Click to Skip Ahead
As dogs have been developed for numerous jobs over thousands of years, some breeds embody the superlative of various traits. Border Collies are the smartest, Greyhounds are the fastest, and Chihuahuas are the obvious choice if you’re looking for a small dog.
The Chihuahua’s size (or lack thereof) is one of their most notable and desirable traits. Chihuahuas come in a few varieties, with different characteristics and benefits for various owners. Which ones are the littlest? The apple-headed Chihuahua is the smallest Chihuahua with an average size of 5–8 inches tall. Learn how incredibly tiny these dogs can get as we explore the smallest Chihuahua breed in the world.
Are There Different Chihuahua Breeds?
While there’s only one true Chihuahua breed, you can break it into several subtypes based on physical characteristics. There are short-haired (smooth coat) and medium-haired (long coat) varieties, and both come in several colors.
Regarding the Chihuahua’s size, the most crucial distinction centers around the head shape. Some Chihuahuas are “apple heads” while others are “deer heads,” and depending on the type, the average height can vary by several inches.
What Is the Smallest Chihuahua Breed in the World?
The apple-headed Chihuahua is the smallest Chihuahua. Apple heads earn their name from their small domed skulls that sit slightly outward, forming an apple-like appearance. The muzzle is short and meets the skull at a right angle. Standing at only 5–8 inches tall and weighing up to six pounds, apple-domed Chihuahuas are the only variety to fit the breed standard.
The other head shape is the deer-headed Chihuahua. As the name suggests, the dome shape on these Chis more resembles that of a deer. The snout is longer and gently sloping, and the eyes don’t bulge like apple heads. Their legs and neck are also lengthier, allowing them to stand over 10 inches.
Are Deer Heads and Apple Heads Both Purebred?
Deer heads and apple heads are both purebred Chihuahuas. They only look different. As apple heads have come into vogue and fit the breed standard, making them eligible for AKC shows, many breeders strive for that shape.
Still, it’s perfectly normal for a deer head to show up in litters from apple head parents and vice versa. As a result, you can still register deer heads with the AKC as purebreds.
How Big Was the World’s Smallest Chihuahua?
As the tiniest type of Chihuahua, it’s no surprise the record holders for the breed are apple heads. The current record holder for the shortest dog alive is an apple head Chi! The pocket-sized pup, named Pearl, stands only 3.59 inches tall and 5 inches long, small enough to hide behind a travel mug or use a dollar bill as a blanket.
Pearl comes from a family of small dogs. Before she took the crown, her aunt, Miracle Milly, held the world’s shortest living dog title, measuring only 3.8 inches taller than Pearl. Pearl and Miracle Milly are only two of the many Chihuahuas who have held various “shortest living dog” titles in recent decades.
How Small Are Teacup Chihuahuas?
Teacup Chihuahuas aren’t a distinct breed but the product of breeding efforts using the littlest dogs. Most teacups are apple-headed. They typically grow no more than 6 inches tall and weigh under 3 pounds.
Sadly, teacup varieties of any dog are strict novelties and generally present more health problems than their average-sized counterparts. They are much frailer, with their tinier bodies making them more susceptible to weak bones and dental issues. Hypoglycemia and GI issues are more common.
Smaller breeds are also more prone to retaining moleras (or fontanelles), which are soft spots on the head where cranial development stops and leaves a gap. In apple-head Chihuahuas, these cause a divot at the top of the skull, further shaping it like a fruit.
Are Deer Head Chihuahuas Healthier Than Apple Head Chihuahuas?
Considering the health risks teacup and undersized dogs of any breed experience alongside the potential problems inherent in the apple-shaped skull, the apple head may have a higher likelihood of suffering health problems.
Hydrocephalus and the Open Fontanelle
An open fontanelle is likelier to remain on an apple-head Chihuahua than a deer head, primarily due to a greater risk of congenital hydrocephalus, which is an excess of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the skull.
The increased CSF buildup also shapes the Chihuahua’s bulbous, dome-shaped head while the bones are soft. Once the bones harden, problems can occur. Too much CSF can put significant pressure on a dog’s brain, causing tissue damage and possibly death.
Alongside the pain and discomfort, dogs can suffer brain development problems, leading to behavioral, training, mobility, and coordination issues. Some dogs may experience seizures. Meanwhile, the open fontanelle, though often harmless, leaves a higher chance of severe damage from trauma.
Brachycephaly
Although they aren’t always considered brachycephalic, apple head Chihuahuas have a much shorter snout than deer head Chihuahuas. With this comes several respiratory concerns affecting other brachycephalic breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs.
Issues including reverse sneezing and tracheal collapse are more likely, as are eye problems and trauma due to their protrusion and exposure.
Are Chihuahuas the Smallest Dog Breed?
Although a Yorkie holds the record for the smallest dog ever (a minuscule 2.8-inch-tall dwarf Yorkie from the 1940s), one could call it a fluke.
True, Yorkies are among the shortest dogs and have set several records. Yet when you compare the breed standards and look at recent record holders, there’s no doubt the Chihuahua is, generally, the tiniest of all. The apple head variety is thus not only the littlest Chihuahua breed but the smallest dog you’ll find anywhere.
Final Thoughts
If size is the top consideration, the smallest Chihuahua is the apple head. They’re cute, conformational, and loyal but may have more potential for health problems than deer-head Chihuahuas. Regardless of the look or size, you can always bet on the larger-than-life personality, big-dog confidence, and effortless charm that make them such valuable companions.
Featured Image Credit: Tanya Consaul Photography, Shutterstock
