Is there anything cuter than a tiny long-haired Chihuahua? You’re looking to add a furry friend to your family, but you only want a small addition, so you’re contemplating a Chihuahua. You might be wondering if there are different kinds of Chihuahua.
You might even have made your choice and just need a little more long-haired Chihuahua information because you can’t decide between the short hair Chihuahua or the long hair. Whatever the reason you’ve arrived at the best place because we’re going to give you all the long hair Chihuahua facts you’ll want to know about this fascinating tiny dog.
Everything You Need To Know About The Long-Haired Chihuahua:
1. Long-Haired Chihuahua Characteristics
Long-haired Chihuahuas will have the same characteristics as regular Chihuahuas, but they have a lot more fluffier and longer fur than a short hair.
Chihuahuas are renowned for being the smallest dog breed on the planet. So how big do long-haired chihuahuas get? A full-grown long-haired Chihuahua will grow between 5 and 8 inches and will typically not weigh more than 6 pounds. There’s no difference in size between a long-haired male or a female long-haired Chihuahua. Both short and long-haired Chihuahuas have a life expectancy between 14 and 16 years; many Chihuahuas have lived into their late teens, though.
Genetics have blessed long-haired male Chihuahuas with much thicker and fluffier coats than females. There are cases where a female ends up with a thicker coat, but typically that’s not going to happen. So if you particularly love the look of a Chi with long hair, it might be wise to choose a male puppy. You can’t make your choice based on their puppy coats because the long hair doesn’t grow out until they are older; in fact, in some cases, it can take almost two years before a long-haired Chihuahua gets his entire coat.
A Longhair Chihuahua will grow their hair long over the entire body. But it’s more abundant on the necks, chest, legs, and tails. The ears are also very distinctive because it appears as though the hair grows sideways and then falls down the side of the head; it makes a Chihuahua look exceptionally cool.
2. Long-Haired Chihuahua Size And Look
The first thing to appreciate is the long hair Chihuahua is not a separate breed from the short hair variety of Chihuahua. The only thing that separates them is the length and appearance of their respective coats. It will mean the grooming and care needs will take longer and be slightly different from a short hair Chihuahua. But as far as personality, weight, and size go, they are all the same.
Tiny long-haired Chihuahuas are tremendously popular dogs; size is undoubtedly no detriment to how much people love these dogs. It’s easy to see why many people falsely believe there are two distinct Chihuahua breeds because the long hair on the Chihuahua makes them look quite different from each other.
3. Long-Haired Chihuahua Coat Colors
Chihuahuas come in such a diverse number of coat colors and combinations. You could stand ten long-haired Chihuahuas side by side, and they would all have different coat colorings. Several colors dominate, though, and they are chocolate, fawn, cream, white and black. Markings are also abundant in the Chihuahua, so there could be combinations of all those colors.
4. Apple Head And Deer Head Long-Haired Chihuahuas
Earlier, we said there are only two breed types long coat and short coat Chihuahuas. However, there are the deer head Chihuahuas and apple head Chihuahuas. You can get a long-haired deer head and a long-haired apple head Chihuahua. So what’s the difference, and why are they categorized this way? The main difference is the shape of the dog’s head, but there are some other fundamental differences such as the dog’s size and genetic breathing difficulties.
Apple Head Long-haired Chihuahua
This Chihuahua has a head that’s rounded like a dome or the shape of an apple. Their muzzle is very short and meets the head at 90-degrees. Protruding eyes that appear more significant than average and small jaw. They also possess a molera, the soft spot on top of the head, similar to human babies when born. As with humans, the molera will close, usually within a few months; however, some never close fully.
These dogs conform to the AKC standard and are the dog you’ll see in the show ring. Apple head Chihuahuas are smaller and can develop more health issues than deer head. The way the muzzle meets the head can create breathing difficulties and some respiratory problems. The AKC doesn’t classify the apple head Chihuahua as the breed standard; however, the description of the dog they want to see conforms to the apple head rather than the deer head.
Deer Head Long-haired Chihuahua
Immediately noticeable is the different-shaped head. The deer head Chihuahuas have a longer muzzle and narrower head; the muzzle doesn’t reach the head at 90-degrees; there’s more a defined slope with a longer jawline. The eyes are not as large or protruding, but the ears are generally more oversized. It’s unusual for deer head Chihuahuas to have a molera.
A deer head is bigger than an apple head and grows a good four inches taller and almost twice the weight. The AKC will not allow deer head Chihuahuas to show but providing they are purebred, the AKC will enable them to be registered. The deer head and apple head Chihuahua can be short or long-haired and have the same colors and markings as each other; there’s no difference in personalities.
5. Long-Haired Chihuahua Temperament
If you want three words to describe a Chihuahua, they would be stubborn, intelligent, and confident. Whether they are short-haired or long-haired Chihuahuas, it doesn’t matter; they all have the same personality traits. While some individual dogs can vary depending on breeding and how they have been brought up, the underlying personalities are very similar.
Chihuahuas are energetic and demonstrative little dogs; they love to entertain with their comical little antics; you’ll often find them underneath cushions or blankets on your couch. If a Chihuahua were a human, I think you would describe him as eccentric and a little bit wacky.
It’s okay to generalize like this when talking about a dog breed as a whole, but individual dogs still have their own identity. If you say Chihuahuas are lively, you’ll find an owner that tells you the opposite. So how can you know what personality your Chihuahua puppy might have?
A lot of who a Chihuahua puppy will be is down to parents and grandparents’ temperaments. It’s vital to investigate the breeders and the lines he has been producing over the years. If you start with the wrong character, it’s virtually impossible to change the dog.
That’s not to say socialization isn’t essential because it’s a crucial element in the upbringing of any puppy; however good the genetic lines are. Suppose you research the breeder and are satisfied you’ll get a puppy with a regular personality. In that case, it’s down to how you bring them up from there that will be the determining factor in their overall temperament.
I think it’s fair to say unless you have been the owner of a Chihuahua, the consensus is they are not very pleasant dogs. It’s an unhappy truth that breeders are more interested in money than breeding quality lines of well-adjusted dogs.
Another huge problem is the owners themselves. Many people don’t treat their Chihuahua like dogs; he’s more like a baby and gets carried everywhere he goes. Or they simply ignore any kind of training or socializing and continually excuse the dog when he misbehaves. Is this the dog’s fault? No, it isn’t, but the dog gets the blame.
6. Long-Haired Chihuahua Grooming
You will need to be more proactive when taking care of a long-haired Chihuahua; their coats need some maintenance to keep them looking at their best. What you should expect. Chihuahuas shed their coats all year round and more when the seasons change. So prepare to get the vacuum out regularly, especially if you don’t appreciate their fur over your couch or armchairs.
There’s extra work needed with a Long-haired Chihuahua to keep their coats free from mats and tangles. You would be better brushing and combing their coats two or three times each week. Pay particular attention to where their fur is thickest; the ears, neck, legs, tails, and chest areas.
Chihuahuas have erect ears, but they can still attract dirt and debris and need cleaning once a week. Use a doggy ear solution to clean inside the ear canal and to break up any wax build-ups. Check and clean your Chihuahua’s teeth regularly as well.
7. How Much Does A Long-Haired Chihuahua Cost?
There isn’t a price list when it comes to puppies. It all comes down to what a breeder wants to charge you for their puppies. You could pay as little as $300 and as much as $1500 it depends.
Some breeders can charge good money because they are diligent and ensure their puppies are well-bred and parents and grandparents have had all the necessary health checks. They keep the babies in their home and socialize them with other animals and family. They give the puppy the prerequisite vaccinations, microchip, and insure them.
My only advice is not to think the price is the primary factor when purchasing a puppy; it’s the tip of the iceberg. Your ongoing costs will far exceed the initial purchase price, and an unhealthy puppy from a bad breeder will cost a fortune in vet-related health bills.
Long-Haired Chihuahua Summary
Every puppy has its personality, and Long-haired Chihuahuas are no different. They are a fantastic dog for your family if you remember the points discussed in this article. Correct socialization, obedience training, and firm but exceptionally kind handling will give you an outstanding furry family member.
