El chihuahua dog owes its name to the state of Mexico where it comes from, although the true name of its breed is chihuahueño and is It is believed that it descends from a dog that was already used as a pet by the Toltec civilization. It enjoys great popularity as a pet, mainly because of its appearance and its small size. However, do not underestimate this dog that has great intelligence and personality.
If you have decided to adopt one of these little dogs, you are probably wondering At what age does a Chihuahua dog stop growing, and in this article on our site we explain it to you.
What weight should a chihuahua dog get?
Even more important than knowing when a chihuahua dog stops growing is knowing what weight our dog should have acquired once his physical development has been completed.
Chihuahuas should weigh at least 1.5kg, however this is a standard and it is possible that some dogs of this breed weighs a little less. Regarding the maximum weight, there are two differences, depending on whether the dog performs competitions or not:
- Exhibition dogs: maximum weight of 3 kg.
- Pet: they can weigh up to 4.5 kg.
When does a chihuahua stop growing?
A dog's greatest growth occurs during their puppyhood and generally by the time they reach adulthood they are almost full to standard weight. However, already in the adult stage there are slight changes such as muscle mass gain.
The duration of the puppy stage will vary depending on the size of the dog, in the case of small dogs such as the chihuahua, the transition to the adult stage occurs between 9 and 12 months.
A chihuahua will grow up to 7 or 8 months, although in the remaining months to reach a year or a year and a half of age it will will cause other changes in the structure of your body:
- Macho: gain in muscle mass and broadening of the torso.
- Female: Muscle mass gain and hip enlargement.
Contrary to what many people believe, the different varieties of Chihuahua are not differentiated by the weight they can reach but by the type of coat, differentiating between the long-haired and the short-haired variety.
On the other hand, to ensure the correct development of the Chihuahua puppy, it is essential to offer him the best care and provide him with quality food that covers all his needs.
How do I know if my chihuahua has a growth disorder?
There are various problems that can cause growth alterations in puppy dogs and they can manifest themselves through the following symptoms:
- Dermatological disorders
- Loss of appetite
- Exercise intolerance
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty in movement
- Seizures
- Hyperactivity
Behind these symptoms can hide endocrine, metabolic and skeletal disorders that affect the proper development of the dog, therefore, if you detect them in your pet do not hesitate to go to the vet as soon as possible. Likewise, we recommend you review the article on the most common diseases in Chihuahuas to prevent the appearance of any of them, or detect them in time to combat them.