Chihuahuas look cute. No doubt about it.
But are Chihuahuas full round cute?
Or are they cute-looking monsters?
Here you’ll find out the truth.
You’ll discover:
- Reasons why Chihuahuas are(n’t) cute.
- Specific features and traits that make Chihuahuas cute.
- The effect of cuteness on the human brain (yes-it’s science).
- And more…
Table of contents
Are Chihuahuas cute?
Chihuahuas are some of the cutest dogs in the entire world. Whether it is a long-haired, short-haired, apple head, or Deer Head Chihuahua, all are adorable in their own way. Even science has confirmed that the Chihuahua’s looks make it objectively endearing.
Reasons why Chihuahuas are cute
Science has confirmed what we have all been saying for millennia: Tiny dogs, especially puppies, are inarguably cute!
The reason?
Well, it may surprise you. Small dogs like Chihuahuas are cute for survival reasons. Researchers surveyed a large group of dog lovers and discovered that “peak cuteness” was at about eight weeks old.
Well, what does this have to do with Chihuahuas? Puppies at this age have grown into their ‘babylike’ features to the maximum.
At this time, their moms stop nursing them, and their dependence switches over to their human caretakers. By being as cute as possible, the puppy maximizes its chance of receiving the best care.
They’re irresistible!
Since the 1940s, scientists have known that the ‘babylike’ features are critical to creating feelings of affection…
These features include:
- Big eyes.
- Short legs and arms.
- A very large forehead.
What breed does this describe perfectly? The Chihuahua!
So scientifically speaking, Chihuahuas are, indeed, cute…
Researchers have also learned that dogs will widen their eyes and stick out their tongues when interacting with their owners.
This is a subconscious attempt at getting – and keeping – our attention.
What does it do? When we make eye contact with our dogs, and they respond this way, it creates a chemical reaction in our brains.
This reaction produces oxytocin (the ‘love hormone’) and makes us feel higher levels of affection for our pups.
So, not only are the Chihuahuas eyes naturally big, but they could also be intentionally making them wider!
This all serves to make you fall deeper in love with your Chi-chi, the more time you spend with them.
Other features of Chihuahua cuteness
Now we have proof. When it comes to the debate of whether a Chihuahua is cute or not, science has got your back: They are!
A deeper look into human psychology has identified even more traits that we interpret as ‘cute.’ These include:
- Little chin.
- Small nose.
- Small body size.
- Big, round cheeks.
- Eyes positioned relatively low on the face.
Again, all of these features are spot-on descriptions of the Chihuahua’s face. Additional explanations of why the ‘babylike’ traits draw us in so well are based in the ‘human attachment system.’
The theory behind this system is known as ‘attachment theory.’ Attachment theory says that infants appear as extremely adorable to keep close to their parents.
These kissable faces are usually combined with whining or similar sounds to grab the caretaker’s attention.
Now you know why your Chihuahua will whine endlessly if you leave them alone!
When comparing baby animals to baby humans, researchers discovered something peculiar.
Regardless of if the participant was an adult or a child, humans prefer adorable baby animal faces over baby humans!
This was true whether the respondent owned a dog or not. So, even among your friends that aren’t dog owners themselves, one thing is true…
Chihuahuas are scientifically proven to be one of the cutest, if not the cutest, dog breeds in the world!
You might also like: These 101 Chihuahua memes
More information about Chihuahuas (and their cuteness)
Chihuahuas are one of the most beloved dog breeds across the world. In the U.S., they are ranked number 33 of 196 breeds.
This means that millions of dog owners prefer these tiny balls of fun over other, bigger dogs. Chihuahuas stand only about 5-6 inches tall at the shoulder. And their weight? A dainty 2-6 lbs.
Luckily, once you adopt a Chihuahua, you are likely to have a furry partner for a very long time. The average Chihuahua lives up to about 16 years. You can be sure that you and your pup have several years of love ahead of you!
These are all traits that describe Chihuahuas of all kinds.
Yes, all Chihuahuas! As in, there is more than one kind.
While there is only one breed of Chihuahua, there are different variations of the breed.
The first, most notable variation is that of the coat length.
There are two main types of coats a Chihuahua can have: long-hair and short-hair.
Long-haired Chihuahuas
Long-haired Chihuahuas have very long, luxurious, smooth hair. Their hair may be wavy, adding to the flair of their high-fashion look.
You’ll never find a Chihuahua with curly hair, though. If it does have curly hair, it is likely mixed with another breed.
Although they’re gorgeous, their locks will be quite thin. So, it’s essential that you are very gentle in your Chihuahua’s care routine. This is one of the many traits that make many Chihuahuas so adorable.
Why adorable?
Long-haired Chihuahuas are extra fuzzy, more so than their short-haired relatives. This makes them perfect for cuddling! Their bodies are absolutely full of hair:
- They sport a big, poofy tail.
- Their thighs are cute and fluffy as if they are wearing pants.
- They have long locks on their chests.
- They even have the most delightful little ear tufts.
Everything about the long-hair Chihuahua just screams, ‘Come love me!’
Short-haired Chihuahuas
Short-haired Chihuahuas, on the other hand, are just as precious! This is the type that most people are familiar with.
This is because short-haired Chihuahuas are much more common. It’s why most people assume that long-haired Chihuahuas are mixed with another breed!
The undercoat is slightly more apparent with the short-haired Chihuahuas. When you pet your short-haired pup, the hair will feel much denser to the touch.
The unique thing about short-haired Chihuahuas is that it’s easier to get clothes on them! It’s also better for these kinds of Chihuahuas to wear clothes than the long-haired ones. Why?
They are both prone to shivering in colder temperatures. However, the long-haired Chihuahua is protected by its luscious locks.
Give your short-haired Chihuahua a helping hand by buying or making them a sweater for the chilly days.
Apple head and Deer Head Chihuahuas
There are a few more key physical traits that separate certain Chihuahuas from others.
You may have heard Chihuahuas described as “apple heads” or “deer heads” before.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), all Chihuahuas should have a domed skull that resembles an apple.
Still, there are some very slight physical traits that create some distinctions between the dogs of this breed.
Apple Head Chihuahuas
The apple head Chihuahuas are characterized by the presence of the ‘molera.’*
This is the skull’s soft spot, making it easier for the puppy to pass through the birth canal when it’s born.
The indentation that the molera causes on the top of the skull is responsible for the “apple” shape of the head.
Deer Head Chihuahuas
Deer Head Chihuahuas have a much more elongated skull shape.
Their muzzles are much longer, and they have less of a dome on top like the apple heads.
*Because the Chihuahua’s head has been bred to be so small, the molera doesn’t go away after birth. The AKC breed standard allows Chihuahuas to either have or not have this molera. This is part of the reason why Deer Head Chihuahuas aren’t exactly their own breed. The official breed standard is in favor of the apple heads.
Apple head or Deer Head, all Chihuahuas are quite possibly the cutest of all dog breeds.