bald baby 2

[30180]

My chocolate chi had bald spots on both sides of her head when we got her at 10 weeks old. We thought it would grow in as she got older but alas she only has very fine and thin growth; more bald than hair. She is in excellent health and has good vet care. She is 1 year old and weighs 3 lbs.

[JanisM13]

Hi... from what I know about the Xolo( Mexican hairless) they in fact are
hairless, have some wire like hair here and there on their bodies,are
really amazing to see.( can't call them fur kids) Many feel the Chinese
Crested hairless was interbred to the Xolo for the hairless gene but
the two breeds don't even resemble each other,size conformation or
temperament so there is yet another question...which came first the
chicken or the egg...many say it was the Chinese Crested who came
over on ships,bred to the Chihuahua ( with hair) and that was the start
of the Xolo...history and legend which is correct?
But no, I thought when I took Mouse into my vet he had either a Thyroid
problem or some form of Alopecia or even mites? He just smiled at me
and showed me that when looking at Mouse from the front he told me
"you can see the one side of his head and body has the exact thinning
of hair, simple explaination is this is called a "mirror loss of hair" then
he told me the name which I can not remember...(long medical term to
explain...) "He is fine,normal and is not sick,no mites,no alopecia, not his
Thyroid." "Some dogs of a certain color are predisposed to this,he won't
get more hair in these areas,it will always be very fine to almost non-
existant and it is the same with other breeds,not just the Chihuahua
but I will run the tests if you want." This is not the first time he has seen
this...( blue Doberman the blues in Pit Bulls also other breeds)
There is some idea that way back in Toltec and Aztec times there was
a small hairless dog in Mexico,think it was a Techihi (sp?) and they've
thought the Xolo came from this dog? Of course the Chihuahua was not
a tiny small breed back then either as they were ferel and roamed free
breeders had a big hand in breeding them down after finding little ones
in Mexico...most Chihuahua were 18 to 20 pounds when they ran free.
Also they've found over many years of trying, because there are so many
different colors to the Chihuahua, breeders are still not able to breed a
line "true to color" over and over, some have been trying to introduce a
blue merle into the line but are unable so far to breed true to that color.
You're right the blue is a diluted black but just wanted to let 30180 that
perhaps this was what was going on with their little one, of course their
personal veterinarian is the final authority that it's not something else
and if they have doubts they should got in and talk with their vet.
If their vet has seen this little one the vet many not feel there is any
problem or may not know there is a "reference term" for the coat?
My Mouse is 3 years old, has not lost anymore hair nor has he grown
more in those areas and is also a small fur kid.
Jan

[Margot49]

Alopecia?  Means hair loss.

Interesting when describing hair patterns.  Almost sounds like a Mexican Hairkess or Xolo fir short ( I can never pronounce the full name).

NOT saying this pertains to your dogs, but considering the common Country of origin, makes one wonder if there is a recessive gene floating around there.  

I would have to do more research on the breeds but interesting the effect the blue gene (which is actually black) can play in various breeds.  I know in Shelties, you have to know what you are doing when breeding Blue dogs.  And you really have to do your homework, as best you can.  There are instances where a pure for Sable can be bred to a pure for Sable and a Sable Merle pops up which may or not be obvious and may show up or be more predominant in the next generation.  I digress but genetics can play a roll more then people realize.  Fascinating, really, good or bad.  

[JanisM13]

I have a blue/all grey smooth coated Chihuahua -3-1/2 pounds I have the
EXACT SAME THING of course I thought something was wrong with
"The Mouse" but my vet used this specific name( can't say it) anyway
for him it is genetic and a normal thing for a blue.
He also has thin/very fine hair on his legs but more than on the sides
of his head and none on his belly, down the sides of his body is also
very thin coated then top of his head down the center has hair, the
sides of his skull on his head it is very, very fine and thin, he almost
looks like he has a very short Mohawk down the middle of his little
head.
Anyhow it might be different for your little girl but for The Mouse and his
coloring it is normal and will not get thicker or ever be different so he's just "unique." Nothing wrong with him it's just how he is....
Jan

[Margot49]

Some dogs are genetically predisposed to this.  Has your Vet checked this?  No other bald spots? What food are you feeding?  
You might try a product cakked Missing Link.  You can also try adding some coconut oil to her food. If I remember, it is about 1/4 tsp per pound of dog.  You can just add it to the food.  You can also rub a little on the bald areas.
Your Vet may want to rule out other causes or possible do some blood work to check thyroid.  
More hair may come in later on but this just may be genetic.