The Complete Guide To The Beautiful Long Haired Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a small, cute, but fierce dog, often taken into families as a lap dog. The characteristics of this dog are apparent and it is very recognizable to anyone.

However, not many people know that a long haired Chihuahua exists. This variation on the standard Chihuahua has a few other differences besides the obviously longer coat.

• The History Of The Long Haired Chihuahua
• What Does A Fluffy Chihuahua Look Like?
• Temperament – Fluffy And Feisty Dogs
• Taking Care Of A Fluffy Chihuahua
• Getting A Long Coat Chihuahua

Key Takeaways

• This Chihuahua only differentiates from the normal Chihuahua by the long coat.
• The long coat is inherited by a recessive gene.
• Two Chihuahuas with a long coat can only breed a puppy with a long coat.
• This dog will shed just as much as a standard Chihuahua.
• These dogs are affectionate and loyal, but very bossy and barky at times.
• Chihuahuas are long-living dogs with an average lifespan of 14-16 years.
• These dogs will require regular brushing to prevent matting.
• Buying these dogs will cost you around $500-$1500.

The History Of The Long Haired Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are ancient dogs that descend from the Techichi dogs, described by the Toltecs in the 9th century C.E. After some time, these dogs were adopted as a part of the Aztec culture where they were used in rituals. They believed that Chihuahuas were spirit guides who took dying souls through the underworld. 

Modern Chihuahua history begins in Chihuahua, Mexico, where these dogs were discovered and brought to America. These dogs were officially accepted by the AKC in 1904. The Longhaired Chihuahua has the same history as the Standard Chihuahua. However, some people suspect that it was bred with other small breeds like Pomeranians, Pekingese, or Yorkshire Terriers. They still have all the Chihuahua breed standards needed to be accepted.

Can Short-Haired Chihuahuas Produce A Long Haired Chihuahua?

Breeding two short-haired Chihuahuas can result in a Chihuahua puppy with long hair. This is because the gene for long hair is recessive and the two parents may carry it but it remains hidden. Once these two genes combine, the product is a Chihuahua with a long coat.

An additional thing to know is that two long-haired Chihuahuas can only produce Chihuahuas with long coats. These Chihuahuas with long hair are less common than short-haired Chihuahuas.

What Does A Fluffy Chihuahua Look Like?

These Chihuahuas have the same appearance as standard Chihuahuas with the difference being the length of their coats.

Chihuahuas have erect triangular ears, short muzzles, and round eyes. According to the head type, applehead chihuahua and deerhead chihuahua exist. They have proportional legs and tails.

Size

Chihuahuas are very small dogs. They can reach a height of 5-8 inches and a weight of not more than 6 pounds. Males are usually larger than females. There are also versions like the miniature Chihuahua that are much smaller.

Coat And Color

The coats of these dogs will be long and silky making them look fluffy. This is different compared to standard Chihuahuas that have medium or small dog coats that are smooth. 

The color of their coat can come in many varieties. It can be black, blue, chocolate, cream, fawn, red, white, and more. It may also have different patterns and markings like a black mask, sabling, brindling, or white and merle markings.

Temperament – Fluffy And Feisty Dogs

The long furred Chihuahua is as feisty as all standard Chihuahuas. These dogs are known for their intolerance and aggressive behavior toward strange people and pets. They can also get bossy at times.

That said, Chihuahuas are lap dogs and have a high affection for their owners. They are loyal dogs that form strong bonds with their owners. They are also very protective and can get barky at times. Leaving them alone for too long can lead to separation anxiety.

These dogs are very energetic and playful. They are also quite intelligent, but also quite stubborn and need a persistent owner.

Taking Care Of A Fluffy Chihuahua

Caring for this long-haired dog will cover the same things as caring for any dog. Proper diet, exercise, training, and grooming of the dog is always needed.

Lifespan And Health

Chihuahuas are long-living dogs. Their average life expectancy is around 14-16 years. They are generally healthy dogs, with a few inherited diseases.

• Patellar luxation – This is an inherited disease where the kneecap moves out of its place. Dogs with this illness will start suddenly skipping or running on three legs before getting back to normal. It is progressive and can eventually lead to arthritis.
• Epilepsy – This is a neurological disease manifested by recurring seizures. Before the seizure happens, the dog will be afraid and nervous. Then, it will fall to the side and start shaking. These dogs may leave odorless wet spots due to peeing during the seizure.
• Heart problems – Mitral valve disease is a common heart disease in Chihuahuas. It happens when the mitral valve loses its function and the heart starts working incorrectly. It can only be noticed by a heart murmur but eventually leads to congestive heart failure.

Nutrition

The long-haired smooth coat Chihuahua will need the same amount of food as the standard Chihuahua. On average, Chihuahuas need around half to a quarter of a cup of food daily. Giving too much food to this dog will eventually lead to obesity.

Chihuahuas should eat dog food meant for small dog breeds. It should come from a reliable dog food source and should be filled with protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. Use dog food that is low in grains and artificial ingredients. Including supplements like fish oil, chondroitin, and glucosamine, is also beneficial. 

Grooming

Long haired Chihuahua grooming will need more attention from their owners compared to standard Chihuahuas. Their long hair is more prone to tangling and matting, which requires more consistent brushing of the coat. Brushing should be done 2-3 times a week to keep it clean. These dogs might also get a trim from a groomer once in a while.

These dogs should be bathed once every month. You should regularly trim these dogs’ nails and clean their ears regularly. Their teeth need to be brushed regularly as Chihuahuas are prone to dental problems.

Exercise And Training

Chihuahuas are small but very energetic dogs and require to be exercised regularly. On average, a Chihuahua will need around 30 minutes of exercise every day. This should be split into more sessions during the day. You can take the dog for a walk, run, or play games with it at the dog park.

When it comes to training, Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs and can pick up on new commands easily. However, they can get very stubborn at times and need a persistent owner. Obedience training and positive reinforcement are important when training this dog.

Getting A Long Coat Chihuahua

If you like how this pup sounds and want to get one for yourself, you can buy it from a breeder or adopt it from a rescue shelter.

Where To Buy One

The average price for these Chihuahuas goes around $500-$1500. The size of the dog greatly affects the price. For example, Teacup Yorkies cost more than Standard Yorkies. So Teacup Chihuahuas and Toy Chihuahuas will also cost a bit more. The same goes for rare coated ones like the Merle Chihuahua. The price for these dogs will be higher if the parents of the pup are award-winning dogs.

Make sure you find a breeder that will give you all the needed information for your dog. They should let you visit the parents of the dog and see if there are any genetic diseases present in the family.

• Some Chihuahua breeders include the Terlingua Chihuahuas and Brislin Chihuahuas.

Where To Adopt One

Adopting a dog from a rescue shelter is a humane thing to do. These dogs will also cost you much less than if you are buying them from a breeder.

If you are getting a dog from a shelter, there isn’t too much of a choice. Sometimes, they may only have older dogs that need a home. Often, you will find some mixed Chihuahua breeds in the shelters. There are some interesting mixes like the half Lab half Chihuahua and others.

• Some Chihuahua rescue shelters include the Chihuahua Rescue & Transport (CRT) and the Texas Chihuahua Rescue (TXCR).

So What Did We Learn About The Long Haired Chihuahua?

Chihuahuas are popular dogs known for their small size and feisty attitude. Chihuahuas with a long coat are a variation of the standard Chihuahua that differentiate mainly by the length of their coat. These dogs can be bred by standard Chihuahuas due to the recessive gene responsible for their long coats.

Even though they have long coats, these dogs are as bossy and feisty as their standard-coated siblings. When it comes to their families, they are just as loyal and affectionate as any other Chihuahua. They are also very energetic and playful, leaving the owner with a responsibility to regularly exercise them. If you like how this little fluffy dog sounds, you can get it by buying it from a breeder or adopting it from a shelter.

FAQ

Do long haired Chihuahuas shed?

Yes, the long haired Chihuahuas will shed just as much as the standard Chihuahua. The good thing is that these dogs are not big, so brushing them regularly will not be much of a problem.

At what age does a long-haired Chihuahua hair grow?

These dogs will receive the full length of their coat once they reach the age of 12-24 months. At first, they will look like any other Chihuahua, but start differentiating once their coat grows larger.

Do Chihuahuas have small dog syndrome?

Yes, Chihuahuas are known to have this syndrome as they are very small dogs. This means that they will often act aggressively and barky toward larger dogs and misbehave with their owners.