AKC Toy Group · No. 24 in 2025
How to identify a Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed in this guide, capped at 6 pounds and ranked No. 24 by the AKC in 2025. Look for the rounded “apple dome” skull and large, erect ears that flare to the sides at rest. It comes in smooth and long coats, in any color.
Field marks
These four marks are the ones the game gives you as clues. They paraphrase or briefly quote the AKC Chihuahua standard.
- Rounded “apple dome” skull
- “Large, erect” ears that flare out “at a 45 degree angle” at rest
- Tiny: “not to exceed 6 pounds”
- Smooth or long coat in “any color”; tail “carried sickle” up, out or in a loop, plumed on long coats
Tell them apart
Chihuahua or Pomeranian?
Check the head and the coat. A Chihuahua has a rounded apple-dome skull and large ears that flare to the sides. A Pomeranian has small, high-set ears and a harsh coat that stands off the body, with a tail lying flat on the back. A long-coat Chihuahua’s coat lies flat or slightly wavy instead.
Chihuahua
- Rounded “apple dome” skull
- “Large, erect” ears that flare out “at a 45 degree angle” at rest
- Tiny: “not to exceed 6 pounds”
- Smooth or long coat in “any color”; tail “carried sickle” up, out or in a loop, plumed on long coats
- Harsh outer coat that “stands off from the body,” with a neck ruff
- “Fox-like” expression with small, high-set, erect ears
- Heavily plumed tail lying “flat and straight on the back”
- 3 to 7 lb; all colors and patterns allowed
Test your eye
One photo, four names, ten dogs a day. Free, no sign-up.
More Companion & Toy breeds
- Boston Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Dalmatian
- French Bulldog
- Havanese
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pomeranian
- Poodle
- Pug
- Shiba Inu
- Shih Tzu
- Yorkshire Terrier