Different Chihuahua Dogs

Thanks to Taco Bell's effective advertising campaign, Gidget, the Taco Bell Chihuahua not only became a pop icon of the 90s. Her wild popularity created a Chihuahua frenzy among "wannabe" dog owners who fell in love with the breed. Many dog lovers are unaware that Gidget is not the only variety of Chihuahua. Inherent in the breed are hair, head shape and color variations.

  1. Apple Head

    • Apple Head Chihuahuas have sloping foreheads and shorter noses.

      Apple head Chihuahuas have a rounded, apple-shaped head that narrows near the jaw line. Some have a "molera" or frontal indentation more prominent among puppies but usually dissipating with maturity. The nose is short and slightly pug, ears are erect and angled 45 degrees from the head. Note that the American Kennel Club considers the apple head shape the dominant and acceptable characteristic among purebred Chihuahuas.

    Deer Head

    • Deer Head Chihuahuas have longer noses and doe eyes.

      Less common than the apple head, the deer head Chihuahua , sometimes called the "Taco Bell" variety has a head shape resembling a Doberman Pinscher. The head shape is narrower, the snout is longer. This is considered a recessive characteristic and Chihuahuas with the deer head are not considered standard AKC purebreds.

    Short-Haired Variety

    • The short-haired or smooth variation has a shorter, smooth, glossy coat with little hair on the head. The tail may be long and furry or long with little hair. The scruff of the neck may have a thicker coat but will still maintain a smoothness in appearance. This variation is more sensitive to cold and does better in warm weather.

    Long-Haired Variety

    • The long haired Chihuahuas have flat or wavy fur. Ears are erect and fringed with fur; the tail is long and furry, and feet may have fur resembling feathering. This type sheds more and requires heavier grooming.

    Color Variations

    • Chihuahuas come in many color variations--solid colors like black, brown, red, cream and fawn, which is considered a classic Chihuahua color. One rare color variation--blue--is found in both long and short-haired varieties. The color can be solid, mottled, can resemble an Australian Shepherd in color or can have white patches on the breast. Because the blue variation is so rare, dog lovers should be wary of puppy mills that might market blue puppies with physically weak constitutions.