Most of us, when we picture a Chihuahua in our head, imagine a tiny dog with little or no hair. However, that breed also has a specific category called long-haired Chihuahua which is a lesser known. They need particular grooming, as their ears, neck, legs and the tail have long fur. Here are the various things you need to know about long-haired Chihuahua.
A Popular Breed
Chihuahua dogs are quite popular. They become even more so when the movie Legally Blonde came out in 2001 as the main character Elle Woods played by Reese Witherspoon would carry her tiny Chihuahua in her purse at all time. Their size does explain in part the attraction for such a dog. In fact, it is sometimes even smaller than a cat. The fact that they have short hair is also something that pleases dog owners, thinking that the Chihuahua shedding is therefore less than in other breeds. However, this is not necessarily true.
But there is another reason why people adopt a Chihuahua dog: They tend to live longer than other breeds. It is not uncommon to hear that a Chihuahua has lived 20 years, which for dogs is a very long time. All animal owners prefer to keep their pet for as long as they can. And although it does not guarantee that all Chihuahua will reach two decades of age, the fact that they do tend to live longer is one of the most important reasons why it is such a popular breed.
Do long-haired Chihuahua Shed?
Before we compare the long-haired Chihuahua to the regular one, let’s tackle the subject of shedding, as it is often a question asked by potential dog owners before choosing between the two. To start, let’s be clear about one thing: Both the long-haired Chihuahua and the regular one shed their fur.
When the fall season arrives most pets grow a new protective coat, as the cold season takes its place. It is meant to keep them warm. Chihuahua dogs are meant to live inside the house, since the fur they grow might not be sufficient for them to survive outside by cold nights. Therefore, you need to make sure they come in at night, if they are free to roam the garden.
Both categories of Chihuahua can either have a single or double coat. It is different in all dogs. Both will shed their fur when spring comes around again, and it doesn’t matter if you have a long-haired or short haired Chihuahua. To the question “Do long-haired Chihuahua shed more than a regular one? The response is no. And that is because Chihuahua shedding depends on the fact that it has an undercoat or not. That does not mean that you won’t notice more the long haired Chihuahua tail on your floor, but that is just because the hair are longer…
This is how Chihuahua shedding works: The ones with a double coat will shed twice a year; in the spring and in the fall. That is regardless of the fact they are long-haired or not. The only advantage of a long-haired Chihuahua in terms of shedding is the fact that his hair will be found in clumps on the floor, which makes it easier to gather and throw away.
What is the Difference between a long-haired Chihuahua and a regular one?
As obvious as it may seem, the main difference between the two is the long fur that one has, compared to the other. And although you may think it is not that important, it does change things quite a lot when it comes to grooming the dog. In fact, with a regular dog, the work will be minimal but with the long-haired Chihuahua, it needs particular attention. If you don’t brush your pet’s fur regularly, they will become entangled. They are not like cats that clean themselves all the time, so keep in mind that you will need to spend time with the animal to keep is hair beautiful and healthy.
But both are liked for the same reasons: they have quite a character! The chihuahua’s personality is the trait they are best known for. If you come close to a household where one of them live, you are sure to be greeted by incessant barking. They may be small but, they feel they can defend a house just as well as a German Shepard. It is largely a compensation mechanism, though. Almost everything in life is larger than them, so they use barking as a method of protection. That does not make them mean dogs, as they will rarely bite anyone. You should have them socialize with humans and other animals as soon as you bring them home. It is the only way to make them a little less insecure and stop them from barking more easily.
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