Fun Long Haired Chihuahua Facts For Kids

Long-haired Chihuahuas are the smallest dog in the world. There is not much difference between a long-haired Chihuahua and a short-haired Chihuahua because both of them are the same breed and are simply differentiated from each other based on their long and short hair.

This differentiation does not appear in the initial puppy phase. Although they are tiny dogs, their disposition is huge, and they are completely able to compete in all the normal dog recreations, such as walking, running, agility, and (of course!) fetch.

Long-haired Chihuahua history is very intriguing as there is a lot of debate still and no specific answer. There are two hypotheses based on their origin.

The first hypothesis is based on DNA research which correlates the Chihuahua with an ancient dog of Mesoamerican civilization known as the Techichi. In Mayan, Aztec, and Toltec civilizations the Techihi was seen as a guardian.

The second hypothesis, on the other hand, claims that the Mesoamerican Techichi may have bred with the Maltese or Chinese crested dog, thus giving this breed an Asian or European origin too. Their name is also derived from the famous Mexican city, Chihuahua.

These dogs can live until the age of 20 years, quite an impressive lifespan! They can also be described as 'deer head' and 'apple head' based on the shape of their head and they can be of various colors; as many as 30 different shades!

If you are eager to learn more about long-haired Chihuahuas then keep reading this article. You can also read about the mini Labradoodle and French Brittany here on Kidadl.

Long Haired Chihuahua Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a long-haired Chihuahua?

A long-haired Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog.

What class of animal does a long-haired Chihuahua belong to?

Long-haired Chihuahuas belong to the class of mammals.

How many long-haired Chihuahuas are there in the world?

A survey held in 2008 states that there were 59,684 registered Chihuahuas, but how many of these were long-haired or short-haired Chihuahuas is unknown.

Where does a long-haired Chihuahua live?

Long-haired Chihuahuas can be found all around the world today, including in America. However, the evolution of this dog is under debate because the exact origin is based on two different hypotheses.

They are generally believed to have been discovered in Mexico, but they soon became very famous all over the continent and now they are found all over the world.

What is a long-haired Chihuahua's habitat?

They prefer to live indoors and hence have no difficulty adapting to apartment lifestyles. They are found in a household as pets and they enjoy the affection they receive in homes.

Who do long-haired Chihuahuas live with?

Socialization is crucial among these dogs because of their apprehensive nature. They are one-master dogs and are extremely loyal.

They live with humans but they can be extremely suspicious about outsiders. Socializing them from the puppy stage is important for their temperament. However, these dogs also tend to prefer the company of other Chihuahuas over the company of humans, hence they can live in pairs or groups of pets as well.

How long does a long-haired Chihuahua live?

They have an extensive lifespan which can extend to the age of 20 years, and the average lifespan is 15 years unless any health complications occur. In the case of health problems, their life span is affected and shortened.

Apart from grooming them, it is also important for owners to look after their health as well because they are prone to various illnesses which may affect their lungs, cardiovascular system, eyes, and other parts of the body as well.

Some of these conditions are inherited while others are acquired with age. Thus, for a generous lifespan, routine health check-ups are important along with proper exercise and a healthy diet.

How do they reproduce?

Dogs reproduce by mating when. Dogs grow mature enough to reproduce at about two years of age for females and one year for males.

The female goes through a heat period at the start of the estrous cycle, which can happen once or twice a year. During this phase the male mates with the female and, after a gestation period, she is likely to give birth to between two and five puppies.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of this dog is currently Least Concern. They are found in abundance all over the continent of America and now, thanks to their growing popularity, they are found all over the world. However, long-haired Chihuahuas are comparatively more unique than short-haired Chihuahuas.

Long-Haired Chihuahua Fun Facts

What do long-haired Chihuahuas look like?

Long-haired Chihuahuas are small dogs. This dog breed is one of the ancient breeds of dogs, and its name is derived from a popular city in Mexico.

There are primarily two types of Chihuahuas, but at the time of their birth, they appear indistinguishable because they have the same coat as puppies. It is after 18-24 months that their long hair appears, but, as puppies, long-haired Chihuahuas, and short-haired Chihuahuas look alike.

These little dogs are approximately 6-10 in (15-25 cm) tall and weigh around 3-6 lb (1.3-2.7 kg) as they grow up. The long-haired Chihuahua's ears are triangular and their eyes are big and round.

They have a soft smooth coat and their long coat can be wavy or straight.

The long-haired Chihuahua and the short-haired Chihuahua are the same dog breeds but long-haired Chihuahuas have long coats around various parts of their body, like their tails, legs, ears, and necks. This provides them with a more fluffy appearance and they may or may not have an inner coat too.

The coat of this small dog can be in various colors, ranging from fawn, brown, and beige to black and white.

There can be as many as 30 distinct colors, patterns, and varieties of their coat which are acknowledged by the American Kennel Club. Both varieties of Chihuahuas existed for a long period but it was in the year 1952 when the American Kennel Club considered differentiating the breed based on their coat.

Apart from their coat, these small dogs are also differentiated based on the structure of their head.

They are of two kinds: deer head and apple head Chihuahuas. Deer-head breeds have elongated and pointed head while apple-head breeds have a spherical-shaped head that appears like an apple.

How cute are they?

The long-haired Chihuahua dog is the smallest dog breed with big round eyes and triangular ears. These dogs have long coats and are very fluffy, unlike short-haired Chihuahuas who do not have long fur around their bodies.

Due to their small size, it is very convenient to carry them around and they have been spotted with many celebrities as well! The very compact and petite appearance of these dogs makes them very cute and their cheerful personality makes them an adorable companion to have around.

How do they communicate?

The long-haired Chihuahua, just like all other dog breeds, can communicate by barking a lot but they also have a definite set of communication tactics and behaviors to let humans understand their emotions.

You can understand them by reading their body language, but it can be complicated because they can exhibit more than one emotional state at the same time!

If they feel intimidated they may switch from being terrified to truculent at any moment, hence it is sensible to read their body language before approaching them. This little dog may convey friendly, playful signals to other breeds by wagging its tail and encircling them with a relaxed jaw and fallback ears.

Just like playful signals, the long-haired Chihuahua may convey fright signals as well; this little dog may feel miserable in an apprehensive situation.

Trembling, panic-stricken breathing, and crouching are some of the signs it may convey to communicate that it is uncomfortable.

How big is a long-haired Chihuahua?

The long-haired Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog. They are approximately 6-10 in (15-25 cm) when they grow up completely. All other dog breeds including Border Terriers, Toy Poodles, and pugs are bigger than this breed.

How fast can a long-haired Chihuahua run?

The long-haired Chihuahua may have the smallest body but they are quite fast. A Chihuahua can run at the speed of 14.9 mph (24 kph).

How much does a long-haired Chihuahua weigh?

Being the smallest dog breed they weigh around 3-6 lb (1.3-2.7 kg) only!

What are the male and female names of the species?

A male is referred to as a 'dog' while a female is referred to as a 'bitch'.

What would you call a baby long-haired Chihuahua?

The babies of long-haired Chihuahua dogs are known as long-haired Chihuahua puppies.

What do they eat?

The diet of all dogs depends on their stature, structure, and activity levels. Their food should be divided into two meals per day and each meal should include all the vital nutrients which they require for their development.

The best long-haired Chihuahua diet consists of meat and fish, and sometimes even eggs.

Their dog food can be prepared at home or it can be purchased from the market where there are several high-quality dog food options available.

They should be given one-quarter to half a cup of food in each sitting, and occasional treats are also great fun! Feeding them too much may cause lethargy and obesity in these dogs, so, along with a proper diet, a lot of exercise is also crucial.

Are they slobbery?

Long-haired Chihuahuas do not drool much hence they cannot be considered slobbery.

Would they make a good pet?

The long-haired Chihuahua is a small dog who is intrinsically suspicious of outsiders which makes them an extraordinary protector. However, early socialization of these dogs is very important.

The long-haired Chihuahua temperament can be described as vibrant, enthusiastic, and vigorous. Initially, the Chihuahua used to chase and hunt mice, so they are reasonably active and, like all other breeds, Chihuahuas also need moderate exercise to keep them fit.

Training them in the house is not as difficult as training some other breeds. The Chihuahua dog is very small, so keeping them in a house with small children can be risky at times because they may injure the dog unknowingly.

The Chihuahua can be a very devoted companion and they possess an intellect of their very own which makes training the long-haired Chihuahua feel (almost!) effortless.

Occasional grooming is essential, and their fur, which differentiates them from short-haired Chihuahuas, requires regular trimming. These dogs do not generally smell, but owners should wash them thoroughly if they roll in something unpleasant on a walk!

Their ears tend to get dry hence it is important to check them carefully while grooming.

Chihuahuas can adapt perfectly to apartment life as they do not require a huge amount of space, unlike some other breeds. They are relatively lightweight which makes them easier to carry around and they make a great pet to have around!

Did you know...

Long-haired Chihuahuas tend to snort when they are over-enthusiastic, hyper, and shocked!

This dog breed is born with a soft spot also known as a 'molera' on their skull. This is a condition that occurs in most infant dogs and involves their skull having a cavity that closes as they grow up. However, many dogs may live with this opening all through their life.

The rarest variety of this breed is pure white without any other combination of colors.

Two long-haired Chihuahuas cannot reproduce short-haired puppies but two short-haired Chihuahuas can reproduce long-hair puppies as the long coat trait is recessive.

Although the Chihuahua dog is considered to be the smallest dog of all dog breeds, they have a comparatively huge brain.

Characteristics and health issues

Long-haired Chihuahuas are relatively healthy, however, they can develop some distinct health issues. Not all of them may suffer from these conditions but some of them might, hence it is better to be aware of these health issues.

Vaccination and deworming of these dogs are important to protect them from long-term illness and to build immunity. Sadly, many disorders or ailments can be genetically inherited.

In smaller dogs like Chihuahuas, patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation) is a common condition, and often puppies are born with this condition but the symptoms may be delayed.

They may also suffer from low blood sugar or hypoglycemia which is curable but can take a fatal turn if treatment is delayed. A deformed pulmonic valve can create an obstruction giving rise to a heart condition known as pulmonic stenosis.

Another heart condition is heart murmurs, which constricts the blood flow through the chambers of the heart. Apart from these health problems, they can also suffer from a collapsed trachea and hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the brain).

Getting your own long-haired Chihuahua

It is important to know all about this breed before getting your own long-haired Chihuahua puppy or adult dog. The average cost of a long-haired Chihuahua puppy depends on the breeder. They cost around USD 400-$1200 but it is always favorable to adopt instead of buying one if you can.

The temperament of Chihuahuas depends on how much early socialization they get. The Chihuahua is very protective of its loved ones and they commonly prefer to have just one master.

However, early socialization can help them to be comfortable around other people as well, although they may require a little time to adjust.

Chihuahuas are relatively safe to be around children who are above eight years old, but younger kids could hurt them unknowingly due to their small size. This breed's overall temperament can be good with children who are above eight years though.

Apart from their temperament, getting familiar with their lifestyle is also important before getting a long-haired Chihuahua. These long-haired dogs require proper grooming of their coat and brushing them weekly is a must, also their nails require trimming as well.

Exercise and training also play an integral role in keeping them fit and in proper health.

Chihuahuas are susceptible to a few health issues which are genetically inherited. To try to prevent these it is essential to adopt or buy these dogs from a trusted breeder who can verify their lineage.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Australian Shepherd Lab mix facts and Czechoslovakian wolfdog facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Long-Haired Chihuahua coloring pages.