Molera? (Chi question)

[Laurelin]

Okay so I was just reading and the reading said 80-90% of chihuahuas have a molera. Curiosity got the best of me. Is that true (the numbers)? How big is it? Does it feel like a baby's soft spot? I have never noticed it when petting any of my friends' chis.

Sorry, I'm intrigued. I thought I would ask.

[~Jessie~]

That number sounds pretty accurate, if you're talking about chihuahuas correct to the breed standard.

Generally, it's something you find with chihuahuas with apple domed skulls. The "deer heads" typically don't have a molera.

Rylie is almost 5 years old, and still has one about the size of a nickel. It feels... strange... yes, like a baby's soft spot. You can feel the edges of the skull, and the molera feels sort of fleshy.

Tucker had a big one as a puppy, but as he's gotten older it has closed up a good bit... it's about the size of a pencil eraser now.

Emma has a pretty big one as well, between a dime and a nickel sized.



I know that touching their moleras kind of freaks Ian out... and my mom was afraid of accidentally bumping her hand against Rylie's head when she was a puppy.

To be honest, I don't even think about their moleras anymore because I'm just used to it. lol.

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by ~Jessie~

I know that touching their moleras kind of freaks Ian out... and my mom was afraid of accidentally bumping her hand against Rylie's head when she was a puppy.

I am exactly the same way as Ian is with human babies. I am terrified of hurting their brains (as silly as that is).

Is it common in any other breeds? Do you have to take any extra precautions with it?

[~Jessie~]

I'm pretty sure they're the only breed having a molera.

I just try to make sure they don't hit their heads, and if children want to pet them I will generally warn them not to pet their heads. Mine are pretty rough and tumble with each other (and with Rory) and we haven't had any issues. *knock on wood*

Like I said, I don't even think about their moleras. It's so normal now after having chis for so long.

Many Chihuahuas are born with an opening (or soft spot) at the top of their skull. This opening is known as the Chihuahua Molera (or fontanel). While this is very similar to a human baby's soft spot, it is unlikely most Chihuahuas will outgrow it.

The Chihuahua's molera (or fontanel) is considered a breed characteristic and not a defect. Unfortunately some veterinarians not familiar with the Chihuahua Breed may diagnose the molera incorrectly as Hydrocephalus (water on the brain).

The molera usually shrinks as the dog matures and ends up between nickel- and dime-sized. In rare cases, it can remain quite large and can be a sign of Hydrocephalus; but, Hydrocephalus has several other signs besides a larger than usual molera.

Daddy's Kennel- The Chihuahua Molera

[CaliTerp07]

Why is it acceptable in the breed? Isn't it dangerous to have that permanently there?

[~Jessie~]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Why is it acceptable in the breed? Isn't it dangerous to have that permanently there?

No, it's not dangerous at all.

CCA-Molera Statement

Historically, the Chihuahua developed in Mexico and the United States has displayed a "soft spot" on the top of the head. In the Chihuahua this spot, or fontanel, is known as a MOLERA; and is the same as that found in human babies. In the past, this molera was accepted as a mark of purity in the breed, and it is still mentioned in most Chihuahua breed standards the world over.

It is important to note that while many Chihuahua puppies are born without the molera, there are probably just as many born with one and its presence is nothing to become alarmed over.

Unfortunately, many lay people and some veterinarians not familiar with the Chihuahua have tried to link the mere presence of a molera with the condition known as hydrocephalus. This has caused many new-comers to the breed serious concern and undue worry. The truth is that a domed head with a molera present does not predispose the Chihuahua to this condition. Along with the observations of devoted breeders over the years, there is adequate medical evidence to support this statement.

In "Diseases of the Brain" 1989, Green & Braund stated that many clinically normal toy breeds may have open fontanels without associated hydrocephalus.

Drs. Walker and Rivers, Veterinarians at the University of Minnesota concluded that there did not appear to be any relationship between the presence or size of a fontanel and the condition of hydrocephalus.
Dr. Alexander de Lahunta of Cornell University in New York, one of the top neurologists in this country, stated that it would be wrong to conclude that any opening is abnormal.

While it would be impossible to list all the medical documentation here on this page, these few included here are perfectly clear; the presence of a molera does not mean the Chihuahua has a medical problem.

The Chihuahua is a little dog! They belong in the house, at their owner's side, receiving all the love they deserve to receive. With or without a molera, the healthy Chihuahua that is loved and given proper veterinary care will live well into its teens as an irresistible member of the family.

[Laurelin]

Thanks for the info, Jessie! I just read about this a few weeks ago. I keep coming across the CCA's statement but not much more.

Some go away as they grow, right? Is there any way to tell as a puppy if the molera will stay or if they will outgrow it?

[~Jessie~]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

Thanks for the info, Jessie! I just read about this a few weeks ago. I keep coming across the CCA's statement but not much more.

Some go away as they grow, right? Is there any way to tell as a puppy if the molera will stay or if they will outgrow it?

No problem

Yep, some can go away completely... others will close up a little as they age.

I don't think there is a way to tell if they'll close as adults. Tucker's was huge as a puppy, and now it's really, really small. I think it's just luck of the draw, to be honest. lol.

[Pam111]

I never knew about this

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by ~Jessie~

No problem

Yep, some can go away completely... others will close up a little as they age.

I don't think there is a way to tell if they'll close as adults. Tucker's was huge as a puppy, and now it's really, really small. I think it's just luck of the draw, to be honest. lol.

Interesting! thanks again! I think I've asked everything I wanted to know.

I just checked and Braxton (my next door neighbor/friend's chi and mia's play buddy) doesn't have a molera.