Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Chihuahua
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Chihuahua Will Have
- How Much Does the Chihuahua Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Chihuahua Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Chihuahua Puppy
- How Long is a Chihuahua Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Chihuahua
- Conclusion on Chihuahua Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Chihuahua
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 269 different Chihuahua birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Chihuahuas can have is 3 puppies. Also, the Chihuahua can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 7 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Chihuahua compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Chihuahua Will Have
Chihuahua Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Chihuahua will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Chihuahua is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Chihuahua litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Chihuahua will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Chihuahua
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Chihuahua will have if your Chihuahua gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Chihuahua. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Chihuahua at different ages. This table applies to a Chihuahua that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 puppies | 3 to 4 puppies |
| 3 | 4 puppies | 3 to 5 puppies |
| 4 | 4 puppies | 3 to 5 puppies |
| 5 | 4 puppies | 3 to 5 puppies |
| 6 | 4 puppies | 2 to 5 puppies |
| 7 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 8 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 9 | 3 puppies | 1 to 6 puppies |
How Much Does the Chihuahua Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Chihuahua puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 57 Chihuahua puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 57 Chihuahua puppies, the average weight of the Chihuahua at birth is 140 grams (4.9 ounces). The birth weight of the Chihuahua puppy typically ranges from 111 grams (3.9 ounces) to 160 grams (5.6 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Chihuahua puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
Furthermore, according to another research study that weighed Chihuahua puppies from 4 litters, Chihuahuas can weigh 130–145 grams at birth.
How Big Will a Chihuahua Puppy Get?
A Chihuahua puppy will grow up to weigh around 3 to 6 pounds. Furthermore, a Chihuahua puppy will grow up to be 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Chihuahua weight and how big Chihuahuas grow here
How Much is a Chihuahua Puppy
The average price of a Chihuahua puppy is $1960. The price of a Chihuahua puppy ranges from $900 to $2500.
Since the Chihuahua has an average litter size of 3, therefore a Chihuahua litter birth is worth $5880.
To learn more about the price of Chihuahua puppy, check our review on how much Chihuahua puppy cost, and Chihuahua buying advice.
How Long is a Chihuahua Pregnant?
Chihuahuas are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Chihuahuas can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Chihuahua conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Chihuahua for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Chihuahua
To ensure that your Chihuahua successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Chihuahua well: A good diet will ensure that your Chihuahua has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Chihuahua is in good health: Ensure you take your Chihuahua to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Chihuahua gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Chihuahua is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Chihuahua Litter Size
Chihuahuas can have 3 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Chihuahua will have depends on factors such as the age of the Chihuahua and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Chihuahuas the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Chihuahua. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Chihuahua gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Chihuahuas in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.