Getting a chihuahua - Wondering about shedding

[themtkid]

Im getting a chihuahua and im not sure which to get.
The long haired chihuahua
Or
The short haired chihuahua
I have a boxer now and he sheds but i dont want anything that will shed more than him.
So will a long haired chihuahua shed more than my boxer?

[ferJenna]

I think it goes either way. You'll probably notice the long hair more than the short hair, but that doesn't mean the long hair sheds more. Personal preference, I'd say

[ferJenna]

To add: It obviously depends on the dog.. As I'm sure you're well aware, every dog is different.

[themtkid]

K and just wondering will either one do good in montana since its cold here. I want a short haired but if a long haired will do better ill get a long haired

[krazy4birds]

Hmmm.....I am not sure how to answer that one. The dogs will stay in won't they? I can't see a poor Chi out in the winter in Montana YIKEEEEES lol
Well,if you want a short haired then that is what I would get and they make great little sweaters and the likes for dogs to go outside when it is very cold. Our granddaughter has a short haired Chi and they never see any shedding at all.

[mynameislola]

My Vet. told us the lowest temperature a Chihuahua, or any other dog that small, can be kept in is 65 degrees. Ours sleeps on an electric whelping mat with a doghouse over it to hold in the heat and that is in an area of the house that stays at 72 year round. He is happiest at 85 degrees.

You might want to consider paper training or litterbox training the dog to keep it from catching pneumonia when outside.

Ours is short haired, and he sheds like all the others, but since he is so little there is less hair. Long haired Chihuahuas have a huge variety in the thickness of the hair. Some just have fringes but others look more like a Pomeranian.

How are you going to keep the Chihuahua safe from the boxer? Chihuahuas break easily. I also have a Newfoundland and two Italian Mastiffs and the Chihuahua has his own bedroom.

If you are getting the dog from a breeder, insist on seeing the parents. Since these dogs tend to be bred for size, and not personality, there are some snippy dogs out there breeding snippy pups. If you can't pet the mama, skip the pups.

If it is a shelter dog, bring your boxer to the shelter and see how they get along. Be honest about having the boxer even though lots of shelters will refuse to place a Chihuahua in a home with a dog that large.

Are you familiar with the symptoms of hypoglycemia in dogs? Chihuahuas are fairly famous for having that as puppies and it can be fatal very quickly.

[themtkid]

I wont be keeping it outside and my boxer is scared of little dogs and he is very lazy so im sure they will get along + i will have the chi with me alot.

[rchlhrrll]

I have a long coat and a short coat chihuahua. They both shed the same, the only place where there is noticable shedding is on their bedding. Our long coat has no problem going outside to go potty in the snow, however our short coat has to be made to go out in the snow, and has to have a path completely cleared.

[ferJenna]

I was concerned about my little short haired coming from California to Wisconsin (where it gets DARN cold). I went and bought her a few sweaters and she is doing wonderful so far. The cold makes it a little easier for potty time.. She goes outside, does her thing and is right back to the door. None of this lolly-gagging stuff

[EnderSSoGC]

My boyfriend's mother's chi is short haired and she sheds a bunch. Every time I go over to their house she sits in my lap the entire time (because she knows I can't resist her little face and will pet her until my hands fall off). By the time I leave I look like a walking lint roller. But, I've known other chis who don't really shed at all. So, like someone else says...it depends on the dog. You're just going to have to pick one and hope you get lucky!

[apache]

These dogs both shed the same. You will notice the long hair more of course. If your concerned about sheding I would try some lipiderm or dream coat (my choice). It will cut down on the sheding alot and make your dogs coat soft as a baby's behind. Good luck

Apache

[krazy4birds]

I definatly agree with Apache about the dream coat or whatever product you preferr. I just had not thought of it! Thanks for posting that Apache!

[mamakanga]

I agree about chihuhua's staying warm, I know our lil Bizkit love's warmth, she as well has a doggie heat pad taht is under her doggie bed which is on our bed or we move it to the couch and she piles under her fuzzy blanket year round. We live in Oregon and our winters get a little chilly, but we trained her to potty on the disposable pee pads which works out great, no matter where we go we just take pads for her and she is good to go. And about the shedding, she is a short hair and when I took her to doctor last week I had on black and yes she lost alot of hair on me, we really don't notice around the house in general beacause of the hair being so short, but regardless they are great little dogs.

[katiem]

I think he ended up getting a Dachshund right? Have not heard from him in a while.

[lindsayanng]

wow.. nothing like ressurecting a REALLY old post!