Chihuahua Information Center
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The Long Haired Chihuahua
In the U.S. and the Kennel Club of the U.K. there is one Chihuahua breed, with 2 varieties: short coat (also called smooth coat) and the long coat (also called the long haired Chihuahua). In Canada and within some kennels of the U.K., these 2 types of Chi are considered 2 separate breeds.
The only difference within the 2 types lies in the length of the coat.
How This Variety Came to Be
When one thinks of a Chihuahua, automatically an image of the “Taco Bell” dog comes in mind. However, longcoats are very popular as well. Short coats were introduced first. Then (long ago), shorts were breed with other toy breed dogs that had much longer coats, such as the Papillon, the Pekingese, the Yorkshire Terrier and the very fluffy Pomeranian.
Now, both varieties are genetically the same breed.
The only difference within the 2 types lies in the length of the coat.How This Variety Came to Be
When one thinks of a Chihuahua, automatically an image of the “Taco Bell” dog comes in mind. However, longcoats are very popular as well. Short coats were introduced first. Then (long ago), shorts were breed with other toy breed dogs that had much longer coats, such as the Papillon, the Pekingese, the Yorkshire Terrier and the very fluffy Pomeranian.
Now, both varieties are genetically the same breed.
MOST long-haired Chihuahuas have 2 coats of fur and are actually smoother to the touch than shorts. They have soft, fine guard hairs and a downy undercoat, which gives them their fluffy appearance. Unlike many long-haired breeds, long-haired Chihuahuas require no trimming and minimal grooming. Contrary to popular belief, the long-haired breed also typically sheds less than their short-haired counterparts.
For those with puppies, one should know that it may take up to 2 or more years before a full long-haired coat develops.
These are indoor dog without exception, even with the longer coat; they should be kept indoors except for supervised play and exercising. Liking a warm environment, they will often find a cozy place to snuggle up in and go to sleep…Many like to bask in the sunlight that streams through windows. Keep an eye out, as they are very small may choose to take naps under pillows or blankets!
Facts Regarding Breeding
The long coat gene is a recessive gene. What does this mean? It means that the gene that causes the fur to be long can “hide”…It can come out randomly from 2nd, 3rd, 4th and even 5th generations. In other words, you can have 2 short coat Chi’s (both may carry a “hidden” or recessive long haired gene) and when you mate them, they may produce a long coated Chihuahua puppy.
Now, stating this, one should also know that 2 long coats can ONLY produce a long coat.
This is the same reason 2 brown eyed parents can have a blue eyed child. And Blue eyed parents can have only blue or more recessive green eye children.
Special Characteristics
Long Coated Chihuahuas can take a little time to get their full coats, sometimes up to 14-24 months of age. The texture of the coat is soft and can be either flat or slightly curly with or without an undercoat (although most do have 2 coats).
Usually, males have a larger ruff around the neck and more hair than the females do. Also occasionally their ears are heavier and have a harder time standing up. Sometimes the heavy ear will flop over on the tips, but they can hold them up at will, and the heavy ear can be upright all the time. Others have the paper thin ears and they have no trouble standing up. The ear that is not upright at a 45 degree angle is a disqualification in the show ring only.
Grooming
Long coats need occasional brushing but still require minimal grooming. The long coated needs a good brushing and combing once a week. You will want to take care to search for any mats (tangle hair that knots up), as if they are not taken care of they can grow larger and larger, until you have a big problem and the mat may need to be cut off. If you search for any mats at least 1 time per week, you can catch them early and fix them by covering your hands with conditioner and working the mat out by hand, slowly and gently.
The bib or ruff of the long coats may need extra washes as food can become easily attached to that area. There will be some shedding, however since the Chi is so tiny, it will be minimal. Do keep in mind that a female will often “blow her coat” before entering heat, this means that there will be extra shedding during that time. Female can also “blow a coat” after giving birth.
AKC Confirmation Rules
Although the AKC recognizes only one breed: the Chihuahua, they do recognize 2 varieties and therefore there are different rules regarding the appearance of the coat when showing a Chi:
For those with puppies, one should know that it may take up to 2 or more years before a full long-haired coat develops.
These are indoor dog without exception, even with the longer coat; they should be kept indoors except for supervised play and exercising. Liking a warm environment, they will often find a cozy place to snuggle up in and go to sleep…Many like to bask in the sunlight that streams through windows. Keep an eye out, as they are very small may choose to take naps under pillows or blankets!
Facts Regarding Breeding The long coat gene is a recessive gene. What does this mean? It means that the gene that causes the fur to be long can “hide”…It can come out randomly from 2nd, 3rd, 4th and even 5th generations. In other words, you can have 2 short coat Chi’s (both may carry a “hidden” or recessive long haired gene) and when you mate them, they may produce a long coated Chihuahua puppy.
Now, stating this, one should also know that 2 long coats can ONLY produce a long coat.
This is the same reason 2 brown eyed parents can have a blue eyed child. And Blue eyed parents can have only blue or more recessive green eye children.
Special Characteristics
Long Coated Chihuahuas can take a little time to get their full coats, sometimes up to 14-24 months of age. The texture of the coat is soft and can be either flat or slightly curly with or without an undercoat (although most do have 2 coats).
Usually, males have a larger ruff around the neck and more hair than the females do. Also occasionally their ears are heavier and have a harder time standing up. Sometimes the heavy ear will flop over on the tips, but they can hold them up at will, and the heavy ear can be upright all the time. Others have the paper thin ears and they have no trouble standing up. The ear that is not upright at a 45 degree angle is a disqualification in the show ring only.
Grooming Long coats need occasional brushing but still require minimal grooming. The long coated needs a good brushing and combing once a week. You will want to take care to search for any mats (tangle hair that knots up), as if they are not taken care of they can grow larger and larger, until you have a big problem and the mat may need to be cut off. If you search for any mats at least 1 time per week, you can catch them early and fix them by covering your hands with conditioner and working the mat out by hand, slowly and gently.
The bib or ruff of the long coats may need extra washes as food can become easily attached to that area. There will be some shedding, however since the Chi is so tiny, it will be minimal. Do keep in mind that a female will often “blow her coat” before entering heat, this means that there will be extra shedding during that time. Female can also “blow a coat” after giving birth.
AKC Confirmation Rules
Although the AKC recognizes only one breed: the Chihuahua, they do recognize 2 varieties and therefore there are different rules regarding the appearance of the coat when showing a Chi:
- In Long Coats, the coat should be of a soft texture, either flat or slightly wavy, with undercoat preferred.
- Ears – Fringed.
- Tail – Full and long (as a plume). Feathering on feet and legs, pants on hind legs and large ruff on the neck desired and preferred. (The Chihuahua should be groomed only to create a neat appearance.)
- Disqualification – In Long Coats, too thin coat that resembles bareness.
