An apple head Chihuahua has a rounded, domed skull, a short muzzle and a steep stop where forehead meets nose. A deer head Chihuahua has a flatter skull, a longer muzzle and a gentle slope, and is often a little larger. The apple head is the type the breed standard describes. A deer head is not a separate breed: it is still a purebred Chihuahua, it just will not win in the show ring. Apple heads are more often linked with an open molera and hydrocephalus.
Apple head vs deer head Chihuahua at a glance
| Feature | Apple head | Deer head |
|---|---|---|
| Skull shape | Well rounded dome, like the top of an apple | Flatter and longer, more like a young deer |
| Muzzle | Short and slightly pointed | Longer and narrower |
| Stop | Steep, close to a right angle at the forehead | Shallow and sloping |
| Eyes | Full, round and set well apart | Often slightly smaller looking against the longer face |
| Ears | Large, erect, flaring out to the sides at rest | Large and erect, often set a little higher |
| Typical size | Most of the smallest Chihuahuas, including most teacups | Often slightly larger, with longer legs and a leaner frame |
| Breed standard status | The type the standard describes ("apple dome" skull) | Not a separate breed; still purebred and registrable, but cannot win in conformation shows |
| Health notes | More often has an open molera; hydrocephalus concerns linked to the domed skull; teeth can crowd | Molera less common; more room for teeth; still shares the breed's knee and dental risks |
Both types turn up in the same litters, from both long coat and smooth coat parents. A deer head can be born to two apple heads, and the reverse happens too.
What the breed standard says about head shape
The AKC standard describes a well rounded "apple dome" skull, with or without molera, a muzzle that is moderately short and slightly pointed, and a well defined stop. That is the apple head. "Deer head" is not a term the standard uses. It is the name owners and breeders give to Chihuahuas whose heads depart from that description.
So the honest summary is this. A deer head is not a fault in a pet, it is not a mix, and it does not affect registration. It only matters if you plan to show, because a judge is looking for the apple dome.
Apple head teacup Chihuahuas
If you are looking for a teacup size Chihuahua, the puppy will most likely be an apple head. The smallest frames usually come with the most compact heads, and small apple head parents tend to produce small apple head puppies.
That combination asks a little more of the owner. A tiny apple head is the puppy most likely to have an open molera, a soft spot on top of the skull that may close slowly or never close fully. It is not a disease, and the standard allows it, but it does mean the head needs protecting from knocks. The domed skull is also the shape more often linked with hydrocephalus, so a vet check before the puppy goes home is essential. Our teacup Chihuahua guide covers lifespan and the full list of health risks for tiny dogs.
Living with a molera is mostly common sense. Pet the head gently, keep the puppy off high furniture, never let children tap or knock its head, and tell every groomer and vet that the soft spot is there. Many moleras shrink a lot by the first birthday. Ask your vet to measure it at the first visit so you have a baseline to compare against later.
How to tell apple head from deer head at 8 weeks
Most puppies show their head type clearly by 8 weeks. Look at the puppy from the side and from the front:
- Side profile. An apple head has a short nose and a forehead that rises steeply from it. A deer head's nose runs into the forehead in a long, gentle line.
- Top of the head. Run a finger front to back. An apple head feels round and domed; a deer head feels flatter. You may also feel the molera on an apple head puppy.
- Muzzle length. Compare the muzzle to the distance from the stop to the back of the skull. On an apple head the muzzle is clearly shorter.
- The parents. Ask to meet both parents in person. Head type is strongly inherited.
A few puppies sit in between and settle by 4 to 6 months. Photos can mislead, because a puppy looking up at the camera looks more domed than it is, so ask for a side-on photo.
Do apple head Chihuahuas cost more?
Often, yes. Across the US, apple head puppies from show-type lines tend to be priced higher than deer heads, and some breeders price deer heads lower because they cannot be shown. Prices vary widely by region, coat and color, so treat any pattern as a typical tendency rather than a rule.
In our own litters, price follows projected adult size: our teacup size puppies are $750 to $850, because smaller litters, a longer stay with us and extra vet checks cost more. Our guide to Chihuahua prices covers the wider market, and coat color also plays a part, which our Chihuahua colors guide explains.
Which head type we recommend
Our opinion: choose the puppy, not the head shape. For a first-time owner who wants a sturdy, easygoing companion, we often point toward a deer head or a toy size apple head, because the slightly larger frame and longer muzzle forgive more. For a buyer who has their heart set on a classic teacup look, an apple head is the right choice, as long as the molera has been checked and you are ready for the extra care a tiny dog needs.
Looking specifically for a deer head? Our guide to finding deer head Chihuahua breeders covers why so few advertise them and how to avoid a mix sold under that name.
Either way, the parents' weights and health, a daily weight log and a vet check matter far more than whether the skull is round or flat. You can browse our teacup Chihuahua puppies for sale, in teacup and toy size, and ask us about any puppy's head type.