Long haired chihuahua |Here’s everything you need to know

A long haired chihuahua is one of the cutest dog breeds in history. Chihuahuas are arguably the world’s tiniest dogs. Though both long and short-haired chihuahuas are of the same breed, a long-haired chihuahua has longer fur and a fluffier appearance.

At some point in our lives, we all want a cute furball to cuddle. A long haired chihuahua dog could be the answer to these prayers. It could be the perfect companion; your very own fur baby.

And if you are confused about all the different chihuahuas you have been introduced to, in this post you will find everything you need if you’re interested in getting a long-haired chihuahua, as well as some health conditions you need to watch out for and how to take care of them.

What Is A Long Haired Chihuahua?

A long haired Chihuahua is a petite-sized dog with long hair, a huge heart, and a reputation for being particularly devoted to its owners. It is an ancient canine breed.

In fact, the entire chihuahua breed is renowned as the world’s tiniest dog breed! Their size and cute features have made them quite famous and one of the most sought-after dogs on the market.

They are the world’s tiniest dogs, weighing about 3–6 pounds and having a lifespan of 15-20 years. They are also one of the lowest-maintenance canine breeds.

These long-haired chihuahuas are similar in size and look to their shorter-haired counterparts, with certain exceptions to the volume of hair and thick fur around their body parts.

However, their coats take up to 2 years to grow out to their full capacity. In which case, you might need the counsel of a breeder to correctly identify if your chihuahua is long-haired or short.

Apart from these, you can hardly tell a long haired chihuahua apart from others. Although the other qualities of a long-haired Chihuahua, such as temperament, health issues, and size, are all the same as those of a short-haired Chihuahua. You see their tiny cut bodies and they are all you can think about.

Let’s see some features that can identify a long-haired chihuahua.

Characteristics And Features Of A Long Haired Chihuahua

There are a few characteristics that distinguish the long haired chihuahua from other typical chihuahuas. These features include its thick manes and long fur around the ears and tail. Their ears are broad and pointy, and they have short noses with bright eyes. Their tails and legs are commensurate with their body size.

For some, their coats may be straight and others curly. And some might have undercoats, while others may not.

The long haired chihuahua also has some fur feathering on the belly. Their ear form, various nose hues, topline, dimensions, and motion are all factors to consider.

Size

Chihuahuas are naturally small-sized dogs. It is embedded in their genetic makeup, though sometimes they vary. A long-haired chihuahua at maturity can only grow up to 5-9 inches high on average.

Weight

Long-haired chihuahuas have a little more muscular build than their size can tell and are mostly lean. Generally, a full-grown long haired chihuahua should weigh about 3-6 pounds.

Color

The colors of a long-haired chihuahua coat could vary, ranging from black, brown, tan, and white. They could be single-colored, spotted, or have some unique, speckled designs.

Head Shape

Long-haired Chihuahuas and short-haired Chihuahuas can have one of two head shapes referred to as deer-shaped or apple-shaped heads. The AKC, on the other hand, only recognizes the apple-shaped head as meeting the breed standard. When the dog’s snout and forehead meet at a 90-degree angle, the apple head form resembles an L.

Life Expectancy

The typical lifespan of a long-haired Chihuahua is 14 to 16 years. However, several Chihuahuas have been known to live up to 20 years.

This dog breed is likely the longest-living in the canine world when given a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet, adequate exercise, and caring family life.

Chihuahuas are generally healthy dogs with a long lifetime. Fortunately, the same may be said for long-haired Chihuahuas. In fact, some long-haired chihuahuas live to be over 15 to 20 years old!

Diseases And Health Problems

It’s vital to remember that long-haired Chihuahuas aren’t the only ones who have health problems.

Long-haired Chihuahuas have the same health and lifespan as conventional Chihuahuas. Their long coats, for the most part, have no negative impact on their health.

A heart murmur is a health problem that is commonly identified in small dog breeds like Chihuahuas. The main cause of this problem is the thickening of the mitral valve. Furthermore, the most prevalent indicator of cardiac murmurs is turbulent heart sounds. Other health disorders can induce heart murmurs, so treatment is dependent on the underlying cause.
Bladder Stones: The bladder of a long-haired Chihuahua with bladder stones contains rock-like materials. This disorder has been linked to a bad diet. A burst bladder is a worst-case situation for a dog with bladder stones.
Luxating Patella: One of the most common health problems in Chihuahuas is luxating patella. The misalignment of the kneecap is the problem. The most common cause of luxating patella is hereditary. This health problem unfortunately requires surgery.
Tracheal Collapse: Another life-altering condition in Chihuahuas is tracheal collapse, which is commonly found in small dog breeds. Breathing difficulties, vomiting, and wheezing are the most common signs of tracheal collapse. Antibiotics, cough medicine, sedatives, and steroids are all used to treat this illness.

Check out another health condition dogs can suffer from : Dog Skin Cancer: Types, Symptoms, And Treatment

Food And Diet Requirements

Three or four small meals each day would be perfect for a long-haired chihuahua, rather than one big meal. They don’t have special feeding patterns from other chihuahuas.

Do not give your chihuahua food with high salt content. This can make your dog sick and dehydrate him. There are certain foods designated for your type of dog. Stick to them. It is also advisable not to exceed a daily calorie limit of 200. It is important to pay close attention to your pet’s food and nutritional needs as this has a lot to do with their growth and life span.

How much does a long haired chihuahua cost

To purchase a long haired chihuahua puppy can cost you quite an arm!

However, depending on the breeder, the cost of a long-haired chihuahua can range between $500 and $1200 on average. The reason for this distinct variation in prices springs from the special nature of this dog, whose litter size is often tiny. Some unusual colors of chihuahuas will cost you more than most. The parent dogs and their health also play a role in determining the price of a long-haired chihuahua.

Needless to say, the health of the long-haired chihuahua puppies up for sale as well as that of their parents is a huge investment. If the breeder you are in contact with chooses to sell at a high price but has taken these health checks and tests into consideration, then take up the offer. It will be a worthwhile investment.

However, be wary of a breeder who asks for a high price based solely on color or size and refuses to provide any information on health testing. Without frequent health testing, a breeder who is focused on creating a specific color or size in their litters may be unknowingly breeding health issues into their lines.

It’s vital to note that the initial cost of buying a long-haired chihuahua is not all. Factor in the feeding expense of your chihuahua puppy and the cost of your visit to the vet.

You’ll also have to factor in feeding costs and veterinarian fees.

How To Groom A Long Haired Chihuahua

Long haired chihuahuas require more attention when it comes to grooming than other chihuahuas. This is a result of their characteristic long coats that need special treatment. However, their tiny size makes the job a lot easier than it could have been if they were larger.

First, you must constantly brush long-haired chihuahuas, every single day. This will help prevent their hair from tangling or matting. Grooming a long-haired chihuahua is one practice that clearly distinguishes the long from the short-haired chihuahua.

Pay special attention to the areas where their hair grows longer, such as the ears, the neck, and legs, when brushing. Also, use a pet brush with rubber tips so as not to hurt your dog. You can also add a nice scenting oil or dog powder to your grooming supplies to give the dog an inviting smell.

On the other hand, bathing a long-haired chihuahua should not be a daily routine to avoid dry skin. Bathe them only when they are dirty or in a time frame of 1–6 weeks.

When handling long haired chihuahua puppies, be careful with their ‘soft spot’ or molera as

It can be very delicate. Also, try not to get water in their ears.

Nevertheless, if you are finding it difficult to maintain your pet’s grooming demands, you can consider giving your long-haired chihuahua a cut or a shave. Chihuahuas are not known for hair loss and may not be at risk of getting bald.

You might want to see: What is Pet Grooming? Meaning, Importance, Cost

Are Long Haired Chihuahuas Good Pets?

Yes, long-haired chihuahuas can be the best decision you make when you decide to get a furry companion. Of course, their fur speaks for them.

Though long-haired chihuahuas are tiny dogs, they have great personalities. Chihuahuas, whether long-haired or short-haired, are a devoted and clever breed. They are extremely loyal, but at the same time, they can be pretty stubborn.

As a result, it is important to lay some rules down for your chihuahuas, especially when it comes to educating your chihuahuas to control their aggressive Pitbull-like temperament.

In this sense, a lot of pup-enthusiasts will hesitate to acquire a long-haired Chihuahua because of the breed’s reputation for aggression. Even though Chihuahuas have a reputation for being aggressive, this is not a big case. Because it is a learned behavior, you can take action to reduce it.

Also, just like in the case of any animal, some health conditions could plague a long-haired chihuahua. You might need to schedule regular visits to the vet for checkups.

Mostly, chihuahuas are prone to heart problems such as mitral valve disease and patent ductus arteriosus in general. They could also be affected by a disorder in the brain called hydrocephalus, where fluid builds up and enlarges the head. This could progress to brain damage.

Due to their small size, long-haired chihuahuas could be at risk of canine patellar luxation.

Nevertheless, all these can be controlled and attended to with proper care and training.

FAQs

Do long haired Chihuahuas bark a lot?

Unfortunately, the simple answer is yes. Long-haired chihuahuas like other basic chihuahuas, may be affected by their small size, which makes them seek attention a lot in the form of barking. They could as well be excited and energized and let this out with constant barking.

However, you can minimize this by studying, training, and socializing your dog properly.

Are long haired Chihuahuas rare?

Some types of long-haired chihuahuas are considered rare, such as the snow-white chihuahua. Though generally, long-haired chihuahuas are not particularly rare. They are just uncommon and are bred less frequently than their short-haired cousins.

What is the most expensive Chihuahua?

The most expensive chihuahua would be the very tiny teacup chihuahua. Its price keeps rising but you can buy one for $2000 or more.

Are long haired Chihuahuas hypoallergenic?

Long-haired chihuahuas are not hypoallergenic. However, they can be a moderate choice if you suffer from dog allergies. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, it all depends on the level of shedding. Long haired chihuahuas shed moderately and may not be a huge risk.

Do Long Haired Chihuahuas Shed A Lot?

Both long haired and short-haired chihuahuas shed. Shedding for most long-haired chihuahuas is moderately observed. Though they shed all year round, they do not particularly shed a lot. You can comb them daily to keep them looking neat and cute.

Sometimes they shed in lumps and folds rather than single hairs which makes it easier to tidy up after them.

Conclusion

Long-haired chihuahuas may call for so much attention, but if you are looking for a small furry pet with appealing qualities and a loyal heart, they are just that.

Basically, long-haired chihuahuas are, for the most part, different from others by their longer coats. Aside from this, they are almost like the rest of the chihuahuas.

Regardless of their size, chihuahuas are a strong champion breed. They like to be active rather than being cuddled or carried as their size might suggest. They can be extremely loyal and brilliant. This makes them great family dogs.

References

chipets.com – Everything You Need to Know about Long Hair Chihuahuas
allthingsdogs.com – Long Haired Chihuahua
bubblypet.com – Long Haired Chihuahua: Info, Pictures, Genetics, Health, & FAQs
animalcorner.org – Long Haired Chihuahua – Complete Breed Guide