Apple Head Chihuahua: Your Complete Guide

One of the most popular and iconic dog breeds, the apple head Chihuahua is known for their small size, playful nature, and fierce loyalty. While Chihuahuas in general have somewhat of a reputation for being spicy, they are actually very loving dogs that become attached to their owners easily.

Apple head Chihuahuas are considered a toy dog breed due to their small stature, and they are energetic. You can find both long-haired and short-haired apple head Chihuahuas, and their facial shape is distinctive from that of the deer-head Chihuahua.

This breed makes a great pet for an individual who is prepared to handle all of the quirks that come along with this dog.

In this complete guide, will be discussing the most important aspects of apple head Chihuahuas, such as their temperament, physical appearance, and energy levels. If you’re considering adding an apple head Chihuahua to your family, or if you want to know more about this tiny, energetic breed, keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

Quick Look at the Apple Head Chihuahua

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Apple Head Chihuahuas?

First recorded around the middle of the 19th century, the apple head Chihuahua is thought to have descended from the Techichi, a breed of dog that was historically kept by the Toltec people of Mexico as far back as the 9th century. The Chihuahua dog breed we’re familiar with today was discovered in Chihuahua, Mexico, which the breed was named after.

The apple head Chihuahua is more of a companion dog, and they are often compared to terrier-like dogs. The popularity of the apple head Chihuahua took off around the 1930s and 1940s due to the influence of Xavier Cugat, a Latin music bandleader who held his Chihuahua, Pepito, while conducting the orchestra with his other hand.

The Chihuahua became a registered breed with the American Kennel Club in 1960 and experienced a resurgence of popularity after being featured in movies around the late 1990s and early 2000s, the most iconic of which is Legally Blonde, though the Chihuahua companion in that movie was actually a deer head Chihuahua.

What Do Apple Head Chihuahuas Look Like?

Apple head Chihuahuas stand between 6 and 9 inches tall on average, and they weigh between 6 and 8 pounds. They typically have short, smooth, and soft coats, though long-haired varieties of Chihuahuas do exist.

The ‘apple head’ part of this breed’s name refers to the shape of their head – it’s round, and there is a distinctive 90-degree angle present where the slope of their head meets the muzzle. The facial profile of an apple head Chihuahua will have more of an L-shaped appearance, and this breed has a short jawline and short neck when compared to the deer head Chihuahua.

The ears of the apple head Chihuahua are triangular shaped and erect, and their eyes are small, dark, and alert. Brown and fawn colors are the most common coat shades among apple head Chihuahuas, but they may also be seen in cream, black, white, red, or any combination of these colors.

What Size Is an Apple Head Chihuahua?

Apple head Chihuahuas are considered a toy dog breed, and they stand between 6 and 9 inches tall. Your apple head Chihuahua will weigh around 6 pounds, though some may weigh up to eight pounds.

What Is an Apple Head Chihuahua’s Coat Type and Length?

Apple head Chihuahuas typically have a short, smooth coat, and their fur is generally straight. Some apple head Chihuahuas may have longer hair, and this is typically silky, soft, and straight or wavy in texture. While the coat length is considered a ‘long hair,’ it typically is not incredibly lengthy or extremely high maintenance.

What Is an Apple Head Chihuahua’s Temperament?

Apple Chihuahuas are known for being sassy, loyal, affectionate to their owners, and alert. These dogs have somewhat of a reputation for being fearless, and they will easily go up against a dog two or three times their size if they believe them to be a threat.

Apple head Chihuahuas are energetic and playful, and they love to spend lots of time with their owners, whether it’s cuddling on the couch or enjoying walks outside.

Apple head Chihuahuas can be stubborn, and it’s important that they receive proper training. Without being trained to listen to their owners, these small dogs may start to think they rule their homes, and they can be quite formidable. For both you and your Chihuahua’s happiness, proper obedience and manners training should be started as soon as you adopt your dog.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Good With Kids?

Apple head Chihuahuas may be good with kids, as long as the children are older and know how to properly interact with dogs. This breed can be territorial and sassy, and children who play too quickly or loudly around them, or children who aren’t taught how to safely interact with a dog might get nipped.

Young children are not a good choice when it comes to apple head Chihuahuas, as this breed might get annoyed at loud children or those that play too roughly with them.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Good With Other Animals?

Apple head Chihuahuas may be good with other animals if they are raised alongside them, but this is a breed that tends to do best when they are alone. Apple head Chihuahuas can be quite territorial and possessive of their owners, and dealing with other cats and dogs around the home may be stressful for both the Chihuahua and their owner.

This breed has a moderate prey drive, so they are unlikely to chase wild animals that are larger than them, but they may find themselves playing energetically with toys, balls, and other squeaky things.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Aggressive?

While most apple head Chihuahuas are known for being sassy and stubborn, some members of this breed may develop territorial issues or become aggressive if they feel themselves or their owner is being threatened.

Because of their small size, this might happen often, and it’s important to keep your dog well-trained and comfortable to avoid any issues with snapping, growling, and possessiveness.

Apple head Chihuahuas are mostly likely to bark and snap at things they don’t like, but they may develop food aggression in a home with lots of other animals that they feel they need to compete with for attention.

Do Apple Head Chihuahuas Bark?

Apple head Chihuahuas are known for their loud, excited barks, and their barking habits may be problematic if you don’t train them properly.

This breed is likely to bark when they’re excited and happy, when they’re scared, or simply when neighbors come to the door, as they are very protective around their territory. You can train them to minimize unnecessary barking, making them a better fit for any apartment building or area with noise restrictions.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Affectionate?

Apple head Chihuahuas are typically only affectionate with one or two people, as they’ve chosen these people to give all of their cuddles to. Typically, they will be fairly possessive of their favorite people, but you can train them to be more welcoming to strangers.

Apple head Chihuahuas love to cuddle with their owners, and they enjoy spending as much time as possible at their owner’s side. They are lap dogs, and you can expect them to want to sit around on couches with their favorite person for most of the day.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Intelligent?

Apple head Chihuahuas are of average intelligence, and they are fairly curious and alert. You can expect your apple head Chihuahua to pick up training at about average speed, though they can be quite stubborn and may need repeated consistent lessons. This breed will quickly learn routines and they are known for their skill at being watchdogs due to their alert and protective nature.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Energetic?

Apple head Chihuahuas are fairly energetic, but due to their smaller size, they don’t need an excessive amount of exercise. You will need to walk your Chihuahua at least twice a day, but the walks don’t need to be more than around twenty minutes in length for the most part.

You should be playing with your apple head Chihuahua each day, and this breed will need between 30 minutes and an hour of dedicated playtime per day.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Easy to Train?

Apple head Chihuahuas are a little more difficult to train due to their stubborn nature. They are typically smart enough to learn the basics of obedience and proper manners training, and they can be trained to be less territorial and calmer around strangers. However, it will typically take consistent, patient effort to train a Chihuahua.

Fortunately, they love spending time with their owners and once they get used to the routine of training, they will likely enjoy their lessons.

Due to their small size, this breed isn’t a good candidate for agility training, and they are likely not able to complete more complex tasks such as retrieving items, especially if the item is larger than they are.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Good Watchdogs?

Apple head Chihuahuas do make good watchdogs because they are courageous, alert, and protective of their homes and their owners. This breed is always looking out to make sure their home is safe, and they are quite loud when they bark, which helpfully warns their owner of any danger.

You can train your apple head Chihuahua to bark only when necessary, which is more helpful in training them as a watchdog for your home.

Are Apple Head Chihuahuas Good Service Dogs?

Apple head Chihuahuas aren’t the best candidate for training as a service dog due to their small size and more stubborn nature when it comes to training complex tasks. They are unlikely to be able to support an adult physically, and they are not quite strong enough to work as mobility support dogs.

Most apple head Chihuahuas are also not the best choice for therapy dogs, as they tend to need more time to warm up to strangers they meet.

However, apple head Chihuahuas might make good emotional support animals – they love spending time with their owners, and their presence might help individuals who need relief from certain conditions throughout the day.

How to Care for an Apple Head Chihuahua?

Apple head Chihuahuas are a reasonably easy to care for breed. These dogs will need their own space in your home complete with a bed and lots of toys to play with. You shouldn’t leave your Chihuahua home alone for more than 6 to 8 hours at a time, as this breed does get lonely and needs lots of interaction with their owners.

You will need to walk your apple head Chihuahua twice a day, with walks lasting between 15 and 20 minutes. Your dog will also need dedicated playtime lasting between 30 minutes and an hour, as this will keep them mentally stimulated, healthy, and allow them to get rid of all of their daily energy.

Make sure you take your apple head Chihuahua to the vet often, as they will need their annual checkups and evaluations for any breed-specific health problems throughout their lives.

You will also need to train your Chihuahua with basic obedience and manners in addition to properly socializing them to make sure they aren’t too territorial or prone to aggressive behaviors.

Do You Need to Groom an Apple Head Chihuahua?

Your apple head Chihuahua will need to be groomed about an average amount. Both long and short-haired varieties of this breed will need regular brushing, as this helps to remove any shed fur and keeps longer fur untangled and free of mats.

You will need to trim your Chihuahua’s nails regularly and give them baths every so often to make sure they stay looking and feeling their best. You might need to take your apple head Chihuahua to a groomer once in a while depending on how easy it is to bathe them at home and if they have any special bathing needs.

Do Apple Head Chihuahuas Shed?

Apple head Chihuahuas shed about an average amount, and you may be surprised to learn that the short-haired variety often sheds more prolifically than the long-haired version. This breed sheds about an average amount, though regular baths and brushing can help curb how much fur you might find around your property.

What Health Problems Do Apple Head Chihuahuas Have?

Apple head Chihuahuas are relatively healthy and long-lived as a breed, which is common among smaller dogs. A few serious issues that this breed is prone to include luxating patella, hip dysplasia, dental disease, obesity, and bladder and kidney stones.

It’s important to take your apple head Chihuahua to the vet regularly so that any of these conditions might be caught before they become serious, in addition to making sure your dog is healthy, eating properly, and exercising as much as they can.

How Long Do Apple Head Chihuahuas Live?

The average lifespan of an apple head Chihuahua ranges between 14 and 16 years. Like most smaller dogs, this breed tends to have a longer lifespan. Regular vet visits and a healthy lifestyle will help ensure your pup lives as long and happily as possible.

What Should an Apple Head Chihuahua Eat?

Apple head Chihuahuas, like all other dogs, should eat a nutritionally balanced diet of wet or dry food that takes into account any health problems or specific nutritional concerns.

Your apple head Chihuahua should be eating between four and ten ounces of food per day depending on their body weight and the caloric content of the food you are serving them. You can split your Chihuahua’s food up into several meals throughout the day to keep them satisfied and happy.

Is an Apple Head Chihuahua the Right Dog for Me?

Apple head Chihuahuas are sassy, loyal, brave, and loving to their owners. They make great dogs for individuals without any other animals or children in their home, as apple head Chihuahuas love to be the center of their owner’s attention.

The apple head Chihuahua is the right dog for you if you have the time to dedicate to training them to curb unwanted behaviors such as loud barking and territorial actions, and if you aren’t going to be away from your dog for more than eight hours at a time, as this is likely to lead to anxiety or other behavioral issues with your dog.

With lots of dedication and love, the apple head Chihuahua can be a wonderful, loving companion, and they’re sure to brighten your day with their playful nature and affectionate attitude.