- Nom Nom Dog Food Subscription Review - November 7, 2023
- 7 Best Dog Bed Ideas For Great Dane (DIY Options) - July 16, 2022
- Top 5 Rated Best Non-Prescription Diabetic Dog Food - July 15, 2022
Which dog comes to mind when I mention:
Cute, sassy, and small pooch chauffeured around in a designer purse by the paparazzi-magnets in Beverly Hills before the turn of the decade?
If you are thinking a Chihuahua, then you’re right on point.
Well, there’s more to Chihuahuas than flashing lights, designer purses, and exotic toys from their celeb owners.
A good place to start is from the various types of Chihuahuas. That’s right. It gives a better understanding of the life-long debate that there’s more than one type of Chihuahua.
Indeed, all Chihuahuas have a striking resemblance, and this makes it easy to classify them as all the same. The American Kennel Club, for instance, classifies them as only two breeds. But some other breeders believe there’s more.
Whether you believe you’d win a Pulitzer Prize for the knowledge or want to make one your fur friend, it’s good to know their various types—though they all love the same best Chihuahua dog food.
Let’s get to it.
Types of Chihuahua Breeds
Technically, there is only one type of Chihuahua. However, Chihuahuas have different coat color and styles and head shapes as a result of breeding.
Coat Style Classification
The American Kennel Club recognizes only two varieties of Chihuahuas:
- Smooth coated Chihuahua
- Long coated Chihuahua
Smooth Coat Chihuahua
Smooth Coat Chihuahua has an image that comes to your mind the very moment the name ‘Chihuahua’ is mentioned. This is one of the most common type of Chihuahua that you will find.
A Smooth Coat Chihuahua typically has short hair and sheds its hair lesser than the Long Coated Chihuahua. The short hair is responsible for the ease of controlling hair. This small dog is easy to comb and requires less grooming when owned.
You can get this type of Chihuahua puppy in various colors too.
Long Coat Chihuahua
As expected, this breed has long hair in comparison with the smooth-coated chihuahua. Their hair is velvety and smooth, which portrays a charming unique look. The unique and beautiful look of the Long Coat Chihuahua has made it a favorite among dog lovers.
However, with the longer hair comes more responsibilities. It requires putting more effort into combing and brushing to keep the pooch groomed. For instance, you will likely have to brush the dog daily, give frequent baths, and occasionally trim the hair.
Head Shape Classification
The second basis for differentiation of Chihuahua breeds is based on their head shapes:
- Apple Head Chihuahuas
- Deer Head Chihuahuas
Apple Headed Chihuahuas
As you’d imagine, this little dog breed would have a skull structure that’s shaped like an apple. Apple Head Chihuahuas have a round head, which is quite large when compared to their body.
Apple Headed Chihuahuas are recognized as the standard Chihuahuas in dog shows. This gives them an edge over other Chihuahua breeds. As a result, their population has risen as the most common type of Chihuahua.
This type of Chihuahua has a smaller snout that than that of a Deer Headed Chihuahua. One thing to note before getting an Apple Headed Chihuahua is to check for hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition where the head is bigger compared to the body, which makes their eyes bulge out from their sockets.
An Apple Head Chihuahua can either have a long coat or short coat.
Deer Shaped Chihuahuas
Deer-shaped Chihuahuas have a head shaped like – you guessed it – a deer. They also have longer legs compared to other kinds of Chihuahua. They have narrower heads and longer snouts, as well as a longer body.
Unlike Apple Headed Chihuahuas, Deer Shaped Chihuahuas can’t participate in dog shows. Although this makes them less popular, it doesn’t mean they are without perks.
The best part about having a Deer Head Chihuahua is their strong immunity to health issues. While other different types of Chihuahuas have underlying health problems, especially Apple Headed Chihuahuas, you’ll have less to worry with this type.
Overall, if you don’t like visiting the vets often or you have kids, the Deer Headed Chihuahua is the most suitable dog breed for you.
Some Other Types
Teacup Chihuahuas
Size is the major difference between Teacup Chihuahuas and other kinds of Chihuahuas. This Chihuahua breed is simply any Chihuahua that weighs less than five pounds and has a height of nine inches (which is where the teacup name comes from).
A Chihuahua that grows out of the weight and height requirements of a Teacup Chihuahua will no longer be described as one. Essentially, you can only classify it as a Teacup Chihuahua once it reaches adulthood.
Teacup Chihuahuas require proper and early training. Due to their small size, they are susceptible to injuries and trauma. So, they can’t survive rough handling from kids in the house.
In truth, Teacup Chihuahuas are no different from other Chihuahuas – they are not a different breed. It is just a classification term used amongst dog breeders owners.
In some cases, unethical breeders pass off premature puppies as Teacup. This causes a ripple effect of problems that goes from mother-to-dog and, finally, the dog owner.
Fawn Chihuahua
Just like Teacup Chihuahua, they are not exactly a different Chihuahua breed. Fawn Chihuahua is basically a Chihuahua that has a fawn color.
Pear Headed Chihuahua
Pear Headed Chihuahuas are the result of breeding Apple Headed Chihuahuas and Deer Headed Chihuahuas. Interestingly, this result is not often desired or accepted in the dog community.
They are characterized by their flat skulls as well as longer and larger muzzles.
Takeaway
There is a long list of the different hybrid breeds that you can get from breeding Chihuahuas with other dogs. The result is often without problems and even desired by some dog owners.
However, this list is limited to the different types of Chihuahuas from that one breed. Many people mistake the numerous Chihuahua mix types for different breeds. Now you know better.
Get yourself one of the different kinds of Chihuahuas and experience the joy of having these beautiful and ridiculously cute dogs in your home.
Continue reading:
Best Puppy Playpens (10 Top Picks for 2022)
Does Your Pooch Have Small Dog Syndrome?
