We all know and love the classic Chihuahua. These teeny tiny dogs make awesome pets, and their size is a big perk for traveling and making for the perfect lap dog.
Despite their small size, Chihuahuas can have puppies. It’s truly astonishing that such a little creature is capable of being pregnant and delivering multiple little lives. But how many Chihuahua puppies are in one litter? And how small are these little pups?
This article will dive into all the logistics of Chihuahua litters and answer all your questions about the entire process.
Can Chihuahuas Have Puppies?
The answer to this is absolutely yes! How else would we keep getting more of these adorable little babies?! However, due to their size, Chihuahua litters do vary somewhat from an average sized-dog. In addition to that, the process of delivering requires some special care.
It is almost always necessary for a Chihuahua to have a C-section. Unlike average-sized or larger dogs, giving birth can cause major health problems for these tiny dogs. The safest way for a Chihuahua to have their litter is in a veterinarian’s office with a C-section procedure.
How Many Puppies Do Chihuahuas Have The First Time?
There is no one number of puppies that any dog has. Typically, larger dogs are more capable of having larger litters. Chihuahuas, on the other hand, deliver very few puppies per litter because of their small size.
On average, a Chihuahua first litter is the smallest they will ever have. It is not uncommon for a new Chi mommy to have only three puppies, many times even less than that. Due to their extremely small size, they are unable to carry any more puppies than that.
How Many Chihuahua Puppies in a Litter?
If pregnancy occurs more than once, the average Chihuahua litter size can grow after their first one. A Chihuahua that has had multiple pregnancies will sometimes be capable of delivering up to six puppies per litter.
Remember that no dog is the same. Litter sizes are based on each dog individually. You can’t expect any dog’s litter to be a certain amount.
How Do Chihuahuas Give Birth?
The Chihuahua birthing process isn’t as smooth sailing as other dog breeds. Since Chihuahuas are so tiny, it is not usually good for them to give birth, especially to multiple puppies.
It is strongly recommended that Chihuahuas give birth via C-section to avoid very serious health complications. Especially when a Chihuahua has multiple puppies per litter or has had multiple pregnancies, it can become extremely dangerous for these little dogs to deliver their pups naturally.
This information is extremely important to know if your Chihuahua has become pregnant. You need to monitor your pet’s pregnancy with your vet throughout the entire time. C-sections will need to be performed by a veterinarian when it comes time for your pup to give birth.
How Big Are Chihuahua Puppies?
With an adult female Chihuahua being such a small size, it comes as no surprise that her puppies will come out itty bitty. Adult Chihuahuas can range in size. However, most standard Chi dogs weigh somewhere from three to six pounds.
One can only imagine how small a newborn Chihuahua is. A Chi puppy is very small, but how small?
How Much Do Chihuahua Puppies Weigh?
Chihuahua pups have a birth weight of less than a pound. On average, their size at birth ranges from about 0.15 to 0.40 pounds. At this super small birth weight, these little pups are fragile to say the least!
Now, this is the birth size for the standard Chihuahua. What about other types of Chihuahuas such as Teacup Chihuahuas or Long Haired Chihuahuas? Do they have different-sized litters of puppies?
Long Haired Chihuahua Litter Size
Long Haired Chihuahuas are the same size as the standard adult Chi. Their adult weight ranges from three to six pounds.
The same basics apply when it comes to litter size and puppy size. With their first litter being the smallest, Long Haired Chihuahuas can have a second pregnancy and have up to five puppies in one litter.
The Long-Haired Chihuahua should not attempt to give birth either. The safest way to make sure the dog is safe and doesn’t suffer any health complications is to have a trained veterinarian perform an in-office C-section.
The birth weight of a Long Haired Chihuahua puppy is similar to that of a standard Chihuahua. These puppies weigh less than a pound when they are first born.
Teacup Chihuahua Litter Size
Teacup Chihuahuas are the smallest of the Chihuahua breed. They are not a different breed than the standard Chihuahua per se. They are simply just bred smaller. An adult Teacup Chihuahua is a little bit less than a standard Chihuahua. They weigh anywhere between two and four pounds.
Therefore, their litter size is going to be smaller on average than a standard Chi. It is not uncommon for a Teacup Chihuahua to have a litter as small as the standard Chi’s littlest one. This means Teacup Chihuahuas usually have a litter of one to three puppies at a time.
The same delivery process goes for Teacup Chihuahuas. They will need a C-section performed by a veterinarian to give birth safely.
The birth weight of Teacup Chihuahuas is very similar to that of standard and Long Haired Chihuahuas. They can be as small as 0.15 ounces.
Final Thoughts
As one of the littlest dogs, it almost feels like a miracle that Chihuahuas are capable of being pregnant and bringing more little Chi lives into the world. Though their pregnancies and birthing processes require more attention than larger dogs, they are capable of it.
Chihuahuas can have litters of puppies. However, their litter size is smaller than the average dog, and their puppies have an extremely low birth weight.
To safely deliver their puppies, Chihuahuas need help from a veterinarian. They can most safely have their puppies via C-section.
These small dogs are truly amazing creatures.