what exactly does the term teacup chihuahua mean and is it a legitimate term for characterizing a specific type of chihuahua? much controversy exists over this term, so let’s get to the facts!

the term teacup chihuahua is mainly an american term. it is often used to refer to the size of a chihuahua and shouldn’t be used to categorize a specific type of chihuahua as you would in referencing a short versus a long-haired chihuahua or a deer head versus an apple head chihuahua.

most chihuahua puppies are teacup-sized, but they usually grow out of it when they become adults. in other words, teacup chihuahuas are just very small chihuahuas usually under 3 lbs in weight. they are not a different strain of chihuahua.

if you are told by a chihuahua breeder that they breed only this type of chihuahua be suspicious, it could be a teacup chihuahua scam. they are probably seeking a higher price for their puppies.

the terms ‘teacup, micro, miniature or pocket size’ are just a few of the many labels that have been used by disreputable chihuahua breeders to lure potential buyers so be sure to research a chihuahua breeder fully when you are seeking to purchase a chihuahua and if you are unsure, consider rescuing a chihuahua instead.

if you are genuinely serious about owning a chihuahua, the means by which you come to own one shouldn’t matter. in other words, if you love chihuahuas, adopt one!

also keep in mind that the smaller the chihuahua, the more chihuahua health problems you are likely to encounter unlike larger healthier chihuahuas.

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we have all heard the terms apple head vs. deer head when it comes to describing characteristics of the chihuahua breed, but what exactly makes an apple head chihuahua different from a deer head chihuahua?

the term apple head is used to describe any chihuahua with a round or ‘dome-like’ head similar to the shape of an apple. the upper part of the chihuahua’s skull is wider than the lower part in the jaw area.

if you look close at the top of the skull of most chihuahuas, you will notice that it is slightly sunken in just like the top of an apple. this area is called molera, a spanish word for ‘fontanel’, or any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus and it is similar to the ‘soft spot’ that human babies have on their heads upon birth.

according to chihuahua breed standards, the term apple head is required in the description of the ‘head’ of a chihuahua that includes an apple domed skull with either the presence or absence of molera. it is also used when referencing chihuahua puppies at an age where it is noticeable.

the term deer head is used to describe any chihuahua that does not have the characteristic apple shaped head. deer head chihuahuas tend to have a longer noses and a head shape similar to that of a miniature young deer. they also tend to have less chihuahua health problems.

in this picture of teaka the famous chihuahua, you can see her deer-like features, so she is a deer head chihuahua. at birth she was given the temporary name of fawn, which means a young deer under a year old.

related: what is a blue chihuahua?  what is a teacup chihuahua?

article source: chihuahuadogcare.com/applehead-chihuahuas
skull photo source: skullsunlimited.com/chihuahua-skull.html

are you looking for the perfect chihuahua name that suits your new chihuahua puppy’s personality or is characteristic of what they look like? well look no further, find the perfect name for your apple head or deer head chihuahua puppy right here at famous chihuahua!

in the picture above, you see teaka the famous chihuahua posing pretty in her adorable daisy meadow dog dress. teaka was given her name because we felt that it suited her playful personality and was the perfect female name to identify her by. we love you teaka!

find the perfect chihuahua puppy name here!

related: share your cute and funny chihuahua nick names

it is said that a blue chihuahua can be produced from mating a black and tan chihuahua, a chocolate, or even a fawn parent, but the parents must carry the recessive blue gene in their line of heritage. the blue in a blue chihuahua can also be part of a patterned, a tri-colored or multi-colored coat.

much controversy exists around the subject of breeding blue chihuahuas as hidden defects on the gene that is linked to the blue color can result in serious coat problems and other health issues. for these reasons, it is advised to never breed a blue chihuahua with another blue chihuahua.

it’s unlikely to come across a blue chihuahua at a chihuahua rescue organization as blue chihuahuas are very rare and highly prized. in some countries, they can set buyers back up to $10,000 depending on how popular they are. chihuahuas are currently the ‘hot’ dog breed in japan, a country where their fast-growing pet industry is estimated at more than $10 billion a year.

paying high prices for a chihuahua with a particular trait as such is purely the decision of the buyer, however famous chihuahua would like to remind potential chihuahua buyers that rescued chihuahuas like papi the star of beverly hills chihuahua and loki, mickey rourke’s dearly departed chihuahua, are prime examples of big surprises than can come in a small package.

related:  what is a teacup chihuahua?
what is the difference between an applehead and a deerhead chihuahua?

cutepuppydog.com/bluechihuahua.html
nytimes.com/2006/12/28/business/28dogs.html
photo source: i87.photobucket.com/albums/k135/Petshackofnorthside/jan92008046.jpg

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what is a teacup chihuahua? get the facts about teacup chihuahuas
the term teacup chihuahua is mainly an american term. teacup chihuahuas are just very small chihuahuas usually under 3lbs in weight. they are not a different strain of chihuahua.

how apple head chihuahuas differ from deer head chihuahuas
we have all heard the terms apple head vs. deer head when it comes to describing characteristics of the chihuahua breed, but what exactly makes an apple head chihuahua different from a deer head chihuahua?

chihuahua names for your chihuahua puppy
looking for the perfect name for your new chihuahua puppy? find the best name for your new chihuahua puppy from a selection of over 1000 male and female chihuahua names.

what is a blue chihuahua? the facts about blue chihuahuas
what makes a blue chihuahua puppy different from other chihuahua puppies? not a heck of a lot as all chihuahuas are special and unique in their own way, but blue chihuahuas are best described as a chihuahua puppy that is bred to have a dull silver-grey-coat with a tinge of blue.

sign and symptoms of a sick chihuahua: know when to see a vet!
your chihuahua can not explain its symptoms, so it’s your responsibility to keep him or her healthy and to determine whether or not they need veterinary care. chihuahuas tend to want to hide their illness, so it is up to you to check your chihuahua for abnormalities.

the world’s most famous chihuahua: cast your vote!
famous chihuahua wants to know what celebrity chihuahua you think deserves the title of the world’s most famous chihuahua! take a look at the contenders and then cast your vote today!

common health issues and problems in the chihuahua breed
while chihuahuas are known to be a healthy toy breed with fewer genetic defects than most, they are not without fault. the following health conditions are known to occur in chihuahuas. if you are a chihuahua owner, this information may be very helpful.

cute and funny chihuahua names
we all have a cute or funny nickname we have given to our chihuahua(s) that came about to describe something that is characteristic of them. selecting chihuahua names for your chihuahua puppy can be loads of fun. does your chihuahua have a fun nick name you would like to share?

the pros and cons of getting a teacup chihuahua
everybody knows tinkerbell hilton. the ever-famous teacup chihuahua that is always visible in paris hilton’s presence. you can see how small it is when it actually fits into paris’ handbag!

naughty naughty famous chihuahua video (NSFW!)
laugh your pants silly with this chihuahua video starring teaka the famous chihuahua! what can we say, we love our little ‘naughty’ mexican! she is the very reason that this chihuahua site exists!

teaka the famous chihuahua after a bath! click photo for fun!

famouschihuahua.com is happy to provide chihuahua lovers with helpful chihuahua information and we will continue to do so in 2009.

in 2008, famous chihuahua readers emailed us to thank us and let us know that they found the following chihuahua information pages most helpful.

chihuahua names

chihuahua song

chihuahua wallpaper

signs and symptoms of a sick chihuahua

what is a teacup chihuahua

chihuahua breeders

chihuahua rescue sites

what to feed a chihuahua

healthy food for chihuahuas

what to do when your chihuahua has a seizure

stop your chihuahua from barking

thank you!

the smallest dog in terms of length is heaven sent brandy, a female chihuahua who measured 15.2 cm (6 in) from the nose to the tip of the tail on january 31, 2005. brandy lives with her owner, paulette keller in largo, florida, usa.

source: guinnessworldrecords.com

everybody knows tinkerbell hilton. the ever-famous teacup chihuahua that is always visible in paris hilton’s presence. you can see how small it is when it actually fits into paris’ handbag!

actually, there are only two kinds of breeds of chihuahuas: short haired and long haired. terms like “teacups”, “deer heads”, “apple heads” or “toys” are not the officially recognized breeds in major canine organizations like the UKC or AKC.

everybody goes crazy over teacup chihuahuas ever since chihuahuas made numerous debuts on TV shows and movies. but why is it that everyone goes crazy over these small canines? the answer is very simple. no other dog can beat these teacup chihuahuas and their cute-factor. they are simply adorable and irresistible!

so, before you head to a pet store to get your very own teacup chihuahua, as a soon-to-be-owner of a teacup chihuahua, you got to know the pros and cons of getting one. small does not mean that it is going to be easier for you to manage. believe it or not, these teacups dogs can be pretty much a hassle to handle, compared to other majestic dogs.

the pros

1. it is definitely a good companion as it is very loving and loyal. they can get easily jealous though. so, just remember to start training them early. once they know a little bit about socializing, they will be more confident of the people around them.

2. size doesn’t matter. teacup chihuahuas make excellent watchdogs, as they are very alert. however, they might bark excessively, so you will definitely need to train them on how to remain quiet.

3. teacup chihuahuas are pretty easy to train. as the matter of fact, there is no need for you to send them to dog schools. this will spare you from spending hundreds on a dog trainer.

4. teacup chihuahuas are ideal apartment dogs too. other breeds of dogs are pretty big and not suitable for a apartments. teacup chihuahuas are small and they will fit in nicely in any apartment.

the cons

1. these adorable dogs are prone to have health problems. since it is small in size, it is morel likely to face more health problems like respiratory problems and dehydration.

2. teacup chihuahuas are also prone to injury. these creatures are small and fragile and kids often play rough with them. some might even step on them! so, if you have kids, then it is best not to consider adopting a chihuahua, or they might end up hurting it.

3. they are so adorable such that we tend to over-feed them. this can cause the chihuahua to be obese and obesity shortens their lives. they can also end up with other illnesses like diabetes.

4. these teacup chihuahuas are so small that they can’t even provide enough warmth for themselves. make sure that your chihuahua has its sweater on during winter to give it extra protection and warmth.

basically, these teacup chihuahuas are very fragile animals. it is so fragile such that it requires your attention 24/7. there is no way you are able to keep it out of your sight.

it has cuteness that you can die for, but if you think that you are not up to the challenge of taking care of this “demanding” pet, then it is best that you go for a different breed instead.

Source: http://www.mauritiustoday.com/news/articles/32006/1/Teacup-Chihuahua
—Pros-And-Cons-Of-Getting-One/Page1.html

Chi. hua. hua \ch*-’wa:-(.)WA\ n [ MexSp, fr. Chihuahua, Mexico]: a very small, round-headed, large-eared, short-coated dog held believed to actually come from Egypt and Aztec civilizations (truth be known, teacup only refers to an individual dog, not a breed).

The Chihuahua is an ancient breed which is believed to have its origins in the late Paleozoic period. The Chihuahua’s earliest known ancestor, cannis raptor rodentis (meaning: killer half dog, half mouse) scoured the almost uninhabitable deserts of what is now Mexico and the south-western United States pillaging without restraint.

Millions of years of evolution allowed this canine species to thrive on the arid plain while other dog species, such as the cannis wimpus or frenchus dorkus (desert poodle) struggled for survival, eventually becoming extinct until modern times.

The early Chihuahua’s survival was once associated with the over sized, specially adapted bat ears, which act as water gathering surfaces. These fins collect moisture from the air allowing this remarkable animal to absorb the condensate through the skin They will go weeks without actually drinking water, yet urinate on any immobile object almost endlessly.

Picture Source

Ever wonder where the smallest dogs in the world came from?

The history of the Chihuahua dates back to ancient Mexico. They were believed to be sacred and they have never forgotten this.

Much of the Chihuahua’s history is speculation and theory, although everyone agrees on some matters. The Chihuahua is named for the Mexican State that borders Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is believed that the breed descended from the Techichi, a small canine that dates back to Mayan times (around the 5th century AD).

The Chihuahua’s Heritage, The Toltecs (the people that conquered the Mayans), are believed to be the first to domesticate the Techichi and brought the canine into the home as pets and also used them for religious purposes. After the Aztecs became the ruling class of Mexico, they also used the dog as a companion and in religious ceremonies.

This has been learned due to the writings in Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec writings in tombs, temples, and pyramids. Also, remains of the small dogs were found in graves in both Mexico and the United States so this could back up the religious theory.

The dogs were found in the state of Chihuahua in 1850 in old ruins near Casas Grandes, and are thought to be the ruins of the palace built by Emperor Montezuma I. The relics and remains of the Techichi indicate that the breed was long haired and mute, very different from the modern Chihuahua. The Aztec wealthy and clergy thought the Techichi to be sacred while the lower class had little use for the dogs and sometimes used them as food.

When the explorers arrived in the New World it is believed the Techichi breed with a dog that was brought over and the result is the Chihuahua that we have today. The tiny modern day Chihuahua has gone through many changes and become very popular since their discovery.

The American Kennel Club first registered the Chihuahua as a breed in 1904 and then set the standards for the chihuahua breed. Color variations are limited only by the imagination. The smooth coated variety is still the most publicly recognized, but the long-coat variety has increased in numbers and popularity. Chihuahuas are a long lived breed, often achieving 16 or more years of age.

Source

The chihuahua, with its apple-dome skull and large luminous eyes, can wear a remarkably human expression at times; she or he will want to be with you most, if not all of the time.

A warning to dog owners: Don’t buy a Chihuahua if you don’t have the emotional real estate in your heart or the time for the complete love and attention of this furry little pet. They are like children.

Chihuahuas can be smooth coat or long coat. There is no chihuahua breed standard distinction made between the two in the United States, since in the States, both smooth coat and long coat can occur in a litter. Experienced Chihuahua owners say that each dog of this breed has their own unique personality; this is a very individualistic breed.

A few generalizations can be made. Chihuahuas are graceful, energetic, and swift-moving canines. They have often been described as having “terrier-like” qualities; that is, the qualities of being alert, observant, and keen on interacting with their masters. They are extremely loyal and get attached to one or two persons.

These tiny dogs are certainly unaware of their diminutive stature: they can be bold with other dogs much larger than themselves, and protective of their masters. They are fiercely loyal to their masters and wary of any strangers or new guests introduced into the household, which the Chihuahua considers to be its personal domain. For these reasons, Chihuahuas make good watch dogs (not guard dogs!).

The Chihuahua needs a great deal of human contact: touching, petting, and general attention. If the Chihuahua does not get this, she or he will use various attention-getting tricks until you give her/him attention. Like using paws to lightly scratch the hand, a signal that says, “Pet me now!” Some owners who have had other, more independent breeds may find the chihuahua too needy. However, they give a lot of love and affection in return for your care.

Keeping more than one Chihuahua can greatly ease the dog’s stress when left alone each day if the owner works. They will compete for your attention when you get home though. Because they are by nature gentle, loyal, and sweet-tempered, Chihuahuas are ideal for single people, the elderly, the handicapped, and shut-ins.

Chihuahuas will keep you company for hours by lying on your lap or beside your torso if in bed, and treat you like royalty. No one with a Chihuahua in their household will ever be truly alone. They are quite happy in apartments, as long as there is enough to play with and explore.

Opinions differ on how often to bathe a Chihuahua. Some say that bathing too often removes the natural oils from the coat, and thus dandruff will result and the coat will look dull. Others say that shampooing on occasion with certain brands of shampoo can actually enhance the sheen of the coat. Chihuahuas should be bathed at least twice a month, otherwise they develop an unpleasant smell. This is actually due to the skin cells that humans sloth off onto the Chihuahua! So humans are the main contributors to that smell that can develop.

When bathing, take care not to get water into their ears, as an infection can develop. You will need to trim their nails at least once a month too. On the smaller dogs, cat claw trimmers can be used. It’s good to start a nail trimming routine early on so that your dog becomes accustomed to your handling its paws not to mention getting used to the clippers. Owners should also be aware that Chihuahuas are prone to “weak knees.” This can occur as they get older. If it causes difficulty in walking, take your dog to the vet.

If a chihuahua pup has its American Kennel Club official certificate papers, a new pup can run up to $600.00. The papers (which the breeder provides) mean that the parents of your chihuahua pup is registered with the AKC and that the puppy is registrable.

Additionally, some breeders provide pedigree papers which trace the family history beyond the immediate parents. These papers are vital if you plan to enter your new dog into exhibitions and competitions. These certificates and papers ensure that the dog is a purebred; however, just because a dog has papers, doesn’t mean it is any more special than a pup bought from a friend.

Toy breeds live the longest of any size dog. Expect a life-span of 11-18 years, although the latter is rare.

When buying a leash for your Chihuahua, remember that its neck is rather small and delicate compared to other dog’s necks. You cannot (and, indeed, should not) yank your dog around by the leash. A body-harness is recommended for two reasons: safety and comfort. If fitted right, it will give your pet a secure and comfortable walk, and harnesses also ensure your dog cannot run into traffic or a bigger creature.

Chihuahuas also prefer several small meals per day, rather than one big meal. They are high-strung dogs. “High-strung” can be defined as: barks easily, does not adapt easily to change in environment, is suspicious of strangers and will growl at them, and flips in circles and jumps around when excited (like when you come home after a five-minute absence, for instance). Your friends will see the worst side of them and never believe you when you tell them that your little buddy is really a gentle, sweet-natured dog.

Are chihuahuas good with children?
Generally, no. Owners must be very sensitive to the fact that short-haired chihuahuas, and even long-haired ones, are vulnerable to the cold. In temperatures of 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended dressing your chihuahua in a special dog sweater for brief walks. Walking your chihuahua in temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit is strongly discouraged, especially when there is a wind-chill factor.

In this, as in other aspects of dog maintenance, keep your dogs’ health top priority, not your own desire. It is a characteristic of the Chihuahua to prefer to sleep under a cloth or blanket. They will even get under pillows in order to feel snug. If you are raising a pup, be sure to provide them with a soft towel or blanket in their sleeping area so they can burrow underneath it. So don’t be surprised if your chihuahua scrambles under your blankets at night, even though your house or apartment may not be particularly cold.

Chihuahuas are quite the sun-worshipers. They prefer to bask in the sun for hours and have been known to lie in a spot of sun no larger than the size of a half-dollar! Unfortunately, they are not sensible in this regard and will stay in the sun even when panting begins.

Watch your chihuahua in hot weather to be sure that they don’t suffer from heat stroke is a genuine chihuahua health concern. Chihuahuas do shiver when they’re cold, but they also shiver when they are wary, excited, unhappy, or frightened. This is a result of having a high metabolism, and is a normal characteristic of this breed.

teaka the famous chihuahua snoring away zzzzzz …..

snoring is a common occurrence in chihuahuas. it is attributed to their short muzzle and sometimes it is loud enough to wake the house up, and it is incredibly funny when you have visitors – no one can believe that such a small dog can make that much noise.

chihuahuas can also make snorting and grunting noises when they are playing or just investigating a new smell. this is perfectly normal for chihuahuas.

In the United States, 63 percent of households include a pet (up 7 percent since 1988), and pet lovers spent $38.5 billion on their pets in 2006 (up from $21 billion a decade earlier).

Americans now spend several billion dollars more on dog and cat food than they do on baby food. And the pet health care industry is booming.

So, what’s behind the increased affinity for animals? It’s partly due to the growing share of people choosing pets over children.

Source

chihuahuas are characterized by the american kennel club under the toy group breed and follow these standards:

general appearance – a graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with saucy expression, compact, and with terrier-like qualities of temperament.

weight - a well balanced little dog not to exceed 6 pounds.

proportion – the body is off-square; hence, slightly longer when measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, than height at the withers. somewhat shorter bodies are preferred in males.

disqualification – any dog over 6 pounds in weight.

head – a well rounded “apple dome” skull, with or without molera. expression – saucy.

eyes - full, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart-luminous dark or luminous ruby.
(light eyes in blond or white-colored dogs permissible.)

ears - large, erect type ears, held more upright when alert, but flaring to the sides at a 45 degree angle when in repose, giving breadth between the ears.

muzzle – moderately short, slightly pointed. Cheeks and jaws lean.

nose – self-colored in blond types, or black. In moles, blues, and chocolates, they are self-colored. in blond types, pink nose permissible.

bite – level or scissors. overshot or undershot bite, or any distortion of the bite or jaw, should be penalized as a serious fault.

disqualifications – broken down or cropped ears.

neck – slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders.

topline – level.

body – ribs rounded and well sprung (but not too much “barrel-shaped”).

tail – moderately long, carried sickle either up or out, or in a loop over the back, with tip just touching the back. (never tucked between legs.)

disqualifications – cropped tail, bobtail.

forequarters

shoulders – lean, sloping into a slightly broadening support above straight forelegs that set well under, giving a free play at the elbows. shoulders should be well up, giving balance and soundness, sloping into a level back. (never down or low.) this gives a chestiness, and strength of forequarters, yet not of the “bulldog” chest.

feet – a small, dainty foot with toes well split up but not spread, pads cushioned. (neither the hare nor the cat foot.)

pasterns – fine.

hindquarters

muscular, with hocks well apart, neither out nor in, well let down, firm and sturdy. the feet are as in front.

coat – in the smooth coats, the coat should be of soft texture, close and glossy. (heavier coats with undercoats permissible.) coat placed well over body with ruff on neck preferred, and more scanty on head and ears. hair on tail preferred furry.

in long coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly curly, with undercoat preferred.

ears - fringed. (heavily fringed ears may be tipped slightly if due to the fringes and not to weak ear leather, never down.)

tail – full and long (as a plume). feathering on feet and legs, pants on hind legs and large ruff on the neck desired and preferred.

disqualification – in long coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.

color - any color-solid, marked or splashed.

gait - the chihuahua should move swiftly with a firm, sturdy action, with good reach in front equal to the drive from the rear. from the rear, the hocks remain parallel to each other, and the foot fall of the rear legs follows directly behind that of the forelegs. the legs, both front and rear, will tend to converge slightly toward a central line of gravity as speed increases. the side view shows good, strong drive in the rear and plenty of reach in the front, with head carried high. the topline should remain firm and the backline level as the dog moves.

temperament - alert, with terrier-like qualities.

other disqualifications

• any dog over 6 pounds in weight
• broken down or cropped ears
• cropped tail, bobtail
• in long coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness

source: the american kennel club akc.org