How to Tell a Long Hair Chihuahua Puppy

Chihuahuas are quite lovable, known for their saucy expression, intelligence and convenient size --- earning them the nickname of "purse dogs" from the popular Chihuahua in the movie "Legally Blonde." It is easy to fall in love with this breed, which makes a perfect city dog requiring little space and not much exercise to be happy. If you are planning to adopt a Chihuahua puppy, consider that this breed comes in two varieties: the smooth coat and and the long hair Chihuahua. Learn how to tell them apart and recognize some characteristics of this breed.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog breed book
  • Postal scale
  • Canine DNA Test Kit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look through the dog breed book and compare your puppy with pictures of long hair Chihuahuas. Long hair and smooth coat Chihuahuas are genetically the same breed, with the main difference ultimately being the length of the coat. Read carefully through the breed standards.Your long hair Chihuahua should typically have an apple- or dome-shaped head, large eyes and erect ears.

    • 2

      Feel the puppy's coat and texture. According to the American Kennel Club, long hair Chihuahuas are characterized by a coat of soft texture, presenting flat or slightly wavy hairs. A downy undercoat may be present. Chihuahuas have different coat colors: solid, marked or splashed.

    • 3

      Weigh the puppy using a precise scale such as a postal scale. The main characteristic of a smooth coat or long hair Chihuahua is its petite size. An adult Chihuahua dog will generally not exceed 6 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club. A Chihuahua puppy will therefore be expected to weigh between 5 and 13.5 ounces at about two weeks, and from 19 to 56 ounces (1.18 to 3.5 pounds) at about 14 weeks.

    • 4

      Invest in a Canine DNA Test Kit. This is the most reliable way to confirm the breed of your puppy and determine if you own a long hair Chihuahua. Generally, these test kits require you to collect a sample from your puppy's cheek using a swab and mail it along with payment. Test results will be mailed back with a Certificate of DNA Breed Analysis.