
5. Small But Terrible
Sure, a Chihuahua may look cute because of how small it looks, or how small they fit when you carry them in your arms, but Miniature Chihuahuas are known to have a big personality and can be aggressive times, as well.
In other terms, Chihuahuas could be the little monster you didn’t expect them to be.
Miniature Chihuahuas can be bossy at times, too, and be a bit aggressive when things don’t go their way.
Of course, though this is true for most puppies, Chihuahuas stand out as this breed has developed a reputation for having a rather aggressive personality.
Some Chihuahuas go to the extent of being noisy and can annoy your ears if you don’t train them to stop anytime soon.
There are also cases of “wild Chihuahuas”; these are mostly stray Chihuahuas, which are aggressive around any person or animal they’d encounter.
If you notice that your pup has a rather sassy behavior, you should train them immediately and erase the image of being boss in their head.
On the other hand, though, Miniature Chihuahuas are also known to be extremely loyal to their families.
So if you’re searching for a fur friend that would stick with you through thick or thin, then you’d go well with a Chihuahua.
6. Truly a Fashion Icon
If you’re someone who loves fashion and wants a fur friend to be as fashionable as you, then a Miniature Chihuahua would be the perfect match.
Other breeds of dogs could also sport looks, but nothing can compare to a Chihuahua’s flare.
There are also many miniature dog clothes in the market—most of these suitable for Chihuahua’s size.
You’ve probably even seen dog fashion shows, and most of the grandest outfits and designs have been worn by none other than a Miniature Chihuahua breed.
Because of their size, Chihuahuas are prone to cold, as well.
So not only would they rock an outfit, but these clothes could also help them keep warm, too, especially when it’s the winter season.
When summer starts, though, clothing could protect your fur friend from sunburn.
7. Rumors Say That Mini Chihuahuas Can Cure Asthma
Though it’s a rumor, many people have bought or adopted Miniature Chihuahuas just for this sole reason.
Folklore suggests that keeping a Chihuahua around could help the person be cured of asthma.
The said Miniature Chihuahua must stick around its owner. By doing this, the small dog can inherit or take its owner’s asthma, making them free from illness.
However, there’s no such proof to this, and doctors haven’t acknowledged that keeping Miniature Chihuahuas can cure people of asthma.
Despite this, a huge population still believes in the folklore and has kept Mini Chihuahuas in the hope that they or their relatives would be cured of asthma.
8. Miniature Chihuahuas Are Said to be Clannish
Some dogs are friendly, while some are introverted and might find it hard to interact with their other dog friends.
However, some breeds become too friendly or not depending on their friend’s breed, which is often recognized as a “clannish” attitude, where dogs become approachable only to other dogs of the same breed.
Miniature Chihuahuas are no exception.
If you find your Chihuahua preferring to be alone in a place filled with other cheerful dogs, try pairing them with a Chihuahua friend, and maybe you’d see your pet playing around with other dogs.
Though your dog not preferring to play with other dogs doesn’t automatically mean that they’re clannish.
There are a lot of other factors to this! They may be shy or are new to interacting with other dogs.
Not all Chihuahuas would avoid other dog breeds just because they’re “clannish in nature” as well.
You can still expect to see them having fun around other dogs, may it be a toy puppy type or a fur friend who’s several inches taller than them; it’s just that, you can expect them to be more energetic and interactive around dogs who are of the same breed as them.
9. Chihuahuas Can Stay with You Longer than Other Breeds Do
The main reason behind this is that Miniature Chihuahuas have an incredibly long lifespan, and is also actually one of the dog breeds with the longest lifespan.
Of course, there are still factors that could interfere with this fact, such as health conditions and lifestyle.
Still, if you have a healthy Chihuahua companion with you, then they’re expected to stick around with you for an average of 15 to 20 years.
It’s not new for small-sized dogs to live longer than the medium or large-sized ones.
The former kind (Chihuahuas and Shih Tzu’s as an example) can live for an average of 15 to 20 years, whereas the latter kind (such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds) can stay for an average of 10 to 13 years.
Make sure to take care of your Mini Chihuahua to the most of your extent if you’d want them to reach that expected 15 to 20 years lifespan.
Regularly feed them healthy food and exercise; taking them for a walk outside is an example.
This could help your fur friend have a stronger, healthier body that can prevent them from diseases.
Always see to it that they get their required vaccinations, too, so that they’d be able to avoid diseases that could be a threat to their life.
As long as you do these regularly and diligently, then it’s safe to say that your Mini Chi can live a long, healthy life with you.
10. There are Other (Yet Unofficial) Types of Mini Chi
Long-coated and short-coated Chihuahuas are the only recognized Chihuahua types by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Still, most people consider the existence of six types of Miniature Chihuahuas, the long-haired and short-haired types included.
The main difference between the two primary types of Miniature Chihuahua would be the length and type of fur.
The other classified types of Chihuahua are sorted into their head shapes, size, and fur color.
These would be the Apple Head Chihuahua, the Dear Head Chihuahua, the Teacup Chihuahua, and the Fawn Chihuahua.
If you’ve heard of, or have seen the “Taco Bell Chihuahua” on the internet, then you’ve already seen an apple head Chihuahua.
Like what its name suggests, this type of Chihuahua’s head is shaped like an apple or has a rather dome-like look to it as well.
You can also classify a dog as an Apple Head Chihuahua if it has a short snot that angles at 90 degrees.
Most teacup Chihuahuas are classified as Apple Head Chihuahuas as well.
As for the Deer Head Chihuahuas, its head looks like a deer’s; hence it’s named.
Compared to Apple Head Chihuahuas, it has a longer snout that connects with its head.
Its snout has a slope, as well. A deer head Chihuahua is usually healthier than Apple Head ones since the latter are prone to getting sick.
The Teacup Chihuahua is a smaller variety of the rest of Chihuahuas.
If you think a standard Chihuahua is small enough, then you haven’t laid your eyes on a Teacup Chihuahua yet.
They’re small in size because they’re bred for that sole reason (to be smaller and in “teacup” size).
A Teacup Chihuahua would be around not taller than 9 inches and weigh less than 5 pounds.
Just by those alone, you could probably tell that this variety of Chihuahua has unnatural features; most people have discouraged the breeding and adoption of Teacup Chihuahuas because of this.
Once a Chihuahua’s fur has a fawn color to it, then it would immediately classify as a Fawn Chihuahua.
Like all the other types, it is what its name suggests.
Any type of Chihuahua (long or short-haired, apple or deer-headed, teacup-sized or not) can be classified as a fawn type, as long as its fur is of the fawn color.
11. The Chihuahua Breed Has the Widest Range of Colors
You’ve heard of the Fawn Chihuahua, which is the type of Chi to have a fur that is fawn-colored.
There are five other colors of fur that a Miniature Chihuahua breed could have; mainly black, white, fawn, cream, chocolate, and gold – and other Chihuahuas’ fur are mixed with two colors.
Though there are many colors of the Chihuahua breed, a pure white Chihuahua is the rarest of them all.
Most Chihuahuas with white fur would be mixed with black, or maybe chocolate, and there is a lot of black, cream, gold, and fawn varieties of a Chihuahua, as well.
When you have a white Chihuahua with you, consider yourself extremely lucky.
12. Chihuahuas Aren’t Really That Smart
This isn’t a bad thing, though, and it’s not new information either.
Despite being feisty and having all of that sass and big personality, a Miniature Chihuahua doesn’t have much of a brain to be considered one of the most intelligent dogs out there.
It ranks below 50 of the most intelligent dog breeds out there, specifically owning the 67th place.
It isn’t a bad thing, because, for a dog breed ranking 67th place, it simply means that they are not as smart as other dogs, but are pretty average when performing tasks and undergoing training.
It may take some time compared to other breeds, but overall, your Chihuahua fur friend is doing well on its own.
The best thing you could do with an IQ level of a Miniature Chihuahua is to always be patient with it, just like with other dogs.
If your fur friend is snarky, make sure to first let them know who the real boss is inside the house, so that they’d know when to behave or not.
After this, you can start teaching them basic things such as staying, sitting, or where to pee or poop.
It would take longer than you might expect it to be, but you’ll always get there soon.