What is an "Apple Head" Chihuahua?

Question

I have seen people on here refer to "apple head" Chihuahua's or "teacup" apple head Chihuahuas. I looked at the standard of the Chihuahua and there isn't anything that states there is such a thing. Nor does it say that there is a size called "teacup". In the statndard there is one size and mentions that it's a disqualification if the dog is over 6 lbs...but nothing that says teacup. The only thing close to "apple head" is when describing the head, it says the head should have an "apple dome" which I interpret as the skull should be round, not flat. If it's correct for the skull to have an apple dome...then why call a Chihuahua as an applehead? Are you saying the head of the dog you are talking about has a correct head? Or is there some new breed out there I'm unaware of?

Answer 1

yes, it means the chihuahuas have a more or less correct head. Both "tea cup" and "applehead" are normally used by back yard breeders and pupppy millers. A good chihuahua breeder automatically has dogs with correct size and conformation and doesn't need to advertise this fact. There are "deer heads" but they are incorrect. "tea cup" is used to mean a very small chihuahua, I can't help but think a show dog would come under the "tea cup" heading if it ever felll into the hands of such an unscrupulous person. For the most part pet chihuahuas bred irresponsibly are ALOT bigger than the standard calls for, I've seen 15 or 20lb "Chihuahuas". People breeding for the pet market use the term "tea cup" to advertise that they have small dogs, however, they are ussually unhealthy undersized runts and shouldn't be purchased. -Neb

Answer 2

Chihuahua Apple Head

Answer 3

Applehead Chihuahua

Answer 4

I have heard of apple head before. Also Deer head. I have only found that it is describing the dog's head. Not as a gimmick as some have said. From some of the answers they are suggesting that a chihuahua is not even a breed? I can't understand that as I have 3. I could care less if they are apple or deer headed as I have no plans to show them. Thanks for the question, it could have been an interesting Q & A.

Answer 5

A chihuahuas head should be 'apple dome' in shape and I dont understand why people are giving it the title "Apple Head" Chihuahua. This is STANDARD for the Chihuahua. It just seems pointless to me to call it this. Anything other than the standard is a poorly bred dog. We all know poorly bred dogs originate with back yard breeders and puppy millers. So, I agree that these are terms back yard breeders and puppy millers made up just like they made up the designer breed names (e.g. maltipoo, chitzu, puggle...) I agree with Nancy , Its just a gimmick to draw people in.

Answer 6

Those are terms used by greeders to get an extra profit off of the runt (teacup). I'm not sure about "apple head" but rest assured I am positive that there is no new breed of chihuahua! The terms are only used by millers and bybs. No reputable chi breeder would sell someone a "teacup" or "apple head" chi. Yes, the head should be round as outlined in the standard but it doesnt need a nickname.

Answer 7

you are completely correct! and its sad that people dont do that kind of research before the buy a dog. and even worse these breeders out there dont even know what theyre talking about. but they do know that if they say teacup people will buy, bc people think they are smaller and a new breed. but its just like people, they all grow up to be different sizes but we're all humans. look at most families that have kids, not every kid is the same size. thats how it is for dogs also, so even if the breeder says they will be teacups(which means smaller) because their parents are small doesnt mean they will grow up to be. good job, im glad you were smart enough to do your research.

Answer 8

Teacup is BS, it's just a runt. Chis are 6lbs and under, therefore a 1lb Chi is still within the standard size.

Apple head is an unofficial term, it actually is basically saying that a pet-quality dog has a show-quality head, as many pet-quality Chis have funky skull shapes.

Here are some photos, maybe this will help.

Champion show dogs:
http://www.laud-dogs.com/ch.JPG
http://www.mistymeadowschis.com/mmchihuahuas/AllDressedUpDiSanGimignano170404.JPG

Apple head Chis:
http://2000dogs.com/puppiesforsale/pictures/chihuahua_hart71975.jpg
http://longcoatchihuahuasforsale.com/uploads/1171766656/1000464821/deeschihuahuasad.jpg

Pet-quality Chis:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images15/ChihuahuaDaisyphlox0417.JPG
http://www.puppydogweb.com/gallery/chihuahuas/chihuahua_cullen.jpg
http://www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/dog-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/chihuahua-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/pictures/chihuahua-0046.jpg

Notice the long face and smaller, flatter skull on the pet quality as opposed to the show and appleheads. It's sometimes called a 'deer head' and is not favorable.

Answer 9

Just another one of those gimmicks like 'teacup' -- basically people who don't know what they are doing and are breeding without any knowledge will use all sorts of little gimmicks to try to sell their poor quality puppies. A Chihuahua is a Chihuahua - it is either knowledgeably and responsibly bred and is good quality or it is ignorantly and irresponsibly bred to try to make a buck for some byber. When you need a gimmick to sell a puppy, odds are it is of such poor quality it wouldn't sell without using that gimmick and then the people lacking in knowledge enough to buy these gimmick labeled dogs will perpetuated the gimmick so that it makes them feel like they have something special when it isn't... sad isn't it? :(

Answer 10

lol, it only refers to the shape of the head. Some chihuahuas have longer muzzles than others, and "apple-head" refers to the shorter-muzzled dogs. My family has owned Chihuahuas all my life and we've never one with a shorter muzzle, mostly because it's undesirable by dog breeders, and we've more or less rescued the puppies that no one else wants.