As simple as brushing a chihuahua with long hair may seem, it’s not. After all, different coats need varying intensity and amounts of maintenance. Regardless, using the right brush is essential. So the question is: what’s the best brush for long haired chihuahua?
Generally, the best brush for long-haired chihuahuas is a pin or slicker brush. These can thoroughly comb through thick and long hair without issues. Still, the best one depends on your chihuahua’s coat type.
I’ve scoured the market and tested over 50 brushes to pinpoint the five best every owner should consider for their long-haired chihuahua. See which one can tame your chihuahua’s luscious locks best!
| BRUSH FOR LONG-HAIRED CHIHUAHUA | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! Hertzko Self-Cleaning Brush for Long Haired Chihuahua |  | Check Price |
 | Hartz Groomer's Combo Brush for Long Haired Dogs |  | Check Price |
 | Furbliss Massaging and De-shedding Dog Brush | | Check Price |
 | KONG Zoom Groom Brush | | Check Price |
 | Coastal Pet Safari Pin and Bristle Brush | | Check Price |
What is the Best Brush for Long Haired Chihuahua?
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: Hertzko Self-Cleaning Brush for Long Haired Chihuahua
Product Name: Hertzko Self-Cleaning Brush for Long Haired Chihuahua
Product Description: My pick for the best brush for long haired chihuahua is Hertzko's self-cleaning slicker brush. This brush is highly effective in taming a long-haired chihuahua's luscious locks. But the downside of slicker brushes is that they're incredibly challenging to clean. Fur often gets caught deep between their bristles. Luckily, Hertzko has thought it out and designed the product to remove stuck hair with one button! It retracts the metal pins, allowing the collected fur to fall off the brush. With this, you can continue grooming your long-haired chihuahua without hassle. But self-cleaning feature aside, this brush also has an impressive design. It has tight-knit and bent wire bristles for more effortless removal of knots, mats, and tangles. The only downside of this brush for long-haired chihuahuas is its metal pins. They're stiff and may harm your dog with improper use. Using it with light pressure and practicing caution around sensitive spots shouldn't hurt your chihuahua.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Summary
As ordinary as the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Brush for Long Haired Chihuahua may seem, it’s not! Its unique self-cleaning feature makes the brushing process hassle-free. With a simple button press, you can dispose of the gathered fur and continue grooming your chi. And thanks to its metal pins and bendable bristles, you can remove all gunk and tangles in your chi’s coat in no time!
Best of all, this brush comes in three sizes: original, small, and large. And all you need to do is pick the most suitable one for your long-haired chi.
Pros
- It is easy to clean.
- This brush has a retractable head, keeping its bristles from bending.
- One-button function.
- Available in three sizes (original, small, and large).
- It has an innovative design.
Cons
- Its bristles are stiff and may hurt your chihuahua.
RUNNERS-UP
Hartz Groomer’s Combo Brush is an excellent combo brush that can go through a long-haired chihuahua’s coat without issues. And it has two sides.
One has stainless steel pins for untangling nasty knots and collecting loose fur. Meanwhile, the other has soft nylon bristles for adding volume and shine. Aside from that, it can also spread your chihuahua’s natural oils throughout its skin. As a result, your chi gets shinier and softer hair.
Despite its low price tag, this combo brush is durable and can go through even the thickest coats! So, if your long-haired chi is often dealing with tangles, knots, or mats, this brush has you covered. And I especially like that its metal pins had rounded and protected tips—ensuring your chihuahua’s safety and comfort.
Best of all, the brush also caters to us chi owners as it comes with an ergonomic handle made from soft rubber. But my issue is that its nylon bristles are too soft and sometimes can’t pick up dead fur. And its metal pins might be too harsh on your chihuahua’s skin when misused. If you use the combo brush correctly, there shouldn’t be an issue!
If your long-haired chihuahua isn’t used to a brush yet, start with Furbliss’s curry comb! It adds a personal touch to your chi’s grooming sessions, making it more comfortable for your dog.
It’s made from 100% medical-grade silicone, ensuring your long-haired chihuahua’s safety and comfort. The material makes the brush soft and gentle on your chi’s sensitive skin. Combined with its nodules, you can produce a relaxing sensation for your chi.
You can use this brush in dry or wet conditions, meaning you can use it to lather the shampoo on your chihuahua’s coat. As a result, you can provide a deeper cleansing and massage while de-shedding your chi. Aside from that, this unique brush can also help you remove stuck fur from clothes and furniture.
What I love about this curry brush is that it’s dishwasher-safe. You can chuck it in your dishwasher and go on with your day.
But since this curry brush focuses on de-shedding and massaging, it doesn’t work well in removing tangles or knots. Still, it makes for an excellent starter product for brushing, especially for uneasy chihuahuas!
Another pick for nervous long-haired chihuahuas is the KONG Zoom Groom Brush. It’s a curry brush that helps you brush your chi’s coat fast while removing loose or dead fur.
This versatile brush works best during and after bathing your long-haired chihuahua. Please take advantage of its unique design and use it while washing your chihuahua. And thanks to its rounded nodules, you should be able to glide through your chihuahua’s fur without issues.
Best of all, even if your long-haired chihuahua is wet, all loose and dead fur sticks to the brush. With this, you can keep all excess hair in one place. And although it’s made for short-haired chihuahuas, it also works just as well for those with long hair.
You can get this curry brush in two different sizes and colors.
If you’re working with multiple long-haired chihuahuas, I recommend Coastal Pet’s Safari Pin and Bristle Brush. This combo brush is one of the best for removing mats and tangles in hairy chihuahuas!
Its slicker side can help you handle tough knots and tangles from your long-haired chi’s fur. Aside from that, it can also remove loose or dead hair and debris simultaneously. Meanwhile, you can use the bristle side to brush and massage your chihuahua’s coat gently. It helps spread natural oils throughout your chi’s skin and coat, promoting healthier and shinier hair!
Moreover, this dual-sided brush is incredibly durable, making it suitable for multi-pet use! It can handle even the most rigid mats, allowing you to maintain your long-haired coat.
But my issue is that the brush can be tricky to use on tiny chihuahua variations, like the teacup chi. Anyway, with enough practice, you should be able to use this Safari brush like a pro in no time.
How to Pick the Best Brush for Long Haired Chihuahua?
Finding the best brush for a long-haired chihuahua is crucial to keep them well-maintained. It can help remove any knots, tangles, or mats, ensuring clean and healthy fur and skin. Consider these factors to find the perfect fit for your chi:
✔️ Brush Type
Different dog brushes have various uses and effects on long-haired chihuahuas. Here are the five most common brush types for chihuahuas:
- Slicker brush. It’s the most common and cheapest grooming tool for long-haired chihuahuas. This brush has flexible metal bristles that remove tangles from the undercoat.
- Bristle brush. Although this won’t help remove knots or mats, it’s excellent for making your chihuahua’s coat look more luscious. This brush is shorter and often used for short-haired chihuahuas. But you can use it to finish up grooming a long-haired chi.
- Pin brush. Closely resembling what humans use, a pin brush has rubber-tipped metal pins. As a result, this brush works incredibly well on longer-haired chihuahuas with thick and stubborn tangles or knots.
- Grooming glove. If you have a weary chihuahua, I recommend using gloves. This tool offers a more intimate and personal approach to chihuahua grooming.
- Curry brush. Usually made from rubber or silicone, curry brushes can likely fit your palm. It has raised nodules that massage your chihuahua’s skin, promoting better blood flow. And this, in turn, boosts your chihuahua’s natural oil production. As a result, you get a long-haired chihuahua with silkier and more luscious fur.
Although it depends on your chihuahua, the best brush for long-haired chihuahuas will generally be a pin or slicker brush. These can reach into your chi’s undercoat best, removing any knot, tangle, or mat in sight. Although not mentioned, combs are also an excellent option.
Regardless of your choice, remember that long-haired chihuahuas require more maintenance. After all, their coat doesn’t always look feathery and soft! So besides finding the right brush, you’ll also need to brush your chihuahua several times a week to promote healthier skin and hair.
✔️ Brush Material (Quality)
Manufacturers make dog brushes in varying materials to guarantee smooth and painless grooming. Generally, they use wood, rubber, or plastic to make these for long-haired chihuahuas. And any of these should be safe enough to use for your chi with long hair. Regardless, they should ensure a more comfortable grooming experience for your chihuahua.
✔️ Bristles
Dog brushes have bristles to help remove knots, mats, tangles, debris, loose or dead fur, and fleas. Aside from that, some can be comfortable for your chi, while others not. And since not all can be ideal for your long-haired chihuahua, checking the bristles is your best bet. I recommend testing them on your palm to see if their pins hurt or leave scratches.
Also, testing the bristles on your palm lets you determine if the brush has covered pins or not. And with that simple test, you should be able to tell how it would feel for your chihuahua. You’d want a brush that can offer your chi a soothing and painless grooming experience.
I recommend going for brushes with bristles with protected pins.
✔️ Brush Ventilation Holes
Ventilation holes ensure a gentle brushing experience for your chihuahua. And they let you brush your chihuahua without pulling extra hair or hurting its skin. Generally, ventilation holes are handy for chihuahuas that shed often. Overall, they offer a smoother and more comfortable grooming experience for your chihuahua.
I suggest looking for a brush with ventilation holes to provide a cleaner and healthier grooming routine for your long-haired chi.
✔️ Brush Handle
Although brushing may seem simple, it takes longer than you’d assume. So, you’d naturally want a brush to have a handle with a comfortable grip. With this, you can be more confident about not making any mistakes!
Getting a brush with an ergonomic handle offering a firmer grip without slips and fatigue is best.
✔️ Chihuahua Coat Type
Besides considering that your chihuahua has long hair, you should also consider the coat type. After all, the brush you settle for in the ends depends on the kind of fur your chihuahua has. For example, pin or slicker brushes would be best for chihuahuas with thicker hair. Meanwhile, it’s best to brush a double-coated chihuahua with a regular pin or slicker brush and a de-shedding tool.
How to Groom a Chihuahua with Long Hair?
Long-haired chihuahuas need regular grooming to keep their skin, and luscious locks look and feel good. Despite their long hair, these tiny dogs’ needs aren’t extensive. At most, chihuahua owners only must groom them at least once a month. But I recommend starting the grooming process while your chihuahua is young.
After all, these tiny dogs pack a big personality attitude! Aside from that, it helps your chihuahua adjust to the routine better. And it prevents your chi from protesting during grooming time while letting you two bond more and become closer.
Best of all, when it comes to grooming a chihuahua, even when one with long hair, you only need to use a few tools. Most importantly, you’ll need a top-quality grooming brush that’s gentle yet thorough. Avoid getting regular brushes with stiff bristles and opt for those with softer ones. These are gentler on your chi’s skin, helping you groom them well without hurting them.
You can settle for a glove if your chihuahua isn’t comfortable with a brush. These grooming gloves provide a more personal touch. With this, your chi should be more pleased. It works like a regular brush; you must run the glove over your chihuahua’s coat to catch loose hair.
Once you’ve got everything settled, here’s how to groom your long-haired chihuahua:
1️⃣ Bathing
Having your chihuahua brushed before bathing is an ideal practice. It helps remove all the dead fur, tangles, knots, and mats. And like how you’d use a quality brush, I also recommend using shampoo made for long-haired chihuahuas—combining these help you in maintaining your chihuahua’s long luscious locks. Once you’ve thoroughly brushed your chihuahua, prepare the bath.
I recommend bathing your long-haired chi in a bathtub or shallow basin with 4 inches of water. It should be enough to help you remove all the gunk from the coat without making it uncomfortable for your chi. You can also place a towel or bathmat at the bottom to stop your chihuahua from slipping. And this addition should also make it more comfortable for your tiny dog.
Once your chihuahua has adjusted, please place it in the water and wet its coat by pouring small cups of water at a time. Massage your preferred shampoo into your chihuahua’s fur while running your fingers from the back of the head to the tail. Remember to be gentle when washing your chi’s head and snout while avoiding the eyes!
After thoroughly applying the shampoo, rinse your chihuahua with the same cup method mentioned earlier. After all this, it’s time to dry your chihuahua.
I recommend having your long-haired chihuahua dry naturally under the warm sun. It’s safer and more comfortable for your chi than using a hairdryer. But the weather doesn’t permit it—you can dry your chihuahua by lying it down on a thick towel and using a hairdryer.
Take precautions when using a hairdryer, as it can be dangerous to a tiny dog like the chihuahua. Avoid concentrating the hairdryer’s heat in one spot and protect your chihuahua’s face with your hands during the process. Finally, monitor the hairdryer’s heat to prevent overheating your chi.
2️⃣ Brushing
Generally, long-haired chihuahuas have soft and fine guard hairs with an undercoat. So, brushing their fur shouldn’t be a tedious task. After bathing your chihuahua, brush once it’s dry using a pin or slicker brush. Be sure the brush has protective pins to avoid harming your chi’s sensitive skin.
The first round of brushing should remove all dead fur and dander from your chi’s undercoat. Once you’ve ridden the undercoat of all the gunk, brush your chihuahua’s coat with a soft bristle brush. Doing this conditions and makes your chi’s fur shine! And finally, use a double-sided comb to lift your chihuahua’s hair and put them into place.
You can do the brushing in different orders. After all, there’s no specific technique for doing so for a long-haired chihuahua. But I recommend starting the process by rubbing the brush from the back of your chi’s neck to its tail.
Also, when running into tangles, knots, or mats, never force the brush through them! Instead, hold them with your free hand and tweak them out gently with the brush. Repeat the same action until you’ve removed the tangle, knot, or mat.
The brushing process should only take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how hairy your chi is. Once finished, don’t forget to give your chihuahua a delicious treat, pets, and praises! Not only does your chi deserve it, but it also encourages them to behave better for the following sessions.
I recommend brushing your long-haired chihuahua weekly. After all, a chi’s long and fine locks can get knotted, tangled, or matted unless brushed regularly.
3️⃣ Trimming (Cutting)
Using hair clippers or a shaver, trim the fur around your long haired chihuahua’s paw pads. And if possible, trim around our chi’s toes as well. Meanwhile, switch to blunt scissors to tidy up your chihuahua’s fur around the tail. Doing this stops feces from clinging to your chi’s hair.
If you’re confident about your skills, here are fun hair cuts to try on your long-haired chihuahua:
✂️ A Simple Trim
Keep your long-haired chihuahua look neat with just a trim. It essentially involves what you do in regular trimming or cutting sessions. And thanks to your chi’s tiny stature, even a simple trim can go a long way!
Aside from trimming between your chi’s toes, paw pads, tail, and legs, do the underbelly too. It gives your long-haired chi a well-kept and uniform look. And even with minor adjustments like these, your chihuahua should feel more comfortable and stylish than ever. It should be ready to strut its stuff in no time.
✂️ The Lion Cut
The “lion” cut is a fun hair cut popular among long-haired chihuahuas. It keeps the tiny dog cool during hotter days as it trims down the fur on the body while adding some style around its head. But as you cut your chihuahua’s fur, remember to leave at least one inch of hair to prevent sunburn. Regardless, finish the cut by leaving fur around your chihuahua’s head full and only shape it to resemble a lion’s mane.
Although the lion cut can look good on any long-haired chihuahua, it looks best on those with apple-shaped heads as they often have shorter snouts resembling that of a lion’s. This fun haircut proudly shows your chihuahua’s big personality!
✂️ The Show Cut
The show cut is the perfect hair cut for long-haired chihuahuas ready to display the crucial aspects of their breeds alongside their massive personalities. As mentioned, it enhances your chihuahua’s features by fluffing its tail up and shaping its front and rear.
Whether you’re having your chihuahua trimmed at the groomers or doing it yourself, remember, it doesn’t end with the cut! I recommend checking your chihuahua’s ears while at it to ensure it’s free from any gunk or infection. Aside from that, remember to cut your chihuahua’s nails as well.
I recommend using a professional dog nail clipper as it has safety guards. These passively stop you from cutting your chihuahua’s nails dangerously short. Overdoing it can damage the blood vessels in your chihuahua’s nails, which can be extremely painful. Finally, remember to grind or file your chihuahua’s nails after clipping to decrease the risk of splitting them.
Additional Grooming Tips for a Long Haired Chihuahua
Like how it takes extra effort and time to groom a long-haired chihuahua, you’ll also need additional tips to make the grooming and brushing process more manageable.
Here are tips to help you in grooming your long-haired chi:
✔️ Regularly Bathe Your Long Haired Chihuahua
Bathing your long-haired chihuahua keeps them smell fantastic, look great, and maintain a healthy coat and skin. So, aside from brushing, add this to your chi’s regular grooming routine. But as easy as it sounds, bathing a feisty chihuahua will make you think otherwise.
If your chi doesn’t like baths, make the experience more tolerable by following these tips:
- Start at the top and work your way down to the tail. It ensures max cleanliness while keeping clumping to a minimum.
- Gently remove tangles or knots. Plowing through these won’t only hurt your chi, but it will also traumatize them. So, try eliminating these tangles and knots by combing your chi’s coat using your fingers. I recommend doing this while applying the shampoo to your chihuahua’s hair.
- Dry your chihuahua with a towel for max comfort. Wrap the towel around your long-haired chi and blow-dry their coat dry.
- Lather up with a conditioner or crème made for long-haired chihuahuas. These leave your chi’s coat soft, smooth, and shiny!
✔️ Don’t Forget to Brush
As I’ve mentioned, brushing is a crucial practice for long-haired chihuahuas. It maintains their luscious coat and keeps their skin healthy. Although you can do it weekly, doing it every day is better. It prevents your chi from getting tangles, knots, or mats while rejuvenating its skin.
Everyday brushing stimulates your chihuahua’s skin to produce more natural oils, encouraging coat growth. Aside from that, daily brushing makes other grooming steps for long-haired chihuahuas more manageable.
I recommend using a slicker or pin brush with protective pins to thoroughly get through your long-haired chihuahua’s coat without harming its skin. These are also efficient in removing clumps of fur and getting through loose undercoat hair when your chi’s shedding.
✔️ Trim Your Long Haired Chihuahua’s Coat When Possible
Aside from brushing, trimming is also excellent for controlling matting. After all, any dog with long hair is susceptible to tangles, knots, and mats. Trimming helps you get over the ones you’ve missed during brushing. But be careful when handling shavers or scissors, as chihuahuas have sensitive skins.
Focusing on your long-haired chihuahua’s paw pads and toes is best. After all, having too much hair on these areas can cause your chi to slip or side on it when walking, running, or playing. And it helps prevent your chi from losing traction.
If unsure of your skills, I recommend bringing your long-haired chi to a groomer. They should be able to trim your chihuahua’s coat without issues.
✔️ Make it a Habit to Practice Protective Care
Make protective care a habit to keep your long-haired chihuahua’s skin and coat healthy. I recommend applying skin treatments or medications during the last stages of grooming to protect your chi against parasites like fleas. Aside from that, remember to clean your chihuahua’s ears to prevent infections.
✔️ Keep Your Long Haired Chihuahua Out of the Mud
Although there’s nothing wrong with having your long-haired chihuahua have fun now and then, keep an eye out on your chi’s mud baths! Despite their luscious locks, long-haired chis love to play on ponds, puddles, and sand. And to stop your chihuahua from ruining its fur, brush your chi each time they get muddy to remove the muck and keep their coat clean and healthy.
✔️ Train Your Chihuahua to Stay Still During Grooming
If you have a rambunctious long-haired chihuahua that can’t seem to stay still during grooming, train it first. You don’t have to discipline your chi to the max. Instead, you only need to let your long-haired chihuahua stay still long enough to make grooming sessions matter. Although it can be challenging to handle, you can make a few adjustments to make grooming more manageable.
For instance, if your long-haired chihuahua is food motivated, it’s best to have snacks on hand during grooming. Meanwhile, being patient and brushing your chi’s coat, trimming its fur, or cutting its nails bit by bit is ideal.
✔️ Take Advantage of Sprays and Wipes
Take advantage of sprays and wipes if you can’t bathe your long-haired chihuahua. These include dry dog shampoos or wet wipes. These keep your chi look clean, smell great, and feel excellent! I recommend using products with tea tree oil or aloe vera to moisturize your chihuahua’s skin while protecting it against bacteria.
✔️ Feed Your Long Haired Chihuahua the Right Diet
Providing your chihuahua with proper nutrition ensures a healthy and shiny coat. I recommend feeding your chihuahua with a diet packed with omega 3- or -6 fatty acids or vegetable oil. Aside from keeping your chi’s fur shiny and luscious, these also help fight against infections. But consult with your chihuahua’s vet before making any diet changes.
Also, with a vet’s approval, you may use herbal supplements to promote better skin health and coat growth in long-haired chihuahuas. Herbal supplements like Spirulina and Horsetail guarantee softer fur and healthier skin. But you may want to add these to your chihuahua’s diet in a strictly controlled amount.
✔️ Only Use Products Made for Long Haired Chihuahuas
Never use grooming products for humans or other animals on your long-haired chihuahuas. After all, those use formulas that may contain chemicals harmful to your chi. So, avoid irritating your chihuahua’s skin and only use dog grooming products.
So, whenever buying grooming products for your chihuahua, always check the labels.
The only time you can use a product not exclusively made for long-haired chihuahuas is when considering coconut oil. Like how it helps with hair growth in humans, it can also do the same for your chi. I recommend mixing a few drops on your chihuahua’s regular shampoo and letting it do the rest.
Aside from that, with your vet’s approval, you can add a few drops of coconut oil to your chihuahua’s food. Aside from promoting better coat growth, coconut oil can also help moisturize a chihuahua’s skin, improving its glow.
✔️ Regularly Groom Your Long Haired Chihuahua
Bring your long-haired chihuahua to the groomers if you don’t have the time to groom it. It’s an excellent way to maintain your chi’s luscious locks, freeing it from all the gunk and painful tangles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of coat does a long haired chihuahua have?
A: Long-haired chihuahuas often have flat or wavy coats in different colors. Moreover, a chihuahua’s ears must be dripping with fringe, have a ruff encircling its neck, and have feathered legs. From fawn to black, these are standard colors among long-haired chihuahuas.
Q: What is the best brush for a long haired chihuahua that’s safe to use?
A: Soft rubber grooming brushes are the safest option for long-haired chihuahuas. These ensure to maintain your chi’s luscious locks without hurting them. So, even though hard-bristle brushes may make it easier to tame your chihuahua’s hair, they can hurt them. After all, chihuahuas have sensitive skins!
Q: Can a slicker brush hurt my long haired chihuahua?
A: As long as the slicker brush is of excellent quality and used correctly, it shouldn’t hurt your chihuahua. I recommend finding a slicker brush that can get right into your chi’s luscious locks. It helps maintain your chihuahua’s shedding while making detangling knots and mats swift and painless.
Q: How often should I brush my long haired chihuahua?
A: To ensure your chihuahua’s long hair stays tangle- and mat-free, you need to brush them at least once a week. But ensure to do it gently to avoid hurting your chi as they have sensitive skin. Aside from that, thoroughly brush your long-haired chihuahua to help maintain its luscious locks.
Q: Why does my long haired chihuahua shed a lot?
A: There are many causes of excess shedding in chihuahuas, including stress, poor diet, infection, cancer, and allergies. These diseases or conditions force your long-haired chi to shed more than usual. You can reduce or prevent your chihuahua’s shedding by brushing them with the right brush. Generally, pin or slicker brushes work best on long-haired chihuahuas.
Final Words
Having the best brush for long haired chihuahua makes grooming sessions more manageable. Each brush listed will groom your chihuahua’s luscious, long locks without hurting them. So, pick a brush that suits your chi’s hair the best and let it do the rest. Either way, you should be able to groom your long-haired chi like a pro in no time.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
