11 Important Facts About Long Haired Chihuahuas

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Long haired chihuahuas have all the spunk and energy of short-haired chihuahuas – and they come with extra fluff! In this post, I’ll share 11 facts you should know about this shaggy little dog.

Many people wonder how long-haired chihuahuas differ from other chihuahuas (besides the coat length, obviously).

It turns out that they are similar in many ways, but long haired chihuahuas have several interesting characteristics that separate them from the rest of the pack.

The long-haired chihuahua is actually considered an ancient dog breed. They are known for their enormous hearts and are very loyal to those they love.

Despite being one of the smallest dogs in the world, they are an energetic and spunky dog breed that can take care of themselves and their owners.

Long Haired Chihuahuas Get Cold Easily

Don’t be fooled by what looks like a cozy coat of fur! These fluffy chihuahuas, like all chihuahuas, do not tolerate cold weather well.

They originated in a hot climate, after all. Long haired chihuahuas, being very small, lose body heat more easily than bigger pets. If you own one make sure to keep her warm, especially if you live in a cold area.

Many dog owners like to dress up their pups in cute sweaters. Chihuahuas also tend to enjoy blankets and will burrow underneath them.

Don’t keep your long coat chihuahua outside for too long on a cold day, and watch her closely to make sure she isn’t shivering. Even though she has more hair than her short hair counterpart, she can be just as sensitive to the cold.

How Do Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather?

Though chihuahuas do not do well in the cold, that doesn’t mean they are fine in the summer sun.

They also tend to struggle in hot weather. It is important to make sure these dogs are in a comfortable, warm environment as much as possible. Excessive panting can be a sign that they are getting overheated.

Male Long Haired Chihuahuas Are Fluffier!

Due to genetic factors, boy chis tend to be blessed with more luxurious coats than girl chihuahuas.

There might be some female chihuahuas out there with a longer coat than some males. However, on average, the males have longer, fluffier hair.

The Long Hair Gene Is Recessive

This means a couple of different things. One is that two short-hair chihuahuas can actually have long hair chihuahua puppies.

For that to happen, both short haired parents must be carriers of the gene for long hair.

Both short hair and long hair puppies can be born in the same litter.

Because long hair is a recessive trait, long haired chihuahuas are less common than short haired chihuahuas.

However, if chihuahuas with long hair were to have a boom in popularity, breeders might respond by producing more long haired puppies, which are much more likely if both of the chihuahua parents have long fur.

Long Haired Chihuahua Puppies Don’t Always Have Very Long Hair

The fur can take a really long time to grow!

Some don’t grow their full coats until they are almost two years old. Others have a full-fledged coat of fur at a younger age.

Long And Short Hair Chihuahuas Share The Same Temperament

Both types of chihuahua belong to the same breed and have most of the same general characteristics.

Long haired chihuahuas simply have a genetic variation that gives them longer, fluffier fur.

A common misconception is that long-haired chihuahuas have a difference in personality. This is not true at all! They generally have the same range of personality types as ones with shorter hair.

Of course, every dog has its own personality. This is shaped by the individual dog’s life experiences and genetics.

The personalities of the chihuahua’s parents can play a role, and so can socialization as a puppy. It has nothing to do with the length of the dog’s fur.

Grooming Shaggy Haired Chihuahuas

Brushing out the long coat chihuahuas have removes dirt that builds up in their fur, and it prevents tangles and matting.

These are problems that the owners of short haired chihuahuas don’t have to worry about so much, but a long haired chihuahua dog owner must be conscious of them!

A lot of people forget about brushing the dog’s tail. However, it is especially important to brush the tail because the long tendrils of tail hair can easily pick up dirt and dust particles.

The owners of a fluffy chihuahua should inspect and brush their dog’s tail a few times a week.

Your long hair chi may need to be bathed more often than a short hair chi. Being low to the ground, he may pick up mud or other debris. Or he may get poop or pee stuck in his hair. Ugh!

If you fail to brush your long hair chihuahua, you will find that its hair can become matted very quickly.

When brushing, try using a metal slicker brush or comb that will easily go through their long hair with no problem.

This dog breed may also shed their hair in clumps instead of shedding individual hairs. The bright side? It makes it that much easier to clean up after they shed since it is all clumped together.

Finally, you do not need to bathe your small dog a lot because doing so can easily dry out their skin.

So, unless they really need a bath because they are dirty, it should be avoided. If you must bathe them, avoid getting any water in their ears.

How Long Do Long Haired Chihuahuas Live

The average lifespan for the long-haired chihuahua is approximately 15 to 20 years.

Breeder, Cost, and Size Facts

Backyard breeders, also known as puppy mills, are said to be responsible for this breed of dog. The chihuahua puppy has been extremely popular in the past for its popularity as well as fashion status.

Backyard breeders are those known for breeding a chihuahua puppy for profit rather than pedigree. This ultimately means that health and adherence to any breed standards are also thrown out the window when we see this kind of chihuahua breeder.

A purebred long-haired chihuahua can cost as much as $1,500. They are usually fully grown by 18 months of age. The puppies can grow to be around 7 inches in height and approximately 4 pounds in weight.

The long hair chihuahua puppies also come in different sizes, so they might not always conform to the growth outlines we have mentioned – as long as they match the breed standard.

Are Chihuahuas Good With Children?

Chihuahuas can be gentle and loving pets and are fiercely protective of their owners. However, when it comes to other animals, they prefer their own breed.

This is why socialization at a young age is recommended. It helps them get along with other pets and children in the home.

Common Health Problems In Long Haired Chihuahuas

One of the biggest health concerns for the chihuahua breed is known as Patellar Luxation.

This condition greatly impacts their ability to move their knee joints correctly, and it can ultimately lead to the development of osteoarthritis.

Luxating patella is a common condition in dogs, especially those who fall into the category of small and miniature toy dog breeds. You can usually see signs of this condition between 4 and 6 months of age.

A luxating patella can be treated with medication or in some cases surgery, depending on its severity.

They can also develop other serious health conditions, including pulmonic stenosis, hydrocephalus, a heart murmur, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

At the end of the day, long and short haired chihuahuas are two different versions of the same breed of dog. As such, they share many of the same characteristics.

Despite the similarities, long-haired chihuahuas have their own set of interesting features and challenges that a dog owner and enthusiast should be aware of.

Are you a small breed dog lover? We would love to hear about it!
For more interesting facts about the breed, check out these chihuahua facts!