The main thing most people know about the Chihuahua is that it is the world’s smallest dog. A fully grown Chihuahua stands about 5 inches at the shoulders, although height is not specifically addressed by the standard, and weighs 6 pounds or less. Any Chihuahua that weighs more than 6 pounds at maturity is disqualified from the show ring, although it can make a perfectly acceptable pet and is often a good choice for families with children. But just because a Chihuahua is bigger than the norm doesn’t mean it can be handled carelessly. It’s still a little dog that can be injured by rough play, so keep that in mind when considering whether a Chihuahua, even an oversize one, is right for your lifestyle.
Many people think that smaller is better when it comes to
Chihuahuas, but don’t turn up your nose at one in the 4- to 6-pound range. That’s really the healthiest weight for this dog breed. “My own feeling is that a weight between 4 and 6 pounds as an adult is good,” Bunten says. “The very tiny adults, less than 3 pounds, are not normal in development and usually don’t live for the full life expectancy of a Chihuahua [which can be well into the teens].”
Pay attention to how the dog breeder describes the way the puppy should develop. “If a breeder states outright that it will be a certain size, that’s a red flag,” Bunten says. “Genetics are so diverse in the breed that you cannot predict absolutely how big the puppy will be. I’d also listen to be sure they don’t use terms that are not in the standard. For example, a dog breeder who says a puppy will be ‘teacup’ or ‘toy’ size is talking through his hat. There is not any official and universally recognized definition of those terms for Chihuahuas.”
And size isn’t everything when it comes to the Chihuahua. The breed’s general appearance is that of a graceful, alert, swift-moving, little dog with a saucy expression and terrier-like temperament qualities. That last quality, a terrier-like temperament, is one of the most important things to know about the breed.“I think most people know that Chihuahuas are supposed to be a small breed, but I doubt that as many folks appreciate that Chihuahuas are also supposed to be fearless, tenacious and terrier-like,” Giroux says. “The fearful, quivering, cowering, nippy Chihuahua that many people have come to expect is incorrect according to the standard.” As it is so often described, the Chihuahua is really a big dog in a little dog’s body. The typical Chihuahua has no idea that it’s any smaller than other dogs — or people, for that matter. Giroux describes it as a little bundle of energy that may be standoffish toward strangers, but never shy or fearful. A true Chihuahua will stand and challenge anyone it considers an intruder, but it won’t bite without provocation or hide in a corner without reason.
Exclusive from Kim Campbell Thornton
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A former editor of Dog Fancy magazine, Kim lives in Southern California with her two
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
