Standard chihuahuas are so cute and have many special traits, such as loyalty, courage, and others. But what about hairless chihuahuas? Do they share the same temperament and personality as their regular counterparts? What can we learn about this rare dog? Bring a cup of coffee and stay tuned because in this section we will cover everything about hairless chihuahuas, and we will investigate what makes this dog special and unique.
The history of hairless chihuahuas
source: stockphoto.com
You might be wondering about the origin of chihuahuas. As we discussed earlier in one of our articles, firstly, no one knows exactly where this dog is from. And there are two debates about the origin of the chihuahua.
The first theory says that chihuahuas have been derived from the Techichi, a small dog that was popular among Toltec people. While others claim that chihuahuas’ origin is in Europe. They believe that the chihuahua is the result of mating a Chinese crested dog that Spanish Traders brought to Mexico with a local Mexican dog. This small dog has been named after the Mexican state of chihuahua.
However, it’s extremely rare for purebred Chihuahuas to be hairless. Chihuahuas can carry a recessive hairlessness gene, but a dog would need to inherit the recessive gene from both parents, which is quite rare.
When it comes to the origin of hairless chihuahuas. You should put in mind that a hairless chihuahua is just a purebred chihuahua without hair. It is very rare to come across a hairless chihuahua. Because she/he must inherit the recessive hairless gene from her/his parents which is rare.
More typically, hairless chihuahuas are also crossbreeds. Usually the result of mating the chihuahua with an ancestor dog who carries a dominant hairless gene such as the Chinese crested dog, Xolo (pronounced SHow-low), Xoloitzcuintli, or The American Hairless Terrier.
The temperament of hairless chihuahuas
source: stockphoto.com/
The hairless chihuahuas have some defying character traits such as protectiveness, loyalty, playfulness, love, and courage. In addition, this small dog is a professional barker, he can bark almost at anything, any strange noise, and at strangers too. So if the dog’s barking annoys you, then this dog is not the right option for you.
In fact, chihuahuas are sassy, this is not a good breed if you are not willing to put time and energy to train him/her. As they say, not everyone was meant for some dog breeds.
In general chihuahuas including hairless ones are reported to be the most aggressive dog breeds on the planet. And you can see this when a small chihuahua feels that his owner is in danger, the dog won’t show any fear while defending the owner. Mark Twain said once “it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog”
In order to avoid any unwanted behavior that your hairless chihuahua can show toward others. The socialization process is paramount, starting training your chihuahua puppy to get familiar with strangers and other pets at an early age will result in having a well-adjusted dog. But failure to do so will certainly lead to the dog acting in many strange ways toward people and other animals. If you are in doubt about how to socialize your hairless chihuahua, you can seek the advice of a professional trainer.
The traits we have shared are common to help you make sure these characteristics will make the dog a good fit for your family. However, note that each dog is unique, and will have his own personality.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: How to Socialize Your Chihuahua Puppy
The Hairless Chihuahua Physical Traits
source: Facebook
The height of the dog ranges from 5 to 8 inches, and the weight is anywhere from 4 to 8 pounds. Besides being hairless, these dogs have a stature that displays as more extended than it does tall. You will notice that whenever this dog walks, his head is straight and his tail is often up.
When it comes to colors, a hairless chihuahua can come in various colors including, black, gray, brown, white, or splashes of white on brown or gray. The physical appearance of the skin looks exactly like the one of the Sphynx cat. As mentioned previously, this is not another dog breed, this is a regular chihuahua without hair caused by an extra rare genetic defect.
It’s vital that you note a hairless chihuahua is not the same as a smooth coat chihuahua. Short-coated chihuahuas are so popular, but they have nothing to do with hairless chihuahuas.
The Hairless Chihuahua care
Diet and Exercise
Your hairless chihuahua’s diet should have a minimum of 40 percent of protein. The sources of protein you can provide are various including chicken, meat, fish, and lamb. Concerning homemade meats, it is advisable to feed your dog meat that has lean fats. To make a strong bond with your dog, you can feed him each morning. This way your furry friend will understand that he is secure.
You should know that dogs that feel secure will never display any destructive behavior. Also, you can feed your chihuahua two to three times on a daily basis.
According to America Kennel Club, you can exercise your chihuahua for 30 minutes every day. For example, walking with your dog around the park is enough exercise. Also, you have to avoid intense exercise because it may lead to negative impacts on your chihuahua’s health. One other thing, you have always to keep a close eye on your dog’s breathing, if he has difficulties breathing during exercise you have to seek your veterinarian’s advice.
At the time, you should never leave your chihuahua alone during the exercise, because of his small size, he is prone to aggression from other animals. Including larger dogs, and hawks. However, a chihuahua is known to have a lion’s heart, as the dog will never show any fear when it comes to fighting other dogs.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: chihuahua Exercise
Keeping the dog Warm
It is very crucial to take care of your hairless chihuahua against cold because of the following reasons.
- Chihuahuas have a high metabolism. In other words, they can shiver and shake whenever they are nervous, excited, or feel cold. Even if you don’t feel cold, your chihuahua might.
- Chihuahuas with hair can feel cold and shake because of it, this means that being hairless can even make the situation worse.
- Cold air is deadly for chihuahuas whether they have hair or not.
- Being hairless requires extra attention and care during the cold season.
Unlike us, dogs including hairless chihuahuas have a higher body temperature. It is between 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why you have to keep your air conditioner must be set between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Never set your air conditioner thermostat under 60 degrees. Your chihuahua is known to be more sensitive to cold. A lower temperature may lead the dog to experience breathing issues.
Here are some indications that mean your chihuahua feels cold:
- Barking or whining whenever you want to take him outside
- Refusing to go for walks
- When you force him to go outside, he tries to leave his paws high off the ground
- Being lazy
- Covering himself with blankets
- Shivering
Cold can expose your chihuahua to great danger, especially hairless chihuahuas. Also, Put in mind that senior chihuahuas can’t regulate their body temperature easily. For this reason, you should always provide high-quality beds, blankets, and even sweaters. But, pay also attention to hot temperature, as it has the same negative impact on your dog.
Taking Care of the hairless chihuahua Skin
We know that this dog won’t require a strict grooming routine. However, there are some healthy practices that you should know and do. To protect your dog from infection you must apply antibiotics and disinfectants to scratches and wounds. Also, during the hot season, you must apply sunscreen to your chihuahua’s skin to keep him safe from sunburn.
After all, a sunburn won’t just cause a painful experience for your dog, it may also lead to unwanted results such as skin cancer. Especially if the dog spends long periods of time outside. You will want to protect your dog against the sun, particularly the sensitive areas of the body such as light-pigmented on the nose, and eyelids.
It is very important to know if the sunscreen won’t cause any allergic reaction. So, before applying it for the first time, apply a light amount and see how the dog will respond. When you are sure that the sunscreen fits the dog, apply it every six hours. Finally, note that sunscreens don’t guarantee 100 percent protection, this is why it is advisable to keep your hairless chihuahua indoors during the hottest days.
What is the Health state of the Hairless Chihuahua?
Hairless chihuahuas can experience the same health issues as their counterparts. Health issues such as luxating Patella, The Morella, Reverse sneezing, Tracheal Collapse, Hypoglycemia, weight issues, gum disease, cherry eyes, Bladder Kidney Stones, and Scleritis. In addition to these health problems hairless chihuahuas tend to suffer from some genetic abnormalities, and epilepsy. Then you should know that this dog has some fragile points on his skull. For this reason, it is vital that you take care of the puppy’s skull during the first six months of the dog’s life.
After all, this dog is considered a healthy dog. To prevent these health issues and to enjoy the company of a healthy and happy dog. You have to depend on a good diet and a healthy lifestyle.
The Advantage of Being the parent of a Hairless chihuahua
If you are a lazy person, then this dog is a good option for you. Because a hairless chihuahua won’t require any grooming routine as it will only take five minutes to bathe the dog. In addition, there is no brushing at all. Furthermore, a hairless chihuahua is a great choice for people who have problems with allergies, as these dogs don’t have hair. Also, there is no need for flea treatment, this way you will save from $40 to $200 every year.
Finally, you should know that these dogs share the same qualities as regular chihuahuas such as loyalty, courage, and affection.
The Types of Chihuahuas
In total, we have eight types of chihuahuas including hairless chihuahuas. Let’s list these type
- Smooth-Coat Chihuahua
- Long-Coat Chihuahua
- Apple Head Chihuahua
- Deer Head Chihuahua
- Teacup Chihuahua
- Fawn Chihuahua
- Pear Head Chihuahua
- Hairless chihuahua
A hairless chihuahua is just a regular chihuahua without hair. In fact, the hairless chihuahua is the result of overbreeding chihuahuas with the goal to create a specific color. The attempt of getting a unique color leads from time to time to get a hairless chihuahua.
In order to sell more hairless chihuahuas, some breeders breed them. But, mating two hairless chihuahuas won’t forcefully result in a hairless litter of puppies. They do so because of the high prices of these dogs
Hairless Chihuahuas FAQs.
Is It a Total Absence of Hair?
There are always some exceptions, some hairless chihuahuas will have a few thin and fine layers of hair, especially on the head. And some of them will have fur located on the end of the tail. As we mentioned earlier, the lack of hair is the result of a genetic defect. This genetic issue can have other health impacts on the dog such as the absence of some teeth that regular chihuahuas would have.
Are these dogs Hypoallergenic?
These dogs may have little or any fur at all, which means that you can wash them easily which makes it even more comfortable if you have dog allergies. You have to know that cause of the allergy is not the hair itself as many people believe but dandruff which is what most dog owners have an allergy to.
What is a Blue Hairless Chihuahua?
Blue chihuahuas are extra rare, it is hard to come across one in a shelter or a dog store. A blue Hairless chihuahua is maybe a myth.
However, some debates exist about breeding this extra-rare dog, because the dog will certainly suffer from serious health concerns. The price of a standard blue chihuahua is around $10,000, so you can imagine the price of a blue hairless chihuahua.
We strongly don’t recommend mating two blue chihuahuas, because doing so is unethical and inhumane. Breeding two blue chihuahuas may lead to serious health complications. Let alone that, the color isn’t totally blue in most cases.
How Much Does a Hairless Chihuahua Cost?
The cost of any dog depends on many factors including the reputation of the breeder, the dog’s availability in the market, the breed of the dog, etc. But the price of a hairless chihuahua puppy is anywhere from $800 to $4,000. On the other hand, the price of adopting one is much cheaper, which is around $300 in most cases. But adopting a dog won’t guarantee that the dog is healthy and doesn’t have any social difficulties
The prices are expensive because of the rarity of hairless chihuahuas and the fact that these dogs produce a litter of two to three puppies only twice per year.
What is a Hairless Teacup Chihuahua?
A teacup chihuahua is an adult dog with a very small size, around 5 pounds at the most. Just like a blue hairless chihuahua, a teacup hairless chihuahua may experience various health complications. For example, he may experience bone fractures, heart disease, and hydrocephalus.
In addition, a regular hairless chihuahua will not suffer from those health concerns and will live up to 16 years. On the other hand, a hairless teacup chihuahua’s life expectancy is from 7 to 12 years.
Is a hairless chihuahua the right option for you?
This dog is suitable for people living in apartments due to his tiny size. A hairless chihuahua is a great companion dog who will show love and loyalty. They love the company and crave attention.
Because of his high metabolism, a hairless chihuahua will need to eat small amounts throughout the day.
Finally, brushing the dog’s teeth once a day is a must, as the dog can easily get teeth issues and tartar build-up.
Are hairless chihuahuas smart?
These tiny dogs are very intelligent, able to learn fast anything, and highly adaptable. In fact, chihuahuas understand very well the nonverbal communication of their owners, so pay attention to your reactions and emotions, especially, when you are training your dog. Hairless chihuahuas can learn new tricks easily, this is why they compete in agility trials and obedience events.
Do they get along with kids and strangers?
The answer is no, chihuahuas in general don’t like strangers and kids. They may even display destructive behavior when they see a stranger arrives at your front door. For this reason, some owners see them as watchdogs. But, when the socialization process is done in a good manner at an early age, chihuahua won’t have any problems with kids and strangers. Also, keep in mind that you have to teach your kids how to handle chihuahuas, in order to avoid injuries caused by harsh playing.
What is The Difference Between a Hairless Chihuahua And A Mini Xoloitzcuintli?
Xoloitzcuintli (or Xolos for short) is a Mexican dog breed that has no hair just like hair chihuahuas. However, there are big differences between these two dog breeds. They are not the same. Xolos are bigger than hairless chihuahuas at 14-18 inches high and 15-30 pounds in weight. When it comes to temperaments and personality, there is also a vast difference between the two dog breeds. Finally, Xolos are also an excellent companion if you are looking for a loving hairless dog.
Meet 3 amazing Hairless Chihuahuas
Here are some Instagram profiles of hairless chihuahuas to follow in order to get reel facts and insight about these dogs.
1. Waffles
Source:@Waffles_The_Hairless_Chihuahua
This is not a pure hairless chihuahua, this dog is a senior hairless chihuahua Xolo mix. The dog is living in Arizona. This adorable pooch likes to spend time with his human friend and his two canine siblings.
The dog’s Instagram is waffles_the_hairless_chihuahua
2. Noche
Source: @Noche_Blanco
This is a cute and stunning hairless chihuahua mix, who has over 15k followers on Instagram. The tiny dog is the small version of a Dalmatian.
The dog’s Instagram isnoche_blanco
2. Alma & Hermine
Source: @Alma.And.Hermine
Hermine is the dog who has no hair at all, while Alma is the one who has little hair. These two sisters are adorable, they live in Norway.
For more info about these two stunning dogs please visit their Instagram: alma.and.hermine
Final Thoughts
This dog breed is great for you if you are looking for a cute, pocket-sized family dog. There is no difference between a hairless chihuahua and a regular one in terms of personality, size, and sociability. The only exception here is that this dog has no coat.
A hairless chihuahua has a lot of love to give, he is loyal with huge character, and will add great joy to the household.
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