In order for you to get to know the dog that you are going to buy you need to know something about the breed of dog you are interested in. By doing so you will know about the way it looks, its personality and temperament, and of course its health issues if any. When it comes to the Longhaired Chihuahua that is no different and there are some things you should know if you are trying to decide whether to choose a longhaired or shorthaired Chihuahua.
When it comes to the different breeds of dogs available today the Chihuahua is known as the smallest of them all. Thanks in large part to television, commercials and celebrities this breed has become ever more popular. The breed originated in Mexico and is considered to be the one breed with the longest life expectancy, which can be eighteen years or more. The breed dates all the way back to the Aztecs whose royalty used to keep them as household pets. Of course, any investigating on your part will show you that the history of these little dogs is not very clear cut and not everyone agrees on their history.
The longhaired Chihuahua has a very smooth undercoat with a long overcoat that bears a startling similarity to human hair, making them ideal if you happen to be one of the unfortunate people who suffer from allergies. The longhaired variety has sometimes been confused with the Pomeranian but the two are not the same as the American Kennel Club will tell you. Both the long and the shorthaired Chihuahuas are recognized by the AKC.
When it comes to being lovable and devoted the Chihuahua is surely at the top of the list. It is smart, alert and very often rather comical. Typically, the Chihuahua is better with adults rather than with children but this can be alleviated if the dog is accustomed to being around children from a young age. Of course care must be taken that the children understand that although small and cute, this is after all a living creature and they can bite or be easily hurt. When it comes to temperament there is no difference between the longhaired varieties and the shorthaired ones. The only real difference is the length of the fur. Provided that you are capable of keeping the fur properly groomed there really is no reason why you should not choose a longhaired Chihuahua.
This breed makes a wonderful pet provided you can meet the few requirements that it needs, such as warmth. Because they are so small they are susceptible to the cold and whether they have long or short hair care must be taken to ensure that they do not catch a chill and are kept comfortable warm. Other than that the choice is yours. Find out about the breed and then make your choice depending on your preferences. As with all dogs, getting a puppy is not advisable if you are not going to be able to provide it with all that it needs to enjoy a long, happy and healthy life.
