Chihuahuas are among the smallest of all dog breeds. They can have either long or short hair and come in various colors. They typically have an apple-shaped head with pointed ears and big eyes. Time and time again, they are described as little dogs with big personalities. They can be sassy and may attempt to rule the house, but they are loyal and love to be with their humans.
It is unclear where these dogs originated, but they are named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. In the 1930s and ’40s, popular Latin music bandleader Xavier Cugat started the trend of owning these small dogs. Since then, they have become popular among celebrities and have appeared in movies and television shows.
Average Size
Chihuahuas weigh as little as three pounds.
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According to the American Kennel Club, these tiny dogs are intelligent and, although a bit willful, can be trained for agility and obedience competitions. They also make great lap dogs, as they love to be wherever their family is. As one of the smallest dog breeds, they typically grow to be 5 to 8 inches tall and officially should not weigh more than 6 lbs.
Small dogs have longer life expectancies than larger breeds. The average Chihuahua lives 14 to 16 years. As of 2023, the oldest Chihuahua on record is Spike, who was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living dog at 23 years old.
Smallest Chihuahuas Ever
Chihuahuas are the smallest of all purebred dogs.
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The former smallest Chihuahua was from Puerto Rico and was named Miracle Milly. She was only 3.8 inches tall at the shoulder when measured in 2013. Milly was cloned 49 times by the Korean company Sooam Biotech. She was born in December 2011 and died in 2020 at the age of 8. Currently, the smallest Chihuahua on record is Pearl, who was certified by Guinness World Records in 2023 as measuring 3.59 inches tall at the shoulder. Pearl was born to one of Milly’s 49 clones.
Largest Chihuahua Ever
Gracie is a Chihuahua/Maltese mix that was put on a healthy diet on reality television.
Image: Abby Blumhardt, Shutterstock
©Abby Blumhardt/Shutterstock.com
There is no Guinness World Record for the largest Chihuahua, nor are there any official records on the topic. Still, a few resources cite the same Chihuahuas as being the largest. In 2017, a television show helped pet owners get their overweight pets back to a healthy weight.
The show featured a Chihuahua mix named Gracie, who weighed 41.5 lbs. The trainer, Travis Brorsen, worked with Gracie and her owners to help her lose 30% of her body weight and keep it off. Gracie’s guardian, Lisa, admitted that she allowed Gracie to eat whenever she wanted and rarely provided her with exercise. This story has a happy ending, with Gracie losing weight and Lisa learning new ways to spend time with her dog and show her love.
Other Large Chihuahuas
An overweight Chihuahua.
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A Chihuahua named Cleatus, from Florida, was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. Similar to humans, this caused unexplained weight gain and a hormone imbalance. Cleatus reached 33.5 lbs before the veterinarian was able to get the condition under control with medication.
The third largest Chihuahua, Milo, weighs 28 lbs and is 1 foot tall. That is remarkable compared to the average Chihuahua, which is 5-8 inches tall and under 6 lbs. Milo’s guardians have discussed the challenges of having a dog so large for his breed and how age is taking its toll on him.
