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Miniature Chihuahuas
The American Kennel Club considers all Chihuahuas as belonging to the Toy Class and does not refer to any sub-class as miniature Chihuahuas. That means that they should weigh no more than 6 pounds at adulthood. This does not mean your pet won't get heavier, just that a show Chi "norm" has a 6 pound limit.
Miniature Chihuahuas are those animals that are in the smaller range of the breed norm. And the title "miniature" is one that is applied by sellers and the lay person to indicate the smallness of their full grown Chi. Getting a good estimate of what your full grown Chi will weigh can be done at about 8 weeks of age. The Harmer correlation is good between 11 oz : 2 lb; 1 lb : 3 lbs; 21 oz : 4 lbs; 27 oz : 5 lbs; and, 33 oz : 6 lbs. That is, at 8 weeks, an 11 oz pup will likely weigh 2 pounds as a full grown adult.
The smallest of this breed are called "Teacup Chihuahuas" and are truly miniature Chihuahuas. They range from 1 to 2 pounds and can fit in the palm of your hand--or in a "teacup"! There are other variant names applied to the size of Chihuahuas: Pocket, Miniature and Standard are common. However, these are not "official" designations.
The smallest of the miniature Chihuahuas can have severe health problems and are not recommended for the casual owner. Any animal under 4 pounds at adulthood may not have the stamina to withstand the rigors of normal household life. The breed is already fragile and when breeders intentionally go for the smallest of these dogs, the animals often end up with internal disorders. One breeder indicated that there is barely enough room in the tiny one's mouth for all the adult teeth!
As with any toy animal, care must be taken not to injure miniature Chihuahuas. They love to burrow under blankets and pillows and are so small as to barely make a bubble in the pile! If you are not careful, you could sit down on your favorite chair and crush the ribs of your fur friend.
You must also take care not to let miniature Chihuahuas jump down from your arms or the back of a couch. As a handy rule of thumb, don't let them jump from any height more than double their own standing height. Their leg bones and kneecaps are extremely delicate and injure easily.
The smaller breeds of dogs live a very long time. Miniature Chihuahuas are no exception. They often live to be 15 to 22 years of age! Let your Chi choose wisely and you'll both have companionship for a very long time!
