Key facts at a glance
- FCI: Group 9, Section 6, Standard No. 218 (without working test)
- Life expectancy: 12 to 20 years
- Origin: Mexico
- Size: 15-23cm
- Weight: 1.5-3kg
- Colors: all colors allowed
- Character: charming, courageous, intelligent, willing to learn, moody, stubborn
Origin and history of the long-haired Chihuahua
There are various theories regarding the origin of the long-haired Chihuahua. In general, however, it is now assumed that the breed has its origins in Mexico. There the dogs were probably not only kept as pets by the Aztecs, but also sacrificed to the gods.
The Chihuahua finally received more attention from the mid-19th century. At that time, the compact four-legged friends began to be bred as companion dogs in the USA, so that the first breed standard was soon established.
From the United States, the long-haired Chihuahua, as well as its short-haired relative, eventually spread around the world. However, the first examples did not come to Germany until the 1950s.
Today, the Chihuahua is a popular companion dog in many countries. Thanks to its manageable size, it is perfect for keeping in apartments.
Description of the long-haired Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a particularly small dog. Its shoulder height is between 15 and 23 centimeters and its ideal weight is just 1.5 to 3 kilograms.
The Chihuahua is one of the dog breeds with the longest life expectancy. If the animals come from reputable breeding and are spared from diseases, they can sometimes live up to 20 years.
The Chihuahua’s body is slightly longer than it is tall. Its legs are straight and, given its small size, well muscled. The Chihuahua carries its tail in a curve over its back.
The appearance of its head is largely influenced by its large eyes and large, protruding ears. The snout of the Chihuahua is relatively short and the stop is well defined.
The long-haired Chihuahua has soft fur that is longer, especially on the ears, neck and tail. According to the breed standard, the coat of the long-haired Chihuahua can be any colour. There are therefore, for example, both pure white and three-colored and completely black animals.
The short-haired variant is basically the same as the long-haired Chihuahua in all respects. However, the fur of these animals is short, which makes them appear a bit slimmer. Both versions of the Chihuahua are attributed to the same breed.
Character of the long-haired Chihuahua
Because of its size, the long-haired Chihuahua is not always taken seriously as a dog. However, this is a mistake. Because in the small four-legged friends there is actually an extremely courageous character.
Often it almost seems as if the long-haired Chihuahua is not really aware of its small body size. He proves to be extremely loyal to his owners, whereby he usually chooses a very specific favorite as a permanent reference person.
The training of the long-haired Chihuahua should not be neglected. Otherwise, the small dogs tend to become stubborn and dance on their owners’ noses. Even if the Chihuahua is a real charmer, this can become quite exhausting in the long run.
If the training is carried out with the necessary consistency, the long-haired Chihuahua proves to be an extremely intelligent and trainable everyday companion.
Activities with the long-haired Chihuahua
The long-haired Chihuahua is a pure companion dog that can be kept by single people as well as by families with children. However, the latter should consider that the four-legged friends are quite sensitive, especially when they are puppies, and rough handling by the child can quickly lead to serious injuries.
Of course, the long-haired Chihuahua is not usually a permanent guest on sports fields. Nevertheless, it is important to challenge him physically and mentally. Because the Chihuahua is a real dog and wants to be treated as such.
If his body size is taken into account, he can be enthusiastic about one or the other discipline from dog sports. In addition to obedience and dog dancing, agility with correspondingly smaller obstacles is also an option for the long-haired Chihuahua.
Long-Haired Chihuahua Diseases
When breeding long-haired Chihuahuas, performance was never the priority, but rather appearance. Accordingly, the breed is particularly prone to certain health problems, despite their actually high life expectancy.
Typical health problems of long-haired Chihuahuas include:
- patellar dislocations
- eye diseases
- dental problems
- difficulty breathing
Since the veterinary costs in the event of illness can also represent a high financial burden for small dog breeds, we recommend that you take out dog health insurance for your long-haired Chihuahua at an early stage.
Can it be a little smaller?
Actually, the ideal weight of the long-haired Chihuahua starts at 1.5 kilograms. Nevertheless, significantly lighter animals with a body weight of just 500 grams are also accepted.
However, these are particularly prone to various health problems, which is why breeding such small Chihuahuas must at least be viewed critically.