Chihuahuas are often referred to as being either “deer head” or “apple head,” depending on their appearance and physical characteristics.
It’s a common assumption that deer head and apple head are official varieties of the Chihuahua. But if you read the breed standards for the Chihuahua, you won’t find them listed as such. The American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and United Kennel Club (UKC) recognizes only long coat and smooth coat (short coat) varieties. They do, however, call for a well-rounded “apple dome” head. So, what are deer head and apple head Chihuahuas and how do they differ?
Deer Head and Apple Head: What Does it Mean?
“Deer head” and “apple head” are unofficial terms used to describe a Chihuahua’s appearance, particularly in regards to his muzzle and facial structure.
- Apple head Chihuahuas have a round apple-like head with a 90-degree angle where the muzzle joins the forehead.
- Deer head Chihuahuas have a longer deer-like head with a sloped junction of approximately 45 degrees where the muzzle joins the forehead.
There are other differences between the two (see below for a complete list), but you can usually tell a Chihuahua’s type by looking for these characteristics.
Somewhere throughout the Chihuahua’s history, the breed separated into two variations: the apple head and deer head. We don’t when this genetic evolution occurred, nor do we know how. Pre-Columbian artifacts discovered in Central America depict small dogs with both apple and deer-shaped heads, suggesting this evolutionary split occurred before the Europeans discovered the New World.
Some breed experts theorize that a small ancient dog known as the Techichi is the Chihuahua’s true ancestor, while the deer head variety is a cross between the Techchi and the Chinese Crested. Others believe the Techichi is the deer head’s true ancestor. Regardless of how it happened, there are now apple head and deer head Chihuahuas.
The Apple Head Chihuahua
The apple head Chihuahua is named after its apple-shaped head, which is noted in the breed’s standards.
Apple head Chihuahuas can have a smooth coat or a long coat in any number of colors or color combinations.
Here are some of the characteristics of an apple head Chihuahua:
- Apple head Chihuahuas feature a prominent 90-degree angle (known as a stop) where the muzzle meets the forehead. This juncture should essentially form an “L” shape, indicating an apple head. This is the most distinguishable feature of an apple-head Chihuahua.
- Apple head Chihuahuas have shorter jawlines than deer head Chihuahuas.
- They often have shorter necks than deer head Chihuahuas.
- The AKC specifically mentions the apple-like facial features in its breed standards for the Chihuahua.
- Due to their apple-shaped skulls, apple head Chihuahuas tend to have more prominent and expressive eyes.
- Apple head Chihuahuas have a stout, “cobby” body featuring short legs relative to their body length.
- Nearly all apple head Chihuahua puppies are born with a molera or “soft spot” in their skull. This cranial opening typically closes, however, by 3 to 4 months of age.
- Apple heads are the only type of Chihuahuas that can compete in the show ring.
The Deer Head Chihuahua
Also living up to its namesake, the deer head Chihuahua has facial characteristics resembling that of a young deer’s face. If you look at a young deer’s face, you’ll notice they have a long muzzle, large ears and a sloped forehead, which are characteristics of this breed variation.
Deer head Chihuahuas are also found in both smooth and long coats. While coat colors vary, fawn is the most common.
Deer head Chihuahuas are just as popular, if not more popular, than apple heads. The Taco Bell dog, Gidget, was actually a deer head Chihuahua. During her 8-year career with the national fast food chain, she was responsible for introducing this breed to millions of Americans. Gidget was the first Chihuahua many Americans had ever seen. Her adorable appearance and fun-loving personality skyrocketed the breed’s popularity through the late 1990s.
Here are some of the characteristics of a deer head Chihuahua:
- The muzzle of a deer head Chihuahua is longer than an apple head’s.
- Instead of a 90-degree angle, deer head Chihuahuas have a slope where the muzzle meets the forehead. You can feel for this slope by gently running your index finger from the tip of your Chihuahua’s nose up to his skull, which should reveal a gradual slope of approximately 45 degrees.
- This variation typically has longer legs, resulting in a taller body height without the “cobby” appearance of an apple head Chihuahua.
- Deer head Chihuahuas have larger ears, which like its apple head counterpart, also remain erect and upright once fully developed.
- Deer head Chihuahuas often have longer necks.
- They also have a longer jawline than apple head Chihuahuas.
- Because they are not recognized by the AKC as an official variety, deer head Chihuahuas are disqualified from participating in conformation dog shows.
- Moleras occur in deer head Chihuahuas, though the condition is more prevalent in apple heads.
- Fawn is the most common coat color for deer head Chihuahuas (see images of deer head photos above).
- Deer head Chihuahuas are often larger than apple heads, weighing more than the standard six pounds as defined in the AKC’s breed standards.
- Whether true or not, some owners claim deer head Chihuahuas are less aggressive.
- It’s also believed that deer head Chihuahuas have fewer health problems.
Only Apple Head Chihuahuas Meet Breed Standards
Neither the AKC nor any other major canine association distinguishes between apple head or deer head Chihuahuas. The breed standards for the Chihuahua require “A well rounded ‘apple dome’ skull, with or without molera.” Other variations of the head, including the deer head, are not allowed.
Upon hearing this information for the first time, many owners assume their deer head Chihuahua isn’t a real Chihuahua. If a Chihuahua doesn’t meet the AKC’s breed standards, conventional wisdom may lead you to believe he’s not an actual Chihuahua, right? Not necessarily. You can still have a purebred Chihuahua without the characteristic apple-shaped head, and you can still register him with the AKC, assuming he’s a pedigree whose parents are also registered. However, he won’t win any ribbons for showmanship at conformation shows like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the National Dog Show, the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, or Crufts since he doesn’t meet the breed standards.
Breed standards created by the AKC and other canine organizations are used for judging dogs at conformation shows. If a competing dog fails to meet the standards for his respective breed, judges will automatically disqualify him from receiving the championship title. Spayed or neutered dogs are also disqualified from competing in conformation shows, regardless of whether they meet their respective breed’s standards.
The bottom line is that deer head Chihuahuas are real Chihuahuas; they just won’t win points or championship titles at conformation shows. The same can be said for Chihuahuas weighing over six pounds, which is also grounds for disqualification.
Should the AKC Recognize Deer Head Chihuahuas?
Being that they are so common, there’s a strong argument that the AKC should acknowledge deer head Chihuahuas as a variation of the breed — and this wouldn’t be the first time the organization has done so.
In 1936, the AKC separated the English Cocker Spaniel into two varieties: the traditional English Cocker Spaniels and the American Cocker Spaniels. A decade later, they revised the standards again to include the American Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed (only dogs of different varieties can be interbred, not breeds). While similar in appearance the American Cocker Spaniel is shorter than its English counterpart and found in more colors. American Cocker Spaniels are also “showier,” with less instinctual drive to chase prey.
1952, the Chihuahua Club of America (CCA) — the official AKC parent club for the breed –revised its standards for the breed, separating the Chihuahua into long coat and smooth coat varieties, the latter of which was preferred as pets. More than half a century later, breed standards created by all of the major canine associations recognize long coat and smooth coat varieties. Perhaps we’ll see similar action taken by the AKC in the near future, acknowledging the deer head Chihuahuas as a separate variety.
Can My Chihuahua Have Characteristics of Both Apple Head and Deer Head?
Absolutely! Many Chihuahuas are born with, or later develop, characteristics of both apple head and deer Chihuahuas. A Chihuahua with a perfectly found apple-shaped dome may feature the longer muzzle and larger ears of a deer head variety. Or a Chihuahua with the sloped muzzle of a deer head may feature the apple head’s cobby body.
Furthermore, don’t assume that breeding two apple head Chihuahuas will result in a litter of all apple heads, or vice-versa for deer heads. When breeding two Chihuahuas of the same variety, there’s always a chance that one or more puppies in their litter will be the opposite variety.
In Conclusion…
Unless you plan to compete your Chihuahua in a conformation show, don’t worry about whether he’s an apple head or deer head. While there are nuances between these two varieties, both exhibit the breed’s fierce, confident and fun-loving personality.
Is your Chihuahua an apple head or deer head? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Im the proud owner of a little, jealous, protective, loyal, clingy, spoiled Chiwawah named Gizzy. That my husband and I adore, he’s our child, literally! I would love to receive daily info on my bff♥♥~~ Thanks so much Michael, Jess, and Gizzy Danner
I have owned and bred chihuahuas for about 40 years. I’ve had mostly Apple head chihuahuas but had the occasional deerhead would crop up. I no longer breed them but I do currently have a gorgeous deerhead female that is 7 months old and a complete terror at home and a sweetheart in public. We joke about her being bipolar ever since we took her to local festival and she was super friendly and loving toward everyone that crowed around to pet her. Not once did she growl or bark even though we were in a huge crowd. The minute she got home she became the boss of the farm putting my 3 cats and my yellow lab/Rottweiler mix in their place and barking/ growling at everything that moved. Love that attitude!
I rescued an apple head Chihuahua and have had a lot of experience with toy breeds, but not this breed-she was extremely shut down, shivering under a chair, scared of the world. None of my usual tricks worked, so I finally thought to ask-does she have a buddy? Why yes, they replied, she has been inseparable from a puppy from another, younger, litter. The moment the little brindle deer head came wiggling and dancing through the door, the two of them started doing this hilarious happy dance. Of course, I rescued the buddy too-there is definitely a huge difference in temperament. The deer head is extremely social and loves all things, human, animal-anything. She is also easily bullied by a much smaller Papillon I have, she’s 12# to his 6#, but she’s just so gentle. The Apple head is a handful-she is very attached to me, much smaller and very cute, but she will nip anyone but me, pretty ok with other animals.
I have one of each I love them both
I took in a mom and pup, deer head, less than a week ago. Was told they were pure bred, but the pup looks almost chiweenie, she has phantom merle markings you can see in the outside light and I know that can be due to having dachshund somewhere in the blood line, Alice (the pup) has a bit of blue in one eye, and I noticed her mom Penny has just a very very slight ammount. Could they still have the possibility of being pure bred with the dachshund being bred out? No plan to breed just curious.
I have a deer head little girl and she is adorable, very smart, and likes to woof at everything. Everybody loves loves her. She loves stuffed toys and jerky. I told my vet she doesn’t think she is a dog!
I paid 750.00 for an applehead chihuahua. The breeder assured me the puppy was an applehead. Do I have any rights? The puppy is a few months old now and is definitely a deer head.
I’d love to have another Deer head. I’ve lost both my Chihuahuas this year. Mouse was 19 and Moses was 15. broke my heart
I have notice that there are a lot of Chihuahuas are up for adoption. Adopting a dog is the best way to go. Because they seem to know that their life is being saved. I will never buy a dog from a breeder again. I wish you the best of luck in finding your next Fur Baby. My dogs bring me so much happiness. They seem to know when I am not feeling well and will all lay around me. I can’t imagine not ever having a dog.
I have both apple and deer head chi’s and have constantly had to defend my deer head as people keep saying she is a small foxie.
Sheva, 6 years old, 3 pounds. Apple head and loves all people. She hates our female mixed, 6 pounds and All cats. She is vicious and will knock the huge cats down & eat them up. None of the cats attack her. As a pup of 10 ounces one cat did chase her. Just want her to not want to kill our little Bella. I flip her on her side and make her lay till she quits growling. I feel so mean but have no clue what else to do. Help us have a happier home. None of my dogs or cats will be given away ever!
Question: Is it possible that two apple head Chihuahua have babies that one is a apple head Chihuahua and the other one deer head Chihuahua because, their were only two in the litter! Someone please help me! I don’t understand it!
Near the end of the article it says that can happen. Both varieties can produce the other variety.
I have a second hand apple head and she is the most sweetest dog . I inherited her from my daughter after she moved out and had to leave her behind. my daughter never trained her so she barked at everyone and every thing. I dont tolerate that so she now only barks when nessessary. She loves all people and a hollow leg… does’nt like strange dogs though. We have a bulldog , the bulldog thinks she is a chihuahua Im sure… they play together and wrestle all the time, every so often the bulldog forgets her size and the chihuahua promply reminds her by chomping on her lip. Then all is good again.
I have a dear head but he’s kinda funny lookin (never meet his parents) I just want to know why he us a smokey color (smokey is his name) with spots is he suppose to be like that also his eyes are outlined in yellow and filled with green if you wish to contact me for a pic it grafittylady.sm@gmail .com
I have a deer face who is short haired and the sweetest dog ever. My apple is long haired and definitely more aggressive. Caydee, long haired Apple, barks at everything. Lena the short haired, is the sweetest most passive chi I’ve ever had. I’ve had Lena since she was five weeks, and Caydee was an abused rescue which could be a big part of the different personalities. Love them. I’ve had chi’s all my life. They are a great, fun, and very smart breed. I’m hoping to have a litter in January, then get Lena ‘fixed.’
We have an apple head Heidi and she is not aggressive only barks when she plays with our golden outside! She is so calm and loving – just the opposite of what is said of an apple head!
The photo you have on this article of a deer head chihuahua actually looks like a Jack Russell.
Darlene how did you train your dog not to bark unless necessary?
I don’t get me dogs to stop barking and I’ve tried everything.
I can’t get mine to stop barking either. She is really afraid of men help.
When I got my little deer head, Kloe, she barked at everything. Then I heard on the pet show not to pay attention to her barking by yelling at her so we stopped & so did she. Now barks only when someone comes in the yard. I always tell her she is a good girl.
Just got two chihuahua puppies that are 14 weeks old. Told both parents are purebred chihuahuas. Seen the mom looks like she is purebred. Only dad has papers (don’t know dad dog). How do I get my puppies registered. Also how to tell is mine are apple-heads or deer-heads…Google pictures are hard tell difference. Also any other info on training welcomed. Thanks!
Unless both parents are registered (have papers), you cannot register the pups.
You can register your Chihuahua with the Chihuahua organization(CKC) if you have papers on one of the parents and can prove your Chi is pure breed. I registered mine because her father lives in Mexico and they don’t keep track of dogs history. Now you can’t register with the AKC without both parents history.
May not be so true. CKC registered my red noise pit terrier and I only had papers on her mom. Dad was full blood too but not registered. You just have to add photos of mom and dad to prove they were pure blood. You can also have blood work done to prove pure blood.
CKC also registered my two Chihuahuas both rescued from different homes so not related. One applehead one deerhead..(had to include pics of parents)…. but THEY WOULD NOT register my deerhead Chihuahua that was not pure blood. Her father was a Jack Russell terrier and you can tell her TEETH are the only thing that shows it. But I love her the same. 😀 I too would never part with any of my babies. So our family consists of 2 Quaker Parrots Bonnie and Clyde, one Diamond Dove name Joe (his mate Ruth died) one 11 yr old Red nose pit name Baby, a 5yr old applehead name LuLu,, a 2 yr old deerhead we just rescued a week ago name Princess Laya. I call her Lay Lay for short. And last but not least our 7 month old Ridge Back name Miya. ALL are rescued from bad homes. We just list one deerhead name Abby. She was only 5 but sickly from birth, also a rescue. We think she had seizures, but she was also poisoned when she was 2 and had to be in ICU @vets for 3 days from the poison. From there she went down hill fast. Vet gave her months to live, she lived another 2 yrs, but in the end she could not support her own weight of 2 lbs and couldn’t walk at all. We had to hold her to drink, potty, eat. Often had to mash up her food cause it would choke her. She was my husbands BABY she left a hole in his heart that could never be filled.
A deer head tends to have a head very much like a deer (female deer) & the ears are much longer as well as the nose. They are great travelers and are welcome in almost any place you care to go. They have a long life, upwards of 15+ years. They are extremely easy to train and make wonderful medical companions as well as being very intuitive to sensing when you don’t feel well or many other medical conditions. They are not a very typical small dog that is a “yappy” dog unless they are trained medical dogs to alert other people that you are having a medical condition or if you leave them alone for a few hours (3 or more). I have been raised my whole life around both apple and deer chihuahuas as my mother was a private breeder when I was born. I currently have a teacup deer who is my constant medical companion and goes with me every time I go out with the exception of Friday nights when I go out dancing. But when I get home she greets me with a small bark and lots of cuddling. She sleeps with her head on my shoulder and her bottom in my hand l. Her name is Duchess Brown Sugar because she is light and dark brown. If you want a beautiful, small dog, these are great!
I’ve been told that Lindy my rescued chihuahua is a Mexican Chihuahua. She is long legged , has a long Snout, and her head isn’t Apple shaped, she has a arrow chest and long body. She was rescued from a kill shelter down south 2 days before she was to be put down. Lindy is now a therapy Dog, working at a residence for mostly People with memory loss. She also works with special needs children I do respite for and adhd kids I tutor. She is the sweetest calmest chihuahua I have ever had.
A reputable breeder should have both parents registered. You register them from their paperwork. Chihuahuas and Pitbulls are the 2 most killed breeds in shelters. I sincerely hope you did not knowingly or unknowingly buy these from a puppy mill and sincerely pray you do not plan on breeding them.
Yes they are VERY different breeds but not one came from a breeding mill. The pit was rescued when all her siblings started dying from parvo infestation. 11 total, she’s the only one that lived. Each of the 3 Chihuahuas were all from different homes that were infested with fleas, LOTS of other dogs and overall NOT A GOOD HOME FOR THEM. The Ridge back was rescued from a man that was about to put the litter down. He never wanted puppies and killed 4 out of the 7 pups. We found GOOD HOMEs for 2 of her siblings. ALL the dogs were taken to vet to be fixed because we don’t breed any ourself. Too many pets in the world already. Our 7 month old just got her 6 month shots and was fixed. We don’t get dogs to make more. We rescued these from friends and family members that could not care for them properly.
We have an apple head. He is definitely aggressive. We have a German shepherd whom is very, very patient with him. Max has nipped many people and will attack other dogs. When the door bell rings, he is in attack mode. He’s almost bitten me a few times as well. He also has the breathing difficulty from time to time as well. However, he is a good watch dog and after reading the difference between the apple head and deer head, next time I will definitely search out a deer head. Max is a rescue and I attributed his behavior difficulties to his possible negative past treatment. I now there is a difference. I believe in obedience training and have competed many times over the years for obedience titles and have also judged the performance of many breeds. It was always a pleasure to see a well trained Chihuahua in the ring. Max is my first Chihuahua, my husband had several prior to our marriage. I do love the little guy, I just keep working at his less than friendly attitude.
Hello ,
It’s so sad that people talk about pure breeds and and mixed breeds or pure breeds with out papers, who cares either way don’t you think that no one wants to send their puppy or dog to a shelter, no matter the breed. Are we not all dog lovers? Then what is the difference no dog should go to a shelter no matter there species or registration papers or lack there of. It’s so funny because breeders that are recognized by CKC or the AKC are the only ones that think they should breed dogs. They think they should choose who breeds and who doesn’t and what they breed, and they shun people that want to breed there American bull dog with their Rottweiler or something. I’m not a breeder but I don’t Saun people that want to breed there two loved animals so they can have a pup from there loved dogs as long as tehy are resistible and kind and caring and look after the health and well being.
I have a Deer head and I didn’t know it was a such thing until my husband found one while looking on Craigslist. It’s funny cause I always said he looks like a baby deer my baby is name Bear and he barks and growl.
I have a little apple head she only weights 5 lb. and travels every where with me . She is my little service dog she is very smart . But they only thing I can’t change is she dislikes other dogs out side her family and she lives with a pit-bull and two other dogs , 4 cats and she just plays with them all.
I have an apple head, she is not friendly to strangers and barks when she hears a noise even whenever the ice maker dump. She is very protective of my wife and me, she was potty trained in one week. She does not like outside and the smartest thing ever and love her so much
I STILL CANT DECIDE BUT IM THINKING APPLE HEAD
Just received a deerhead from a couple that said they paid $100. for her but could not keep her. She is very loving and supposed to be 3 months old.
I own both an apple head and a deer head .. my deer head is the father(Matthew) my apple head is his daughter(pepper) .. Matthew is 2 1/5 had him since he was 2 months old .. self house broken by 4 months (I have never heard of animals house braking themselves .. until this one .. pepper i have had since birth .. the mother was also a deer head .. she had 4 puppies .. 3 apple heads 1 dear head .. pepper was fully pad trained/house broken by about 3 month .. I personally do not see an intelligence difference between the two breeds .. my two are the opposite both guard dogs but the apple head is generally the first to bark .. but as the guard dog bark .. if I’m walking them it’s the deer head that’s first ..(Matthew was my first small dog I have ever thought about owning now I don’t know what I would do without him .. or both at this point)
I own a 1 1/2 lb deer head. She is the most elegant and loving animal, i have ever seen. True words, I was in love with my German Shepard, who lived for 19 years. I never would find another “Rocky”. I have the honor, again, in my life time, to be “in love” with “little Miss Bunni”. Athletic and loves to chase birds. Soo cute. I find the Deer Head to be more intelligent and less aggressive. Loving.
How big is your deer head (weight and height)?
O love. That puppie
have adeerhead and anapplehead, Mocha and cocoa, had 3 and let them out to potty and someone got my bigger one, they are sisters and will not go anywhere without the other one. Mocha the deerhead is very protective and barks at every thing Chocoa is the applehead and never barks at anything, they are very sweet and different but adorable.
I have 2 Chihuahuas. One is a tri-colour and the other is said to bea grey. Ebony is 2 yrs old and is an apple head. She also has the molera which freaks me out to touch it sASHA IS THE RECENT ONE. I chose Sasha because she was the runt of the litter. Her sister was quite abit bigger. But i just looked at her and that was it. She is about 3 months old. She too has a molera, but it may close,dont knowBoth her parents are long haired. The father more so.
I have found chihuahuas very easy to train. Sasha is almost completly toilet trained. She knows her name. She understands no. Come. Bed Toilet etc even play.There words i use all the timeand they have picked them up fast. Noone will ever convince me Chihuahuas are just silly lap dogs. Unless you take one into your home and love them you dont know what your missing. I can tell my chichi Ebony not to bark and she stops.I love my dogs that all i can say.Theyre small dogs but they have big hearts.
I have 2 papered York Shire Terriers. They had a litter; 5-females! 4 look like Yorkies; 1 looks like a tan short hair mini-Chihuahua!!! What happened?
I believe I have a apple head or possibly a deer head not sure. But love my Chihuahua has been company to me since I have been disabled from work. We would like to breed her once then have her fixed my Grandkids want one of her pups. But I would like it to be with a light colored breed since she is light colored with a dark color down her back. She has one set of papers from Mother or Father but not the other. They did not believe in breeding or something similar is what we were told. But we live in Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina.
I’m so confused also 😭 I have a teacup chihuahua an I’m confused looks like a applehead but has big ears her head literally is shaped an feels like an apple 🍏
I have a deer head chi chi she is the color of my GSP. She is so sweet and shy to new people. I rescued all my dogs. I volunter at a local shelter and the amount of chihuahua’s there is very high. It’s sad so to all you people who buy dogs from breeders you are continuing a horrible cycle of unwanted dogs. Just for greed of having the best dog when it would be so simple to save a life. There are many beautiful dogs at shelters.
All Chihuahuas are A-Holes lol! Sorry….I love my fur baby but she is seriously evil and a big time barker. If you’re considering getting a Chihuahua reconsider or at please find one at a shelter who is a sweetie. 🙂
Gee Tori it’s sad you feel that way about the little boogers. Sheva doesn’t bark but is evil!! Wants to eat the cats and poor Bella our female mix bread. Bella is 6 pounds but so sweet for a chihuahua/peek.
Shena is 3 pounds of I will kill you! The squirt bottle helps a lot.
I have what I think is a 5-month light brown apple head. I’ve had her since 5 weeks. We thought, and wanted, her to be small because we were told her parents were a Maltese and a Chihuahua (probably not pure) that weighed 6 pounds and 3 pounds. She was absolutely precious when we got her at 1 1/2 lbs. She’s almost 5 mos. and already weighs over 8 lbs. She’s getting soooo aggressive with me only. I’m the one who loves her the most, feeds her, holds her, bathed her, snuggles with her, but it’s line she’s obsessive with the biting when she’s with me. She’ll do my husband s tiny bit and my son, but nothing even close to how she abuses me. I’m almost to the point of considering giving her away because I’m tired of the bandaids o my hands and arms. I love her dearly and really don’t want todo this. But at the same time I can’t keep an animal that’s really hurting me. We’ve been to obedience class. Didn’t help although we did learn to “sit.” LOL! Any suggestions? PLEASE! I want this to work!
do some chihuahuas resemble jack rusells??
Agree w/the comment made about how a dog will assimilate personality traits from its owner. Fact.
My childhood pet of 17 yrs was a deerhead.
Of course, he was loved and spoiled by us all. He was more aggressive towards strangers and happy, but extremely lovable and protective towards family, especially mom. His passing brought much sadness and even depression for two of my siblings, altho they had moved out sev yrs prior.
I’ve had a 4lb, male applehead for 8 yrs now. He has always been mello yellow, lol. Barely EVER barks, loves everyone and every size, shape and breed of other dogs. Heck, he loves rabbits, and seems any animal he encounters. He IS kinda needy tho, and wants to be held or just WITH someone at all times. Luckily, since he is so popular with all the neighbors, kid’s friends (boys are almost adults now), my friends, the mailmen, garbage men, etc … He rarely lacks affections from others. He’s also NEVER had a single health problem since we got him home at 10 weeks old.
I truly believe that a dog, regardless of breed, WILL pick up on attributes of its human(s). Example: the deerhead of my childhood? Turns out that two of my siblings were diagnosed w/Aspergers (high functioning autism) & I’m on the spectrum as well. My mom not diagnosed, but I certain she is either in the spectrum or just REALLY narcissistic, lol. Hence, the dog probably picked up some of the aggression from the people in the environment.
Living in those conditions for so many years made me STARVED for love/affection. I ended up very successful, but also very cautiously sensitive. My applehead is not so cautious, but TOTALLY needy, Lmao. He will take affection wherever he can get it! No, I didn’t end up allowing my neediness to negatively affect my life too much. But probably only cuz I didn’t SHOW it. My applehead however, does. Almost as if he is the embodiment of my ‘inner self’?
In any case, I think both dogs display(ed) the spirit in the home? Of which their humans have a direct cause/effect. And BOTH fulfilled the needs of their owners at those times along the way 🙂
I consider myself eternally blessed to be the mom of my applehead. And I believe that gratefulness is rewarded everyday with his presence in our lives.
I firmly believe that just like human beings, dogs are ALL unique. The BEST determining factor in the compatibility btwn dog/owner is, just as human relationships: the ability of the HUMAN to live, respect and/or care for the individuality of whomever he/she interacts with: dog or human.
“That which you put into the world comes into ur own”. Fact. So which chi wins? applehead or deerhead? Up the owner to look within and whatever the choice is, the intentions create the outcome. As they say “It is what YOU make it”
….. just my opinion ….. 😉
weve had chi’s since i was little i never knew there were different names for them til now…i just recently bought a applehead chihuahua hes 9 weeks old and hes adorable, hes black n white ckc reg. his name is ricky he acts just like a chihuahua does..
I love my Chihuahuas I got a teacup and and a deer head my little princess is very laid back and protecting my boy Hercules is chilled and likes to hunt cats. I like all my pets.my teacup tries to boss my pit band it he won’t hurt her and has never bitten any body .I had all kind of dogs but I love my princess diva pretty toes bythe way tthat’s her full name
I have an apple head chihuahua, she’s very cuddly, loving and social….she looooves strangers even. She doesn’t really bark at all unless you’re playing/rough housing and even then it takes a lot for her to bark. She’s a really, really great loving dog! So happy we found her.
oops! I meant to say she’s a deer head chihuahua!
I must say I have a apple head chi, whom is adorable, bags of fun, mischievous although he can be stubborn. He rarely barks and never growls! He certainly is not nervous and loves people.
Dwayne your nuts…… its sound to me your the crazy one…. 1st you compare the two… favoring the apple then when questioned what did you do to the deer head….. you responded later saying their great companions…. personally….. ive had pits and all sorts of breeds. ….. you make your dog to they ought to be….. I say…… your tensed their tensed….. your aggressive theyll be aggressive. …. get a dog counselor theyll tell you! I dis like when people down grade dogs just because of a breed ect. Ive seen it all…. even chihuahuas are known for ankle bitters…..
I mean its all up to the owner and how they handle them….. I can say my rescue deer head is scared like if shes been hit, and scared of traffic….. like if she had been dimped,…… she was my angel….. and boy is she so loving….. kisses all day….. still working with her fears and making her feel safe and at home! So you think about what your talking about unless your a doctor i wouldnt be talking?
I have a beautiful rescued reddish deer head chihuah boy. I find him delightful and very smart. I am amazed at how living he is, and how fast he learns. I believe that outside the show ring is where the real dog overs are. I am totally against breeding to confirmation is damaging to animals, as was and continues to be the case for the bulldog. I have seen people selling 1 pound teacup Chi’s online, and it is pure torture and manipulation of animals for profit. A dog is a commitment and nt a toy. They have a beating heart, and emotions.
I absolutely adore large breeds, but since getting my 4 year old applehead, I’ve definitely become a small breed kinda girl. I had Munchi (my applehead) for about 6 months before my brother and I found Shadow, who is an 18 month old to a 2 year old Deerhead.
Munchi is shy and timid of everyone in the house except mommy (me) and daddy. He also has an attitude problem when it comes to Shadow. Now, remember, my brother and I found Shadow near a store. He was either abandoned or he escapsed and no one bothered to look for him.
On the other hand, Shadow is playful and LOVES to be around people. However, he has severe seperation anxiety and goes nuts when I leave the house. He cannot stand to be away from me. :3
Either way, I love both my boys and while I would have a large breed again just for protection, my Chihuahuas are most definitely my every day companions and they sleep with us at night.
So it’s really up to you if you decide to bring a Chihuahua into your family or not. I did, and it was the best decision I ever made.
Rebeccah.
I have been fortunate enough to own both an appleheaded Chihuahua and a deer headed Chihuahua in the past.I currently live with my Apple headed Chihuahua.Unfortunately, my dear headed Chihuahua passed a few years ago. Both of them were extremely sweet, very social, loving dogs.My dear headed Chihuahua liked to bark a little more, but mostly when a stranger came to the door or during play.Neither one of them ever exhibited any negative behavioral quality such as severe nervousness or basic “meaness” or “nippiness”. One was from a shelter, and the other found her way to me after her previous owner paid a great deal for her and later decided she could not handle the responsibility at the time. I would love them regardless, but I have been lucky to have such sweet, smart, and amazing little girls. Although I really think they know when they have found their forever home, it just takes time to get them to trust enough before they can begin to understand what we humans want of them. But every dog I have lived with, no matter the breed, has always been eager to please. Regardless of their breed’s characteristics, it all takes a lot of time and patience. But as all of you dog people know, the rewards far excede the work!
e have had both. Our first Chi was an Apple haed named Lola. and we now have a deer head named Lucy.Both dogs were protective of the house, while Lola was more timid and Lucy thinks she is much bigger than she is.both were/ are playful with the other dogs and sassy when neighbors stopped by.
The only real difference I noticed between the two as far as disposition go is that while both were generally sweet and loving, Lola was more attached to my daughter (which was fine because the dog was gotten for her as a therepy pet) while she wasn’t really snippy or anything with anyone else in the family she just sort of bonded with Anna.
Lucy on the other hand has also bonded with Anna ( and sleeps with her at night) she also wants to be cuddled and loved by everyone else and besides at bed time has no real preference as to to does it.
I am supposing that apples choose and bond with a singular person and are a one person dog while the deerhead is more af a family/pack oriented one. I could be WAY off and it is indiviual tendicies of 2 individual dogs no matter the shape of thier head.
Dwayne, if you do enough reach you’ll find dearhead and applehead are shapes, not breeds. This seems to be a common misconception. I didn’t realize this until I recently did some research. Check it out.
I have a 3 month old deer head male he is a breath of fresh air
He loves to play with a number of toys we have for him
He runs and jumps of the couch he thinks he can fly.
He has been very easy to train has only had 2 accidents in the house. He has taken to his crate and if he has to go out in the night wines to wake me up and out he goes. He is a great pet he picked us we weren’t looking but we found each other only had him 3 weeks but love him
I don’t like my deer head chi. She is evil and has horrible behavioral issues.
I say don’t get a chi at all. They have an aggressive nature and are not easy to train.
This is an interesting conversation. I didn’t read ever word, but no one addressed the obvious. One or the other is dominate, therefore one of the two types should occasionally throw the other (the recessive one)if they are the same breed as many claim. This is like black dogs can produce red ones, but red dogs do not produce black ones because black is dominate to red.
I have an apple dome chihuahua called Maisee she is very playful and confident supposing we only got her a few days ago. The silly dog thinks she can fly haha.
My chihuahua is an apple dome and just wants to play, I think it’s just up to personality.
I have a deerhead and an apple head as does my g/f. All four are outgoing and social dogs. My Apple head was adopted at 7 mos and earned her AKC CGC title about 8 weeks later. My deer head was a shelter rescue, very ill and thin. He earned his AKC CGC title 7 weeks later and learned to search for drugs(scent descrimination) at the same time as well. Neither had any prior training and neither had learned to walk on a leash. I have 6 dogs and do rescue and the 2 Chihuahuas fit right in. We are training one of my g/f’s Chis as her Service Dog. None of the 4 are yappy and only shake when cold.
I have a 6 month old deerhead chihuahua who looks very much like a minature pinscher. He is fabulous, he only barks if someone comes to the door. He is incredibly sociable and loves adults, children, our 16 year old cat.
They are not separate breeds, apple and deer are only words used to describe the dogs features. Only the apple head is desirable to meet breed standard and is a very good sign of being pure bred. If the dog has a deer head, I would bet that it’s probably a bit of a bigger Chihuahua as well. Another sign of mixed breeding in there lol. Chi’s are around 6lbs and under also. Well, unless they are a bit fat and spoiled. Fat is not large though and I’ve never seen a large applehead. They act so different people because one is a mutt or low quality backyard bred, and the other is a Chihuahua .
I must say your comments clearly sound very ignorant and uninformed. The kennel clubs and some breeders unfortunately are breeding to the detriment of the animals. The shorter muzzles create respiratory issues. The broader stockier builds are causing stabilization issues, as well the increased body mass also is causing heart health issues. I happen to have a pure bred, long haired, deerhead chihuahua that weighs 3.25 lbs, and is the most loving, intelligent and friendly little dog anyone could meet. He wins the hearts of all that meet him.
First of all thank you for all the information you have included on this website.
I have a singlecoat longhair,deerhead,chihauhau, everyone assumes he is a papillion. He is 3 now. He was left in my care in august 2013. His owner had to give him up due to personal issues. It was suppose to be temporary but now he is part of my family.
In the past someone would mention the word chihuahua and I would think, ugh. Yappy, snappy, mean and just plain physco, was my impression. (Was terrorized by a couple of em as a child).
I did not know my buddy Jack was a chihuahua, when he came to stay with me, I assumed he was a papillion.
He is the sweetest, most mellow dog, and not nervous or skiddish. Hes very submissive where im concerned, but a six pound brut when it comes to large dogs like german shepards and golden retrievers. He loves to play rough with them, Made me nervous at first, but now I know he can take care of himself.
I had a 14 year old cocker spaniel, that had gone deaf. 3 weeks after Jack arrived she went blind. Im not sure how, but Jack knew she couldn’t see, and he would position himself between her and the wall and furniture, to help her find her way around my home. She has since passed, but I will be forever grateful, to Jack for his patience and help with her.
I hate to sound like a sap, but he is my little wingless angel.. Hes burrowed next to me between me and the back of the couch, but I know he is exactly where he is supposed to be, and with me for a reason…
How do you tell if its a single coat? Im getting a long haired applehead on March 8.
Thanks,
Sheila
Mocha is a deer head, mini pin mix. She prances, runs and hops like a deer. She is very loveable and is immediate friebds with everyone. She only barks to alert us of a visitor or another dog in the distance. She is the absolute joy of our lives, not to mention best friends with my daughter’s orange tabby.
We have two deer head rescue chis, who couldn’t be more different. Rocky is a total clown, outgoing and friendly, and Boris is quite shy, shaky and timid. It seems clear to us that their life experience moulded each dog, as we know Boris suffered trauma. Both are lovely, loving guys who we wouldn’t part with for anything.
I have a 3 year old male deer head chihuahua. He is chocolate and tan. He looks like his black and tan min-pin “sister”. He is such a love bug. Sits on me all day, sleeps next to me all night. All my “kids” are rescues. I actually thought he was a min-pin at first glance. Regardless he is a joy. He even saved my husbands life a month ago. I tell him he now has to tell everyone he owes his life to an 11pound chihuahua.
That deer head pic looks a lot like my dog, not a Chihuahua at all but a basenji-miniature pinscher mix. It bugs me when people point at my dog and say “chihuahua!” but don’t bother asking.
I own to deer-head female Chi’s and they are total opposites. Tinkerbell 11 yrs old, is an outgoing “social bug,” she will jump into almost anyone’s lap and lick them to death. Billie my 8 yr old is timid, shy, and nervous. She doesn’t like anyone and if persuade she will growl and try to bite them.
I have a deer head and a applehead.they are as different as day and night.my male the deer head.he is very high strung.loves to run and play. He chews anything he can find.pencils, paper,plastic. My apple hear female.she’s so lazy. All she wants to do is lay on the couch and sleep.she is now pregnant by my deer head and I’m so excited.
I rescued a sweet silly chihuahua from the pound. Of course they estimated her age at 2 1/2 and said that she was a Chihuahua mix. She seemed to me to be a purebred, her attitude, her little corkscrew tail, her big perky ears, her looks, her feet and legs, and everything except weight and her head shape. But I’d seen LOTS of chihuahuas that looked like her. After w doing a lot of research, this is what I have found. I believe she, Honey, is a techichi, an older version of chihuahua – the deerhead variety. She is eight pounds instead of five or six as the akc standard requires. The applehead, or akc accepted, is actually only 100 years old, the techichi being much older and connected with the Aztecs and Mayans. As for personality, I know she’s not as clever as my 2 lhasas, and she has many problems. I believe she was in a group of chihuahuas who were confiscated from a puppy mill. She was in the pound for quite some time, adopted, and returned after three months. After a couple more months I found her and brought her home. She may have been taken from her litter WAY too soon and probably kept in a cage. I get this from some of her quirks like mouthing, licking excessively (not herself, but people), she cowers and she pees when frightened (more like leaking). She does bark at most noises, but with those big ole ears, she must hear everything! But she plays well with the other girls (the lhasas) and the leaking is slowly getting better. She is getting more comfortable and secure, after all she IS in her forever home. (After all, I leak, too!) She is very much potty trained, and crate trained as a bonus. In fact the last time she peed, I scolded her and before I could say, you pee outside, she ran outside. I am so glad I saved her, and she really did need to be exactly here, with us.
After all, it sounds like many consider the deerheads to be inferior, but I believe they are stronger, sturdier, healthier and more ancient, and therefore to me, more valuable than the designer modified appleheads that are the accepted AKC chihuahua breed/variety. I hope in the future, AKC will appreciate their value and raise the weight and head requirements.. We all know that AKC does not value a “natural” dog, requiring tail docking, ear cropping and other modifications that are nothing but cruelty to so many other breeds.
I need to know how old they are supposed to be to breed I’ve got a deerhead & applehead mix 7 months old.
They have to be about 1 years past.
I had a little girl chiwawa and her name was Harley Davison Moor. I just lost her Jan.16.2017. She would of been 7 years old Valentine’s Day but she passed Away suddenly. Tore me up. Well i miss her so bad. I can not stand it. So I feel i must get another chiwawa. I hope I am not wrong. I’ m so sad. Please be sure if your puppy just looked at you weird get them to your Vet. She just happened suddenly.
I have a 9 month old female deer head and she’s the sweetest thing. I think we’ve only heard her bark maybe 3 times. She’s a lover that even our 1 year old nephew can drag around without issue (would never nip). Maybe it’s environment or that she’s been raised by a 10 year old loving lab. She’s incredibly smart and easily trained. She’ll play with the cat one minute then sit on your lap for 4 🙂 She sleeps with our 16 year old daughter all night without waking…… But you do have to let her out during the day every few hours or she’ll go by the back door :/ my only complaint!!!
I too have both head types and my deerhead male (15months) is more aggressive, less sociable and very jumpy. He’s also scared of everything. My apple head female (10months) is very calm, sookie, fearless and overall a sweetheart that likes everyone. I don’t know if it’s sex, breeder, head type etc but there is a big difference with my two.
I love deer heads! Go read the Wiki article about Chihuahuas if you want to know more. I have had both types and cant tell any difference. Of course my dogs were rescued, sometimes from abusive situations and so this has affected their personalities.
I do love the look of the deer types and I believe they should be an allowed and registerable variety oc Chihuahua. I do think the show breeders are breeding for too rounded heads and short snouts, as well as stocky bodies to the detriment of the dogs health and appearence.
I have two rescued chihuahuas, one is an apple head the other a deer head. Honestly they are quite a bit alike. The deer head is more dominate, but both desire my attention. They both seem to like people, and only bark when I drive up to the house or when they see someone close to the house. The deer head seems a little more playful but that may be an age related thing. Not sure how old apple head is, lost some teeth due to being a puppy mill breeder. I don’t think I would have a preference for either breed as I adopt rescues, and always accept each one with whatever problems they may bring with them….they just want to be loved.
I am bottle feeding four orphaned chihuahua for a rescue organization. Someone decided to breed their chihuahua but couldn’t afford the vet bill when one of the puppies got stuck for several days. She was very ill and did not make it. My question is, how early can you tell what type of chi you have? These babies are four weeks old and have little round heads. Is there a chance they will grow out of that?
Hey Lucy,
You can usually tell whether a Chihuahua pup is an apple head or deer head at 4 weeks of age. Apple heads have a rounder face and snout, whereas the deer heads are longer and narrow. However, their facial features and physical characteristics will become more prominent over the next couple of months, making identification easier.
Where are these pups?? I also foster, but am looking for one for my husband.
Hey Robin,
Try calling local animal shelters in your area to see if they have any Chihuahua pups. Even if they don’t have any, they may know a different shelter or owner who does. You can also check Craigslist, newspaper classified ads, eBay classified ads, and PuppyFind.com.
I am not sure of the type Chihuahua I have now, but love her so much. Tomorrow I get an applehead. I can”t wait to see her, I loved reading what I have read. Thank you so much.
Wish you and your two Chihuahuas all the best, Debbie!
Three cheers to Nick! What a great dog!
I recently rescued an apple head (wire hair coat), Twinkie. I’ve never owned a chihuahua before, but she is nothing like I thought they were. She’s friendly & greets everybody, she gives me lots of kisses and she rarely barks (mostly just during play). She gets along great with my dachshund, Mr. Pickles and has even got him running around playing again. I just love my little girl! <3
I’d like to pay a tribute to my beautiful little smooth coat applehead Chihuahua, Nick (15 May 2000-29 August 2013).
He was the most obedient, quiet friendly dog I have ever had. I got him when he was 4 months old (I was his second owner as the first felt his mix of colours wouldn’t win her enough shows). Her loss. Nick was allowed to be himself and not put on show – to their owner every dog is the most beautiful.
Even as a puppy he never damaged anything other than one tiny (6″ strip) of wallpaper when he was left on his own too long one day and got bored.
He never bit, or snarled in all his 13 years, and the tail was always wagging.
There will never be another Nick
I like both my deer heads ally was hard to train but she is adorable And oreo was easy to train
I have a deer head chihuahua (just like his mom), although he has the character of his dad, who has an apple head. In my experience, the shape I their head do not matter.
I don’t agree with statement that deer head Chihuahuas aren’t pure bred. The chihuahua originated in Mexico and those originals are deer head Chihuahuas.
I have two of them. I have never owned a small dog before because I prefer and have only ever liked large dogs. But almost 2 years ago my husband got me a deer head Chihuahua. She just turned 2 in August and my newest one is 5 months old today actually. They are both Very smart which I never expected from a small dog. They both learn new commands very quickly. Many times they will learn new commands in 5 minutes or even just by watching my German Shepherd do something.
They can be stubborn though when they really just don’t want to do something. My female barks more then my male he usually doesn’t bark until she starts. And man do they have some personalities!! I never thought I could like let alone love a small dog. I just love how they can look like a baby deer it just melts the heart when they gove you that face!
I love how they aren’t like “normal chihuahuas or small dogs”.
I say if you are thinking about getting a chihuahua then definately chose a deer head. They are pure bred.
I love deer head Chihuahua, agree on that they are pure breed, sadly the dog assocs. don´t recognize them, we have to bring them back!!!
I couldn’t agree more, Enri!
You are correct the Deer Head is the original Breed!!! They were bred for royalty centuries ago. And I might add the apple head is much more aggressive than the deer head and the apple head are a very nervous and shaky breed. The apple head came later on after breeders mixing breeds to create a smaller version of the dog. The apple head also has large bulging eyes. Deer heads love attention and are a very protective dog. Great companions!!!!
I have both Apple head and Deer head chihuahuas and I can say that my apple head is a lot more aggressive than my deer head. My deer head has a loud bark but he’s really just barking because he’s scared. My apple head is bold and thinks she’s an Akita and will run after bigger dogs. She’s done so before, even to a pit bull. But most of the time they both sleep all day and I love them. We didn’t pick them based on their looks solely, but we wanted them because they’re a small breed and we already have 2 big Akitas. 🙂 Chihuahuas do bark a lot but that’s their breed, if you don’t like yappy dogs then I don’t think you should get one because a lot of owners choose Chi’s but then give them away because they “can’t stand” the barking but I say if you choose to own a certain breed, make sure you know everything and anything of it before choosing.
Hello i have two deer head one girl and one boy Dora is very play likes to go outside and play listens very well every time i leave to any where shes at the door And Gucci is playful to just when its time to come in tha house he hides under my truck cause he doesn’t want to come in. They both are potty trained…I wouldn’t trade them for nothing..
I have two chihuahuas one long coat deer head the other a short coat apple head.
I love them both but they are like ying and yang … as different as they come
my deer head ia unsociable. She doesn’t like strangers or other animals she doesn’t know. She is nervous if left alone and barks when people or dogs are seen out of the window. She is very docile.
on.the other hand my apple head is a social butterfly. he loves everyone and every animal. he loves to play and he’s very quiet doesn’t make a sound.
My chihuahua’s are quite the opposite. Nacho is a 3 year old apple head and Olive is a 1 year old deer head. Nacho is sweet and docile, but is often nervous and depressed. He only barks at potential danger or to alert us, but he sometimes will growl at someone if he deems them a threat to me. While he played with toys a lot as a puppy he has no use for them now. He would rather be in moms lap getting his tummy rubbed. Olive is playful, outgoing and is a real “dogs dog.” She hides bones and digs but only to find bugs, food etc. She doesn’t want much affection, but will play tug of war or ball all day long. Olive is a very happy puppy. I swear she smiles! But Ollie can also be stubborn, and is not the best listener, this is because she doesn’t want to stop exploring or playing. She is a born hunter. If there is food or a bone or a bug she’ll find it. Both dogs love people. Nacho tries to stay out of the way of other dogs, while Ollie’s goal in life is to be friends with any big dog she meets. Both love to eat grass, but not because they feel sick, but because they enjoy it! Both were easy to potty train. I have always been a big dog person, but these two have opened my heart to small breeds. I have found them more obedient and quicker learners than large breeds. They are both super intelligent and adorable. They are a joy! Ps. I personally love mutts. Every pup I’ve owned has either been a stray or abandoned as a puppy. I have never paid for a dog. I gurantee you will never be disappointed if you rescue a dog! They seem to know that you’ve saved them. They repay this with loyalty, love and friendship.
I’ve had two deer head Chihuahuas. They were both wonderful pets. The first did end up with behavioral problems due to a brain tumor. My second is 7 months very well behaved and evened tempered.
There seems quite a difference in temperament between appleheads and deerheads.
My Applehead is mellow, quiet, and nice. My new deerhead is loud, barky, and nervous…….all the traits I don’t want. They are like night & day. I would stick w an applehead if given the choice. Deerheads can look “mutty” and mine looks too much like a mini pin.
I agree that chihuahuas are a super sweet breed and that the ‘mutts’ are the best. I have both an apple head –long haired chi and a deer head –and they are quite different. but given that they had questionable histories as they were rescue dogs from high kill shelters–I can tell you that the love they give is unquantifiable and rich. Yea!!
–to rescue mutts and ‘chis’no matter what make and model.
Your deerhead must not be a purebred deerhead because they are totally the opposite. The deerhead has almost no nervousness what so ever. My choice by FAR!!!! is the deerhead hands down. Its all a matter of opinion, my neighbor is a breeder of appleheads and loves the disposition of the deerhead and wants to start breeding them and is currently looking for a purebred deerhead female to breed with mine.
What did you do with the deer head you hate?
I own a Deer, He is Mellow, quiet and Nice, Although he does not like strangers, He barks at them and is very protective of me against other dogs, he is also protective of his father and his little corgi brother. Somethings make him nervous such as: Baseball Caps (shades the persons face hard to make it out is what i think, I believe this as a fact because he does it with my grandfather and my Husbands father) He goes crazy if someone he knows is wearing one and doesntr know them enough to know their scents to realize who they are, Darker Skinned people freak him out as well, My husbanded and i are white, so he is use to that skin tone, if you come up behind him and he doesnt hear you, He is not mean he has NEVER bitten anyone, never attempted to bite either. He’s Playful when you want him to be and know to calm down when told, Listens quiet well, and seems to be a fast learned