Long coat and smooth coat Chihuahuas are the same breed with the same standard, size and temperament. The long coat needs about 15 to 20 minutes of brushing a week and takes 18 to 24 months to grow its full coat. The smooth coat needs about 5 minutes a week but often sheds more noticeably. Neither is hypoallergenic, and neither handles cold well without a sweater.
We raise both coat types, and the question we hear most often is which one is "better." Neither is. They suit different households, and a few of the common beliefs about them are backwards. Here is how they really compare, from someone who brushes, bathes and vacuums up after both every week.
Long haired vs short haired Chihuahua: side by side
| Trait | Long coat | Smooth coat |
|---|---|---|
| Breed and standard | Chihuahua, long coat variety | Chihuahua, smooth coat variety |
| Adult weight | Not to exceed 6 lbs (same standard) | Not to exceed 6 lbs (same standard) |
| Coat texture | Soft, flat or slightly wavy, with ear fringes, ruff and plumed tail | Short, close, glossy, slightly longer on the neck and tail |
| Weekly grooming time | 15 to 20 minutes of brushing, plus attention behind the ears and on the "pants" | About 5 minutes with a rubber curry or soft brush |
| Shedding | Moderate, heavier seasonal sheds, hair comes out in soft tufts | Moderate and steady, short hairs stick in fabric and look like more |
| Cold tolerance | Slightly better, still needs a sweater in real cold | Poor, needs a sweater below about 50 degrees F |
| Coat development | Puppy fluff, often a thin "uglies" stage at 4 to 10 months, full coat at 18 to 24 months | Looks like the adult dog from about 4 months |
| Mats and tangles | Behind ears, armpits and rear if skipped for a week or two | None |
| Bathing | Every 3 to 6 weeks, longer drying time | Every 4 to 8 weeks, dries in minutes |
| Typical price | Often priced the same or slightly higher, varies by breeder and region | Often priced the same or slightly lower, varies by breeder and region |
Our own puppies are priced between $650 and $850 depending on the individual puppy, not simply its coat. For how coat, color and breeder practices affect price across the country, see our guide to how much a Chihuahua costs.
Are long coat and smooth coat Chihuahuas the same breed?
Yes. The AKC recognizes one Chihuahua breed with two varieties, the long coat and the smooth coat. The written standard is identical apart from the coat section, which means the same apple or deer head descriptions, the same 6 lb weight limit, and the same health concerns such as luxating patellas, dental crowding and tracheal collapse.
The long coat gene is recessive. Two long coat parents can only produce long coat puppies, while two smooth coat parents can produce long coats if both carry the gene. That is why some of our litters contain both. It also means that coat type tells you nothing about temperament. Personality comes from the parents and from early socialization, not hair length.
Do smooth coat Chihuahuas shed more than long coats?
This is the myth we correct most often. Many people choose a smooth coat expecting less hair in the house, and are surprised. Smooth coat Chihuahuas shed steadily all year, and their short, stiff hairs weave into couch fabric, car seats and dark clothing like tiny needles. A lint roller becomes part of life.
Long coats shed too, and usually have one or two heavier seasonal sheds when the undercoat lets go, often in spring and fall. The difference is that long, soft hair tends to come out in clumps that stay on the brush or roll into visible tufts on the floor. It is easier to collect. So the honest answer is: similar amounts, but smooth coat hair is harder to see coming and harder to get rid of.
Coat density also varies within each type. Some smooth coats have a thick undercoat and shed heavily, while others are nearly single coated. If shedding matters to you, ask the breeder about the parents' coats, not just the coat label.
Which Chihuahua coat is better for allergies?
Neither. No Chihuahua is hypoallergenic, and no dog breed truly is. The allergens that cause reactions are proteins found mainly in dander, saliva and urine. Hair carries those proteins around the house, but hair length does not change how much the dog produces.
Some allergic owners say they do better with one individual dog than another, and a small dog does produce less total dander than a large one. If someone in your home has allergies, spend an hour or two with adult Chihuahuas of both coat types before you put down a deposit, keep the dog out of the bedroom, and run a HEPA filter. Ask your allergist first if the allergy is severe.
How cold tolerant is each coat type?
A long coat gives a little more insulation, but it is not a winter coat. Chihuahuas have very little body fat and a high surface area for their weight, so both types lose heat quickly. In our experience, a smooth coat starts shivering below about 50 degrees F and a long coat a little lower. Both should wear a sweater or fleece for walks in cold weather, and neither belongs outside unattended in winter.
Long coat puppy coat development: what to expect
A long coat puppy at 8 weeks looks only a little fluffier than a smooth coat littermate. Ear fringes start to show around 3 to 4 months. Then many long coats go through an awkward stage between about 4 and 10 months, when the puppy coat sheds out and the adult coat has not caught up. Owners sometimes think they were sold the wrong coat type. They were not. The full ruff, feathered legs, ear fringes and plumed tail usually fill in between 18 and 24 months.
Smooth coats are what you see is what you get. A smooth coat puppy looks like a small version of the adult by about 4 months.
Our recommendation by lifestyle
| Your situation | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Busy household, minimal grooming time | Smooth coat | Five minutes a week and no mats |
| Cold state, lots of time outdoors | Long coat | A little extra warmth, though both still need a sweater |
| Lots of dark fabric furniture or clothing | Long coat | Hair is easier to spot and collect |
| Enjoys grooming as bonding time | Long coat | Brushing becomes a calm daily routine |
| Young children who handle the dog | Either, with supervision | Coat does not change temperament; teach gentle handling |
| Want to see the adult look right away | Smooth coat | No 18 to 24 month wait |
Our opinion: for first-time Chihuahua owners who are on the fence, we usually suggest a long coat. The extra grooming is small, it builds a handling routine that pays off at the vet and with nail trims, and the shedding is easier to live with than most people expect. Choose a smooth coat if you truly will not brush weekly, because a matted long coat is uncomfortable for the dog.
If you have decided, you can browse our long coat Chihuahua puppies or our smooth coat Chihuahua puppies, or see every puppy together on our available puppies page. Coat type and color often get decided together, and our guide to Chihuahua colors shows how colors look on each coat.