The Chihuahua is an awesome breed. Moreover, Chihuahuas can come in many shapes and coat types which add to their general appeal. They may be small in size, but they have huge personalities. In this article, let’s talk about the Long Haired Chihuahua which has long and smooth fur.
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Long Haired Chihuahua Highlights
- The ancestors were probably the Techichi of the Toltecs that existed more than a thousand years ago.
- Long coat Chihuahuas usually have a lifespan of 12-16 years. You may expect them to keep you company for quite a while as long as they remain in good health.
- The main difference in the care requirements of the long coat breed with other types of Chihuahuas is their more intensive grooming needs.
- They boomed in popularity in the 1940s. Since then, their popularity only continues to grow.
- They are very intelligent and highly adaptable. However, training might be trickier since you have to find the right reinforcement that suits your dog during training.
- Males are more affectionate and loyal than their female counterparts. However, females are calmer and make better lap dogs.
- May thrive well with cats once introduced early and properly prepared for cohabitation with a cat.
- They have more grooming needs compared to other types of Chihuahuas due to their long coats that have to be maintained properly.
- The Long Haired Chihuahua is predisposed to having a “small dog syndrome” and may have aggressive tendencies if left untrained.
- Due to the small size of the Long Haired Chihuahua, they are usually combined with other dog breeds to create designer dogs of smaller sizes.
Long Haired Chihuahua Appearance
The Chihuahua may have either a smooth coat or a long coat. Regardless of the coat type, they usually stand 5-8 inches tall and weigh less than 6 pounds. This makes them ideal pet dogs that do well in the indoors. Moreover, Chihuahuas also come in a variety of colors and patterns that are recognized by the American Kennel Club. Furthermore, there are even non-standard colors that can be a combination of 2 or more recognized colors of the breed.
Long Coat Chihuahua History
Chihuahuas were initially believed to be dogs from the lost civilization. Several years ago, the presence of Chihuahua-like dogs was recorded throughout history. However, barter during that time was rarely recorded, so the real origin of Chihuahua-like dogs was very difficult to track.
They are now known as a breed that originated from Mexico. However, the history is unclear on whether the breed really originated from Mexico or if the breed was only refined in Mexico. But, there has been a record of Toltecs being in Mexico with dogs called Techichi that looked like modern-day Chihuahuas, only bigger.
By the mid-1800s when remote villages were explored by Americans, they found these little dogs that came from the State of Chihuahua. The Americans, later on, called these dogs the Chihuahua and the American Kennel Club, later on, accepted it as a Breed. The first purebred that was registered in 1908 was called Beppie.
Since 1908 the popularity of the Chihuahua only continued to grow. Moreover, in the 1940s and the 1950s, several made TV appearances and was further popularized by celebrities and socialites. Nowadays, they have starred in numerous TV series, Hollywood movies and even in minor-league baseball.
Long Hair Chihuahua Trainability
Chihuahuas are smart and highly adaptable. However, they are not the most intelligent of breeds. Nonetheless, they may learn certain commands fairly well. Chihuahuas are trainable with the right reinforcement. But, some are more difficult to train than others. Furthermore, the coat type doesn’t affect its trainability.
Despite being an intelligent dog, it does not guarantee that your Chihuahua will follow your commands. However, once you learn how to train them and find out what works, then you might be able to successfully train your Chihuahua. Moreover, obedience training is also essential to avoid aggression and dominance in your Chihuahua since they have huge personalities that are bigger than themselves.
Long Haired Chihuahua Temperament
Once you have decided to get a long hair Chihuahua, then the next thing to consider is the sex and temperament. Of course, you want a long coat Chihuahua with a temperament that is fit for your household. However, there are many things to consider regarding the temperament before you bring one home.
A Chihuahua’s temperament may vary depending on the sex. If you want a calmer dog, you may want to opt for a female since it is a trait that is generally exhibited by the females. On the other hand, if you want a loyal and affectionate companion, you might want to opt for a male Long Haired Chihuahua.
If you want to add a Chihuahua to your household that already has a cat, you might want to know whether or not Chihuahuas are good with cats. In general, they are loyal and overprotective. However, once they are properly introduced to a cat for cohabitation, the long coat Chihuahua and a cat may thrive well together.
Chihuahuas are known to have big personalities. However, once you bring one home, it might only be then that you realize that they may have aggressive tendencies during certain situations. As a small dog, the long coat Chihuahua may have “small dog syndrome” which may also be viewed as aggression by some people. When this happens, proper training and guidance are important in preventing unwanted behavior from getting worse.
Long Coat Chihuahua Nutrition
They can be healthy with high-quality commercial diets or carefully prepared and nutritious home-made meals. Some human foods are dangerous to your dog and these are generally the things that you should avoid in preparing your Chihuahua’s meal. If you are unsure, a high-quality commercial diet may work as a staple food for your long-coat Chihuahua.
Not all dog foods are created equal, so you might want to reconsider the dog food that you are about to get if they are included in this list of 10 worst dog foods that you might want to avoid. Also, since your Chihuahua has long hair, you might want to get dog food that provides health benefits to improve the coat.
Another thing to consider about your Chihuahua’s diet is the amount of fiber and water content in the food. Chihuahuas might be more prone to constipation due to their size and the amount of food and water that their body holds. That is why you should choose the right food that does not have the right nutrients for your dog. They need enough water and fiber for a proper and healthy bowel movement.
Health and Care
The Long Coat Chihuahua may have slightly different health and care needs. Moreover, the main difference in the health and care is their grooming needs. When it comes to their health, all types of Chihuahuas have the same immunity or susceptibility to certain diseases.
There is no special care required compared to the other types of Chihuahuas. However, like small dogs, they are really very fragile and sometimes their big personalities can get the better of them and they might get seriously injured when they challenge larger dogs.
Lifespan
The lifespan of the Long Haired Chihuahua is generally the same as all other types as long as they remain in good health. On average, Chihuahuas are known to live for 12-16 years. But, there have been reports of Chihuahuas living until the age of 20. So, if you are planning to get one, you can expect your dog to keep you company for quite a long time.
Common diseases
The Long Coat Chihuahua may live a long life, but they still remain susceptible to certain diseases and injuries that may be attributed to their minuscule size. Moreover, being a small and fragile breed, they are more prone to injuries if they fall or hit hard objects. Aside from potential injuries, as a pure breed dog, they are also predisposed to certain health issues, such as:
- Patellar luxation
- Hypoglycemia
- Tracheal collapse
- Liver shunt
- Dental problems
- Heart problems
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Long Coat Chihuahua Grooming
Grooming a long coat Chihuahua may take more effort than grooming a short coat. Moreover, you may want to consider using the best shampoo for your Chihuahua’s long coat. The long hair has to be brushed at least once a week to minimize the formation of tangles and mats on your dog’s fur while removing debris. Regular bathing is also important to clean and deodorize the fur.
Long Haired Chihuahua Puppies
Chihuahuas usually give birth to about 1-3 puppies per litter. However, in rare instances, they may give birth to 5-6 pups. The health of the breeding female may also play a role in the number of puppies that she can give birth to.
It is very important to get Long Haired Chihuahua puppies from a responsible breeder and try to stay away from puppy mills as much as possible. Moreover, they need to be socialized at a young age to prevent behavioral problems in the future. Also, it is important to make sure that you are bringing home a healthy dog.
Long Hair Chihuahua Price
In the US, Chihuahua puppies usually range from $500-$2000 or higher with Long Haired Teacup Chihuahuas being more expensive. Pedigree and show dogs are also more expensive. However, the price of the puppy is not the only cost that has to be covered. They need more grooming needs. Thus, it might be slightly more costly than owning a smooth coat Chihuahua. Moreover, as a responsible dog owner, you also need to take care of the vaccination and veterinary bills when necessary.
Long Coat Chihuahua Mix Breeds
The Chihuahua is a popular breed in the US and UK. So, it is not very surprising that they are bred with other breeds to create a designer dog. Usually, they are bred with other breeds to reduce the size of the breed that it is mixed with, to create a smaller designer dog, resembling a toy breed. There are many Chihuahua mixes that you can find, but here are some of the popular mixes that you can find:
Breed Organizations
As a purebred dog, the Chihuahua is recognized by several breed organizations. Moreover, this means that you can register your long coat Chihuahua in any of these clubs to take part in some dog events. If dog shows are your thing, you might want a pedigree Chihuahua to allow your dog to take part in the events organized by these clubs:
United States
- American Kennel Club
United Kingdom
- British Chihuahua Club
- The Kennel Club
The Long Haired Chihuahua is really a captivating breed that can capture the hearts of many. Moreover, their adorable looks and agreeable temperament might be the reasons behind the Chihuahua’s popularity. Besides, they can keep you company for a long time and their size makes them easy to maintain.
