How Many Puppies Can a Chihuahua Have? How Big They Are?

The chihuahua is one of the more popular dog breeds in the United States. The American Kennel Club ranked it as the 35th most popular breed out of 193, placing it well in the top 20%.

And it is the smallest dog breed, which is recognized by the AKC. They typically weigh between 2 and 6 pounds, which makes them ridiculously light to handle and part of why they are valued as ‘portable’ dogs. They grow up to 9 inches in height, which means that even the biggest chihuahua is under a foot tall.

Of course, this size may present many questions as to whether a chihuahua can have puppies. The answer to that is a simple yes. They absolutely can! The average size of a chihuahua litter and the answer to more related questions will be given below. 

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How big are chihuahua puppies?

A chihuahua is already a small enough dog, yet its offspring manage to be even smaller before they grow. When in adulthood, a chihuahua typically weighs around or less than 6 pounds. A chihuahua puppy is tiny and can weigh as little as 2.5 ounces, letting it fit into your hand perfectly. It is essential to be as careful as possible when carrying them.

As they grow, they increase in weight quite fast. These dogs double in weight in just two weeks, and by the 3rd month, they should weigh over a pound for sure. They tend to hit their full weight anywhere from under a year to just a little under two years.

How many puppies do chihuahuas have the first time?

The chihuahua litter size for a chihuahua giving birth for the first time will always be smaller than in a chihuahua who has delivered several times before. The first litter will usually not exceed more than 3 puppies, though some chihuahuas can end having just one puppy. 

How many puppies can a chihuahua have on average?

As I mentioned, when a chihuahua is giving birth for the first time, the number of puppies in the litter is usually smaller. This is because birth is such a delicate process, and the uterus is simply not ready yet. When your pet has given birth to at least one chihuahua litter, the number of puppies in each average chihuahua litter will have increased to about 5 or 6.

To compare this with larger dogs, you’ll have to ask how many puppies do dogs have. Simply put, it depends on the breed, but on average, many tops out at 8.

However, it is vital to know that a chihuahua having puppies typically occurs through a C-section due to their size. Specific health issues may arise if a chihuahua having babies attempted that through their vaginas. 

Can a teacup chihuahua have babies?

The term teacup chihuahua is meant to allude to the fact that the dog should be able to fit into a teacup without much trouble. Maybe when they’re younger, but once they grow older, they grow out of the teacup. Unlike what many people believe, the dog is not a special breed but merely a smaller dimension of the chihuahuas we all love. 

Now, considering that they tend to weigh below 3 pounds, it may seem very dangerous for them to attempt to deliver on their own. However, with your veterinarian’s advice and guidance (and likely a C-section), you and yours will definitely be okay.

Credits: thanks for the cover photo to Canva.

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