Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After hating chihuahuas for years, my sister-in-law's tricolor has won me over. Tink doesn't have the stubby nose, extra large ears, or bulging eyes that I've associated with the breed for years. She called her an apple head chihuahua. Is there something special about this name? If I purchase a chihuahua as a puppy I want to be sure it's going to have the facial characteristics I want. Can someone give me some advice about this breed?

I've never heard the distinction "apple head" Chihuahua before. My guess is it's someone's way of promoting a certain look in the breed- almost like it's a new variety. In my humble opinion, this is a marketing tool and sends off warning signals to me that that is not the way the breed should be and someone is breeding this style for a profit.

Be careful when buying a purebred dog from someone promoting a certain look and specializing in anything that deviates from the accepted standards for the breed.

In my humble opinion, getting a dog from someone who does health clearances on all the parents screening for things like bad knees, eyes, and allergies (very common in this breed) and making sure their lines are clear of defects is more important than the physical characteristics. Temperament is also incredibly important. After those criteria are met, then one can start looking at a litter and picking out the cute from the others.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

I looked at the AKC qualifications. It mentions an 'apple dome' as a standard so that seems to be okay. I just get confused looking at pictures online of what seem to be 'champion' dogs. The standard says no cropped ears, but more often than not the ears look like they've been cropped. Also the standard says no protruding eyes, but a lot of the dogs I would say look bug eyes or have a pug-like nose.

Is there a way to tell what a puppy is going to look like as far as the eyes/nose go when it gets older? I want to get a puppy young to make sure it is gentle and get it well socialized.

Jill

Pups are just like human babies look one way when they are young and totally different when older. BUT if you get a good reliable breeder and can see the both parents you can get a real good idea about how the pup will look when they grow up. Most reliable breeder will not sell a pup until at least 8 weeks old.

Cheryl

Im in Uk and the only difference we have is longcoat and smoothcoat, but i belong to several chihuahua websites.The applehead type is the rounder headed more cobby shorter legged type chihuahua, the deer type is the longer legged/longer face which usa and other countries seem to have.