Chihuahua Growth Chart: Size, Weight Calculations

For the smallest breed of dog, the Chihuahua just might have the biggest attitude. Considered a symbol of Mexico, this toy breed is known for exhibiting a large and feisty personality. The Chihuahua is also one of the oldest dog breeds in the Americas, and can make a good family dog, but preferably with older children.¹ Contrary to trending beliefs, there are only two types of Chihuahuas – short- and long-hair. Terms such as Apple Head, Deer Head, Teacup, or Fawn describe a physical trait of the original Chihuahua breed.²

The Chihuahua is a high-energy dog that requires regular exercise and good nutrition and has an average life expectancy of 14 to 16 years. Our Chihuahua size chart and puppy to dog growth calculator (which works for any breed) as well as our specific answer to the question “how much does a Chihuahua weigh?” guide you through the various puppy stages as your Chihuahua progresses to adulthood.³

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Chihuahua Growth Chart

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Text Transcript of the Chihuahua Growth Chart

Chihuahua – Age	Weight
8 weeks 10 weeks 12 weeks 14 weeks 16 weeks 20 weeks 24 weeks 26 weeks 36 weeks One year	11 – 33 oz 13 – 38 oz 15 – 45 oz 17 – 52 oz 19 – 59 oz 23 – 70 oz 26 – 78 oz 27 – 80 oz 32 – 96 oz 32 – 96 oz

Chihuahua – Age	Weight	Height
Fully grown	2 – 6 pounds (32 – 96 oz)	5 – 8 inches

Though the Chihuahua is the tiniest breed of dog, they’re big in heart and soul. Great for the city, apartment life, or a comfy lap, the Chihuahua is fiercely loyal and protective. Whether you’re considering adopting a Chihuahua puppy or already have one, it helps to know all about your little one so you can provide the best life possible. Our Chihuahua growth chart shows you the multiple stages of your puppy’s growth, for both males and females. From 8 weeks old to a fully grown adult, the chart tracks an average Chihuahua puppy’s weight in ounces.

For instance, a healthy 3-month-old puppy weighs between 15 and 45 ounces. The weight is roughly the same for males and females. At this point, most Chihuahua puppies are half of their adult size. A fully grown Chihuahua weighs between 2 and 6 pounds, or 32 and 96 ounces, and stands about 5 to 8 inches high at the withers, the highest point of the shoulders. You can also get a better sense of the best weight for other breeds with our dog breed weight chart.

What Age do Chihuahuas Stop Growing?

Chihuahuas go through a puppy, adolescent, and young adult phase, like all dogs, but tend to reach their full adult size faster than most breeds. By the time they’re 6 months old, they’ve reached about 75 percent or more of their adult size.⁴ Measured in ounces from the beginning of life, the Chihuahua doesn’t typically weigh more than 6 pounds in adulthood.⁵ However, adult Chihuahuas may weigh anywhere from 2 to 6 pounds.⁶ So how do you know when your Chihuahua stops growing?

Our Chihuahua weight chart shows you an average Chihuahua’s growth timeline, but veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Coates warns, “There certainly will be individuals who fall outside of the ranges due to being overweight or because of ‘unorthodox’ breeding decisions.” These numbers are a helpful tool, however, as you work with your veterinarian to determine your Chihuahua’s appropriate size for his age. The Waltham Petcare Science Institute offers you fill-in puppy growth charts to record your puppy’s age and weight, noted by date. ⁷ In reference to the accompanying puppy growth curve chart, Dr. Coates explains, “Moving higher can indicate unhealthy weight gain and moving lower can be associated with unhealthy weight loss.”

A number of factors may affect your growing Chihuahua puppy. Though Chihuahuas are a healthy breed with a long life expectancy, there are some things that might affect their development. Issues to be aware of include genetics, nutrition, activity levels, hormones, and underlying health conditions.⁸ Chihuahuas are sensitive to chilly temperatures and are also quick to become obese.⁹ Other concerns to watch out for include:¹⁰¹¹

Mitral valve disease
Patent ductus arteriosus
Patellar luxation
Eye disease, injuries, and infections
Epilepsy
Toy dog hypoglycemia
Molera (soft spots on the head)

What is the Smallest Chihuahua?

The smallest Chihuahua ever recorded was honored in The Guinness Book of World Records. The female Chihuahua who holds the title weighs in at about 20 ounces, or 1.25 pounds, and measures 3.8 inches tall. Previous winners of the record weighed roughly 23 ounces, or 1.4 pounds, and 24 ounces, or 1.5 pounds.¹² However, this isn’t typical for a small Chihuahua. Nor is there a type of Chihuahua that is specifically small. Those who are smaller than what’s considered normal might be called a Teacup Chihuahua, but this is an identifying marker, rather than an actual breed.¹³

Still the smallest breed of dog, the Chihuahua lives longer than most other breeds. Though experts are still scratching their heads trying to figure out why, size seems to be an important factor contributing to why small dogs live longer.¹⁴ Small dogs age slower while aging appears to accelerate at a faster rate in large dogs. Of course, this is an average, and proper nutrition, exercise, and body condition play a big role in a dog’s ultimate life span.

What is the Maximum Size of a Chihuahua?

If you’re wondering how big your Chihuahua will get or how much your Chihuahua should weigh, consider consulting our Chihuahua puppy growth chart (and if you just got your puppy Chihuahua home or are planning to in the future, check out our puppy checklist to make sure you have all the puppy supplies you need). This will give you an average size for certain age ranges. A healthy Chihuahua probably won’t weigh more than 6 pounds at full size.¹⁵ Since Chihuahuas are prone to obesity, it’s important to pay close attention to food intake and exercise levels to help your pooch maintain a healthy weight.¹⁶

Your Chihuahua puppy will reach her maximum size when she reaches adulthood. This end number can vary based on a number of factors including genetics and nutrition. On average, the American Kennel Club, or AKC, figures a small puppy who weighs between 0 and 20 pounds is finished growing between 9 and 12 months old, unlike some large breeds who continue growing right into their second year of life.¹⁷

Work with your vet to monitor the growth of your Chihuahua puppy. Most vets use the body condition score to help determine proper weights for all dog breeds. The body condition score rates a dog’s size based on the ribs, abdomen, and waist. A healthy, ideal body shape has minimal fat covering so the ribs are easily palpable. The waist and abdomen are tucked in when viewed from both the side and top of the dog.¹⁸ Regardless of your Chihuahua’s age, this score is used by veterinarians as a guide to track your puppy and her growth goals.

Chihuahua Puppy Size and Weight Calculator

You can also consult our puppy weight calculator to estimate your Chihuahua’s potential weight as an adult. The calculations are based on the American Kennel Club’s database of adult dog weights and heights. Fill in your puppy’s current age and weight details below.

Or, if you’re looking for information about a different breed, we’ve also created a Goldendoodle size chart, a Golden Retriever growth chart, Great Dane size chart, and Labrador growth chart.

Note: please don’t feed your dog more or less based on the results. For that advice, consult your veterinarian.

PUPPY WEIGHT CALCULATOR

What’s your puppy’s breed

What’s your puppy’s weight

What’s your puppy’s birth date?

What’s your puppy’s gender

Male

Female

Additional Resources

If you’re looking for more information about dog growth in general, we’ve created a series of growth charts for different breeds (and dogs and mixed breeds in general):

Article Sources

Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Chihuahua Dog Breed Information and Personality Traits. Hillspet.com. Accessed December 23, 2021.
Waltham Puppy Growth Charts. Waltham.com. Accessed December 23, 2021
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Shortest Dog Living. Guinessworldrecords.com. Accessed December 23, 2021.
H M. Facts About Chihuahuas. Aspcapetinsurance.com. Accessed December 23, 2021.
Meyers H. Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs? Akc.org. Published September 30, 2021. Accessed December 26, 2021.
Chihuahua. Akc.org. Accessed December 23, 2021.
H M. Facts About Chihuahuas. Aspcapetinsurance.com. Accessed December 23, 2021.
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Body Condition Score. Wsava.org. Published 2013. Accessed December 23, 2021.

Dr. Jennifer Coates
Dr. Jennifer Coates was valedictorian of her graduating class at the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. She is also the author of numerous articles and books including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian.