The long-coat chihuahua has a soft textured fur, slightly wavy or flat, but never harsh to touch or curly. The tail is long, resembling a plume with its long fur. Long-coat chihuahuas have feathering or long fur on their ears, legs, feet and hindquarters. They often show a large ruff on the neck. Any color can occur in long-coat chihuahuas. The Merle pattern, which combines dark and light colors, is rare in chihuahuas.
Smooth-coat chihuahuas share most characteristics of the long-coat chihuahua, apart from the type of fur. Smooth-coat chihuahuas have a short and glossy coat, sometimes also showing a neck ruff. In both varieties, the tail is furry, set high, and carried up and over the back. Smooth-coat chihuahuas shed less hair than the long-coat variety and need little grooming.
Chihuahuas are compact dogs that should not exceed 6 lbs. They have a short and pointed muzzle, lean cheeks and jaws and a nose that varies form pink to black, according to coat color. Eyes are not protruding, and come in a variety of light and dark colors. Ears are erect and large, in comparison to the head size.
Chihuahuas are dogs with terrier-like qualities, such as alertness. According to the American Kennel Club, they make good companions for families with gentle and patient children. Chihuahuas are confident and self-reliant dogs, but can be temperamental and over-protective of their owners. This can lead to aggression towards other people and animals that try to approach the owners.