One that stands out among all the Chihuahua types is the long legged Chihuahua. It has a towering height thanks to its remarkably long legs, making it bear an uncanny resemblance to a young deer.
It’s certainly a peculiar sight to see. Anyone coming across the long legged Chihuahua will be in for an enjoyable surprise, not only because of its appearance but also its appealing traits.
Curious to know what the long legged Chihuahua is all about? There’s a lot to unpack to get to know this dog better. This article will discuss its history, unique appearance, temperament, and more, so stick to the end to find out!
What Is a Long Legged Chihuahua?
The long legged Chihuahua, or deer legged Chihuahua, is a variety of the Chihuahua breed. This toy dog has unusually long legs, making it appear taller than regular Chihuahuas. Unfortunately, this Chihuahua variety is not officially recognized by major kennel clubs.
This unusual-looking canine is rightly named after its most conspicuous characteristic — its legs. These are a few inches longer than standard Chihuahuas, exhibiting an impression of athleticism and agility.
Genetics makes it possible for some Chihuahuas to be born with long legs. Some suggest it’s an attribute inherited from another dog breed with long legs, implying the long legged Chihuahua is a mixed breed.
It’s also entirely possible for a purebred Chihuahua to have longer-than-usual limbs if one or both parents are long-legged. However, this occurrence happens very rarely.
Long Legged Chihuahua Origin and History
Little is known when you particularly focus on the history of the long legged Chihuahua. One way to understand its origin is by acknowledging that its roots share an account with the Chihuahua breed.
A small dog referred to as the Techichi is whom the modern Chihuahua is believed to have descended from. The Techichi lived as early as the 9th century C.E.
Back then, Techichi dogs were bred into small, compact dogs by the Aztecs and were also part of the native people’s diet when food was scarce. The Spanish people also ate Techichis as commonly as they consumed rabbits.
Around the 19th century, the Techichis started disappearing and were heavily replaced by their modern descendants, the Chihuahuas.
The Chihuahua instantly became a popular dog breed worldwide; hence a few varieties emerged, including the deer legged Chihuahua.
Unfortunately, the deer legged Chihuahua isn’t well documented. People can only assume it’s either a mixed-breed dog or a rare case of a Chihuahua born with long legs.
Long Legged Chihuahua Appearance
The appearance of the long legged Chihuahua consists of the same features you find in a standard Chihuahua breed. Its coat can be short or long, exhibiting the breed’s same coat colors and patterns.
It also has large, perky ears and round, bulging, and expressive eyes. The short muzzle is narrow, and it may sometimes show an underbite.
Carried straight upwards is its tail, but long-haired, long legged Chis may carry it over the back.
As for its body, it’s generally longer than tall. It’s further described as small, light, yet somewhat muscular. Ideally, the long legged Chihuahua’s overall figure should have an upright rectangle frame.
Meanwhile, here’s an adorable long legged Chihuahua in action:
Long Legged Chihuahua Size and Weight
The proportions of a long legged Chihuahua vary since there are no breed standards to base its appearance upon.
Still, its size will be close to a regular Chihuahua. Generally, you can expect a deer legged Chihuahua to stand at around 10 to 16 inches and weigh anywhere between 7 and 9 pounds.
If it’s a mixed-breed dog, the deer legged Chihuahua’s height and weight will depend on its other purebred parents’ sizes. Usually, breeders aim to keep the long legged Chihuahua in the toy dog category.
To better predict how big your deer legged Chi will be, look at its parents and reference their sizes.
Are Deer Legged Chihuahuas Recognized by Kennel Clubs?
Deer legged Chihuahuas are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Even if it’s produced by two purebred Chihuahuas, the only varieties acknowledged are the smooth-coated and long-coated Chis.
However, out of these two primary varieties are certain types of Chihuahuas, including the long legged Chihuahua. The apple head, deer head, pear head, fawn, and teacup Chihuahuas are also part of the list.
Focusing on the long legged Chihuahua, this can bear similar characteristics prominent to other types. For example, it may sport a long coat with an apple-shaped head.
Yet even if it has certain features that are within the breed specifications, the Chihuahua with long legs is not fit to join conformation shows since it doesn’t conform to the breed standards.
Long Legged Chihuahua Temperament and Personality
Charming, sassy, and intelligent — these usually describe the long legged Chihuahua. For the most part, having long legs doesn’t necessarily affect its behavior.
It will display the same Chihuahua attitudes, which are loved by many. It may have a small proportion, but it acts like a big dog. Part of its personality is its extreme jealousy, which shows if someone else steals the spotlight.
As a people-oriented companion, the deer legged Chihuahua loves to receive attention from its family and prefers having all eyes to itself.
In return, the spirited, long legged Chihuahua will shower its family members with affection and devoted companionship.
It’s also worth noting that a Chihuahua of this type doesn’t like being alone. It is prone to develop separation anxiety, leading to destructive behaviors.
That said, the best-suited owner for a long legged Chihuahua would be someone who can allocate most of their time with this velcro dog.
Regarding temperament, the long legged Chihuahua usually doesn’t get on well with other dogs. That said, early socialization and training are crucial to mellow its disagreeable trait.
If you have young kids, they have to be taught how to be gentle toward this dog. It’s a small canine that needs careful handling to avoid unwanted injuries.
Long Legged Chihuahua Lifespan and Health Issues
The long legged Chihuahua’s life expectancy spans between 14 and 16 years. Other long legged Chihuahuas with top-notch health can live longer than the given range.
A complete and balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, and nurturing environment are some of the factors that positively contribute to a long legged Chihuahua’s well-being.
Yet despite being a healthy dog breed, this robust canine is still susceptible to medical issues.
Here are the common health problems a long legged Chihuahua may suffer from:
- Luxating Patella: Patellar luxation has a 23 percent prevalence in the Chihuahua population. If your long legged Chi has a luxating patella, it has a dislocated kneecap. If the knee joint is not in its normal position, your dog will either skip a step or run on three legs but will use all four limbs after like nothing happened. This requires early treatment to prevent other knee injuries from occurring.
- Hydrocephalus: Some long legged Chihuahuas are also predisposed to congenital hydrocephalus. This occurs when too much cerebrospinal fluid is present within the brain or between the brain and your dog’s skull. As a result, the Chihuahua’s skull will appear unusually large, and the fluid will cause pressure within the skull.
- Obesity: Long legged Chihuahuas tend to be picky eaters, but they are among the dog breeds highly prone to obesity. Several factors can cause obesity in dogs, which include overfeeding, lack of activities, or medical issues.
Thorough care is vital in keeping your long legged Chihuahua healthy. Considering it’s prone to hereditary and congenital health problems, ensure you buy your puppy from a trusted breeder.
Reputable breeders conduct health screens on their breed stock to produce sound long legged Chihuahua puppies.
How Much Does a Long Legged Chihuahua Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
Reputable breeders sell their long legged Chihuahua puppies for around $800 to $2,500, depending on the quality. You should also expect those with champion bloodlines to be a bit pricier.
Other factors that can influence the price of the puppy are its age, sex, demand, location, and the reputation of the breeder.
On top of this one-time payment are recurring costs of owning a long legged Chihuahua puppy. You must prepare some essential items in advance for a well-set home for your soon-to-arrive family addition.
Below lists the important items your long legged Chihuahua puppy needs and the overall initial expenses:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food and Treats | $30 – $80 |
| Bowls | $10 – $30 |
| Toys | $20 – $30 |
| Beds | $30 – $200 |
| Collars and Leashes | $15 – $50 |
| Crates and Carriers | $30 – $200 |
| Grooming Essentials | $50 – $150 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $500 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $50 – $300 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $40 – $300 |
| Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Microchipping | $40 – $60 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Other Essentials | $20 – $50 |
| Total Initial Cost | $495 – $2,470 |
The figures above are estimates only. These are set to give you an idea of the approximate cost of owning a long legged Chihuahua puppy.
The exact prices for each item on the list will vary depending on the brand and quality you choose to buy.
To be financially practical, consider purchasing high-grade food and water bowls, leashes, collars, beds, toys, crates and carriers, and grooming kits that can last long.
Doing so will keep you from repurchasing them after just a few months of use.
Places to Find Long Legged Chihuahua Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Long legged Chihuahua puppies are less common than regular Chihuahuas. That said, sourcing this one-of-a-kind variety comes with a challenge.
You will have to scour your area for reputable Chihuahua breeders who have Chihuahua puppies with long legs for sale.
To ease your search, below lists some of the trusted sources where deer legged Chihuahua puppies are available:
- AKC Marketplace – AKC Marketplace advertises healthy, AKC-registered Chihuahua puppies produced by reputable breeders in the United States. Although they mainly sell Chihuahua types recognized by major kennel clubs, you might chance upon a breeder specializing in long-legged Chihuahuas on their site.
- Lancaster Puppies – Lancaster Puppies is a platform where many reputable breeders advertise their puppies regularly, including Chihuahua puppies. This site caters to Ohio, Indiana, New York, and other states. Go through their list of Chihuahuas for sale, and you might come across one with impressively long legs.
- Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies is a website promoting healthy puppies that were bred ethically. With various puppies advertised daily, there’s a good chance that some are long legged Chihuahuas. If you find one on this site, it’s usually already dewormed, vaccinated, and vet-checked.
If adoption is your preferred method of acquiring a long legged Chihuahua, non-profit organizations are just around the corner.
Here’s a list of the animal shelters where you can find a long legged Chihuahua for adoption:
- Texas Chihuahua Rescue – Texas Chihuahua Rescue is driven by passionate individuals aiming to save Chihuahuas from euthanasia. So far, they have rescued around 4,700 Chis, and 4,440 have already been adopted. If you live in or around Texas, consider visiting this rescue and see if they have a long legged Chihuahua that needs a new home.
- AZ Chihuahua Rescue – AZ Chihuahua is a volunteer-run organization that rescues homeless and surrendered Chihuahuas. They put their rescue dogs in foster homes, evaluate their temperaments, and housetrain them. There’s a big chance they have a long legged variety in their care.
- Ay Chihuahua Rescue – The Ay Chihuahua Rescue is another volunteer-based, non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes in Central Texas. They have several dogs up for adoption, some of which could be long-legged Chihuahuas. They’re usually vaccinated, spayed or neutered, dewormed, and microchipped before rehoming.
If the sources listed above don’t have the deer legged Chihuahua you’re looking for, check their websites every other day for updates.
You may also request a referral from local veterinarians, breeders, and individuals who own long legged Chihuahuas.
Another way to help you search is by joining social media groups and inquiring if any deer legged Chihuahuas are available in the area.
Frequently Asked Question
Are Long Legged Chihuahuas Purebred?
Most long legged Chihuahuas are not purebred dogs. They might have inherited exceptionally long limbs from another purebred parent.
However, two purebred Chihuahuas can also produce a puppy with long legs. Still, the chances of this happening are very low.
How Many Types of Chihuahuas Are There?
There are about eight types of Chihuahuas from which you can choose if you’re looking for a new family addition.
The list primarily includes the short-coated and long-coated Chihuahua. These are the ones that are AKC-recognized and are considered eligible for conformation shows.
Meanwhile, the other varieties that are not considered official are the apple head, deer head, pear head, teacup, long legged, and fawn Chihuahua.
What Is the Tallest Chihuahua?
There is currently no Guiness-recorded Chihuahua known for its impressively tall height.
However, if you compare the Chihuahua varieties among each other, the deer head Chihuahua is generally the largest in proportions.
This dog can be two to three times the size of an average Chihuahua and weigh around 10 and 12 pounds.
Still, other factors other than the variety can influence a Chihuahua’s size. This includes health, genetics, and nutrition.
Final Thoughts
The long legged Chihuahua is just as interesting as its other varieties. It’s not an everyday sight for most people, so those who witness its beauty are instantly captivated by this dog’s charms.
Aside from its long legs, the deer legged Chihuahua is also known for its other outstanding qualities as a family companion. It’s loyal, affectionate, and fun to be around with.
This dog also acts clingy and always follows its owner everywhere. For the most part, its unusually long legs don’t change a thing in its Chihuahua temperament unless it’s a hybrid dog.
If you’re ready to own this magnificent dog, make sure you can grant it the lifestyle it needs so it stays happy and healthy.
Are you as fascinated as we are by this unique Chihuahua? Share your thoughts about the long legged Chihuahua in the comments below!
