Deer Head Chihuahua: What To Know Before Buying

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The Deer Head Chihuahua is a big dog in a very small body.

This little dog is confident, sassy and a bit feisty.

New dog owners can keep them, but someone experienced in keeping dogs with attitude is the best fit for this breed.

Like all Chihuahuas they do not make a good pet for a family with young children.

These little pups are ready to tackle the world and keep you safe.

If you are looking for a pint-sized dog with a big dog personality then read on because the Deer Head Chihuahua may just be the breed for you…

Contents and Quick Navigation

• What is a Deer Head Chihuahua? (Overview)
• Deer Head Chihuahua Pros and Cons
• Deer Head Chihuahua Appearance
• 7 Fun Facts About The Deer Head Chihuahua
• Deer Head Chihuahua Personality and Temperament
  • Is A Deer Head Chihuahua A Good Family Dog?
• Caring for a Deer Head Chihuahua
  • Exercise Requirements
  • Grooming and Shedding
  • Feeding and Diet
  • Known Health Problems
• How to Train a Deer Head Chihuahua
• Quick Breed Summary Table
• Summary

What is a Deer Head Chihuahua? (Overview)

Classified as a toy breed, the Chihuahua’s history is shrouded in mystery.

Some of the first Chihuahuas have been found with the Aztecs, so it is thought that Aztecs were the ones to first breed this dog all the way back in the 1500s.

Even back then, the Chihuahua was bred as a companion dog. It was not until the early 1900s, when the Chihuahua first gained AKC recognition, that it split into two varieties: the Deer Head the Apple Head.

The Deer Head is typically larger than Apple Heads (more on this later).

This is not the type of dog for country life or a family with children. Instead, they make the perfect companion for someone in an apartment.

They do not need a lot of exercise or mental stimulation, and if they have a short coat, grooming is minimal.

• Overview: Toy Group
• Purpose: Companion
• Weight: 10 pounds
• Size: 8-12 inches
• Temperament: Feisty, High-strung and Confident

Deer Head Chihuahua Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Great in an apartment.
• Good watch dogs.
• Easy to care for.
• Have a long lifespan.
• Can travel very easily.

Cons:

• Do not handle the cold well.
• Need careful handling (can be fragile).
• Typically bond to one person in the family.
• Hard to housetrain.
• Love to bark.

Deer Head Chihuahua Appearance

Their face is often described as looking like that of a young deers – this is how they got their name. The Deer Head Chihuahua has a long muzzle, large ears and their stop (the area between the muzzle and the forehead) has a slight slope.

Ears stand upright, and they have long legs and a thin body.

Their eyes should be full, round, and dark brown in color. Their neck should be slightly arched, sloping down into lean shoulders and a long back, with a long tail that should be held up over the dog. Deer Head Chihuahuas should never have their tail hanging low.

With this pup you have a quick moving, compact little dog, with a dominant expression.

Height:	Weight:
8-12 inches	10 pounds

Colors

For this type of Chihuahua the most common color you will see will be fawn or various shade of chocolate or liver.

However, they can come in any shade that normal Chihuahuas come in. Although silver, grey, black, or white are more common for Deer Heads. Merles and other more diverse colors are more common with Apple Heads.

Coat

Their coat can be either short or long.

For short-haired, a good brushing once a week is enough. Whereas long-haired dogs need to be brushed about three times per week.

Both varieties will need a bath every three to four weeks.

Short-haired tend to shed a bit, while long-haired shed even less.

7 Fun Facts About The Deer Head Chihuahua

1. They are one of the oldest dog breeds, dating back to the 1500s.
2. Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world.
3. They are the unofficial state dog of Arizona.
4. It was once believed that they could cure asthma.
5. They make excellent watch dogs.
6. Wild packs of Chihuahuas roam throughout Arizona.
7. Chihuahuas used to be gifted in bouquets of flowers.

Deer Head Chihuahua Personality and Temperament

They are a lively,

Deer Head Chihuahuas often do not realize just how small they are and their boisterous attitudes make that well-known. They are extremely prone to small dog syndrome, so it’s important to treat your Deer Head like a dog, not a child.

Proper obedience training will help a lot with this.

They love to play, whether with you or by making up a game themselves. When they are not curled up under a blanket with you, they are often running around the house, tackling their toys.

Because of their size, keeping a Chihuahua with bigger dogs can be an issue. They also do not typically get along with other dogs well, although they do love fellow Chihuahuas. Special care needs to be taken to ensure they do not get hurt playing with any bigger dogs.

Unfortunately, they feel the same way about other pets. Although with plenty of training and hard work, you can teach your Deer Head to tolerate pets like cats.

This pooch will only bond with one member of the family, so do not expect your dog to be affectionate with everyone in the household. Their favorite will be the one who cares for them the most.

The Deer Head Chihuahua is quite the barker, making them a great watch dog. They do not howl, but they will bark at everything. This is great if you want something to alert you to someone at the door, but can be an issue if living in an apartment.

Other than being extremely playful and a little bit bossy, expect to always have to check underneath blankets or covers before sitting down. These little dogs love to burrow, so instead of getting a dog bed, give them a pile of blankets to make them happy.

Is A Deer Head Chihuahua A Good Family Dog?

Unfortunately the Deer Head Chihuahua does not make a good family dog. They are not a good dog for children, and typically will only bond with one member of the family.

Caring for a Deer Head Chihuahua

Exercise Requirements

Although they are considered a high energy breed, exercising a Deer Head Chihuahua is easy due to their small size. A quick walk around the block coupled with some play inside is enough to keep them satisfied for the day.

Often they will play by themselves, making it even easier on you, although they won’t mind if you join in on the fun. Make sure you provide a couple of rope toys, some chews, and a few squeaky toys, and your dog should do most of their exercising for you.

One important thing to note is that this breed does not handle the cold well at all.

If you are in a colder area, you will need to purchase coats for your Chihuahua to wear outside. Walking your Chihuahua in weather below 35 degrees Fahrenheit should be avoided.

• Number of Walks Per Day: 1.
• Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 30 minutes.

Grooming and Shedding

Short Haired Chihuahuas do not shed often and just need a weekly brushing.

Whereas Long Haired Chihuahua shed a bit more, and require brushing about three times a week. Both varieties need bathing about every three weeks.

Brushing their teeth every day is necessary since Deer Head Chihuahuas are prone to dental issues.

Feeding and Diet

Making sure your Deer Head Chihuahua has the correct food and is eating the right amount is very important.

Give your Deer Head Chihuahua a high protein feed to ensure they get the proper nutrition, as well.

Splitting their daily food into two meals throughout the day is best. Make sure to get something high protein, and also small enough for your dog to eat. Deer Headed Chihuahuas are also prone to weight gain, so make sure you do not feed them too much.

Calories Per Day:	Cups of Kibble Per Day:
400	One

Known Health Problems

• Molera (also known as a soft-spot) can occur.
• Patellar luxation.
• Cardiovascular problems are also common.

How Long Does A Deer Head Chihuahua Mix Live?

They usually live for around 14-16 years.

How Much Does A Deer Head Chihuahua Mix Cost?

$400-1,200 dollars per puppy.

How to Train a Deer Head Chihuahua

As always, positive reinforcement is the best way to train any dog.

However with Deer Head Chihuahuas, a certain amount of patience is necessary. Although easily trained, these are still very stubborn dogs. So despite their small size they need to have a firm owner to prevent problems from developing later in life.

They are not the friendliest dogs, so early socialization is a must. Introduce them with as many people and different animals as you can when they are young.

These pups do not require a ton of mental stimulation. Instead they are more than happy to keep themselves busy playing with whatever toys or chews you provide.

It is also important to lay down boundaries with them when they are young. A young Deer Head Chihuahua that is allowed to get away with things will turn into a much bigger problem the older it gets, and often will even become destructive.

These dogs usually do not take to strangers very well either, and will often nip or bite.

Quick Breed Summary Table

Breed Characteristics
Size:	8-12 inches.
Weight:	10lb.
Lifespan:	14-16 years.
Coat:	Long or smooth coat.
Color:	Fawn is most common, but also silver, white, black, and gray.
Do They Shed:	Yes, although not a lot.
Temperament:	Feisty, confident and strong headed.
Intelligence:	Short attention span.
Socialization:	Needs teaching at an early age.
Destructive Behavior:	They are prone to being very destructive if not trained.
People Skills:	Standoffish with anyone not in their family.
Good with Children:	Can be hit and miss.
Activity Levels:	High energy, but easy to exercise.

Summary

Generally speaking Deer Head Chihuahuas are a very easy to care for breed.

Not a lot of effort is needed to make sure that this dog is as healthy and happy as can be.

They are a feisty, confident breed, so make sure to always keep them on leash and watch them around other dogs. Deer Head Chihuahuas do not realize how small they are, so you need to make sure that they do not try to start any fights.

Although they are high-energy, a quick walk around the park and a game of tug inside is plenty.

If you are a busy person living in a small apartment or small house, then the Deer Head Chihuahua is right up your alley.

Let us know in the comments section below…