Small, bold, and affectionate Chihuahua is one of the most popular dog breeds and an amazing apartment dweller. While most people know that they are the smallest dog breed in the world, not many people know that there are different types of Chihuahua.
These small dogs have a huge personality and make wonderful companions to people of all ages and families with older kids. Despite its small size, the Chihuahua is a great watchdog who forms strong bonds with its owners and isn’t afraid to stand up to bigger dogs.
In this article, we’ll cover different types of Chihuahua to help you decide which one is the best for you.
How Many Types of Chihuahua Are There?
The American Kennel Club officially recognizes only two types of Chihuahua breeds – short-haired and long-haired Chihuahua. According to the breed standard, all other types of Chihuahua are considered varieties of the same breed.
Unofficially, there are seven subtypes of Chihuahua. But while they are all the same breed, each variety has a distinguishing physical trait.
7 Types of Chihuahua
While short hair and long hair Chihuahuas are officially recognized there is a variety of Chihuahuas you can choose from. Below you will find seven different subtypes of Chihuahua that you can take home.
Teacup Chihuahua
The miniature teacup Chihuahua is the tiniest dog in the world. Teacup Chihuahuas are so small that they can easily fit into a teacup, which is why they got their name.
To be considered a teacup, an adult Chihuahua should weigh less than five pounds and be less than nine inches tall. Unfortunately, the miniature size makes this tiny dog predisposed to an array of health problems.
Teacup Chihuahuas have a higher risk of developing heart disease, bone fractures, and hydrocephalus among other issues (source). As a result, a teacup Chihuahua has a shorter lifespan than a standard-sized Chihuahua dog.
Apple Head Chihuahua
As its name suggests, the apple head Chihuahua has a very round head that looks a lot like an apple. Having an apple head shape is the main requirement when it comes to breeding standards and is a primary requirement for competing in show rings.
Apple head Chihuahuas typically have slightly bulging round eyes and a short small muzzle that sits at a 90-degree angle. This type of Chihuahua has a very large head compared to the rest of the body, which is fairly small.
Please note, apple head Chihuahuas can suffer from hydrocephalus and have high-risk pregnancies due to the head’s size and shape. Thus, make sure that your apple head Chihuahua puppy comes from a reputable breeder.
Fawn Chihuahua
The fawn Chihuahua isn’t an official type but actually refers to the coat color. This Chihuahua variety can have a long or short coat, or be apple headed or deer headed, as long as its coat has the classic fawn coloring.
They have standard weight and height as all other Chihuahua types but are always in fawn color. Fawn is a fairly common color in Chihuahuas and includes varying shades ranging from very pale to very dark fawn.
When it comes to personality, fawn Chihuahuas are like all other Chihuahuas and don’t have any special needs or requirements. The same is true for their health, and having a fawn coat doesn’t make a Chihuahua prone to any health issues that aren’t already seen in this breed.
Deer Head Chihuahua
The deer head Chihuahua looks slightly different than a traditional apple head Chihuahua. They have slightly elongated heads, narrower muzzles, wider set eyes, flatter skulls and look a lot like a deer.
This type also has a slightly longer body and longer legs than traditional Chihuahuas, which is why they aren’t eligible for competing in show rings. However, deer headed Chihuahuas have fewer health problems than apple head Chihuahuas and make wonderful pets (source).
Deer head Chihuahuas can have either short or long coats and come in many different colors and patterns, just like any other Chihuahua type.
Smooth-Coat Chihuahua
Smooth-coated Chihuahuas come in a variety of coat colors and patterns and both apple head and deer head types can have short coats. Short-haired Chihuahuas are very popular and have a thick, smooth, and shiny coat that’s very easy to groom.
You should know that short-haired Chihuahuas shed all-year-round, and require regular brushing to stay in tip-top conditions. On the plus side, there is no risk of mats and tangles, and you won’t have trouble keeping the coat clean with an occasional bath.
Long-Coat Chihuahua
A long coat Chihuahua has a rather dashing appearance and can have either an apple or deer shaped head. They have a silky, soft, and very smooth coat that usually reaches its full length once the Chihuahua is three years old.
The coat can come in a variety of different colors and patterns, and the good news is that you won’t have to trim it very often. However, you will need to brush your long-haired Chihuahua regularly to prevent mats and tangles from forming.
Long coat Chihuahuas are frequently seen in show rings, but they are also wonderful companion dogs. Surprisingly, long-haired Chihuahuas don’t shed much and can be a great choice if you aren’t a fan of dog hairs.
Hairless Chihuahua
Hairless Chihuahuas are very rare and not an official subtype of the Chihuahua breed. In most cases, hairlessness is the result of overbreeding and happens when breeders want to produce Chihuahuas with a particular coat color.
The lack of coat makes these Chihuahuas a suitable choice for allergy sufferers. However, hairless Chihuahuas are rare and might be very hard to find.
Bear in mind, the lack of hair doesn’t make a hairless Chihuahua any easier to keep, and they still require care and attention. And since they don’t have coats to provide insulation, you’ll have to get a tiny dog sweater that will keep your dog warm during colder months.
Where to Get a Chihuahua?
Small and sassy, the Chihuahua is one of the most popular dog breeds, so there is no shortage of reputable breeders no matter where you live. Keep in mind, while they are in high demand, many Chihuahuas end up abandoned and are taken in by shelters and rescue organizations.
So, if you are thinking of welcoming a Chihuahua into your home, consider adopting one from a local shelter or rescue organization.
Chihuahua Breeders
As mentioned above, Chihuahuas are very popular, so there is no shortage of reputable Chihuahua breeders that make puppies available. If you are set on buying a purebred Chihuahua puppy, make sure to do some research first.
Reputable breeders won’t mind answering your questions and will be eager to ask you some, to ascertain if you can provide a happy home for the puppy. They will also provide health certificates and results of genetic tests for both parents and the puppies.
Chihuahua Price
A purebred Chihuahua puppy on average costs from $500 to $1500. The exact price depends on many factors, including, the breeder, your location, gender, and bloodline.
Chihuahua puppies that have show winning parents will cost significantly more than pet quality puppies. Furthermore, if you are set on getting a white Chihuahua, be prepared to shell out some serious cash, since white Chihuahuas are very rare.
Adoption
Adopting a Chihuahua is a humane thing to do. And it can be a cheaper option, especially if you are looking for a companion pet, and not a show quality dog.
Furthermore, adopting an adult Chihuahua can be a better option if you don’t have time to potty train a young puppy.
Many Chihuahuas are abandoned and end up living in shelters and rescue organizations. You can start by checking your local shelters and rescue organizations to see if they have any Chihuahuas waiting for adoption.
And if not, you can widen your search and check breed-specific organizations that take care of Chihuahuas exclusively. Chances are, a Chihuahua is already waiting for you to take her home.
Conclusion
Tiny but confident, the Chihuahua is easily recognizable due to its small size and larger than life personality. Officially there are only two types – short-haired and long-haired Chihuahua, but unofficially there are seven different types of Chihuahua.
Each one of these Chihuahua varieties is small in size, charming, affectionate, and make wonderful companions and great watchdogs. And now that you know about all the different types of Chihuahua you can decide which one is the best choice for you and your family.
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