What Are the Traits and Care Tips for Long Coat Chihuahuas?

Long Coat Chihuahua: feathering changes the grooming job

The Long Coat Chihuahua has a compact frame with soft hair, a neck ruff and tail plume. The longer furnishings need regular brushing even on such a small dog. Short walks and play belong alongside routine ear, nail and dental care.

Weight ranges and the long coat

FCI standard 218 covers both Chihuahua coats, using weight rather than height: 1–3 kg overall, with 1.5–2.5 kg ideal. The earlier UK guide instead gives up to 2.7 kg, preferring 1.8–2.7 kg. Neither supplies a numerical height for this profile.

The body is slightly longer than tall with a level back. This variety has fine, silky hair, straight or slightly wavy, with feathering on the ears, neck, legs, feet and tail. The UK description likewise calls for soft hair rather than a coarse or tightly curled coat.

Use the long-haired part of the care guide

The AKC Chihuahua page explicitly separates the coats. It recommends brushing the long-haired variety at least weekly to work against tangles and mats. The UK grooming category is weekly too. Include the ruff and feathering rather than treating the dog as a smooth coat with a longer tail.

Both varieties share regular nail trimming, ear checks and tooth brushing in the AKC guidance. Ask for help learning gentle ear and nail handling if needed; the small scale of the dog does not make those jobs disappear.

Short, comfortable outings

The UK category is up to half an hour of exercise, with a flat or apartment and small or medium garden in either setting. The AKC suggests short, slow walks and play, cautioning against overexertion. Watch the individual dog’s pace and effort rather than requiring it to keep up with a much longer stride.

Compare the actual coat routines

The Smooth Coat Chihuahua has the same standard’s weight descriptions but occasional rather than weekly long-hair brushing in the AKC guide. The Russian Toy also has two coat types, with its own separate weekly or two-to-three-times-weekly routines. Shared small size does not replace those distinctions.