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!
After the loss of my most precious Cocker/Lab mix, Sweet Pea, she sent me a darling male long haired Chi. Bruiser is 6 1/2 years old and about 10 lbs. He has the most beautiful coat of mixed browns and tans. Very thankful for him. He’s helped me get past my grieving over my Sweet Pea. She was my soulmate. Have fallen in love with Bruiser and he is such a blessing. If I would have had my pick, I would have picked him! Sweet Pea knew!
I love that story Linda and so glad you and Bruiser found each other.
Thank You Cathy! Bruiser was surely a gift from above! Such a good boy. Love your 2. They are dolls! Nothing like longhairs! God bless! Linda
I am glad their is good people out there for all the good info as I have one long hair and a dear head chi have had chi’s for the last 20 years and 2 rescues just love them to death
Amber and Zoey are cuties.
I have 2 Chihuahua’s and they are brothers from 2 different litters. One is a redish brown long hair. Where is brother is. black with a little brown. and short hair. And both mom and dad look like the short hair one. They have different personalities. The short hair is more shy and scared of strangers. And will run and hide. where his brother is more open and will stand and bark at someone. They act like typical brothers fight at times then will play together like their best friends.
Funny how they can all be so different and come from the same parents. Thanks for sharing their photo Cathy.
Hi. I was looking at some of these comments and wanted to tell you that my chi looks exactly like the one in the photo being brushed..he’s 9 1/2 and his name is Tidbit. Very loving excellent watch dog..his best buddy is my Russian blue cat name kitty same age .. Thankyou for all the information about chi’s you put out.
You are welcome Valda. I bet your chi and kitty are adorable together.
I love the name Tidbit. I’m going to add that to my names posts.
@Valda, same here, friends dog loves me more, I think she hates the fact and shows more love to her othe Chi, hes such a lovely damn dog with no behaviour, I was instumental with him from a pup, hes ferce protective of me when I vist, rolls up on my chest on the couch and no one or other chi & cat can get near
I have recently adopted 2 long hair Chi’s. Sisters, same oarents, different litters. One is larger than the other. Both are sweet, but they are possive. We are working on their social skills. As they were not very social when I got them. They have now met our cats, and famiky. And other dogs. And they are gradually coming along. I have to get the barking under controll, and then they will be perfect.
I’m so glad you are working with them Sharron. So many people just dump dogs if they aren’t perfect at the start.
I too have a a long haired Chi.He was a rescue how lucky for me. Someone told me he is a horse Chi. The thing that I find interesting about him he never barks and is a lazy, I have had him for two years. He is not interested in any toys. I wonder if it was scared out of him.
It could have been Cathy although some dogs just don’t have any interest in toys and there’s no obvious underlying reason.
I have never heard of a horse chi before.
I ve a long hair chi deer head and people always ask me if she’s a “Volpino “😩She’s really beautiful believe me even if she’s not a pedigrees since she’s a deer head. She’s blond beautiful and not toy at all.
I bet she is beautiful Ros!
My girl 2 yo (Apple head/long haired) is almost 5kg. Her parents and two sisters are all under 3kg. She’s slightly chubby but she’s tall and solid body as well. Why is this happened to her? And amount of hair she sheds (all seasons) is horrendous despite brushing her every day.
Chihuahua can be big and shed hair a lot – that’s what I didn’t know about them! (I thought I did a lots of research before I got her)
But she’s so gorgeous and damn cute. She’s my world.
Most don’t shed that much but I guess there are some exceptions.
The only thing I can think of is there may be a larger breed dog somewhere in the lineage and their genes popped up in your dog.
I have a longhair white and gold male chi who is 13 He loves everyone except very small children You’re right about the coat , his became full and beautiful around 2. You must require them to be obedient very early in your relationship and then the rest of your life together will be wonderful. I can let Rico off leash and know he will stay right by me. I love ❤️ my fur boy
Thanks for sharing your experience with your little Rico Jean!
We have a fawn and white long haired Chi. She is 9 years old and spoiled rotten. She is very close to my husband and I. She does not do well around little kids.
What’s her name Michelle?
I have a long haired chi. He is larger than most. 11 pounds. Brown, black and white. Looks like a pappion. He is so smart (knows all his toys by name, knows people by name). I am retired but work 2 times a week in a furniture store. Customers love him. He loves..children. Loves to play all day. He just turned a year and I don’t think I could live without him. I am truly blessed.
It sounds like you are definitely very blessed with your little boy Julie!
I have a long haired chi. Her name is Bella weighs in at 3and 1/2 pounds at age 3 black and white coat very loving can’t play with regular dog toys she has cat toys and loves to play fetch with her favorite mouse.Love her so very much she sleeps with my husband and I everynight.loves to snack on tiny baby carrots.
She sounds precious Angela! Thanks for sharing about her.
We have had two long haired chihuahuas over the past 20 years, both wonderful, loving dogs. We adopted Lola from the local pound ~9 months ago, an active long hair, maybe chiweenie, fearful of new situations and people but is learning to adapt and very attached to my husband and me. So here’s my question–why doesn’t she wag her tail? Is this normal? She shows her enthusiasm by dancing around, but the tail isn’t involved. I find this puzzling.
She may have some nerve damage that is keeping her from wagging her tail.
My long haired chi is so loving. She follows me everywhere and gives lots of kisses. She loves people and other animals. I socialized her quite a bit when she was young.
She’s very smart but also very stubborn. She doesn’t fetch. She likes to play, here’s my toy now chase me to get it.
She is one of the greatest joys of my life!
She sounds like a great little chi Annie!
Very helpful information. Thank you. Do you know of an rescue chihuahua site, can be a mixed chihuahua breed, BUT I want a tiny one.
We have a page that lists lots of rescues throughout the USA here: https://ilovemychi.com/chihuahua-rescues/
I adopted a Chihuahua in rural Guatemala. Gabby was 6 mo old and not in the best shape. She weighed 3.5 lbs. I’ve had her for a month now & she is looking much better. She has semi-long hair. Do you think her coat will improve and lengthen with better nutrition?
I can’t believe how smart she is. I began training her immediately & she picked up the English words and actions very quickly. She sticks to me when we go for walks around the area were I live. She doesn’t run off. When I say come, she usually comes unless there’s something really interesting to smell! She also does not bark incessantly which is very nice.
Gabby has the “Deer” head trait which I prefer to the dome head of US Chichis. I’d send a picture, but there’s no way to attach here.
Gracias,
Anne
I’m so glad Gabby has a safe home with you now Anne! Yes, her coat will most like improve in time with continued good nutrition.
I recently lost my Grettle Mae to mast cell cancer. She was only 7. I was told she was a pomapoo when I got her, but my vet thought she was a long haired chi. And when I took the time after she passed to look at pictures, I was looking at my Grettle. Although when she went to the rainbow Bridge I said I wouldn’t get another dog, I had a hole in my heart. Honestly, if my vet had told me Grettle was a chimp, that’s what I would have looked for! A couple of weeks ago I got a chi that is so cute and fluffy. Both of her parents were short haired, but she definely has long hair. She is so tiny and perfect. I have other dogs so I want to stay impartial, but I know she will be a little princess and spoiled by all. There really are no words to express how happy she had made me already.
Thank you for sharing your stories and knowledge about long haired chihuahuas. I feel like a first time chi owner since I didn’t know my perfect girl that passed was really a chi.
Grettle Mae and Emmie Loo’s Mom
I’m glad you got another chi baby though I’m sorry you lost Grettle. I love the name Emmie Lou. So cute!
I’m looking to adopt another long hair chi lost my baby boy to congestive heart failure about 6 weeks ago, he had it when I adopted him but wasn’t told, but I work for a vet and knew as soon as I got him. We kept him comfortable and happy for over 2 yes after I adopted him.
I’m so sorry you lost your little guy Stacey!
My Vet sends me a reminder when my dogs are due for their 6 month wellness check, but I only take mine once a year unless they are having problems. I have no problem getting their heartworm meds even though I only take them once a year. It’s only recommended.
Mine won’t renew the heartworm meds without a heartworm test so I’m stuck going every 6 months.
Thank you for writing this! I have a chihuahua/jack russell mix and I think he is a long-haired chihuahua now because he has puffy fur like a male long-haired chi.
You’re welcome Danielle.
My Bella (a 13-year old, long-haired Chihuahua) sees the vet for her Wellness Check-Up once a year. She is also tested for Heartworm once a year, although she gets a Heartworm injection twice a year. She receives an injection because she will not eat the Heartworm chew and I never found any way to disguise it in food. If your dogs are healthy, I think every six months is rather extreme.
I agree Marguerite, it does seem rather extreme.
I have the mist beautiful and loving long-haired Chihuahua mix (with Beagle and Yorker, per Embark) that I could’ve ever dreamed of. His color is like a chololate lab, with a powerful white band down his chest. He was a rescue, having been picked up from an inner-city street when he was about age 4. He’s 8 years old now. He only wants to be loved and to be near me. He was so good to me after I was hospitalized for 2 weeks; staying by my side. He knew something wasn’t right. I’ve always kept his hair short but when it starts to grow, it’s so fluffy. I’m going to try to grow it long and see what we get. 🙂
He sounds awesome Trish! I’d love to see what he looks like when you grow him out.
Why are chihuahuas nervous and shaking
Sometimes because their blood sugar is low, sometimes because they don’t have enough body fat to keep them warm and sometimes they are just anxious and nervous by nature. We have a post about it here: https://ilovemychi.com/why-do-chihuahuas-shiver/
I have a red and cream long hair chi and pomeranian mix,he has a lot of the chi personality traits.He is the most lovable dog I’ve ever had.
I bet he’s beautiful with his coloring.
I recently lost my chihuahua about 4 months ago and thinking of getting another . Debating about long or short hair and potty training. It seems with my last one she still would have accidents.
Yeah potty training seems to be the biggest issue with chihuahuas (and many small dogs in general).
When my father was about to pass he gave me his just weaned white long hair chi, her name was Kita, she lived 18 human years! She was the best little girl I never knew I wanted. Great temperament, loving nature. Her ears for some reason never stood up, giving her a perpetual puppy look, this little girl was well loved and now greatly missed.
Awww, she sounds like a sweetheart. And she was extra special since she had belonged to your dad.
I am conversing with someone on FB who claims to be a long hair chihuahua breeder and says she’ll take 300.00 for a 10 week old pup…..but when I asked what brand of food the pups were fed and how often, she said,”Peanut butter, eggs, she isn’t particular. Am I crazy, or does this smell to high heaven like a scam? Was thinkin’ about it, but I have a knot in my gut. I’ve owned one before and that kind of diet sounds insane.
Yeah it does sound like a scam. We have a post that may give you some guidance on buying a dog online here: https://ilovemychi.com/buy-dog-without-getting-scammed/
I just rescueing an abandoned 4 yr old long hair chi. She is being checked out with the person who trying to care for her. I get her in 2 days. Always had a lab and still do. Give any hints! Will she get along with a spoiled lab? Shauna
They may get a long but it probably won’t happen immediately. I have a post that should help you:
https://ilovemychi.com/how-to-introduce-a-new-pet-to-your-chihuahua/
Hello there! Have some few question my Aaliyah is not that flappier compare to other long coat chis. Is it because her mom is short coat and the dad is a long coat chi? Cause im expecting to be flappy but it seems she’s not that flappy as i expected.
Hi Samuel, can you clarify what you mean by flappy?
My female lhbc, is coughing and gagging hacking alot
I’d get her checked by a vet. There’s some illnesses going around in the doggy world and some are pretty serious.