A miniature Chihuahua is also known as a teacup Chihuahua or a pocket Chihuahua. There is no classification of extra small Chihuahuas in the Chihuahua breed standard. The standard Chihuahua is six pounds or under and no lower limit of weight is specified. Also, the only "official" division within the breed standard is over hair length. Long hair or short hair. So the terms "teacup", "miniature" and "pocket" Chihuahuas are not recognized breed terms. Those are really marketing terms.

There is a demand for extra small dogs and so breeders try to produce very small dogs and those dogs sell for premium prices. The demand causes breeders to select for smaller and smaller size. Sadly, this may result in matings that produce very fragile and sickly puppies. This can be a sad experience for the puppy buyer and a short and unhappy life for the little dog.

Even though the breed standard sets six pounds as the maximum weight, many Chihuahuas weigh more. Some weigh ten pounds or even as much as twelve. The larger dogs are generally more hardy and certainly less fragile. The smaller the dogs, the more fragile and easily injured. There is no reason why a small dog cannot be a healthy dog, but the really small dogs will be fragile and easily injured.

Consider why you want a very small Chihuahua. Is it just for looks? Remember that even a standard Chihuahua is still a toy breed. A four pound dog will be stronger and more robust than a tiny two pound dog and four pounds is still very small.

Very tiny dogs will have fragile bones and be easily injured. Also tiny dogs will usually have dental problems simply because there isn't room for the teeth. Also tiny dogs often have problems with sugar metabolism or hypoglycemia. If a breeder selects for very small size, females will have problems giving birth and often have very small litters.

Moderate size Chihuahuas may live more pleasant lives than very tiny fragile dogs. Make sure you think of the long-term future of a little creature before you take it home. By purchasing tiny Chihuahuas at high prices, dog buyers encourage selection for smaller and smaller size in Chihuahuas. This can doom a little creature to a difficult and short life.

Read more Chihuahua Tips at the links to the right.