The long-haired Chihuahua is the ideal loyal pocket dog. This tiny, fluffy pal comes from ancient times, and many famous people adore it. If you also want one of these compact doggos, read on.
While this silky pal may be small and seemingly fragile, it has a massive personality. This dog needs lots of attention, especially from the person it falls in love with. Before adopting one, you should learn more about the breed, and we’ve done the research for you:
- What Is the Long-Haired Chihuahua?
- Differences Between Long-Haired and Short-Haired Chihuahuas
- Looks May Be Deceiving
- Chihuahua Temperament
- Caring for Your Long-haired Friend
- Do They Have Any Health Issues?
What Is the Long-Haired Chihuahua?
The fluffy Chihuahua, one of the world’s tiniest doggos, comes from the largest state in Mexico, Chihuahua, hence the name. It became popular during the end of the 19th century.
Many know this pup as a “purse dog.” You’d recognize the breed by its apple or “deer head,” upright ears, short snout, and beautiful glowing eyes. It usually weighs between 2–6 pounds and is 6–9 inches tall.
The Chihuahua quickly became popular across entire America. Many celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, owned this tiny compact dog. Today, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Madonna, and Demi Moore have also chosen this furry baby as their pet.
Differences Between Long-Haired and Short-Haired Chihuahuas
Let’s quickly look at the battle of long-haired vs short-haired Chihuahua. If you’re thinking of getting this breed, you should know the differences between the two. Besides appearance, some other characteristics make these furry pals unique. So, let’s look at the breed standards for each type.
Long-Haired:
- Wavy or straight coat, sometimes fluffy
- Ruff around the neck
- Soft coat
- Good to have an undercoat
- Strong fur from the head to the end of the tail
Short-Haired:
- Short coat, closely attached to the body
- Good to have excess hair on the tail
- Coarse coat
- Shiny hair
- Good to have a ruff around the neck
Many people think that long-haired Chihuahuas shed more than short-haired ones. But they actually shed less and are softer to the touch.
Whether you have a long-haired Chihuahua or a short-haired one, you still need to do regular grooming. The difference is that a short-haired Chihuahua is way easier to maintain. Unlike the long-haired type, it doesn’t have tangling and matting issues and doesn’t get too dirty after walks.
Both Chihuahua types need weather protection clothes. Although the long-haired has fur, it’s not dense, so you’d need to invest in some outfits. The short-haired type needs extra protection even in the sun since its skin is more exposed. This dog doesn’t deal well with hot weather.
So, if you’re not a fan of cleaning dried grass seeds and prickles from your baby’s fur, go for a short-haired Chihuahua. If it doesn’t make any difference, both types are the same breed and make perfect furry friends.
Looks May Be Deceiving
The long-haired teacup Chihuahua grows fast during the first weeks and reaches its full weight and height when it’s nine months old. If it gets fatter after the ninth month, that may be due to weight gain issues as it won’t grow anymore.
The Long Hair Can Come Later
Did you know that all Chihuahuas look the same when they’re born? The long-haired type doesn’t get its extra fur immediately. Instead, it appears a few months later, and it can take up to two years for the full coat to grow.
Coat Colors
A Chihuahua with long hair is usually bi or tri-colored. The rarest color is pure white, and the most frequent ones are black, fawn, cream, red, and brown. You can also find tan or blue Chihuahuas.
Chihuahua Temperament
When adopting a Chihuahua, many dog lovers believe that this tiny sweetheart is a pet you’d only carry around and cuddle. But the reality is slightly different. Chihuahuas may be small, but their personality is big. Still, they’re excellent pets for first-time owners if you know more about their temperament. So, let’s look into the details.
Lively and Curious
Chihuahuas are lively dogs that are constantly alert. They have a curious nature and want to explore everything around them. Although they’re small, they’re quite energetic and need physical activity. Also, if the owner understands them, they’re highly adaptable.
Protective in Nature
Whether you have a small long-haired Chihuahua or a short-haired one, you’ll notice the same personality. All Chihuahuas have one thing in common — they create a strong relationship with their owner. Also, they’re very watchful and protective around strangers.
Chihuahuas are small, and the world around them is huge, so it’s only natural that they’ve developed a defense mechanism: aggression towards people or animals that threaten them.
Not the Best with Kids
We don’t recommend getting a teacup Chihuahua if you have small children who like rough play. This tiny pal has a short temper and can easily start barking aggressively or even bite your kids.
Chihuahuas and children can get along, but only if you have enough time and energy to provide a safe environment and appropriate training and socialization.
The Center of Attention
Since a long hair Chi connects strongly with its owner, it doesn’t like spending time alone. If you leave it for a longer time, it may become destructive. So, set aside enough time for your tiny furry friend.
Chihuahuas Prefer Other Chihuahuas
Although adorable and adaptable, Chihuahuas don’t like hanging out with most pets. But they get along fine with other Chihuahuas.
Early socialization can help your Chihuahua be friendly with other pets. But keep in mind that this tiny pal is very jealous, so it needs extra attention if you adopt another pet.
Caring for Your Long-Haired Friend
Like any other dog, a small long-haired Chihuahua still needs special care. Since it has a long coat, you need to provide regular grooming. You should also set aside time for:
- Dental care
- Regular exercise
- Good nutrition
- Training
- Regular vet checkups
Let’s learn more about how to care for your loving furry friend.
Grooming Is a Must
If you own a Chihuahua with long hair, you’d need to comb it and brush it regularly to avoid messy hair. That’s good for your pup because it’ll maintain its coat shiny and soft.
To make the grooming easier, consider this grooming kit for small dogs on Amazon. You may need to wash your furry pal often since its long hair picks up dirt.
Dental Care Keeps Your Pup Healthy
The long-coat Chihuahua is prone to dental issues such as periodontal disease. So, it’s best to invest in a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. You should never use a human dental kit for your pet.
Try to make teeth brushing a daily activity, so it becomes a habit. Also, remember to hold your Chihuahua tightly because it’ll try to run away. After you’re done brushing the teeth, you can reward your dog for being a good boy with chews that help with oral health issues.
Diet Planning and Exercising
Chihuahuas have high metabolisms, so they need to eat more often. Ideally, you should feed your hairy Chihuahua 3–4 times per day but with smaller meals to avoid obesity.
To maintain a good weight and overall health, look for dog food that contains:
- Animal protein
- 15%–22% average fat content
- Digestible carbs like low-starch vegetables or whole grains
- No artificial additives (preservatives, dyes, and flavorings)
- Limited synthetic additions
But a proper diet isn’t all a Chihuahua needs. You’d also have to invest some time in fun indoor exercises for dogs, such as playing hide and seek and walks for at least half an hour per day. Also, make sure to use a harness instead of a collar to avoid choking.
They Need Training
The long-haired Chihuahua temperament is curious and intelligent but also stubborn. Your home will be a mess if you don’t provide proper training and set some boundaries. Decide the rules for your four-legged friend and work on them during training.
Chihuahuas’ playful nature can benefit from a clicker in training. When they do something good, you can use verbal praise, food, or treats as a reward. And when it comes to hitting the road, a ramp for assisting your dog into the car can be helpful for such a small breed.
Do They Have Any Health Issues?
Like any other dog, a Chihuahua is prone to some diseases. So, before adopting one, you need to know what type of health issues to expect. Here are the most common ones:
- Patellar luxation
- Eye issues — entropion, dry eye, and lens luxation
- Dental issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Hydrocephalus
- Tracheal collapse
- Dystocia
- Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia
- Cryptorchidism
Your Chihuahua can have a happy life with proper care and regular vet checkups. The long-haired Chihuahua lifespan is pretty long — 15–20 years.
Wrap Up
If you need a pet that will pick one person as their favorite, this breed is for you. It may be tiny, but its amiable big eyes will melt your heart. Just keep in mind that it may bark a lot.
Ensure you have enough time for your new furry baby. A long-haired Chihuahua doesn’t shed much, so it easily ranks among the best pups for indoor living, but it still needs care. You should choose a proper diet and provide good grooming and dental care for your fluffy pal. Adopting a dog is a massive responsibility, but you’ll be rewarded with lots of love and loyalty.