Long Haired Chihuahua vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Long Haired Chihuahua vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonLong Haired Chihuahua is originated from Mexico but Cao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal. Long Haired Chihuahua may grow 32 cm / 12 inches shorter than Cao da Serra de Aires. Long Haired Chihuahua may weigh 24 kg / 52 pounds lesser than Cao da Serra de Aires. Long Haired Chihuahua may live 6 years more than Cao da Serra de Aires. Long Haired Chihuahua may have less litter size than Cao da Serra de Aires. Both Long Haired Chihuahua and Cao da Serra de Aires requires Moderate maintenance.

History

long haired chihuahua - historyThe short haired Chihuahua is such a recognizable dog breed, probably because of his tiny size, but did you know that you also get a long haired variety?

Looking quite a bit like a Pomeranian, the only difference between the two types of Chihuahua is the length of the coat.

This small dog dates back to Mayan times and while it may well have originated in Mexico, its popularity saw it becoming a sought after pet in other countries too.

To get the long haired Chihuahua, breeding programs were established and the short-haired variety was mated with other long haired toy sized dogs such as the Pomeranian and the Yorkshire Terrier.

cao da serra de aires - historyAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Mexico
Portugal
Height Male:
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 3 kg
2 - 7 pounds
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 3 kg
2 - 7 pounds
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 20 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
3 - 6
Size:
Toy dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
None
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Colors Available:
brownish, white, black - bi-color, Many colors - cream, apricot
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
Coat:
Long, straight to wavy
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

long haired chihuahua puppy - descriptionYour long haired Chihuahua will have a coat that is soft and slightly wavy. He weighs between 1 and 3kg and stands at about 15 – 23cm. He generally sheds throughout the year with a couple of heavier shedding periods during the year.

Don’t be fooled by the long, thick hair on the long haired Chihuahua as it doesn’t protect him from the cold – in fact he doesn’t tolerate the cold well at all, and is essentially an indoor dog. The ears are erect and feathery and the tail is full and plumed, lying over the back. He has a ruff on the neck, which is often described as a mane.

Temperament:

Chihuahuas are such bright-as-a-button little dogs and they’re intelligent too.

It’s difficult to say how a dog’s temperament will turn out, because breed, lifestyle and the type of owners can all make a dog a certain way.

Socialization and training can sometimes help with a dog that has bad genes. There are some people who say the Long haired Chihuahua is a nasty, aggressive little dog who’ll easily give you a nip but they’ve got a good reputation with many other dog lovers.

They love their own human family but may take quite a while to chill towards other people and other dogs too. They’re more ‘birds of a feather flock together’ type of dogs, preferring to get on with other Chihuahua dogs.

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

Characteristics

long haired chihuahua dog - characteristicsThe Chihuahua is such a feisty, courageous, confident little dog who also believes that he is part- lion. He is loving, sweet and gentle and just loves being picked up and petted non-stop. He looks up at you, moving his front paws up and down to tell you that he wants to be picked up.

He is in 7th heaven when he can be cuddled up in your lap. You just have to teach your children to be very careful with him and not enter into games with him that are too rough and tumble. Tiny he may be but he makes a great watchdog too, barking and alerting you to strangers.

His small size makes him perfect for life in the city or in the countryside. Just be careful when in the countryside lest an Eagle or Owl scoop him up and carry him off to some faraway nest.

He doesn’t need a great deal of exercise either and you can actually keep him happily busy with some games indoors. He’ll always welcome walks with you though.

This small dog is full of life and confidence and he is ready to be your constant, loving companion.

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

Health Problems

long haired chihuahua puppies - health problemsWith good care, you’ll have your long haired Chihuahua with you for a long time – 15 years and longer.

Parasites:

Make sure to de-worm your Chihuahua. Worms and other parasites can be deadly for your pet and the vet will do preventative deworming on a regular basis.

You Chihuahua will need to be vaccinated when he is a puppy and even when he is an adult, although less often. These vaccines will protect your Chihuahua from the likes of parvo, distemper and rabies. Have your chihuahua spayed or neutered.

There are so many puppies in the world who can’t find homes. Desexing your Chihuahua is a responsible way to ensure your pet doesn’t have puppies. Spaying and neutering can actually be beneficial for your dog’s health.

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

long haired chihuahua dogs - caringThe pint-sized long-haired Chihuahua isn’t going to take up too much of your time in terms of grooming. Make sure you brush him at least twice a week to ensure his long hair doesn’t tangle. Small dogs are prone to dental problems, so try and brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with special doggy toothbrush- and toothpaste.

General Care:

Take your puppy Chihuahua to the vet for his regular vaccinations to prevent him getting dangerous illnesses.

Feed him a high quality dog food. He is a high energy dog so buy high quality food that caters for small, lively dogs. Try and feed him such home made food from time to time. Remember that with small dogs, high-salt diets can contribute to kidney problems.

Never overfeed your Chihuahua as obesity opens up major health problems in Chihuahuas.

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Morkie vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  2. Pekingese vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  5. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  6. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  7. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  9. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  10. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  14. Long Haired Chihuahua vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  15. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  16. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  17. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  18. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  19. Russian Toy Terrier vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  20. Phalene vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  21. Shih Tzu vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  22. Silky Terrier vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  23. Snorkie vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Bulldog vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Mi-Ki vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  29. English Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  30. Catahoula Cur vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  31. Catalan Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  32. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  33. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  34. Queensland Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  35. German Coolie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  36. Croatian Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  37. Red Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  38. New Zealand Huntaway vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwegian Buhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  40. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  41. Mudi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  42. Schapendoes vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  43. Nenets Herding Laika vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  44. Scotch Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  45. Smithfield vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  46. Smooth Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  47. Spanish Water Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  48. Swedish Lapphund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  49. Swedish Vallhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  50. Thai Bangkaew vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds