3 reasons why your Chihuahua is so big!
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world. It can weigh between 2 and 3 kilograms and reach a height of 15 to 23 cm. If you are wondering why your Chihuahua is so big, you are in the right place.
It can always be that a Chihuahua is significantly larger and heavier than the breed standard. According to the breed standard, a Chihuahua reaches between 2 and 3 kilograms with a size of 15 to 23 cm. But if a breeder deliberately mated two large animals with each other, the chances of more extensive and heavier puppies are also higher. It is the same with purposefully small-bred animals. But maybe it is not a purebred Chihuahua; therefore, it is bigger and heavier than the average.
Table of Contents
How big should a Chihuahua be?
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world and, according to the breed standard, should reach a weight of 2 to 3 kilograms and a height at the withers of 15 to 23 cm.
Whether a Chihuahua now weighs 2 kilograms or 3 kilograms is already a considerable difference in appearance at this body size. One kilogram difference in weight at 3 kilograms maximum weight is finally a good 30%.
The following table shows how heavy a Chihuahua should be at which age. The final weight does not differ between males and females.
| Age | Weight Male | Weight Female |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | ||
| Month 2 | 0,95 kg | 0,95 kg |
| Month 3 | 1,5 kg | 1,5 kg |
| Month 4 | 1,8 kg | 1,8 kg |
| Month 5 | 2,2 kg | 2,2 kg |
| Month 6 | 2,4 kg | 2,4 kg |
| Month 7 | 2,6 kg | 2,6 kg |
| Month 8 | 2,7 kg | 2,7 kg |
| Month 9 | 2,8 kg | 2,8 kg |
| Month 10 | 2,85 kg | 2,85 kg |
| Month 11 | 2,9 kg | 2,9 kg |
| Month 12 | 3,0 kg | 3,0 kg |
A rule of thumb is to double the weight of a Chihuahua at 13 weeks of age to reach the expected final weight.
Why your Chihuahua is so big?
Different reasons can be why your Chihuahua is so big and heavy and possibly deviates from the official standard.
Chihuahua is outside the breed standard.
It can always happen that you have a Chihuahua that is outside the breed standard and is larger than average.
If you browse through the forums, you will always find Chihuahuas that are bigger than normal. Here are some examples I found:
- Ted: 6 months, 3,5 kilograms at 25 cm
- Stella: 20 months, 3,3 kilograms at 23 cm
- Charlie: 11 months, 3 kilograms at 23 cm
- Gina: 3 years, 3,1 kilograms at 26 cm
- Caidy: 4 years, 3,5 kilograms at 27 cm
In the same way, there are Chihuahuas which are rather petite.
- Linda: 4 years, 1,5 kilograms at 16 cm
- Merlin: 4 years, 1,7 kilograms
As you can see, there can be significant differences in weight and size. Your Chihuahua maybe just a big specimen.
Chihuahua is so big because he is not purebred.
If you don’t have your Chihuahua from an official breeder, there is always the possibility that your Chihuahua is not purebred.
For example, if one of the parents was a Rehpinscher, it may be difficult for you to tell by looking at it. But the Rehpinscher will be with 3-5 kilograms, well twice as heavy as a Chihuahua, and can be why your Chihuahua is so big.
Your Chihuahua is too fat!
Unfortunately, many dog owners have the wrong view of their dogs. Some may think that their Chihuahua is huge. But in reality, their Chihuahua is just too fat.
You can tell if your Chihuahua is too skinny because you can see the ribs and pelvic bone. You can tell if your Chihuahua is too fat because you have trouble feeling the ribs.
Being overweight as well as underweight can cause health problems. If your Chihuahua is overweight, he should lose weight.
Being overweight in your Chihuahua can lead to the following problems, among others:
- High blood pressure
- Too much body fat in the chest area can lead to reduced lung function
- Too much weight leads to joint problems
- Less enjoyment of life due to limited mobility
- Problems with heat
Being overweight can be the reason why your Chihuahua pants so much.
You can easily combat excess weight in your Chihuahua. Make sure your Chihuahua gets more exercise and eats less.
Advantages of having a larger Chihuahua
The smaller and lighter a Chihuahua is, the more susceptible it is to disease. So there are advantages if your Chihuahua is a larger specimen.
Breed-specific diseases in your Chihuahua are, for example:
- Heart problems
- Open fontanelle
- Allergies
- Hydrocephalus
But also common infections a bigger Chihuahua packs better than a smaller one. If your Chihuahua does not eat much because of a disease, it will be faster for a 1.5 kilo Chihuahua than for a 3.5 kilogram Chihuahua. He has more mass and more reserves to cushion.
Conclusion: Why is my Chihuahua so big?
Chihuahuas can grow between 15 and 23 cm and reach a weight of 2 to 3 kilograms. There are very large but also very small Chis that deviate from the breed standard. However, it may also be that your Chihuahua is not purebred and larger than most others.
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