The Different Types of Chihuahuas

If you've ever looked at two chihuahuas side by side and thought, wait, are those even the same breed? You are not imagining things. One can be sleek and shiny with a coat-like polished suede, and the next looks like a tiny long-haired show pony who got lost on the way to a dog show. Same breed. Completely different look. So today we're sorting out the actual types of chihuahuas, the official ones, the ones everybody argues about at the dog park, and how to figure out which type actually fits your life. By the end of this, you'll know the two coat types the American Kennel Club officially recognizes, the three head shapes people use to describe chihuahuas, how big each one tends to get, what grooming really looks like for each, and a couple of honest things worth thinking about before you bring one home. One quick note up front, I'm a chihuahua mom and advocate, not a veterinarian, so anything health related in this video is general information meant to help you ask better questions at the vet and it isn't medical advice. Here's the fun part about this breed. For such a tiny dog the Chihuahua comes in a genuinely wide range of looks. You'll see different coat lengths, different head shapes, a whole rainbow of colors, and a surprisingly big spread in size. A lot of new owners assume a Chihuahua is just one specific look, usually the little apple-headed one from the movies, and then they meet a long-coated deer head and get completely thrown. So let's clear it up, starting with the only part the official breed standard actually cares about, the coat. First up, the smooth coat Chihuahua, also called the short-haired Chihuahua. This is the one most people picture. The fur is close and glossy, with a little rough of slightly thicker hair around the neck and thinner hair on the face and ears. My boy Keto is a smooth coat and I can tell you these dogs are wonderfully low maintenance in the grooming department. You'll basically never need a groomer for styling. Now here's the catch people don't expect. A short coat sheds. Quite a bit actually for such a small dog. So you'll still find tiny hairs on your couch and on your favorite black sweater. And because they carry so little fur, smooth coats feel the cold fast. Keto starts shivering the second the air conditioning kicks on, so a soft sweater indoors keeps him comfortable. Those thinly furred spots can also be a little more sun sensitive, so shade matters on bright Florida afternoons. On the plus side, smooth coats come in just about every color you can imagine, and they only need around half an hour of play or gentle exercise a day to stay happy. Then you've got the long coat chihuahua. Soft, sometimes slightly wavy fur, a feathery plume of a tail, fringed ears, and a fuller ruff around the neck. My girl Coco is a long coat, and people always assume she's way more work than keto. Here's the surprise. Long coats often shed a little less than smooth coats. The trade-off is brushing. A gentle slicker brush every other day keeps the mats away, especially behind the ears and along those feathery back legs where tangles love to hide. One thing that catches new owners off guard is that a long coat takes its time. The full adult coat can take two to three years to really come in, so a long coat puppy might look almost short-haired for a while before that gorgeous fur finally shows up. If you brush a little and often instead of waiting for a tangled mess, grooming becomes a calm few minutes together. And while you're brushing, you get a free chance to check their skin and ears, which is a lovely habit to build early. The thing to hold on to here, smooth or long, the temperament underneath is the same spirited, devoted little dog. Coat really just comes down to your climate and how much brushing you enjoy. Okay, now the part everybody asks about, head shapes. And here's the key thing to understand. The AKC does not recognize these as separate types of chihuahuas. There's no deer head box to check on a registration paper. But the terms are everywhere, so it really helps to know them. Start with the apple head. This is the rounded, domed skull described in the official standard, paired with a short muzzle and those big, expressive eyes. It's the show ring look and the most common one you'll come across. A couple of applehead specifics worth knowing. That short muzzle means the teeth are packed into a small space, so dental care matters a lot for these dogs as they age. And some applehead puppies are born with a soft spot on the top of the skull called a molera. It often closes as they grow and usually isn't a problem on its own, but it's always worth pointing out to your vet during checkups. Next, the deerhead chihuahua. These get their name from a longer face and taller, more upright ears that genuinely do look a bit deer-like. They tend to run a little larger, sometimes reaching 8 to 10 pounds, and a lot of owners describe them as confident and wonderfully easygoing. Because that longer muzzle sits outside the breed standard, deer heads can't compete in confirmation shows, but they make absolutely fantastic family dogs. That slightly bigger frame also means a standard tiny bed can feel cramped, so a roomier bed lets a deer head stretch all the way out and actually sleep well. And then there's the pear head, which is the rare one. Flatter skull, longer snout, an outline that's a bit, well, pear-shaped. You won't run into these often, and they aren't shown either, but temperament-wise, they're right in line with every other chihuahua, affectionate and very much convinced they run the household. Let's talk size for a second, because it trips a lot of people up. The show standard caps the breed at around 6 pounds. In real homes, most chihuahuas land somewhere between 3 and 7, and deer heads can go a touch over. My littlest Bodhi is about 3 pounds soaking wet, so I know firsthand that the very small end is real, and it does come with a bit of extra care. Which brings me to a gentle warning. Teacup, micro, applehead teacup are not real types of chihuahuas. They're marketing words. Extra tiny can sometimes mean extra fragile. So a good breeder or rescue will always be up front with you about a dog's expected adult size and health history. Tiny dogs are wonderful. Just go in with your eyes open. So how do you actually choose? Honestly, it comes down to your life more than the dog's looks. Owners who'd rather skip regular grooming tend to love a smooth coat for its simplicity. A long coat is a joy for anyone who doesn't mind a quick brush every couple of days and adores that fluffy look. Want a slightly sturdier dog with a bit more confidence? A deer head might be your match. And for that classic petite lap companion, an apple head is the timeless pick. Whatever you land on, you're getting the same loyal little shadow who is fully convinced it owns the place. Here's what I really want you to walk away with. Every one of these types of chihuahuas, smooth, long, apple, deer, pear, is the same big-hearted, opinionated little dog underneath all the labels. Pick the coat and the size that fit your home and your weather, and the personality comes free with all of them. So tell me down in the comments, what type is your chihuahua? And be honest, did you choose the type, or did the type choose you? I read every single one. If this helped, the full written guide is linked below and you can join the Chi Society pack for free to get our Chihuahua stories and tiny dog tips sent straight to you. I'll see you in the next one.