Hairless Chihuahua

The Hairless Chihuahua is a very curious variety of the popular Mexican breed, still under development, awaiting recognition from kennel clubs and with very few dogs found anywhere in the world.

It's a small, affectionate, charming dog, with a temperament and physique similar to the standard Chihuahua's, except for the lack of coat, its main defining trait. Want to know more about this breed? We'll tell you everything!

Origin of the Hairless Chihuahua Breed

This variety of the Chihuahua breed emerged just a couple of decades ago when a number of breeders from different parts of the world joined forces to try to create a miniature/toy dog with no coat.

Repeated crosses of male Chihuahuas with females of other hairless breeds (such as the Xoloitzcuintle, or Aztec Dog) eventually produced, after many attempts, the first completely hairless puppies. From there, whole litters were bred, and the Hairless Chihuahua began gaining real popularity.

Puppies

What Is the Temperament of a Hairless Chihuahua Like?

With or without a coat, the Chihuahua's temperament is always the same: bold and loyal, always alert and watchful, traits that make it a good watchdog despite its size.

It's a very sensitive dog that needs affection and company, sometimes to excess, and it can develop dominant behavior or even jealousy toward other dogs and people. Either way, these tendencies can be corrected with proper training.

The Hairless Chihuahua needs early socialization from puppyhood: it needs to get used to contact with humans and other dogs, as well as to different sights, sounds, and experiences. Without this process, it can grow into a shy, even wary adult.

Physical Characteristics of This Curious Breed

The Hairless Chihuahua is a small dog with a height at the withers ranging from 15 to 25 cm and a weight between 2 and 4 kg.

Its body is compact and strong, longer than tall. It's very agile with quick movements, always walking with its head and tail held high and ears erect. Its apple-shaped head is topped by large, round, highly expressive eyes.

The Hairless Chihuahua's skin is smooth and soft, coming in a huge variety of colors: black, sand, coffee, gray, white...

Lack of Coat

Although adult Hairless Chihuahuas are generally completely coatless, they can sometimes show a thin layer of fuzz or very fine hair on the head, on the legs, and at the very tip of the tail.

The genetic factor responsible for the lack of coat also causes this type of Chihuahua to be missing some teeth that other similar breeds have.

Adults

Training and Education

Although strictly speaking the Chihuahua is a companion dog, it can excel at various dog sports and disciplines, such as obedience.

Training this dog at home is an easy task, thanks to its intelligence and liveliness. Training should rely on positive reinforcement techniques such as rewards, praise, and play, without ever forgetting to establish your position as the leader.

Hairless Chihuahua puppies can be very mischievous and destructive, so the socialization and training process should start as early as possible.

What Is the Health of a Hairless Chihuahua Like?

Aside from a few genetic anomalies that can lead to neurological problems such as epilepsy, this is generally a very healthy breed with an average lifespan of around 16 years.

One peculiar aspect of the Chihuahua is the presence of fontanelles, or soft spots, on its skull (it's the only dog breed born with an incomplete skull), so it's important to protect puppies' heads until they reach six months of age.

The Hairless Chihuahua's large, protruding eyes are also prone to infections, such as conjunctivitis.

Exercise and Diet

Despite its small size, the Hairless Chihuahua also needs its daily dose of exercise, always in moderation. It enjoys a good walk, though it's not wise to leave it unsupervised, since it remains a small breed vulnerable to attacks from other dogs.

A Chihuahua's diet can be quite varied, since it's an omnivorous dog. But this advantage can become a drawback given its strong tendency toward weight gain. An obese Chihuahua can develop numerous health problems such as chronic bronchitis or joint issues.

Skin Care

Caring for its bare, highly sensitive skin is essential for a Hairless Chihuahua's good health. Antibiotics and disinfectants should be applied if you notice any wounds or scratches, to prevent infection.

It's also important to protect it well from the sun (a good sunscreen is recommended), moisturize its skin with some type of cream to prevent flaking, and dress it warmly on the coldest winter days.