The Chihuahua is a characteristic pint-sized dog that has garnered a large gathering across America and the world. They are considered the smallest dog in the world.
An adult Chihuahua can reach a height of 6 to 9 inches (at the shoulders) and weigh up to 6 pounds.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) states that the ideal full-grown Chihuahua should not exceed 6 pounds as this is the breed standard.
Chihuahua dogs that exceed the 6-pound mark could be termed as overweight. Size is greatly affected by parent’s genetics, health, food, etc.
Known for being small and manageable, their weight and height are optimal. They often come with an attitude and personality you would expect from a much larger dog!
When is a Chihuahua fully grown?
You can expect your Chihuahua to attain adulthood between 12 months to 18 months. The 1-year period is the mark of adulthood although some continue to grow till the 18th month.
A Chihuahua newborn usually weighs a few ounces and rapid growth will be seen within the first month. Throughout the first year, a Chihuahua puppy will grow to reach his adult size. Often this growth will occur rapidly with occasional stages of stalled growth.
If you own a Chihuahua puppy, measure him every month for signs of growth. The absence of growth could be a cause of concern and you should consult a vet if there are no signs of change in 4 weeks.
Chihuahua Size Pro’s and Con’s
There are certain positive and negative aspects of owning a Chihuahua, here are a few pros and cons of his size.
Chihuahua Size Pro’s
- Small-sized and confident
- Easy to groom
- Can be carried and taken with you anywhere
- Limited exercise required
- One of the best dogs for apartment living
- Alert Watchdog
Chihuahua Size Con’s
- Can be feisty
- Children require training to handle this small dog
- Not the healthiest dog breed and prone to injuries!
Chihuahua Mixes Height and Weight Information
There are several Chihuahua mixes that can be found in shelters. It is best to adopt a Chihuahua mixed breed instead of buying.
Let us have a look at the height and weight statistics of various Chihuahua mixed breeds.
Affenhuahua (Affenpinscher Chihuahua Mix)
The Affenhuahua, also called the Affen Chi, is a small designer dog breed. Due to Chihuahua traits, they have a big personality. Their mood shifts rapidly, one moment they are running around and the other they are in your lap!
They love to stick close to one individual in the house. But will get along fine with every other member of the house.
Typically Affenhuahuas weigh between 4 to 12 pounds and can grow to a height of 6 to 12 inches. You can expect some to be taller or shorter based on many factors.
Cheagle (Beagle Chihuahua Mix)
The Cheagle or Chibeagle inherits the most desired traits of both the parent dogs.
Forget about cuddles, the Cheagle will be happier playing games and getting an exercise session. Interested in the Cheagle, read all about the Chihuahua Beagle mix here.
The Cheagle can stand up to 9 to 14 inches and can weigh between 20 to 30 pounds. This makes them small to almost medium in size.
Chorkie (Yorkshire Terrier Chihuahua Mix)
The Chorkie is best suited for urban-dwelling individuals or large families. Although they are attention-seeking, they spend as much time following you! They are loyal pooches that are lively and attentive.
When you have a Chorkie, you will find they are watching your every move because they are your biggest fan.
The Chorkie has a weight of 8 to 15 pounds with a weight of 6 to 9 inches. This is a small dog that can be a life-long companion for anyone.
Chillier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mix)
Also known as Cavachi, this is a mixed breed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chihuahua. There is no denying that this breed will inherit some of the attractive traits of the Spaniel.
This Chihuahua mixed breed is cool and calm. He focuses all his energy on socializing with his owners and any other human being. They are intelligent and love to relax anywhere people are, especially the couch.
Coming to size, these small dogs are adapted to apartment living with a height of 8 to 12 inches and weigh between 6 to 12 pounds.
Chi-chi (Chinese Crested Chihuahua Mix)
The Chinese Crested dog a small dog bred by mixing two Chinese dogs Chihuahua and Chinese Crested Dog.
They are friendly and love to be smothered with all your affection and attention. They may suffer from separation anxiety if you leave them alone for long amounts of time.
Chichi are energetic dogs who often come in brown, black, fawn, cream, and white. Quite often you will see them hairless except for the face and tail.
These miniature companions are small and weigh approximately 5 to 12 pounds. They can reach a height of 5 to 12 inches at the shoulder. These dogs are great for people who work from home or always have someone at home.
Chi-poo (Poodle Chihuahua Mix)
Poodle mixed breed dogs are extremely loved throughout the USA. A Chihuahua and Poodle mix gives a Chi-poo. This dog is lively and energetic who loves to play any game. He is also intelligent and shows confidence.
The Choodle, as they are also known as, can care for themself when you go off to work.
Their size can vary based on which variant of Poodle is used for crossing. That said, they usually have a weight of 5 to 20 pounds. Their height on the other end is 5 to 15 inches at the shoulder.
Chigi (Corgi Chihuahua Mix)
This designer dog gets the best qualities of both the Corgi and the Chihuahua with few exceptions. This small dog is energetic, affectionate, and loves children.
Although the Chigi suits apartments, he would prefer having a small garden to run around and exhaust his energy. Any family setting or individual would be the right place for this designer breed.
Educate your younger children on how to play with them as Chigi is small and prone to injuries.
The Chigi weighs approximately 10 to 20 pounds and stands 7 to 12 inches tall (at the shoulder). You are likely to notice a size difference between males and females in this breed.
Chion (Papillon Chihuahua Mix)
Also known as the Papihuahua, this new dog breed inherits the confident nature of the Chihuahua. They will easily assert themselves as the bigger member in any situation. These small companion dogs do well as lap dogs.
They get very attached to their owners but tend to get touchy about their “territory”. That said, they tend to vocalize when they are threatened or unhappy about something. Once they settle down, they will choose to snooze in your lap.
These small giants weigh anywhere from 4 to 11 pounds. Their height matches their weight with a range of 5 to 11 inches.
Chipin (Miniature Pinscher Chihuahua Mix)
Featuring traits from the Pinscher, the Chipin is highly active and athletic considering its small size. Even though this dog loves his humans, he does not fare so well with strangers and other pets.
These energetic fur balls can become fiery and feisty when it comes to protecting their humans. This trait is one passed down by the Pinscher who is a great guard dog.
Considering the parent’s size, this dog will be on the smaller end. They have a weight range of 5 to 15 pounds and a height of 8 to 12 inches at the shoulder.
Chiweenie (Dachshund Chihuahua Mix)
Expect a small and cute dog when you cross a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. These temperature-sensitive dogs do well in warm temperatures.
The Chiweenie is a true companion with high energy and a slight bit of stubbornness. Training is required to install a simmered-down temperament to your dogs.
They do well with families who don’t have small children as they can mishandle them leading to serious injury.
You can expect a lightweight small dog who in most cases weighs 5 to 12 pounds. The height of the Chiweenie at the shoulder is usually 6 to 10 inches.
French Bullhuahua (French Bulldog Chihuahua Mix)
People describe the French Bullhuahua as a firecracker because of the energy and character they show. These small dogs are short and can have medium to high energy levels. They inherit short limbs from French Bulldog.
These positive-minded dogs are always in the mood of playing and interacting with their owners. Training could hit a couple of roadblocks with stubborn behavior and will require a patient and dedicated owner.
People who love the French Bulldog can adopt a Bullhuahua which is much smaller. They have a weight of 10 to 30 pounds with a height range of 6 to 12 inches. Be aware, they can be prone to weight gain and you should be alert.
Golden Chi (Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix)
This might seem like an odd combination. The Golden Chi is a medium-sized dog breed that has the same floppy ears as the Golden Retriever.
Coming to the temperament, this dog features some traits of the Golden Retriever and some of the Chihuahua. Some noted traits include gentle behavior with an active background.
These medium dogs will stand at 10 to 16 inches and have a weight of 15 to 30 pounds. Read more here about the Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix.
Jack Chi (Jack Russell Terrier Chihuahua Mix)
The Jack Russell Terrier is an active dog that is quite different from the Chihuahua. The resultant mix breed is a great pet that requires minimal maintenance compared to other breeds.
Extra care is required for these short-haired dogs as they can develop skin conditions.
This fun-loving dog will be more than happy to socialize and play with people. Exercises will keep him mentally and physically stimulated. People who love the Jack Russell Terrier or the Chihuahua will definitely love the Jackweenie.
Jackweenie weighs 8 to 18 pounds and can reach a height between 12 to 15 inches. They are small dogs but can occasionally enter the medium bracket.
Pomchi (Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix)
Pomeranian dogs are famous worldwide for their luxurious soft attractive hair coats. Pomchi is a mixed breed of Pomeranian and Chihuahua.
Pomchi is an energetic dog that loves to have all the attention to himself. Expect some feisty aggression towards strangers, a trait they inherit from both parents. You can train them to be less aggressive.
Most dogs in this breed weigh between 4 to 12 pounds. Height ranges from 6 to 10 inches at the shoulder. They are quite similar in size to their parents, the Chihuahua, and the Pomeranian.
Read more about this mixed dog breed here.
Chi-Husky
This is an uncommon designer crossbreed of the smallest dog Chihuahua and a large dog Siberian Husky.
They can be obstinate and are not suitable for families with kids. Firm obedience training would be required for this crossbreed.
This mixed breed can have a size range from 10 to 15 inches and weigh around 10 to 30 pounds based on the genes.
Benefits of Chihuahua Size and Temperament
The most valuable property of the Chihuahua is his small size. Even though these dogs are small, do not expect them to be timid. They are vocal and have a big character.
Do not count the Chihuahua out when it comes to exercise and activity as he will surprise you with his agility.
Their ability to sense something out of the ordinary makes the Chihuahua a commendable watchdog. They are feisty and will bark to alert you of danger or an unsatisfactory condition.
One important note for prospective Chihuahua owners is that they are delicate canines. The simplest mishap could injure them. Additionally, excited children could mishandle the dog or anger the Chihuahua with rough handling.
Overall, the Chihuahua is a great dog for individuals who can give this dog their full attention. This small dog is also suitable for elderly couples or families with older children. You can go ahead and adopt a Chihuahua or Chihuahua mix breed!