The apple-headed Chihuahua is an intelligent little pet with huge bulging eyes, a meaningful face and the shape of its head like an apple, it is charming and fragile however can likewise be bossy.
Sometimes described as:
- Apple Dome Head Chihuahua.
- Chihuahua Teacup
- Chi-Chi
- Hua-Hua
- Techichi Chihuahua
This pretty pure-blooded pet dog could easily get harmed when playing and falling down roughly, so it is not suggested as a household pet for kids.
An apple-headed Chihuahua young puppy is an extremely charming little pet.
Applehead Chihuahua HistoryThe Chihuahua is the smallest pet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a pure-blooded pet dog.
The Applehead Chihuahua and the Deerhead Chihuahua are 2 various kinds of Chihuahua; they are not separate pet dog types.
There are just two officially recognized differences within the Chihuahua breed; the long-haired Chihuahua and the smooth-haired Chihuahua (shorthaired).
Although the apple-headed Chihuahua and the deer-headed Chihuahua are thought about part of the same breed, they are not officially crossbred.
Why is the breed called the Chihuahua?
The Chihuahua is considered the National Pet of Mexico.
It is thought that the Chihuahua type was discovered in the 19th century, in the Chihuahua location of Mexico; thus the Mexican name Chihuahua. Ancient drawings of a small Chihuahua-type pet have been discovered in Central America with similarities to the ancient Techichi pet, and also in Europe with similarities to the ancient Chinese Crested pet dog.
Therefore, it is believed that an early ancestor of the Chihuahua canine might have been the little ancient Techichi pet dog and someplace along the bloodline might have crossed with a Chinese Crested dog to offer us the Chihuahua breed we recognize today.
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Chihuahua Pet Dog Names
Differences in between the Apple-headed and Deer-headed ChihuahuasShape of the head
Table of Contents
The apple-headed Chihuahua has a head shape like an apple. The American Kennel Club (AKC) mentions that the breed standard requirement is an 'apple dome shaped head'.
All apple-headed Chihuahuas have a big head in relation to their body size and are the only pet dog type born with a soft spot on their skull, like a human infant, referred to as a Molera.
This Molera (an incomplete skull) is not a defect! It is developed to assist the mother bring to life her large-headed pups and after that forms her forehead into a dome shape. The Molera is most likely to close after about 3-4 months.
The deer-headed Chihuahua is formed like the head of a young deer, but its head shape is smaller and it is not typically born with a soft area on its skull: a molera.
Face shape
The face of the apple-headed Chihuahua has a distinct 90-degree angle where the muzzle fulfills the forehead; known as a 'Stop'. The profile of its face is like a neat 'L-Shape'.
The Apple-headed Chihuahua has a much shorter jaw and much shorter neck than the Deerhead Chihuahua.
The face of the Deerhead Chihuahua has a distinct 45-degree angle, its Stop, where the muzzle fulfills the forehead and deer-shaped ears.
Physical characteristics and appearance
In basic, the Deerhead Chihuahua is bigger than the Applehead Chihuahua, although it is still a Toy breed and there are even smaller sized versions; referred to as Teacup Chihuahuas.
The Deerhead Chihuahua has larger erect ears, longer legs, taller and therefore heavier, a longer neck and jaw, a bigger muzzle and a longer muzzle than the Applehead Chihuahua range.
Coat Variety
Any of the Chihuahua ranges can have a recognizably long coat or a smooth coat (short coat).
Think it or not, the long-haired Chihuahua coat sheds less than the short-haired Chihuahua coat (smooth coat)!
These coat varieties are totally acknowledged by the following canine clubs:
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
United Kennel Club (UKC)
The Chihuahua pet now has its own type club particular to both variations of the Chihuahua; The Chihuahua Club of America (CCA).
Truth: Just the apple-headed Chihuahua range of the breed can participate in the program ring, as a main show canine (due to its type basic apple dome skull); according to the AKC.
The taco bell canine
The most famous Chihuahua pet was Gidget, the image of the Taco Bell fast food chain canine. This cute little Chihuahua (a deer head) made Chihuahuas well-known in the United States in the 1990s and quickly became an incredibly popular canine.
The Chihuahua dog breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1908, as a long, smooth-coated range (brief coat), not based on the shape of the head.
Only the apple-headed Chihuahua can get involved as a show canine and according to the AKC breed basic definition, it should have a well rounded 'apple dome' shaped head.
The various types of Chihuahua caninesThe Chihuahua canine is a pure breed that comes in a mixture of coat colors, mainly beige, black, white, chocolate, chocolate, gold, cream, however no Merle! (a color related to health problems caused by a defective gene).
The only genuine difference is head shape, size and length or coat colors: their top coat, undercoat and eye color.
They all have distinctly shaped erect ears, uncommon eyes and a really meaningful face.
Main characteristics of the Apple-headed Chihuahua
The Applehead Chihuahua is a sweet little dog from young puppy to the adult years. It will make a charming teacup-sized small dog for a caring pet owner, but due to its fragile and little size, it could be quickly injured if dealt with exceedingly, particularly by children.
It can be a lovely and smart pet if treated kindly, as it normally has a gentle nature and is not understood as an aggressive breed, however it can be bossy and tease strangers or kids when upset. It is fragile, so possibly not ideal for a first time owner or a young family with other larger dogs.
Loyalty and Friendship
Any Chihuahua owner will quickly discover that this little dog will aspire to please them and want to be close. They will be a great companion however their small size will restrict particular joint activities. They will simply take pleasure in being close to you and will be totally loyal to their Chihuahua owner, but they ought to be protected and preferably in an enclosed environment to prevent them from getting hurt.
Reputation
Chihuahuas have a track record for being short-fused, energetic, barking a lot and bad-tempered. This is partly real, they can be noisy if permitted to get bored or if provoked or teased. The Chihuahua is a positive little pet that has a fun-loving character, but is known to bark a lot at larger canines and when complete strangers approach.
Popularity
The Chihuahua canine type is not at the top of the lists of the world's favorite dog types, but it is gradually gaining appeal as a cute household animal. In the United States it became well-known as the face of Taco Bell in the 1990s and now ranks as the 30th most popular pet dog in the United States.
Now, with an AKC-registered type standard, they can contend as purebred pets in the program ring in any coat color and eye color mix, as long as they have a well-rounded "apple dome" shaped head.
Training
This is an intelligent little dog that is extremely energetic and strong-willed, so the Chihuahua pup might not be the simplest pet to train.
He is a figured out and bossy little canine who likes to stay active regardless of his small size. He will wish to test the trainer and be the one in charge. He can be stubborn and hard to train, so perseverance and a lot of effort is required.
They may attempt to push the fitness instructor to the limitation and take control of training tasks and can sometimes overpower the dog's owner. They require rigorous however gentle training and discipline to know who is boss - and it shouldn't be them!
Power and intelligence
This pet type is little, frail and light, so what it does not have in strength it makes up for in decision and attitude. They will be energetic and with their high level of intelligence, they will want to be hectic in a helpful and rewarding way. They will wish to please their dog owner, but will find their own enjoyable if they are not stimulated and it can be devastating enjoyable.
Socializing
Any Chihuahua young puppy will need early training in socializing and discipline to preserve their good behavior and security.
This type is a delicate size, so they are susceptible to injury, so they require to learn control to keep them safe in public locations in case of threat. They can be friendly however not to everyone and may bark at small children or other pet dogs if approached rapidly and viewed as a hazard.
Training is essential so they know how to act in crowded locations, parks, when around complete strangers, kids or when near traffic.
Function
Chihuahuas discover convenience in packs of other Chihuahuas. They can easily incorporate into family life and blend well with all ages, however it is not recommended that they be left alone with really children, as they can be quickly hurt. They are intelligent, so they will take pleasure in small dog tasks that make sense and factor.
Habits
They require to be kept busy with lots of little strolls; they will get bored and bark or run away, so keep them in a confined yard or house. This lap dog is determined and stubborn and will try to push their habits to the limit. They will be eager to please their master and will value appreciation for excellent habits. They will like to snuggle with their owner, or in their clothing or bedding for warmth.
Physical attributes of the apple-headed ChihuahuaThe Chihuahua is a toy breed, which is a small sized canine.
You can expect the dog to reach a height of 6 to 10" and a weight of 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kg) for both canines and pooches.
An apple-headed Chihuahua has a life expectancy of about 14 to 16 years on average, and will generate a litter of about 2 to 5 young puppies.
Coat: Long coat or smooth coat (brief).
Smooth double coat, with fine, soft guard hairs on the leading coat and a soft undercoat.
Colour: Combined colour mixes and patterns, consisting of solid marked or splashed patterns, and mainly beige, likewise black, white, chocolate brown, golden, with cream areas, sable or a mix and mix of colours, but no Merle!
Character
Chihuahuas look out and easily shocked. They are rather energetic and persistent, however can also aspire to please.
They can be kind and loyal to their pet's owner, have a gentle nature, and love human companionship. They can have a loud and agitated bark.
How to train an apple-headed Chihuahua.
You'll require time and perseverance!
This energetic little young puppy needs to be trained and mingled early to become friendly and behave well at home and in public.
As they have a small and delicate build, any exercise-based training must be slow and cautious, and nothing forced too quickly.
This is an intelligent but strong-willed breed that may wish to do things their own method. For that reason, the trainer needs to be firm however mild and relentless with any attempt to teach this active little canine how to behave and respond to commands.
Although small, he will wish to organize the training. Therefore, it is necessary to develop who is the leader early with this small dog breed.
Boundaries should be set early and imposed; reminding them routinely what is good behavior and what is not. Reward based training and great deals of praise for good behavior and obedience will work well.
The various kinds of training needed: obedience, discipline, agility and socialization.
So, if you are not going to utilize an expert pet dog trainer:
1) Develop your fundamental command words: look for keywords like Stop, Come, Wait, and so on and correspond every time you utilize them.
2) Crate: purchase a dog crate and get the pup utilized to entering it. This will ultimately become his nest and he will sleep there. You will need to lock the dog crate in the first few days so he understands he has to sleep there and a helpful experience for bladder control and if you transport your pet.
3) Potty training: it can be unpredictable for a new puppy who is easily excited and does not have control, nevertheless, there are items offered such as mats and sprays to get puppies to go to the same place every time.
4) Strolling on leash: voice commands and roadway awareness are essential for the safety of a Chihuahua puppy, as they are delicate and require protection from threat.
Chihuahua Health IssueAny purebred dog breed can acquire certain genetic health problems due to their small size. The apple-headed Chihuahua can experience:
Oral and eye problems: these are common in this breed, as they have popular eyes and extremely small mouths.
Dental illness: due to the fact that the Chihuahua's mouth is really little, the teeth do not have enough room to grow effectively and the mouth can become crowded. There can also be an accumulation of plaque and decay or infection causing gingivitis and pain. Brushing a Chihuahua's teeth is important to help limit illness.
Patellar dislocation: this is an inherited condition that causes dislocation of the kneecap, in one or more of the kneecaps. It can result in arthritis and more bone discomfort.
Collapsed trachea: where the windpipe collapses triggering coughing, shortness of breath, sleepiness, and serious shortness of breath.
Brachycephalic respiratory tract syndrome (BACHELOR'S DEGREE): restricts breathing. The apple-headed Chihuahua has actually a compromised head shape, a short muzzle, with a limited nasal passage. This is similar to the pug canine and can cause breathing difficulties. It can also cause discomfort, snoring, sleep apnea, and a chihuahua has been known to make unusual noises when breathing.
Hydrocephalus: a condition in which an apple-headed Chihuahua puppy is born with an unusually larger head than normal. The pup will be sluggish and will not grow and establish like normal young puppies. The outlook is bleak.
Hypoglycemia: this is where the blood glucose drops quickly and ends up being too low. It can cause the canine to pass out or have a seizure and will make him very weak. This can occur due to illness or poor nutrition or the incorrect kind of pet dog food for this little size pet.
Other health issue include heart issues such as patent ductus arteriosus and mitral valve disease, which typically need surgery.
How to Take care of Your Applehead Chihuahua
Exercise Needs
This small dog is energetic and would benefit from regular short, vigorous walks.
They are small and vulnerable, so they can get harmed quickly, so it would be best if they lived in a safe home with room to run around outdoors, in an enclosed backyard if possible. Even as pups, they need plenty of daily workout and to be kept busy.
Early leash training and roadway awareness is highly recommended to keep this identified pup safe.
Feeding
Feed him as a small dog, with high quality, protein-based Kibble dog food at the suitable size and weight, as advised by your veterinarian. Take care not to overfeed. They need plenty of water to consume.
Grooming
A Chihuahua has a double coat and is considered a moderate shedder, year-round, but with 2 extra seasonal sheds. Even if it's a lap dog, it will need an excellent brush! (Best to see what is suggested on Google or Amazon).
Baths
Bathe just when essential, as their coats consist of natural oil, which can be eliminated by excessive bathing. Particular shampoos developed for pets have the double effect of cleaning up the canine's coat and securing against fleas and insect bites.
Cleaning teeth, nails and ears
Avoiding plaque and cavities is very crucial for Chihuahuas. Chewing breaks up plaque, so utilize pet chew toys, soft toothbrushes and toothpaste. Nails must be cut frequently, say once a month, and checked for infection. Their erect ears ought to be checked weekly for dirt accumulation or infection.
What life is like for an apple-headed Chihuahua.Way of life
Their mini stature makes them noticeable, so be prepared for great deals of attention and long strolls with this little pooch.
They are energetic but persistent and love to run.
They will feel the cold and suffer (Their little bodies feel the cold quickly and will require extra clothes in cold weather and even security for their feet, like booties).
Positives and negatives
Positives
- Adorable appearance, big prominent eyes.
- Faithful and adorable with family
- Intelligent and gentle nature
- Loves to snuggle with you
- An excellent buddy
Negatives
- Ineffective as a watchdog
- Can bark and bark if tired
- Does not behave well if left alone
- Really fragile needs careful dealing with
- Need to not be left unattended with small children.
- Needs activity, but not rough play, quickly injured.
- Moderate shedding requirements regular brushing.
Often asked questions
What is the proper name for the Chihuahua?
There are 2 ranges within the Chihuahua pet dog breed: the apple-headed Chihuahua dog and the deer-headed Chihuahua pet. They are also nicknamed Chi-Chi, Hua-Hua or the Apple Dome Chihuahua.
How much does an apple-headed chihuahua expense?
From $500 to $1000, from a reliable breeder, (depending on pedigree, color and pattern) - However, it is always better to embrace instead of buy, if you can, you may discover it will just cost $50-150.
Food will cost about $30 monthly for an adult Chihuahua, and veterinarian costs, vaccinations and devices ought to be factored into the expense of owning a Chihuahua.