Chihuahuas are a type of dog breed that’s regarded as the smallest of all other breeds.
This is backed by the fact that most breeders and kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club also consider them as the smallest.
What makes these small energetic dogs the twenty-fourth most popular breed out of the total 178 dog breeds, according to American Kennel Club polls?
Well, firstly, the fact that they are paraded in Hollywood movies and tv shows as high-end luxurious pets certainly played a part in their gained popularity.
However, well-trained chihuahuas are very loyal dogs that are highly alert and protective of their owner and their owner’s residence.
They are quick to spot any intruder and won’t hesitate to bark.
This coupled with their big personality and ease of maintenance makes them great pets to have at home.
In this guide, we highlight the different types of chihuahuas and what sets each one apart from the rest.
What Are the Chihuahua Types?
There are quite a number of types of chihuahuas despite the ACK only recognizing two, that is the short-hair and long-hair chihuahuas.
Let’s take a look at both the official and unofficial types of chihuahuas, as well as a few interesting chihuahua mixes.
1. Short Haired or Short Coat Chihuahua
This type of chihuahua is common among chihuahua owners and is also referred to as smooth-coat chihuahua.
They are usually about 15 to 23 centimeters in height and weigh under 2.7kg.
Their hair length is shorter than that of the long-haired chihuahua though it surprisingly sheds more.
These dogs are easier to maintain and do not require any hard grooming for their hair such as styling and cutting.
It is important to note that due to their short coat, they are vulnerable to sunburn if left out in the scorching sun for a long time.
They may also get pests like ticks and fleas.
You should therefore ensure that your Smooth-Coat Chihuahua gets plenty of shade and medication to keep any pests away from its beautiful coat.
2. Long Haired or Long Coat Chihuahua
The other officially recognized type is the Long-Haired Chihuahua.
Its physical attributes such as body type, height and weight are similar to the Short-Haired Chihuahua.
These vivacious dashing dogs have silky soft hair that reaches its full length when they are about three years old.
Despite their large amount of hair, long-haired chihuahuas don’t shed as much and you won’t need to trim their hair often since they stop growing after a certain height.
They do however require regular brushing to keep their hair neat and prevent it from forming knots and tangles.
You should avoid shaving these chihuahuas as this can result in serious fur damage and even skin damage.
3. Apple Head Chihuahua
Other than the two officially recognized types, there are other unofficial types such as the Apple Head Chihuahua.
They get their name from the round dome-like shape of their head that resembles an apple.
This shape of their head comes with several disadvantages.
Their eyes tend to bulge out more than other types of chihuahuas and this makes them more susceptible to eye problems like ingrown eyelashes and eye scratches.
As a result, if you are an owner of one, you should check their eyes regularly for signs of discomfort such as squinting or pawing at the eyes.
Apple head chihuahuas also have a soft spot on the top of their skull called a molera.
It is similar to the one found in human babies but unlike those, the molera in chihuahuas persist into maturity.
They should therefore be treated with care since a head injury can cause brain bleeding and put the dog’s life at risk.
4. Deer Head Chihuahua
The deer head chihuahua is characterized by its narrow head, longer nose and wider dark eyes.
Their name comes from the resemblance of their head shape to that of a deer as well as their color, which is normally brown.
They also have longer limbs and a more elongated body compared to most chihuahuas.
These differences from the typical chihuahua are why they aren’t allowed to participate in dog shows.
These chihuahuas are however preferred by many people since they have fewer health issues and due to their larger size, are less likely to fear people or larger dogs.
5. Fawn Chihuahua
The Fawn Chihuahua is different from the other types of chihuahuas in that it is not characterized by features such as head shape or coat length.
Instead, it is distinguished by its coat color.
The color that characterizes a chihuahua as a fawn chihuahua is a tan color that resembles that of a newborn baby deer’s fur.
This means that a chihuahua can be a Deer Head or Apple head with a long-haired coat or short-haired coat and still be a Fawn chihuahua as well.
6. Merle Chihuahua
The Merle Chihuahua, similar to the Fawn Chihuahua, is defined by the appearance of their coat.
They usually have multiple colors on their coat and feature black, brown and blue spots.
Since Merle Chihuahuas are solely characterized by their coat color, these dogs can be Apple Heads, Deer heads, Short-Haired or Long-Haired as well.
The Merle gene found in this type of chihuahuas affects its health meaning that your Merle chihuahua has a higher risk of deafness, blindness and eye problems.
As a result, these chihuahuas should be treated with extra care.
7. Teacup or Miniature Chihuahua
Also known as Micro Chihuahua, Teacup Chihuahuas are the smallest of all chihuahua types.
These cute creatures are no more than 16 centimeters tall and weigh less than 2 kilograms.
These dogs make up for their small size with huge personalities.
They have high energy levels and are always active and ready to play and it is impossible not to love these adorable chihuahuas.
However, to get yourself a Teacup Chihuahua, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets since their price is nothing like their size.
These small dogs are expensive since they are sold as high-end designer accessories.
Another factor to consider before getting a Miniature Chihuahua is how delicate they are.
Their bones tend to fracture easily due to their fragile skeleton.
Chihuahua Mixes
Other than the official and unofficial types of chihuahuas, there are also various crosses between chihuahuas and other breeds of dogs.
This is often done to reduce the size of larger breeds and make them more manageable.
Let’s take a look at some of these interesting mixes.
8. Chihuahua Jack Russell Mix
This is a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier and a chihuahua and has funny adorable nicknames such as Jack Chi and Jackahuahua.
While this mix tends to keep its small chihuahua size, it can weigh anywhere between 3.6 to 8.2 kilograms.
These Jackahuahuas may be more active than a normal chihuahua due to the Jack Russell blood.
You shouldn’t be surprised to see them chasing rodents or digging holes all over, that’s just the terrier in them coming to the fore.
Most of the time, a chihuahua Jack Russell Mix maintains the Jack Russell breed’s color, which is a white coat color with dark mask marking on its face.
9. Chihuahua Pug Mix
This breed is a cross between a Pug and a Chihuahua and has quite a few nicknames such as Chug, Pugwawa and Puguahua.
They are relatively small with a height of 15 to 30 centimeters and a weight of 4.5 to 9 kilograms.
Combining the playful nature of the Pug and the sassy nature of the Chihuahua gives rise to a fun, playful and affectionate dog.
Chugs however can suffer health problems such as breathing difficulties due to their inherent short nose and flat face.
That being said, crossbreeding a Pug and a Chihuahua may also result in a mix that is healthier than its purebred parents.
10. Chihuahua Yorkie Mix
This is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Chihuahua to give rise to what is known as a Chorkie.
The two breeds are both small in size and are no wonder that the Chorkie comes in at 3.6 to 4.5 kilograms.
They however have tons of energy and are always ready to play.
They are known for being designer accessories and are particularly popular among celebrities.
They are very loyal to their owner, a trait that tends to lead to hostility and aggression towards other people.
Chorkies have the advantage of having a hypoallergenic coat similar to their Yorkie parent which makes a perfect option for dog owners who have dog-related allergies.
11. Chihuahua Pitbull Mix
This mix results from crossing a Chihuahua with an American Pitbull Terrier.
The large size of the American Pitbull limits how these two breeds can be crossed.
Only the male chihuahua can be mated with a female Pitbull since the reverse can cause difficulties for the small female Chihuahua during delivery.
These dogs are loving and loyal creatures but tend to be aggressive and hostile towards other dogs.
As a result, they should be well trained early on to prevent this trait from developing.