Long Hair vs Short Hair Chihuahua: What Is the Real Difference?

When I first started looking into getting a Chihuahua, the long hair vs short hair chihuahua debate came up almost immediately. Friends had opinions. Breeders had opinions. Even strangers on the internet had very strong opinions. So I figured I would share what I have actually learned from living with both coat types over the years, because quite different from what most people assume.

What Is the Real Difference?

Short hair Chihuahuas, also called smooth coat, have a sleek and close fitting coat that feels almost velvety when you run your hand over it. Long hair Chihuahuas have soft, flowing fur that can be flat or slightly wavy. The long hair variety often has feathering on the ears, legs, and tail which gives them a really elegant look that turns heads at the dog park. For more detail, see the AKC Chihuahua breed health guide. For more detail, see the PetMD dog behavior resources.

It is also worth mentioning that long hair Chihuahuas do not get their full coat until they are about two years old. So if your long hair puppy looks a bit sparse, give it time. That gorgeous flowing coat will fill in eventually.

Related: common Chihuahua health issues.

Grooming and Shedding

I always assumed the long hair Chihuahua would shed more. I was completely wrong. My smooth coat Chi left tiny hairs on everything. The couch, my black pants, the car seats, my morning coffee mug somehow. Short hairs shed consistently throughout the year and those little hairs stick to fabric like velcro.

Long hair Chihuahuas do shed too, but their longer fur tends to clump together and is actually easier to spot and clean up. They do need regular brushing though, maybe two or three times a week, to avoid tangles behind the ears and around the chest area where mats love to form.

I learned the hard way that skipping brushing sessions leads to mats that are no fun to deal with. One time I let it go for about ten days during a busy week and had to carefully cut out a knot behind my Chi’s ear. Now I keep a slicker brush on the coffee table as a reminder. com/chihuahua-lifespan-how-long-do-chihuahuas-live/” title=”Chihuahua’s Lifespan: How Long Do Chihuahuas Live?”>Chihuahua’s Lifespan: How Long Do Chihuahuas Live?.

Bath time is fairly similar for both types. Once a month is usually enough unless they get into something messy. Short hairs dry almost instantly while long hairs need a good towel dry or a blow dryer on a low cool setting. com/chihuahua-lifespan-how-long-do-chihuahuas-live/” title=”Chihuahua’s Lifespan: How Long Do Chihuahuas Live?”>Chihuahua’s Lifespan: How Long Do Chihuahuas Live?.

My smooth coat was the calmest chihuahua I have ever owned. She would sleep for hours without moving a muscle. My long hair? She is a tornado with fur who wants to play at six in the morning every single day. So take those generalizations with a very large grain of salt.

Weather and Comfort

One thing I did notice is that short hair Chihuahuas get cold much faster. If you live somewhere with cool winters, your smooth coat will need sweaters and blankets. They just do not have enough insulation on their own and they will shiver dramatically to let you know about it.

Long hair Chis handle cooler weather a little better thanks to that extra layer of fur, but they are still tiny with not a lot of body mass. Neither coat type does well in extreme cold. I keep jackets on hand for both of mine during winter walks and I always watch for signs of discomfort like lifting their paws or trying to turn around and go home.

In hot weather, both types need shade and water. Long hairs can overheat more easily in direct sun, so keep that in mind during summer outings. You might also find How Do I Know My and Is Happy? worth reading.

Skin and Coat Health Over Time

Something I did not expect was how differently the two coat types age regarding skin health. My smooth coat developed dry, flaky patches on her belly and along her sides during the winter months, and I found myself applying a little coconut oil to keep things comfortable for her. The vet told me this is pretty common in short haired Chihuahuas because their skin is more exposed to the elements and dries out faster without that protective layer of longer fur acting as a barrier. My long hair never had this problem, but she did get the occasional hot spot during the summer when moisture got trapped under her thick coat behind her ears.

I also noticed that smooth coat Chihuahuas are more prone to sunburn, especially on their bellies and any areas where the fur is thinner. If your short hair loves to lie in the sun by the window or on the patio, it is worth applying a pet safe sunscreen to those exposed areas during peak hours. My long hair’s coat provides natural sun protection, so I never had to worry about that with her. These are the kinds of small details that nobody tells you about when you are picking between the two coat types, but they add up over the years in terms of care and comfort for your dog.

How Coat Type Affects Bonding and Handling

This might sound strange, but I genuinely believe the coat type affects how you physically bond with your Chihuahua on a day to day basis. My smooth coat feels completely different in my arms than my long hair does. The smooth coat is warm and sleek and almost skin like against your chest when you hold her close. There is something very intimate about holding a short haired Chihuahua because you can feel their heartbeat and their body heat so directly. My long hair feels more like holding a tiny stuffed animal, soft and plush and fluffy, and people are always reaching out to pet her because she just looks so touchable.

The brushing sessions with my long hair have also become a bonding ritual that I genuinely look forward to. She climbs into my lap, rolls onto her side, and lets me work through her coat while she half dozes. Those quiet ten minutes a few times a week have become one of my favorite parts of owning a long haired Chihuahua. My smooth coat does not need that kind of hands on grooming time, so I have had to find other ways to build that same kind of calm physical connection with her, like extended belly rub sessions after dinner.

What Visitors and Strangers Notice First

I take both of my Chihuahuas out together regularly, and the reactions they get from strangers are consistently different. People are drawn to the long hair first almost every time. The flowing coat and the feathered ears catch attention, and I get a lot of questions about what breed she is because people do not always associate that look with a Chihuahua. My smooth coat gets recognized as a Chihuahua immediately, but she does not get the same level of fawning from passersby. That has never seemed to bother her, because she does not particularly like strangers anyway, but it is an interesting pattern I have noticed over and over again. If you are someone who enjoys taking your dog places and having people stop to admire them, the long hair coat is definitely the showstopper of the two. If you prefer a dog that blends in and does not attract as much attention, the smooth coat is your quieter companion in more ways than one.

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Which One Should You Choose

There is no wrong answer here. If you prefer lower maintenance grooming, a smooth coat might be your match. If you love that fluffy look and do not mind regular brushing, a long hair could be perfect. Either way, you are getting the same big personality in a tiny package.

The best advice I can give is to meet the actual chihuahua before deciding. Coat type matters a lot less than the connection you feel when that little Chihuahua looks up at you for the first time. That moment is what really seals the deal.