Chihuahua Growth Chart | Weight and Size Calculations (2024)

Body Shape Changes

You will notice that Chihuahua puppies are quite round. They have extra fat on the body that is needed to provide warmth and fuel reserves. There is no need to be concerned about a pup being overweight. Puppies are full of hyper energy and it is very rare for a puppy to have a thyroid or other health issues that would cause excess weight.

During the course of the first year - and for up to 6 months afterward for some - the body will lean out. As the Chihuahua matures into an adolescent and then an adult, he will have a sleeker, leaner appearance. There will be a gradual slimming around the up-tuck of the flank (sides of the body) and the ribs as the fat layer thins out.

While it is rare for adolescents or adults to be overweight, health issues that impede a dog from being active can cause unhealthy weight gain. This is true for senior Chihuahuasas well; if exercisedecreases but calorie intake remains the same, there will be weight problems. When an adult is too weighty, this will most often show in the stomach area.

There is a method to estimate the weight that a Chihuahua puppy will be once fully grown. This is done with a weight chart. These, are of course, estimates. However, this reference chart is usually accurate within 1/2 pound.

The size of the full grown adult Chihuahua will depend on several factors, including:

  • The activity level of the dog
  • If the dog receives proper nutrition
  • If the dog has any inherited genes which have skipped a generation, in other words...size can be affected by the dog's grandparents and up to 5 generations back

PreliminaryInstructions

Using the Chihuahua Growth Chart is easy: All numbers are in ounces. The Final Adult Weight numbers are in pounds.

You may weigh your Chi at home if you have a baby scale that shows weight in ounces or the veterinarian will be able to tell you how many ounces your pup weighs.

If you only know your Chihuahua's weight in pounds, you can use this formula to convert ounces to pounds:

The number of solid pounds x 16 + the number of percentage of pounds.

Example: For a dog that weighs 1.2 pounds, the formula would be : 1 x 16 + 2 = 18 ounces

In other words: 1 (the number of solid pounds of the puppy) x 16 (the number of ounces in a pound) + 2 (the number obtained from the .2 in the pup's weight)

Another Example: For a dog that weighs 2.1 pounds, the formula would be: 2 x 16 + 1 = 33 ounces

In other words: 2 (the number of solid pounds of the puppy) x 16 (the number of ounces in a pound) + 1 (the number obtained from the .1 in the pup's weight)

Directions for using the Chihuahua Growth Chart

1. Look at the column all the way to the far left, going down until you find the age of your puppy

2. Stay on that row and follow along to the right, until you stop on the weight that your puppy currently is

3. Follow down that column, all the way to the bottom, until you stop at the Final Adult estimated weight

Chihuahua Growth Chart | Weight and Size Calculations (2024)

FAQs

How do I tell how big my Chihuahua will get? ›

Additionally, if you purchased your Chihuahua from a breeder, you can reach out to them about your pup's estimated adult size. Your breeder should be able to give you a precise figure based on previous litters of puppies and the size of your Chihuahua's parents.

How big will my Chihuahua get calculator? ›

You can calculate it with the formula: Adult weight = (Puppy weight / Puppy age in weeks) × 52.

How accurate is a Chihuahua growth chart? ›

There is a method to estimate the weight that a Chihuahua puppy will be once fully grown. This is done with a weight chart. These, are of course, estimates. However, this reference chart is usually accurate within 1/2 pound.

Is 12 pounds big for a Chihuahua? ›

Chihuahuas usually reach their adult weight between 9-12 months of age. The average weight of a Chihuahua is between 2.5-4.5 lbs and 5-8 inches tall but this can vary between dogs. In general, standard Chihuahuas shouldn't be over 6lbs in weight.

Is 15 pounds big for a Chihuahua? ›

Over-sized Chihuahuas

If your Chihuahua is well over 6 pounds, the first thing to assess is if this is a matter of body structure or excess fat. If this is simply your dog's natural body structure, don't give this any more thought; the majority of Chihuahuas are larger than 6 pounds and are perfectly healthy.

Is 12 old for a Chihuahua? ›

Chihuahuas are known for their impressive longevity, with many living well into their teens. The average lifespan of a chihuahua is typically estimated between 14 and 16 years. Notably, the longest living chihuahua on record is Megabyte, who reached 20 years and 265 days.

How can I estimate how big my dog will be? ›

For example, here's a formula that Wisdom Panel™ veterinarians recommend: Multiply your pup's weight at four months by two to get an estimate of their adult weight. So, if your dog weighs 15 lb. at four months, their adult weight may be around 30 lb. (give or take a few pounds).

How big will my dog get chart? ›

A dog's final height chart for every size group
Dog Size GroupFinal Height
Small(10 in-17 in)
Medium(17 in-25 in)
Large(23 in-27 in)
Giant(27 in -32 in)
1 more row
May 24, 2023

How do you calculate how big my dog will be? ›

You can estimate your puppy's full-grown weight by using our puppy weight calculator, which follows the simple formula: Adult weight = (Puppy weight / Puppy age in weeks) * 52.

What age are the Chihuahua uglies? ›

2. When does a Chi go through the uglies? It starts anywhere between 4-8 months. The baby fur may start to thin, fall out or shed heavily and it's most noticeable in a long coat Chihuahuas.

What is the lifespan of a purebred Chihuahua? ›

The average Chihuahua lifespan is between 12-18 years. Many Chihuahuas live to see their 18th birthday, and some of them even get to the age of 20. Although their impressive longevity doesn't mean they won't develop health issues, owners can look forward to many years spent together with their loyal companion.

How can I tell if my Chihuahua is purebred? ›

Three Ways to Tell If My Dog Is a Purebred
  1. Compare against the AKC's breed standards.
  2. Ask your vet.
  3. Arrange for a DNA test.
Aug 24, 2015

What is an unhealthy weight for a Chihuahua? ›

Chihuahuas generally shouldn't be over 6 lbs in weight and they shouldn't have too much fat covering over their ribcage and waist.

Is 13 old for a Chihuahua? ›

Chihuahua Lifespan

For instance, a healthy Chihuahua might live to 15 or even 20 years old, while medium and large dogs tend to live between 10 and 13 years old. The Chihuahua is also a relatively healthy breed of dog, which can help extend their lifespan.

How do you tell how many puppies a Chihuahua will have? ›

But the proper way to count puppies is to do an x-ray around the last week of her pregnancy when all the puppies' bones have formed so they'll show up on the x-ray. And that's the best way to count all the tiny skeletons and see how many puppies to expect.

What is the ideal shape for a Chihuahua? ›

Neck, Topline, Body: Neck - Slightly arched, gracefully sloping into lean shoulders. Topline- Level. Body - Ribs rounded and well sprung (but not too much "barrel-shaped"). Tail - Moderately long, carried sickle either up or out, or in a loop over the back with tip just touching the back.

What is the maximum size of a Chihuahua dog? ›

Generally, the height ranges between 6 and 9 in (15 and 23 cm); however, some dogs grow as tall as 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in). Both British and American breed standards state that a Chihuahua must not weigh more than 5.9 lb (2.7 kg) for conformation.

References

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