Deer Head Chihuahua – Full Dog Breed Information

The chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world, the Chihuahua is also known as “toy dog”. Deer head Chihuahua was discovered in 1850, that these dogs thrived in the Mexican state Of Chihuahua and soon enough it was named after the state. Before the 1990s, this breed didn’t gain any recognition from the AKC, the breed owes its popularity to the famous Taco Bell television commercials in the late 1990s, these commercials went global and featured an appealing deer head chihuahua called Gidget.

Gidget was on air for 8 years and introduced this breed variation to millions of Americans as it was the first Chihuahua many had seen. These little dogs are often seen in movies and television shows, they are also seen with celebrities such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, and Paris Hilton. A Deer Head Chihuahua is a different form of the chihuahua breed.

The DHC is a big dog in a small size dog’s body, this dog is confident, bold, a bit gutty, and full of energy, if you want a pint-sized dog with an alpha dog personality, then the DHC is the perfect breed for you.

History of the Deer Head Chihuahua

Some of the first Chihuahuas were found with the Aztecs, it is believed that the Aztecs were the first to breed these dogs dating all the way back to the 1500s making them one of the oldest dog breeds, even back then, Chihuahuas were companion dogs. It wasn’t was recognized by the AKC until the early 1990s it was then split into two forms; the Deer Head and the Apple Head.

Deer head Chihuahuas is considered by many to be a descendant of Techichi. The ancient Techichi was the favorite pet of the Toltecs as far back as the 9th century. No records of the Techichi before the 9th century have been found. In Mexico, archeological experts have also found dog pots from Colima dating back to 300 BC depicting these dogs.

It is not recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official variety of the breed, this doesn’t mean they aren’t pure breeds, it simply means they are disqualified from participating in conformation dog shows. However, it is recognized by breeders as being a subtype of the Chihuahua. Before adding a Deer head Chihuahua to the family, appearance, temperament, and personality are some things to consider.

FUN FACT

The DHC is the unofficial state dog of Arizona
It was once believed that this breed of dog could cure asthma
Throughout Arizona, wild packs of Chihuahuas roam
Chihuahua used to be gifted in bouquets of flowers.

Appearance

It is unofficially referred to as “Deer Head” due to its physical appearance, it has facial characteristics resembling a young deer such as a long muzzle, large ears, and a sloped forehead which is peculiar to this breed variation.

DHCs have both smooth and long coats, there are different coat colors like chocolate, brown, red, cream, fawn is the most common, Black deer head Chihuahuas are rare, but not as rare a pure white deer head Chihuahua. Their coats come in many patterns including spotted, tri-colored, marked, piebald or splashed, merle, and brindle.

They can be long-haired or short-haired and in rare cases, they can be wiry-haired. Its muzzle is longer than that of an Apple Head Chihuahua. Deer head Chihuahuas are known to a longer deer-like head, with a sloped junction of approximately 45-degrees where the muzzle joins the forehead, this variation has longer legs resulting in a taller body. They have a height of about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30cm).

This breed has longer ears which stay upright and erect once fully grown, it also has a longer jawline and neck unlike that of the apple head. DHCs are larger than apple heads weigh 12 pounds which is more than the regular 6 pounds of the Chihuahua breed. Its eyes are not as large, round, and bulging as apple heads.

Grooming

If you have a short-haired Chihuahua, they won’t shed often which means there wouldn’t be the need to brush them often, once a week would do, you can also spray a bit of water on the coat to avoid split ends and make it slick.

However, if your Chihuahua is long-haired, you’ll need to brush their coat as often as possible, a minimum of 3 times a week to prevent matting and tangling. It is recommended to brush their teeth daily as they are vulnerable to dental issues that could gravely affect their overall health like buildup of plaque and tartar, you could alternatively apply oral dental sprays at least two times daily or give your deer head dental chews as treats.

This variety needs a bath once every three to four weeks. Anything more than that may lead to skin problems for the Deer head Chihuahua. If you have a puppy, it requires the same amount of care as an adult, the puppy has a molera – this means a “hole in the head” or a soft spot.

Most Chihuahuas shed fur all year long especially in Spring however regular baths and brushing will help keep the shedding under control.

Temperament

In spite of its small size, this breed is energetic, brave, and have personalities that make up for their size. They are extremely attentive, loving, and playful animals, they require owners with personalities like theirs. These canines are affectionate and enjoy company hence they are around their owners most of the time. Owners of Deer head Chihuahuas claim these dogs are rarely aggressive.

DHCs are easy-going are fiercely loyal, despite its size they do not hesitate to get between their owners and danger, they will protect their owners from anyone or anything that seems like a threat.

They can bond with one person in the family and can become amazingly loyal to this person they can tackle the world to keep this person safe, this is usually the person who pays the most attention to them, cares for and play with them the most in the family. They love to play whether it’s with someone, something, or all on their own, they are often running around.

Chihuahuas don’t get along well with bigger dogs due to their small size so be sure to watch them closely and keep them on a tight leash when interacting with bigger dogs, often, Chis don’t realize how small they are and can start fights with the bigger dogs but in cases where they play with bigger dogs, extra special care needs to be taken to avoid them getting hurt, they love fellow Chihuahuas.

They don’t adapt to strangers very well and will often nip or bite at unfamiliar faces. They also have a short attention span.

Health

Although fragile, Deer head Chihuahuas have fewer health problems than your regular dog. The DHC is not a hypoallergenic dog, although it doesn’t hurt to have easy access to an experienced vet, while their health care is manageable, their illness may be complicated and expensive. Having an expert on standby will ease your worries.

It will consume 40 calories per pound of body weight per day, if your pet weighs 8 pounds, you will have to feed him around 320 calories a day, splitting their food into two meals daily is best.

Dry Kibble is recommended for breeds like the Chi because the texture of the hard kibble will keep their teeth clean, because of their small mouths and throats, they may experience some difficulty eating some types of dry dog food, small-sized dry kibble is best so he can eat it easily. Also, it is important that their diet is rich in protein and fat to keep their bones strong and keep up their energy level.

They are sensitive to cold environments, exposure to these environments may lead to hypothermia. If you reside in a cold area or in the winter season, it is advisable to get your Chi coats to wear outside. Walking your Chihuahua in weather below 35 degrees Fahrenheit should be avoided.

Due to their small bones, they can fall victim to patellar luxation which is a condition that weakens their bones and affects their knees. It causes them to limp when walking. It manifests itself in two forms; Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Another possible illness is senile iris atrophy, this affects their eyes. As the dog gets older the muscles in the iris may decline to cause sensitivity to light, which could lead to vision loss.

Dental issues are common among Chis as their small mouths don’t give their teeth enough space to grow, it could suffer from impacted teeth and enamel wear. Cardiovascular problems are also common in this breed. It has an average life span of 15 to 20 years.

Training and Exercise

DHCs can sometimes be feisty and sassy, most owners do not consider training as important due to their small size, but due to their energy and willfulness, they need a firm hand sometimes. Issues like barking or biting may arise when its energy is misdirected or they don’t get enough mental and physical simulation.

It is essential that they realize you’re the Alpha dog so to speak, it would be up to you to correct and teach your four-legged friend the appropriate behavior. At an early age, there is an eagerness on their part to be trained, some pups are trained by their mothers before they are weaned, their intelligence makes them perfect for learning commands during training.

Introducing them to as many people and different animals is best done when they are pups, also boundaries would be better established when they are pups, a deer head that is allowed to get away with a lot of things when it is a puppy will be harder to train and control when it gets bigger. Training should be emphasized daily by using rewards such as dog treats to encourage good behavior and learning new commands such as sit, rollover, etc.

A certain amount of patience is required during training. Their potty training is equally important for canines, but for DHCs, having a small body means having a small bladder. Your pet would need to know the appropriate places to relieve itself as they would do so frequently. Without proper training, your dog is prone to be destructive and may develop bad habits like damaging furniture, clothing, and digging through the garbage.

Chis need a lot of exercises, they are prone to weight gain when fed improperly or fed too much. Although they have are a ball of energy, a quick walk around the block or a stroll to the park, a game of tug inside the house and a game of fetch is enough to serve as an exercise for them.

Providing them with rope toys, chew toys and a few squeaky toys make it easier for them to play and exercise all on their own. A total of 30 minutes of exercise a day is all that’s needed with this dog.

Why you should get a Deer head Chihuahua

There are a variety of reasons to get a deer head Chihuahua, they are low maintenance dogs due to their size, they do not consume a lot of food they do not take up a lot of space in the house, they are very good watchdogs.

They require minimal support, nurture also they are very easily cared for. They have an average lifespan and can travel very easily over long or short distances. With the right amount of care and love, the DHC are perfect companions.
Where to get a Deer head Chihuahua

These little buddies do not come cheap. The DHC costs around $400 to $1200 per puppy depending on the parentage. To get them, first check if your local veterinarian is aware of any puppies for sale as some owners get in touch with vets when their Chis are pregnant. You can also visit the local shelter as some of these dogs are given up for adoption. Chihuahua breeders are mainly found in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida