Chihuahua is a small dog breed with a huge personality. They are lively and full of mischief dogs who always like to be the center of attraction.
Do Chihuahuas Shed? Yes, Chihuahuas do shed. They often have a double coat which sheds moderately throughout the year but sheds excessively a couple of times in a year during spring and fall.
This dog breed falls in the medium shedding bracket. Shedding intensity will vary from dog to dog since they come in two different coat types i.e. long coat or a smooth coat and may also have a single coat or double coat.
The good thing about Chihuahua is they are tiny dogs and that means you would not find a lot of hairs around your house.
Chihuahua coat characteristics and colors
Chihuahua hairs can be classified in two ways. One would be based on the length of the coat or how many layers of coat they have.
UK Kennel club consider Chihuahua to be different breed based on length of his coat.
- Long coat
Long coat Chihuahuas, as the name suggests, have long hairs around their ears, necks, legs, and tails. Though they are not long enough to touch the ground. Feathering along the abdomen, limbs, ears, and chest can be observed.
Long-haired shed almost the same as short-haired ones, but due to the length of the hair, you may notice their shedding slightly more. The longhaired one should get his coat brushed at least once a week to avoid any mats.
- Smooth coat
The smooth-coat Chihuahua have shorter hairs. They do not require much grooming. Occasional brushing and regular baths should be sufficient in keeping their coat clean.
Chihuahua can have a single or double-layered coat. It is not dependent on the length of the coat and you may find a single coat in both long-haired or smooth-haired Chihuahuas.
- Double coat
Chihuahua with a double coat would shed more than a single coat chihuahua. Their shedding significantly increases couple of times a year when they blow out their inner coat.
- Single coat
It is relatively rare but you can spot a single coat Chihuahua shed. They shed relatively less than double-coated ones.
Chihuahua Coat colors
Chihuahua can come in solid colors like black, white, fawn, chocolate, gray, or silver. They are also seen in tricolor combination like a mix of chocolate, black, or blue with tan and white, brindle, spotted, merle and a variety of other markings.
Why Do Chihuahua Shed?
There are several reasons for the Chihuahua shedding such as below.
Hair-growth cycle
All dogs shed. It is part of their normal cycle of hair growth. The hairs that are loosened or old sheds out to make way for the new hairs. The amount of shedding may depend on the genes and different dog breeds have a different rate of shedding.
Chihuahua are considered moderate shedders.
Adaptation to climate
Chihuahua hair sheds all year round but they do more in spring and fall. This is because they blow their inner coat to adjust to the newer season.
What can cause excessive shedding in Chihuahua?
There are times when you may find unusually more shedding in Chihuahua and you should actively look to find the root cause of the same. Below are few factors that you can look for that can be the cause of his shedding.
Diet
Your Chihuahua needs a well-balanced diet to keep him active and healthy. Most often you would find undernourishment as the root cause for your excessive dog shedding.
Chihuahua will not thrive on food that is lacking essential vitamins and minerals for his health. He should have a diet that is rich in omega fatty acids that will help him to keep a healthy coat.
We would recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Dehydration
Dehydration can cause excessive dog shedding. If you see signs of dog shedding, you may want to keep a check on the water bowls and ensure they are filled for chihuahua to quench his thirst.
Irritable shampoos
This unprecedented shedding could be in connection to the shampoo and soap products you are using. People are mostly attracted to products that smell good or fit the budget. Unfortunately, these products do not always have your dog’s health at heart!
In rare cases, harsh grooming products could cause more than just hair fall. Be sure to assess your dog thoroughly for reactions to chemicals. This is necessary when you are using a new shampoo.
We would recommend oatmeal based shampoo. Earthbath All Natural Creme Rinse and Conditioner
Stress-related shedding
Stress can be another cause of excessive shedding.
Look for small changes to his environment or routine that might unsettle him to cause stress. The Chihuahua is a sensitive dog and can easily become stressed.
It would be easy to control this shedding. Once things return back to normal or he settles down in the new environment, the coat should return to its normal texture.
Health
If you are not able to zero into the root cause of the shedding, there is a chance that he may be suffering from illness. It is best to consult a vet in this case.
How to manage Chihuahua Shedding?
Shedding is natural to dogs just like us humans. There is no way you can stop shedding. Loosened or dead hairs naturally falls to give way to the newer ones.
But you can take few steps to control the amount of hairs lying around here and there in the house as below.
Brushing Chihuahua
The best way to prevent hair from falling everywhere is to brush your dog. It spreads hair oils that restore shine to thick healthy hair coats. Brushing gets rid of dead and damaged hairs.
If you have a short-haired Chihuahua brushing once a week or less is enough to keep his coat maintained. Being such a small dog, it should not take long to groom him. https://yourdogsworld.com/b/do-maltese-shed/
Long-haired Chihuahua may need a little bit more effort. Minimum once a week brushing is usually sufficient but be vigilant of the hair mats. For the long chi, use a pin brush to brush his hair.
Bathing
Bathe your dog if the coat is dirty or smelling foul. Bathing him often is not advised as they can dry out the essential oils of the skin. We would recommend bathing once in 6 to 8 weeks or when he is smelly or dirty.
Cleaning tools
Use different tools to clean your house so that you do not find his hair everywhere. Check out this guide that can help. https://yourdogsworld.com/b/dog-shedding-home-remedies/
About Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a small alert dog, with big innocent eyes that appear to water, giving them a sparkling appearance. They are known to bark and come in an assortment of colors, brown, black, fawn, cream to mention just a few.
Their head features one of two shapes: apple or deer shape. Their ears are always standing up on their heads and look slightly oversized.
Care is important as these delicate animals are prone to get hurt in the most unexpected ways.
When trained properly, they make the ideal companion for single individuals. Shower them with love and treats to make them feel appreciated.
Some owners complain the Chihuahua is clingy and gets “jealous” easily. Therefore, we do not recommend getting one if you have other pets as well.
They are petite little dogs, small enough to fit into your bag or be carried around on your arm. Perfect for an apartment or small house living.
Their small stature should not be taken as a reason to undermine them as they have a feisty character and a big personality.