The chihuahua is one of the oldest dog breeds in America. It is originally from Mexico and has the characteristic of being the smallest dog in the world. Although many give its name to the state of Chihuahua, there are historians who refute that theory. It is said that “chihuahua” means arid and sandy place in the language of the Rarámuri people, and the original name of the breed is “ chihuahueño”, but it was misrepresented by a translation error.
In this article on our site we will explain the general considerations of the Chihuahua dog to guide you and help you identify what type of Chihuahua you have. To correctly identify a specimen, not only anatomical considerations are taken into account. For competitions, the temperament of the dog plays a fundamental role in the qualification, especially when it comes to pets. Last but not least, the characteristics and norms that are governed by the great canine associations of the world must be taken into account. In this case, we will expose the rules of the International Cinological Federation (FCI), which is considered the largest international canine federation in the world. Keep reading and discover with us how many types of chihuahua there are
How do I know what kind of chihuahua I have?
This breed is not too difficult to identify. There are several types of Chihuahua that are very popular around the world, but it should be taken into consideration that not all of them are accepted by the official canine federations. The anatomical characteristics of each type of Chihuahua are fairly easy to diagnose and generally make the owner's job easier. All you have to do is compare the typical characteristics (allowed or not) with those of your specimen and you will see that you can give it a place in the classification in a very simple way.
The characteristics that you must take into account to identify your Chihuahua puppy are the following:
- Coat: the FCI accepts both types of coat in this breed, both long-haired and short-haired.
- Cabeza: there are two types and we speak of apple head and deer head. The FCI only accepts the apple head.
- Size: there is a much smaller variety than the standard chihuahua and it is called a toy or teacup chihuahua. This variation is not accepted by the FCI but is quite common around the world.
Characteristics of the chihuahua
Although each type of Chihuahua has its particular characteristics, there is a series of generalities that all of them must present to be considered pure Chihuahuas. Thus, the Chihuahua is a dog with a compact and small body, which stands out mainly for the characteristics of its head. In this way, to be considered a purebred dog, emphasis should be placed on the shape of its apple-shaped head, since, as we have anticipated, this it is the only one accepted by the FCI. Likewise, the Chihuahua dog must have a short snout, wider at the base and thinner at the tip. As for their eyes, they are also another distinctive feature of the breed, since they are large, rounded and expressive, but without being exaggeratedly protruding. In general, they tend to be dark in color.
On the other hand, its tail should be moderately long, it should be arched high or semicircle, always pointing to the back. Regarding its size, the FCI indicates that the weight allowed for this breed is between one kilo and 3 kg. Finally, it should be noted that this breed accepts all colors and shades except the blackbird.
Types of chihuahuas that exist
Currently, there are several types of chihuahua that can be found throughout the world, although not all of them are accepted by canine organizations official, so they would not be considered purebred chihuahuas.
Chihuahua toy or teacup
Among the varieties that we can appreciate, we find these quite peculiar, which are smaller than the standard chihuahua. They have become quite popular and although many families have the company of a chihuahua toy or a cup of tea, it is important to know that this variation is NOT accepted by canine associations. Although a chihuahua can weigh 1 kg (this is accepted), according to the FCI and other organizations there is no size classification for this breed, so there is no difference between a toy or medium chihuahua, for example, but all they are standard chihuahua.
Let's remember that the accepted size for this breed is between one kilo and 3 kg, therefore, a lower weight is not accepted. In addition, it is essential to highlight that the so-called "teacup" dog breeds, in general, suffer the consequences of irresponsible breeding to obtain very small dogs, without taking their he alth into account. For this reason, it is not advisable to encourage this "practice" by welcoming dogs with these characteristics. In the following article we talk in depth about this topic: "Teacup Dog Breeds".
Apple Head Chihuahua
This is the only officially accepted Chihuahua According to the FCI, the Chihuahua's head must be strictly apple-shaped and, as its name implies, indicates, this responds to the fact that from a frontal view, its head has the appearance of an apple, completely round and with a convex forehead. It can be long-haired or short-haired and all colors are accepted.
Deerhead Chihuahua
This variation is a bit controversial, since some federations accept it, but the FCI does not accept it. Thus, according to this organization, which is the largest and most recognized worldwide, this type of Chihuahua cannot be considered purebred.
The deer-headed Chihuahua, also called the pear-headed Chihuahua, has a slightly elongated head, unlike the apple-headed Chihuahua. In this case, in addition, the snout is usually longer and the eyes smaller than usual. It is one of the most popular variations of the Chihuahua and is one of the most preferred companion dogs of recent times.
Types of chihuahua dogs according to coat
Within the official breed standard, all organizations, including the FCI, differentiate between two varieties of Chihuahua based on the type of hair. In this way, we can say that other types of chihuahua officially accepted are the following:
Long-haired Chihuahua
In this type of Chihuahua the coat is long, fine, silky, smooth or slightly wavy, but never curly. It may or may not have an undercoat and usually shows longer hair on the ears, neck, tail and back of the thighs. It should be noted that long and fluffy hair, like the one that the Pomeranian dog can present, is not accepted in the chihuahua.
Short-haired Chihuahua
In this variety of Chihuahua the hair is quite short, although it is slightly longer on the neck and tail. It is soft, fine and may or may not have an inner layer.
Considerations when adopting a chihuahua
When adopting a puppy or adult dog of the Chihuahua breed, we must be sure of its origin. However, in most cases it is not possible because they reach shelters, shelters or kennels because they have been abandoned. In any case, it is important to visit the veterinarian for a complete examination and general he alth check.
On the other hand, it is important to bear in mind that all types of Chihuahua lose a lot of hair, so at least two weekly brushings will be necessary. Regarding the education of the chihuahua, they are usually puppies stubborn, brave, alert and very active This means that they must be very constant in their training and that it is it is essential to always use positive reinforcement.
