Long-haired Chihuahua grooming in Berlin: brushing, tangles, appointments

A long-haired Chihuahua needs brushing two to three times a week to prevent knots from forming. The coat mats fastest behind the ears and under the legs. At our dog grooming salon GroomRoom in Charlottenburg, we groom small dogs from Tuesday to Saturday by appointment. A Mini Groom starts at 59 €. For dogs under 5 kg, we offer Junior Grooming at a fixed price of 60 €, available Wednesday and Saturday, 16:00 to 19:00.

How often should a long-haired Chihuahua be brushed?

A long-haired Chihuahua should be brushed two to three times a week to regularly remove loose and dead hair. A short-haired Chihuahua only needs brushing once a week. Some guides also mention once a week as the absolute minimum for long coats to prevent knots and matting.

We recommend the more frequent option, as short sessions are easier for a small dog to tolerate. A few quiet minutes during the week are easier to practice than one long session at the weekend. Work your way down to the skin with gentle strokes. This is the only way to reach the hair that collects deep in the coat.

Chihuahuas shed all year round, but especially heavily in spring and autumn. During these weeks, an extra brushing session is worth it, as there is more loose hair trapped in the coat. Regular vacuuming keeps the hair in your home under control.

Where does a Chihuahua's coat mat first?

In Chihuahuas, knots form first behind the ears and under the legs, where the coat rubs when they walk and lie down. Another problem area is the paws. Hair between the toes mats easily and sometimes needs a careful trim by a professional.

Check these spots with your fingers every time you brush. A small knot can still be easily removed with a brush. Look out for burrs, plant bits, small scratches or other skin abnormalities. If the skin shows redness, open sores or severe itching, your dog needs to see the vet first.

We remove light knots in the salon at no extra charge; they are included in the package price. For heavily matted coats, we charge 15 € per 15 minutes or part thereof for dematting. We don't pull on mats; we work step by step and will discuss the best solution with you if there is a lot of matting. You can find out more in our guide on preventing matting.

Which brush is right for a long Chihuahua coat?

For the long Chihuahua coat you need three tools: a slicker brush, a pin brush and a wide-toothed comb. With this set you can get through the whole coat, from ear to tail.

1. Slicker brush: It has short, densely packed wire pins that glide through the coat at an angle. You use it to remove loose hair and prevent knots. Guide it with a light hand, as too much pressure can be uncomfortable for the dog.
2. Pin brush: It looks like a human hairbrush, often with rubber caps on the pins. For long coats, you use it at the end to smooth the hair and remove dirt.
3. Wide-toothed comb: You use this after brushing to check if the coat is tangle-free all over. Wide teeth also help to gently tease out small knots and tangles.

A rubber brush isn't very suitable for a long-haired Chihuahua. Its short nubs don't penetrate long fur and are better suited for short coats. You can get free, spontaneous advice on the right tools at our salon on weekdays.

When is an appointment at the salon a good idea?

An appointment at the salon makes sense if you can no longer brush out knots at home, or if nails, paws and the hygiene area need attention. For short-haired dogs, we generally recommend an appointment every 8 to 12 weeks. For a long-haired Chihuahua, we determine the interval based on the coat's condition and your grooming routine at home.

For most long-haired Chihuahuas, the Mini Groom starting from 59 € is a great fit. This includes washing, drying, combing and light thinning. Thinning means taking the bulk out of the coat with special scissors without visibly changing the length. Nails, eyes, paws and the hygiene area are included in the package.

The Full Groom starting from 79 € additionally includes a breed-standard cut and ear cleaning. For dogs up to 2 kg, we schedule 60 minutes according to our booking catalogue. You can find all packages and starting prices on the Prices page. We will give you the binding final price before the appointment, once we have assessed the coat.

How much does Junior Grooming cost for small dogs?

Junior Grooming has a fixed price of 60 € for dogs under 5 kg, and 75 € for dogs between 5 and 10 kg. Appointments are available on Wednesday and Saturday, 16:00 to 19:00. The grooming is done by a Junior Groomer working under supervision.

For a small Chihuahua with a well-maintained coat, this is often a great choice. The fixed price makes the appointment easy to plan. If the coat is heavily matted or the dog is very anxious, we will discuss beforehand whether another package might offer more time. All details about the process can be found on the Junior Grooming page.

What helps an anxious Chihuahua at the dog groomer?

Above all, an anxious Chihuahua needs time: we let them settle in first and start without any pressure. Chihuahuas have very different personalities. Some are confident, while others are shy and easily spooked.

Because of their small size, Chihuahuas can easily become suspicious of new things. An unfamiliar room, a hairdryer and strange hands are a lot to take in for such a small dog. That's why we take breaks as soon as your dog needs them. We never overbook, so no appointment is rushed.

Chihuahuas are often picked up because they're so light, which they usually don't like. You can watch from outside through our shop window if that helps you. For very anxious dogs, we can schedule more time or a second person by arrangement.

Getting them used to things at home is also easier without pressure. It's best to practise brushing, touching their paws and nail clipping early on and in small steps, like one or two nails a day. You can read more about appointments with insecure dogs in our guide Anxious dog at the dog groomer.

Don't forget ears, nails and teeth

Besides their coat, a Chihuahua's ears, nails and teeth need regular attention. You should check and clean their ears regularly; for most dogs, about once a month is enough. Only clean the visible outer part with a damp cloth and don't insert anything deep into the ear canal. Severe redness, swelling, discharge or a strong smell mean a trip to the vet.

If you hear their nails clicking on the floor, they're probably too long. Long nails can change how they walk and cause discomfort. In our salon, we offer nail clipping as a single service from 15 €, and the 4-in-1 combo package including nails, paws, eyes and hygiene area starts at 45 €.

Due to their jaw shape, Chihuahuas are prone to crowded teeth, retained baby teeth and dental disease. Daily brushing with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste is ideal, but even a few times a week helps. Plaque starts to form within 48 hours. Dental care isn't one of our services, so your vet is the right place to go if you have any questions.

How often can a long-haired Chihuahua be bathed?

You should bathe a long-haired Chihuahua regularly, but not too often. Bathing too frequently can strip the natural oils from their skin and coat, leaving the fur dry and brittle. Give the coat a thorough brush before every bath so that any existing knots don't tighten in the water.

After the bath, dry your dog with a towel. Only use a hairdryer if your dog is comfortable with it. Don't bathe them outside in cool weather, as their body temperature can drop dangerously low. Dry their ears thoroughly after bathing, because trapped moisture can lead to ear problems.

In the salon, we wash with pH-neutral natural products, chosen based on coat type and skin condition. If you're planning a visit, you can always book an appointment online or call us on 0152 5452 4113. We are located at Giesebrechtstraße 2, 10629 Berlin, accessible via the U7 to Adenauerplatz.

Case studies from the salon

Real appointments from GroomRoom, prices as charged (as of September 2026). The final price depends on the coat condition and will be confirmed before we start.

Pomeranian

Before

Pomeranian after six months without a salon visit, undercoat matted in places.

Treatment

Full Grooming with dematting and Pomeranian surcharge: brushing out the undercoat, bath, blow-dry, styling without clippers.

Duration

2.5 hours

Price

165 to 180 €

Groomer

Team GroomRoom