Paulina KorczakAh, the classic old Chihuahua, the sweetheart of human’s tiniest best friend. The Chihuahua is famous for its feisty yet cute behaviours and goofy personalities. Chihuahua is also one of the smallest dog breeds in the world making it perfect for people that don’t have a garden, or are looking for a family-friendly pet that’s not vicious and won’t cause any harm or threat to young children. Chihuahuas are also very smart dogs and with the right training, can be an excellent choice.
But how much do Chihuahuas weigh on average? It’s important to consider this question before deciding to invite a Chihuahua into your home, and in some cases, to be around children too.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how much Chihuahuas weigh and what you can expect as they grow.
Table of Contents
How much do Chihuahuas weigh on average?
Even dogs of the same breed come in all kinds of weights and sizes and the same goes for Chihuahuas. That’s why there is a wide weight range that can be found in Chihuahuas, as every dog is different and their lifestyle, diet and how often they exercise will influence their weight and size.
A show-quality Chihuahua has some standards to be considered a dog show-worthy dog, and for that reason, different kennel clubs have similar yet slightly different weight standards when it comes to Chihuahuas. These weight standards are as follows.
American Kennel Club
According to American Kennel Club, a show-quality Chihuahua should weigh no more than 6 pounds.
Canadian Kennel Club
As far as the Canadian Kennel Club is concerned, they also agree that a Chihuahua should not exceed the 6 pounds limit to be considered a show-quality dog.
Moreover, Canadian Kennel Club also states that a Chihuahua weighing 2 to 4 pounds is preferred.
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Being the largest association of Kennel Clubs worldwide, it’s important to consider what Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has to say in this matter. FCI tends to give a small margin to Chihuahua as, according to them, a Chihuahua weighing up to 6.61 pounds is acceptable.
The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is the most prominent Kennel Club of the UK and they have certainly have an opinion on this matter, and according to them, a show-worthy Chihuahua should range between 4 pounds and 6 pounds.
As you can see, there is some disagreement between all the above-mentioned kennel clubs. However, you can see that weighing less than 6 pounds is the gold standard when it comes to Chihuahuas. So, where possible, you should aim to keep your Chihuahua under 6 pounds to keep them nice and healthy!
How much does the average Chihuahua weigh?
Not all Chihuahuas can be considered show-worthy, simply because they are not bred to show their skills in a dog show. Instead, they are bred to fill your life with laughter, provide cuddles and give you lots of love, which all Chihuahuas excel at!
However, dog owners need to know how much an average Chihuahua weighs, so that they can assess whether their living space is adequate for their four-legged best friend or not, as dogs that weigh more tend to be larger in size.
The weight of your Chihuahua can also indicate whether they are of a healthy size, a Chihuahua that weighs more than the average size, may experience joint or bone pain, and can increase the likelihood of developing the disease at a later stage. You should always monitor your Chihuahuas weight and consult with a vet if you have any concerns or problems with your dog maintaining a healthy weight.
You can find below a recent survey of 3,272 Chihuahuas to find out the average weight range of Chihuahuas. This survey was held to figure out the average weight between the dog breed and the following are its results.
| Weight in pounds | Percentage of dogs in weight category |
| 2.5 | 5% |
| 3 | 3% |
| 3.5 | 3% |
| 4 | 6% |
| 4.5 | 4% |
| 5 | 11% |
| 5.5 | 7% |
| 6 | 7% |
| 6.5 | 8% |
| 7 | 7% |
| 7.5 | 6% |
| 8 | 5% |
| 8.5 | 5% |
| More than 8.5 | 23% |
As you can see, according to the survey, only 46% of the total sample size weighed 6 pounds or less than that, which means that most of the Chihuahuas being surveyed weighed more than the ideal weight range for show-quality dogs.
What is a healthy weight for a Chihuahua?
If your Chihuahua is between 6 and 9 inches tall, we recommend keeping them below 6 pounds where possible, however, you should always consult with your vet if you have any concerns with your dog’s weight. If your dog weighs above this, their body will apply greater stress to their bones and joints, and this could cause long-term damage if they maintain above this weight.
How much should a male Chihuahua weigh?
Male Chihuahuas tend to weigh more than females, however, both genders should be kept below the 6-pound mark where possible, and for males, a healthy weight is between 3 to 6 pounds. But this will depend on their size,
How much should a female Chihuahua weigh?
A female Chihuahua should weigh between 2 and 5 pounds, however, it’s not uncommon to see females that weigh up to 6 pounds, in-line with the average weight of a male.
How do I know if my Chihuahua is overweight?
If your Chihuahua is overweight, their body will apply greater stress to their bones and joints, and this can result in arthritis from an early age and possibly, diabetes. If your dog has diabetes, this will mean that their bodies require more insulin and could drastically affect their quality of life. Some symptoms of diabetes in dogs include excessive thirst and a need to drink lots of water, increased urination, significant weight loss, decreased appetite, risk of heart disease, eye infections and recurring skin infections.
This will take a toll on their body, especially over the long term, so keeping your dog within a healthy weight range is crucial.
Below are some of the signs that may mean that your Chihuahua is overweight:
- You can’t feel their ribs;
- No definition to their body, i.e. no rib cage, the chest is large and they have no hips;
- They like to eat a lot, beyond what a normal dog their size is required to eat;
- They are unable to (or struggle with) groom themselves, this includes licking and cleaning their body
- They refuse to move, exercise or play games often.
- A bigger and rounder face
- Not enjoying walks as theyused to, or are refusing to go on walks.
What should I do if my Chihuahua is overweight?
If you suspect that your Chihuahua is overweight, you should consult with a veterinarian and they will be able to confirm. They will check their weight, feel their ribs and provide you with some guidance on the next steps and a suitable weight loss plan for your dog.
Paulina Korczak
Emily White