If you want a chihuahua that doesn't shed much, look for one with a sparse single coat. The CORRECT coat on a smooth is a thick, double coat. You will see fur around the neck, the back of the legs, and the tail will be especially full.

Example... this is the correct smooth double coat .... notice how full the tail is.



Brody is an example of an incorrect smooth coat. It is a single coat, with no undercoat, and very thin/short. More like a doberman. He does NOT shed. He can sit on my lap when I have on white sweatpants and I can pet him for hours and when I get up, there is no hair on my pants.

So if you really want a chi, get a longcoat that is sparsely coated or a smooth coat that has an incorrect single coat instead of a double coat. You will easily tell the difference when you see them in person.

Are you looking at rescues?

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"Having heard all of this, you may choose to look the other way.....
but you can never say again that you did not know." William Wilberforce 1759-1833

Thanks brodysmom! I just learned my dog has a smooth double coat!
I've always wondered why the back of her neck was extra furry.

The differences on this are strange.

I've read that long haired chihuahuas shed less because they shed twice a year whereas a short haired chihuahua is constantly shedding and renewing their fur. I've only ever had long haired chihuahuas though. Mylo and Willow both don't seem to she'd much. They're both still puppies but Mylo had a spate where he shed his wavy puppy fur and got long, straight, thicker fur and Willow seems to be shedding at the moment. I brush them once or twice a day with a good brush when they're shedding and feed them a good quality food and I've not had a problem with needing a lint roller. When they're not shedding I never find any hairs of Mylo and very few off Willow. I probably see more of hers because I wear a lot of dark colours and she is lighter but I'd say that shedding from them is pretty minimal.

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Douglas hardly sheds. He's a smooth single coated one though.

I have noticed in grooming that a lot of red and white parti-colored chis shed a LOT. No one knows why this is and it could be coincidence.

I've never even noticed Harry shedding, to be honest. I guess he must shed, as his coat does gets thicker with seasonal changes, but it's not something I've ever really been aware of. I mostly wear dark coloured pants, and Harry has a very white tummy, so I would definitely notice! I've not owned a smooth coat, so I can't comment on how much they might shed.

We used to have a toy poodle, and although he didn't shed in the same way that a fur-coated dog does, his coat meant he did need to be groomed every day, and that meant brush loads of hair each time.

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I would also suggest not getting a chi if any amount of shedding bothers you. Toby is on excellent food and is brushed daily. He still sheds a bit. And no matter how little they shed, you will need a lint roller- they shed enough. Short coats shed more, but neither variety will be completely shed free.

Poodles, spaniels, shih tzus, etc. have hair and don't shed but have high maintenance coat care needs.

Also, different Chis shed at different levels. My moms chi sheds way more than mine- it's just a different type of coat.


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