Did you know that there are several different types of Chihuahuas? Indeed, this sassy and confident Chihuahua breed comes in a wide variety in terms of appearance, size, and color.
With that, aspiring owners of this smallest dog breed will surely find the perfect type they will adore and cherish.
If you are excited to learn about the different Chihuahua types, keep reading. This guide will discuss the nine different kinds of the Chihuahua dog. Let’s begin!
The 9 Different Types of Chihuahuas
The Chihuahua breed is recognized for its unique charm and devotion to its owners. It is remarkably an assertive and courageous little protector.
In addition, small dogs that belong to toy breeds, such as the Chihuahua, require less living space and are easier to bring along when traveling, and tend to live longer with fewer health problems.
These traits, along with the Chihuahua’s posh appearance, appeal to many dog lovers. That said, having different types of Chihuahua allows pet fanciers to select the right Chihuahua type that matches their lifestyle.
So let’s start diving into the nine different types of Chihuahua!
1. Short-Haired Chihuahua
The short hair Chihuahua, also known as the smooth-coat Chihuahua, is a coat variant of the Chihuahua breed that sports a short and soft coat. Its coat texture is smooth and glossy.
This Chihuahua type is a recognized breed standard by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and is allowed to compete in conformation dog shows.
Short-haired Chihuahuas come in many shades, including the fawn color. And while the hair on most parts of their body is short, they tend to have longer hair on their necks and tails.
In addition, the coat of the smooth-coat Chihuahua makes grooming easier as compared to long-haired Chihuahuas. A once-every-other-week brushing is sufficient to keep its short coat healthy and shiny.
Although their smooth coat allows for easier grooming, it likewise makes Short-haired Chihuahuas prone to getting cold, especially during the winter season.
As such, a nice sweater not only makes the short hair Chihuahua more fashionable but is also beneficial to keeping it warm.
2. Long-Haired Chihuahua
The long-haired Chihuahua, otherwise known as the long-coat Chihuahua, is the other coat type variant of the purebred Chihuahua that has longer hair in contrast to the smooth-coat Chihuahua.
As it is the same breed, its long coat length can also come in various coat colors and markings.
Long hair Chihuahuas also sport a soft-textured coat that can appear to be straight or slightly wavy. Their necks have large ruffs, and their ears, legs, and feet exhibit feathering.
That said, it can take up to two years for the full coat of the long hair Chihuahua to grow. Due to this, long-coat Chihuahuas require more grooming than their short-haired counterparts.
As with other long-haired dog breeds, the long-coat Chihuahua needs to be brushed at least once to twice a week to avoid mats and tangles.
Moreover, the hair on its backside, legs, and paw pads needs to be trimmed when it gets long.
Meanwhile, as purebred dogs, long hair Chihuahuas can be registered with major kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club and also compete in conformation dog shows.
Watch the video below to learn how to trim the backside and paws of a long-haired Chihuahua:
3. Apple Head Chihuahua
Listed as the official breed standard of the Chihuahua, the apple head Chihuahua bears a distinct round head shape and short pointed muzzle.
With its apple head shape, an apple head Chihuahua is likely to have a soft spot on top of its head called the molera. While some mistake this as a sign of hydrocephalus, having a molera is normal and not a sign of a health issue.
Although the American Kennel Club recognizes this trait, the United Kennel Club (UKC) considers having a molera as a disqualifying characteristic.
An apple-head Chihuahua can come in both smooth and long coats. A wide array of coat colors and combinations are also possible for apple head Chihuahuas.
Apple head Chihuahua puppies tend to cost more than Chihuahua puppies with other head types like the deer head Chihuahuas and pear-headed Chihuahuas.
As such, if you prefer to own an apple-headed Chihuahua, you need to allot more budget for its purchase price.
4. Deer Head Chihuahua
The deer head Chihuahua is a variation of the Chihuahua breed with a longer head and muzzle, resembling a deer. In addition, it has more prominent ears and appears taller with a longer neck and legs.
Similar to other head type variants, they can have long or short coats and exhibit the colors that come with this breed. And although possible, having a molera in deer-headed Chihuahuas is less common.
Meanwhile, due to their body proportions, deer-head Chihuahuas tend to be larger in size than apple-head Chihuahuas, as they reach an average adult height of 5 to 10 inches.
As it does not conform with the breed standard for a purebred Chihuahua, the deer head Chihuahua is not accepted by major kennel clubs.
However, it’s worth noting that the Continental Kennel Club acknowledges this type and recognizes it as purebred.
Interestingly, many deer head Chihuahua owners attest that this variant tends to be less aggressive and is healthier, being less prone to having difficulties with breathing and body heat regulation.
5. Pear Head Chihuahua
Crossing an apple head Chihuahua with a deer head Chihuahua results in a lovely pear-headed Chihuahua that bears the combined features of the two.
This type of Chihuahua, though not officially recognized as a part of the purebred Chihuahua dog breed, has a head shape that is wide at the top, similar to Chihuahuas with apple-shaped heads.
But unlike apple head Chihuahuas, pear head Chihuahuas have longer muzzles like those with deer head Chihuahuas.
These cute little lap dogs are pretty rare, and finding one to own will require some patience and effort.
That said, if you plan on having one, you must ensure that you source your puppy from a trustworthy breeder or choose to adopt one from a rescue.
And as with all Chihuahua types and genders, obedience training is a must in raising your pup into a good-mannered pooch.
Chihuahuas are notorious for having stubborn tendencies, and the pear-headed type is no exception to this. As such, you need to ensure that you establish your role as an assertive and patient leader.
6. Teacup Chihuahua/Mini Chihuahua
A teacup Chihuahua is a type of Chihuahua that is particularly smaller than the average Chihuahua. These teacup dogs usually measure between 6 and 9 inches in height and can weigh less than five pounds.
Also known as the micro Chihuahua, this little furball is produced by breeding two smaller-sized Chihuahuas together.
While a teacup Chihuahua is undeniably adorable and cuddly, aspiring owners must be aware of the potential health problems of this type, most notably its shortened lifespan.
This is because the pairing of two smaller-sized Chihuahuas often results in a dog that is weaker and more prone to developing medical issues such as heart and respiratory diseases, seizures, and blindness.
And unlike other dogs, teacup Chihuahuas are unable to cope well with cold temperatures and thus require more care and protection.
In addition, teacup Chihuahuas tend to be more short-tempered, making them unfit for households with younger children who tend to play roughly.
With that, if you are keen on getting a teacup Chihuahua, you need to carefully assess your capabilities in providing for all the special needs of this very tiny dog.
7. Deer-Legged Chihuahua
As opposed to the short and tiny teacup Chihuahua, the deer-legged Chihuahua is considerably taller, having exceptionally long legs.
Being around 10 to 16 inches tall, the deer-legged Chihuahua is the tallest type of Chihuahua. Furthermore, it tends to have a deer-shaped head and is usually slimmer when compared to a typical Chihuahua.
But, unlike other Chihuahuas, the deer-legged Chihuahuas are not officially recognized as purebred Chihuahuas. They are instead believed to be Chihuahuas mixed with other dog breeds.
As such, the deer-legged Chihuahua’s lineage from a different breed can make its temperament a bit unpredictable.
While this is so, a deer-legged Chihuahua is still an exceptional family companion that carries the same lovable traits Chihuahuas are known for.
Meanwhile, deer-legged Chihuahuas are considered to be as healthy as regular Chihuahuas. They are not known to suffer from any other illness apart from those that most Chihuahuas are already predisposed to.
With that, a balanced lifestyle and the correct diet can help a deer-legged Chihuahua maintain its lean figure and prevent it from becoming overweight.
8. Hairless Chihuahua
As a rare type of Chihuahua, the hairless Chihuahua is uniquely charming and adorable. Unlike long coat Chihuahuas and smooth coat Chihuahuas, this type has little to no hair on its body.
This is due to a genetic mutation that occurs when a Chihuahua puppy inherits a hairless gene from one of its parents.
As a result, hairless Chihuahuas need care and protection more so than other long-haired breeds to avoid health problems such as sunburn, skin cancer, hypothermia, and dental disease.
Applying pet-friendly sunblock, keeping them indoors during the hottest parts of the day, and providing protective clothing help to ensure that a hairless Chihuahua is safe, comfortable, and healthy.
Likewise, regular toothbrushing and dental cleaning can help prevent tooth disease in hairless Chihuahuas.
Although a hairless Chihuahua may require special care and look different from those with regular Chihuahua coats, it is still the same loyal, confident, and alert family watchdog.
Given the right amount of love, guidance, and socialization, a hairless Chihuahua is bound to get along well, not just with those of its own breed but also with other members of the family, including cats.
9. Colored Chihuahuas
There are also different types of Chihuahuas in terms of coat color. These saucy little watchdogs can come in a diverse selection of coat colors and markings and can also be in different coat length variations.
This guide lists down some colors that Chihuahuas come in and also includes the rare ones. Read along to find out more.
Fawn Chihuahua
The fawn Chihuahua is considered to be one of the most common Chihuahua colors. This variation is recognized as one of the standard colors of the purebred Chihuahua.
That said, a fawn Chihuahua is not only eligible to be registered with major kennel clubs but can also compete in conformation events.
When you see a Chihuahua with a fawn color, you will notice that it has a light brown or yellowish tan shade. This is due to the modified black pigment in their coat caused by the agouti gene of the fawn Chihuahua.
Brown Chihuahua
Equally appealing and beautiful is the brown Chihuahua. Its stunning coat color can vary in the degree of shading from light to dark chocolate.
In addition, a brown Chihuahua usually has amber-colored eyes and a brown nose due to inheriting recessive brown genes from its parents.
Meanwhile, similar to the fawn Chihuahuas, brown Chihuahuas can be registered in major kennel clubs.
And due to being commonly occurring like the fawn Chihuahua, you won’t have a hard time finding one if you are planning to own a brown Chihuahua puppy.
White Chihuahua
Among the various color types of Chihuahua dogs, white Chihuahuas are regarded as the rarest kind. This variation is hard to come by due to the specific breeding conditions required for the white coat color to manifest.
In addition to their white coat, white Chihuahuas typically have light-colored noses and claws. Likewise, these appealing snow-colored little dogs have dark eyes and are void of any black pigmentation on their skin.
Meanwhile, due to its coat color, a white Chihuahua is unfortunately at risk for congenital deafness.
Black Chihuahua
The black Chihuahua is another rare color variant of Chihuahuas. It boasts the same characteristics as the typical Chihuahua, with the added appeal of an elegant black coat.
They are also among the standard color variations of the Chihuahua breed, and they carry the dominant black gene.
And while some believe that the black coloring of Chihuahuas causes them to have a more aggressive temperament, no concrete evidence has been established to support this.
In truth, the black Chihuahua’s behavior is largely shaped by its upbringing rather than its coat color.
Merle Chihuahua
As beautiful as they are rare, merle Chihuahuas are indeed a captivating color type. These patchy pint-sized pooches have a light base color with unique mottled patterns and can even have blue eyes.
While the merle Chihuahua is undeniably attractive, it is likewise at risk for certain health problems, such as deafness and blindness, due to the merle gene it carries.
As such, careful breeding practices and genetic testing must be performed to ensure that merle Chihuahua puppies are healthy and free from any abnormality.
In total, there are 31 colors and 11 markings of the purebred Chihuahua that are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Below are the 31 colors of the purebred Chihuahua that are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club:
- Black
- Black & Red
- Black & Silver
- Black & Tan
- Black & White
- Black Sabled Fawn
- Black Sabled Silver
- Blue
- Blue & Tan
- Blue & White
- Blue Brindled Fawn
- Blue Fawn
- Blue Merle
- Chocolate
- Chocolate & Tan
- Chocolate & White
- Chocolate Blue
- Chocolate Brindled Fawn
- Chocolate Sabled Fawn
- Cream
- Cream & White
- Fawn
- Fawn & White
- Fawn Brindled Black
- Gold
- Gold & White
- Red
- Red & White
- Silver
- Silver & White
- White
In addition to that, the following are the 11 accepted markings of the purebred Chihuahua:
- Black Brindling
- Black Mask
- Black Mask with White Markings
- Black Sabling
- Blue Mask
- Cream Markings
- Fawn Markings
- Merle Markings
- Red Markings
- Spotted On White
- White Markings
All of these diverse colors and markings make every Chihuahua stand out, as each has its own unique appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind of Chihuahuas Are Rare?
The different Chihuahua breeds that are rare are the hairless Chihuahuas, pear head Chihuahuas, and deer-legged Chihuahuas.
These Chihuahuas are regarded as rare due to having a genetic mutation or because of the interaction of specific genes that result in their unique body type.
What Is the Rarest Chihuahua Color?
White is the rarest color among all the Chihuahua breeds. Yielding a pure white Chihuahua requires meticulous breeding techniques and can take several generations to be successfully attained.
As such, white Chihuahuas do not come by as often as other colored Chihuahuas. Moreover, they usually cost more.
How Do I Know What Kind of Chihuahua I Have?
To know which kind of Chihuahua you own among the different Chihuahua types, carefully study your pooch’s physical attributes, such as its head shape, coat length, color, and body proportions.
From there, you can begin to determine which specific type your Chihuahua is. You can also look into its lineage and find out what type each Chihuahua parent is to help you establish your dog’s specific kind.
Final Thoughts
All the different types of Chihuahuas have their unique charm with their distinct characteristics. Knowing their differences makes it easier to decide which kind matches your preferences best.
But, just like all dog breeds, these fearless canines need to be raised with the proper care, training, and socialization for them to become healthy and well-mannered family companions.
As such, you must be fully committed to providing for all of their needs if you are set on owning one. After all, the overflowing amount of love, joy, and humor any Chihuahua type can give is truly unparalleled.
Which among the different Chihuahua dogs do you think is the right match for you? Leave a comment below and let us know your favorite among the Chihuahua types!
