Understanding The Different Chihuahua Breeds

While the Chihuahua has easily become a favorite dog breed here in the U.S., many people are unaware of what the different Chihuahua breeds are. In fact, with so many terms being used to describe Chihuahuas, such as "deer head" and "teacup", many owners are under the wrong impression about the different breeds. If you're wondering that the truth is behind the different breeds, keep reading.

Toy and Teacup

Chihuahua in a Teacup
You've probably heard people call small Chihuahuas such terms as "toy", "teacup", or "miniature". Many puppy breeders will say they have these breeds of Chihuahuas, which leads people into believing these are official Chihuahua breeds, but they are not. In truth, breeders use these terms as selling tools to add value to their Chihuahuas. By calling an under-sized a Chihuahua a teacup, it makes potential buyers think they are getting a special Chihuahua. The fact is that there could be any one of a dozen different reasons why their Chihuahua is small. Perhaps it was the runt of the pack, or maybe it's malnourished, or maybe they were simply bred with generations of small parents. As far as sizing, the American Kennel Association (AKC) states that ALL Chihuahuas, regardless of size or weight, are a toy breed.
If you see or hear any breeder advertising they have a toy, teacup, or miniature Chihuahua breed, you may want to use caution, as they could be trying to add artificial value to their pups. This isn't to say that all breeders who use the term do it in attempt to deceive their customers. Terms like teacup have been used so much in recent years that they have become an unofficial breed of sorts, and many people, including breeders, use it without giving much thought.

Apple Head and Deer Head - What Do They Mean?

Two other terms commonly used to describe Chihuahuas are "applehead" and "deer head". Along with the other terms stated above, applehead and deer head aren't different Chihuahua breeds; they are simply descriptions as to the physical appearance of a Chihuahuas head.
The term apple head is given to Chihuahuas who possess a round, apple-like head. According to the AKC, this is the preferred shape of a Chihuahuas head. Deer heads are Chihuahuas who don't have the apple shaped head. Instead, they're likely to have longer noses and snouts, resembling a deer or Doberman Pinscher.

So, how many actual different breeds are there? The answer is two; the long-coat and short-coat. Here is some information on the two different Chihuahua breeds:

Long-Coat Chihuahua

Long-Coat

The long-coat Chihuahua is one of the two Chihuahua breeds recognized by the American Kennel Association (AKC). This breed is very similar to their counterpart, however they possess a much longer, flowing coat of hair. Even though this breed has longer hair, they actually shed less than the short-coat Chihuahua. This makes them a preferred choice for people who suffer from pet-related allergies looking for a loving indoor pet.

One of the downsides to owning a long-coat Chihuahua is that their hair will be a magnet so to speak, picking up dirt, leaves, and anything else it comes in contact with. You'll have to brush the coat of a long-coat more frequently to keep it clean of such debris.

Short-Coat

Short-Coat Chihuahua

This breed has a shorter, thinner coat. Some short-coat Chihuahuas have even been known to be born or become hairless. This breed may have less hair than the long-coat Chihuahua, but they actually shed more. This doesn't make them a bad choice, as they still don't shed nearly as much as many other popular dog breeds, but be prepared to spend more time cleaning their hair off the furniture and around the house.

So, understanding the different Chihuahua breeds is probably more simple than you expected. Just remember, don't listen to people or breeders claiming to have any special breed of Chihuahua other than a long-coat or smooth.

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