When Do Chihuahuas Stop Growing? [Growth Chart]
The Chihuahua is an ancient and noble breed that stretches back to pre-Columbian times. They are the perfect city dog, as they are small enough to fit in a purse and get all the exercise they need simply running around an apartment.
Even the largest varieties are super tiny, reaching only 6 lbs on average. They have a wide range of appearances, from short hair to long hair.
All of these pint-sized dogs need to start somewhere. As puppies, they grow over the first year of their life into their full-grown adult bodies. But when do Chihuahuas stop growing exactly?
Keep reading to find out.
Chihuahua Growth Chart (Puppy Growth Chart)
The simple answer is they reach full size at about nine months of age. They may continue to grow a little more until they are a year old, but that is the biggest they will get.
On average, an adult Chihuahua is about 6 lbs. They only stand around 5 to 8 inches off the ground.
To read the following chart, first, use the header to find the closest birth weight to your Chihuahua. Next, follow the column downwards to find an approximate weekly weight until your Chihuahua is full-sized. As Chihuahuas are so tiny, we opted to use ounces for this chart.
| Age in Weeks | Starting Birth Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Ounce at Birth | 4 Ounce at Birth | 5 Ounce at Birth | |
| 1 | 5 | 6.5 | 9 |
| 2 | 6.5 | 9 | 12.5 |
| 3 | 8 | 11 | 16 |
| 4 | 9.5 | 13 | 19.5 |
| 5 | 11 | 15 | 22 |
| 6 | 12.5 | 17.5 | 24 |
| 7 | 14.5 | 19.5 | 27 |
| 8 | 16 | 21.5 | 29 |
| 9 | 17.5 | 23 | 32 |
| 10 | 19 | 25 | 34 |
| 11 | 21 | 27 | 37 |
| 12 | 22 | 30 | 41 |
| 13 | 24 | 32 | 44 |
| 14 | 26 | 34 | 47 |
| 15 | 28 | 37 | 51 |
| 16 | 30 | 39 | 54 |
| 17 | 31 | 41 | 57 |
| 18 | 33 | 43 | 60 |
| 19 | 34 | 44 | 62 |
| 20 | 35 | 46 | 64 |
| Adult (In pounds) | 3 | 4 | 5.5 |
Chihuahua Breed Standard
The following is the breed standard for the Chihuahua, outlined by the American Kennel Club. While you may be able to find Chihuahuas with features outside of the standard, they will not be able to be registered as purebred Chihuahuas.
Size
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs, reaching only a maximum of 6 lbs. Beyond that weight, they are considered outside of the standard for their breed.
They can be anywhere from 5 to 8 inches tall at full height.
Coat
Chihuahuas’ fur can be either short or medium length, and they come in various colors. Fur colors that are accepted under the breed standard are black, black and tan, blue and tan, chocolate, chocolate and tan, cream, fawn, fawn and white, and red.
Aside from the base color, the breed standard also allows for a few markings. Acceptable markings include white, merle, black, spotted white, black brindling, and black siblings.
In general, they shed very little and need limited grooming to maintain their coat.
Body
Chihuahuas have a dome-shaped apple head and a short pointed muzzle. They have lean-looking faces.
There is a slight arch to the neck, a level back, and rounded ribs. The tail should be either straight or sickle-shaped. In some cases, a loop is permitted if the tip touches the back.
Eyes
You can see a Chihuahua’s attitude in its eyes. They will have a saucy expression, with big round dark eyes. According to the breed standard, the eyes should not be protruding and should be evenly spaced.
The eyes should be luminous, dark, or luminous ruby in most cases. The only instance in which the standard allows for light-colored eyes is when the Chihuahua in question has either blond or white fur.
The standard does not allow for blue eyes or heterochromia.
Personality
Chihuahua is a high-energy breed that is very playful and loving. They seem to walk with confidence, sass, and grace. They are also known for being very vocal so that they can make good alert dogs.
They can be okay with other dogs, depending on temperament. They are not recommended dogs for children, however. This is due to their small size and feisty attitude.
How To Groom a Chihuahua?
There are two main varieties of Chihuahua with slightly different grooming needs; short hair and long hair.
Shorthaired Chihuahua
The shorthaired Chihuahua is one of the easiest dogs to groom and maintain. For the fur, all you need is a rubber curry brush to massage away shed hair gently. If the shed is built up, you could also use a slicker brush.
Chihuahuas typically don’t need any fur trimmed. At most, you may want to cut the fur between their paw pads and around their sanitary area.
Aside from that, keep their teeth and ears clean, clip their nails, and give them an occasional bath.
For maintenance, brush your Chihuahua about once a week or once every two weeks.
Longhaired Chihuahua
The longhaired Chihuahua takes a little more work. Unlike the shorthaired variety, long hair Chihuahuas will need the occasional haircut to keep them looking their best. There are two prominent haircuts seen in Chihuahuas; the lion cut and the show cut.
The lion cut, as its name may suggest, features a trimmed-down body and a full head of hair. The result is something that looks very much like a lion’s mane.
The show cut is often used for dog shows. This cut is used to enhance the Chihuahua’s natural features by shaping the body and fluffing the tail.
Once again, the ears and teeth should be kept keep, and the nails clipped.
To maintain their coat, you will want to brush your Chihuahua at least once a week.
Who Is a Chihuahua Good For?
Chihuahuas are excellent lap dogs and perfect city dwellers. Thanks to their tiny size, these dogs can get all the exercise they need by running around their house. Ideal for those who can’t get out to walk them every day or if that doesn’t fit into their lifestyle.
They are also small enough that they can easily be carried around in a purse, meaning you can take them everywhere you go.
Since Chihuahuas are so tiny and very spirited, they are not the best dog for young children. A child could easily accidentally hurt your Chihuahua, or the Chihuahua, in turn, may get defensive against your child. So if you have your heart set on a Chihuahua, please wait until your child is at least six years old first.
In general, Chihuahua is a great companion animal. They are loving and playful and bring plenty of attitude and joy to any home.
Chihuahua: A History
It’s thought that the first Chihuahuas came to be in Mexico. They were named after the state of Chihuahua, after all. The first Chihuahuas in recorded history were noted sometime in the 19th century.
It’s thought that the precursor to the Chihuahua was the Techichi. This small dog was mute and was kept by the Toltec people as far back as the 9th century.
Today, the Chihuahua is the smallest registered breed of dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few common questions about Chihuahuas.
Are Chihuahuas Aggressive?
Some can be. While the general personality of a Chihuahua is very playful and spirited, in some cases, this can emerge as aggression and a mean spirit. Most of the time, these negative traits come down to poor training.
In some cases, however, it comes from the breed itself. Due to the over breeding of this dog and the emergence of puppy mills, some Chihuahuas come out with sour attitudes.
Are Chihuahuas Good With Kids?
Not young kids. Children under the age of six can be unintentionally rough with these tiny dogs. It is better to wait until children are older before getting this breed.
Do Chihuahuas Burrow?
Yes, they do! One of the favorite activities for a Chihuahua is to burrow. Don’t be surprised when you find your Chihuahua in a burrow of blankets – not only does this give the tiny dogs a sense of security, but it also keeps them warm.
Are Chihuahuas Hypoallergenic?
No. This breed has plenty of dander, making them not an excellent option for allergy sufferers.
Why Does My Chihuahua Have Floppy Ears?
Generally, Chihuahuas have points that stand straight up. Many puppies will have floppy ears that stand up by the time they are fully grown, about nine months old. If your puppy’s ears haven’t stood up by then, then there is a chance that they never will.
There are plenty of purebred Chihuahuas with floppy ears, even if it isn’t as common.
Final Thoughts
The Chihuahua is a pint-sized breed that makes a beautiful companion for wherever you may want to go. They come into the world super tiny and grow until they are nine months old, only to reach a maximum of 6 pounds. Despite their small size, these dogs come with massive personalities.
