Types & Varieties in Chihuahuas
The Chihuahua breed seems to have the greatest variations of any other breed in regard to their shapes, colors, and coats. Chihuahuas come in one of two coat lengths, and they come in a wide array of colors and patterns; solid or marked in colours such as fawn, red, brindle, sable, chocolate, black, tri-coloured, blue and white just to name a few. (Merle & Albino are the only disqualifying colours or patterns in Canada) How many different "types" of Chihuahuas are there? There is ONLY ONE breed of Chihuahua, however the Chihuahua breed is separated into two varieties based on coat lengths; the Short-coat and the Long-coat. It is the different coat varieties that people commonly refer to as being different types of Chihuahuas, and that can be confusing because all kennel clubs worldwide recognized both coat types as the same breed. There are 2 varieties of Chihuahua based on coat length: The Long-Coat Chihuahua (also referred to as a Long-haired Chihuahua) is one of only two officially recognized varieties of the Chihuahua breed. Long-coats can have very thick long fur. The Long-coats are known for their fringed ears, large ruff or mane around their neck and shoulders, long “pants” on their back legs and plume tail. The Short-Coat Chihuahua (also called the Smooth-coat in some countries) is the other officially recognized variety of the Chihuahua, and is the more common classic and recognizable of the two varieties. Aside from coat length, the two varieties are exactly the same in size, weight, body shape, colour & patterns, temperament, health & longevity. However, there are many unofficial terms and labels that have been applied to Chihuahuas in the past decade, making it confusing for anyone new to the breed. These terms are normally used as marketing terms by unscrupulous breeders to try and make their Chihuahuas sound more rare or special, often accompanied by a hefty price tag. Please note that reputable breeders will not use unofficial and misleading terms such as ones on the following list. Other UNOFFICIAL terms describing Chihuahuas: Apple-Head Chihuahua Although not an official term, the “Apple-Head” is the only proper head type for the breed according to the standard. Based on the official breed standard, a Chihuahua must have a well rounded apple domed head. This is the head style seen on Chihuahuas in the show ring and from reputable breeders. A proper Chihuahua head should appear round from any direction with a short muzzle meeting the forehead at a 90 degree angle (called the “stop”). Reputable breeders don’t generally label their Chihuahuas as “apple heads” as ALL Chihuahuas should have this head style; breeders will often just classify heads as good quality/show quality or poor quality/pet quality. Deer-Head Chihuahua Again, although not an official term, Chihuahuas with a poor quality or pet quality head are often labelled as a “Deer-Head”. The Deer-Head Chihuahua is so called because of it's resemblance to a deer. The shape of a Deer-head is elongated with a long muzzle, and the head is not domed or rounded and the stop is less prominent. (Deer head Chihuahua heads often resemble Toy Fox Terriers, Rat terriers, Jack Russells, MinPins or Manchester terriers) The “Deer head” is not considered a favourable trait as it does not meet the official breed standards and is not proper for the breed. Some owners or breeders will try to justify the lack of quality in their dogs by calling them “Deer heads”, and may even use the term for marketing or to try to convince others that this is a separate type or style for the breed. In reality a “Deer head” Chihuahuas are simply Chihuahuas with non standard pet quality heads and labelling them with such a term is misleading to anyone not familiar with the breed. Teacup/Toy size/Miniature/Micro Chihuahua Teacup, Toy, Miniature or Micro Teacup are popular marketing terms for unscrupulous breeders trying to make their Chihuahuas seem more unique, rare or smaller than other Chihuahuas, and may try to fetch higher than normal prices for puppies. While "Teacup" may be a fitting description for small Chihuahuas, as they could seemingly “fit in a teacup”, there is not a separate size, type, variety or breed called a Teacup Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog in the world, and the CKC breed standard states they can be 6 lbs or less, with 2-4 lbs being preferred. There is no minimum weight or height for the breed, and there are no size categories like there are in Poodles and other breeds. It is very misleading for a breeder or owner to use the terms such as "Teacup" as it gives the impression that there are distinct size categories for Chihuahuas. “Smallness” is not a trait that can be predictably bred, and tiny puppies arise in any breeding program from all size parents. Chihuahuas can, and do, grow at different rates based on genetics and bloodlines, so a tiny puppy may grow to be quite large, and a large puppy may slow in growth and stay small, so any terms describing size in puppies can be false. Some Chihuahuas simply turn out smaller than others, and many Chihuahuas can fit inside of a teacup, especially when young, but they are still just a Chihuahua. Alternately, there are no “Standard” or “large size” Chihuahuas. Anything over 6 lbs (or 6.5 lbs if following UKC standards) would simply be over-sized and would be faulted or disqualified in the show ring. Most reputable breeders won’t use Chihuahuas in their breeding programs that are much larger than 6 lbs, with 3-5 lbs being the preferred size. A Chihuahua over 6 lbs, although over-sized, is still just a Chihuahua and makes a wonderful pet. The term “Toy” however can be used to describe an entire group of dogs called “The Toy breeds” or “The Toy Group” to which the Chihuahua belongs. This is a show term and NOT a size term. For show purposes, all dog breeds are grouped into 7 different groups; Chihuahuas, as well as 22 other small breeds including Maltese, Yorkshire terriers, Miniature Pinscher & Pomeranians are part of “The Toy Group” (Group 5). So, although there is no size category called “Toy” for Chihuahuas, the Chihuahua is part of the “Toy Group” and can be correctly called one of the “Toy Breeds” or a “Toy Dog”. (Just as the Collie is a “Herding dog”, or the Pointer is a “Hunting dog”) |
Official Chihuahua Breed Standard
Official CKC Standard Official UKC Standard Official AKC Standard Official FCI Standard National Breed Clubs
The Chihuahua Club Of Canada The Chihuahua Club Of America The British Chihuahua Club Purina Pro Club Chihuahua Update
Newsletters about Chihuahua Health (PDF files) published by the PPCP - a partnership between the AKC Canine Health program, the Chihuahua Club Of America and Purina. July 2003 - C-Sections for Difficult Deliveries January 2004 - Genetic Factors of Demodectic Mange January 2005 - Differences between Molera and Hydrocephalus July 2005 - Taking a Look at Merle Coat Pattern January 2006 - Understanding Portosystemic Shunts July 2006 - Chihuahuas at Risk for Vaccine Reaction January 2007 - Collapsing Trachea July 2007 - DNA Suppressor Gene for Size Differences June 2008 - Oral Disease Considered Common Problem June 2009 - Hypoglycemia Requires Quick Intervention May 2010 - Health Test for Patellar Luxation May 2011 - Chihuahuas Among Breeds Affected by Syringomyelia Spring 2012 - Epilepsy Research In Chihuahuas Summer 2013 - Drug Treatment offers Hope for Hydrocephalus Spring 2014 - Researchers Study Degenerative Heart Disease |