Is Chihuahua the smallest breed of dog?

Everybody loves dogs unless, of course, you are a cat person. They happen to be there just whenever you need them – which is usually every moment of our lives. Whether you are feeling happy or let down, your puppy can always make things more exciting by simply being there for you. It’s not surprising then that since the dawn of time, society has considered dogs to be a person’s best buddy. Before we move ahead to talk more about them, we would suggest you to visit My Golden Retriever to find the best guidance regarding this specific breed.

Dogs are the most common animal companions that people like to keep as a pet. They easily beat cats, birds and fishes in earning a place in our homes. From the moment of their birth, they work themselves up to make sure to become their human’s most adored companion. In the US alone, it is estimated that about three-quarters of the whole population has a canine friend to protect them from getting gloomy. To put that in perspective, that’s about 90 million dogs that have been adopted and cared for.

Given the human tendencies to fall in love with nature’s most adorable tail-waggers, you might find yourself thinking about them quite often. Whether you are thinking of getting a puppy or preparing for a study project, you should be aware that our dog friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Currently, there are about 200 dog breeds in the world, and new breeds are coming about every few years.

People have specific likings and preferences when it comes to their personal choices. It is no different when it comes to choosing a dog. Even though you might appreciate every sort of dog, you probably will want to have some say when someone decides to bring a dog in the house.

When it comes to smaller dogs, there are a lot of pros and cons to consider. Generally speaking, smaller dogs cost less due to lower food consumption and other needs such as toys and play area. Besides that, they make an excellent choice for lap dogs – which will assist you greatly if you happen to love sleeping with your dog.

Even among small dogs, there are a lot of options. Depending upon classification, there are anywhere from 50 to 100 dog breeds that are small and easy to carry. However, even among these, you may wonder; which one is the smallest?

Let us look at some dog breeds along with their heights and weights. 

  • Welsh Corgi – Height 10 to 12 inches, Weight: 24 to 30 lbs
  • Mini Schnauzer – Height: 12 to 14 inches, Weight: 12 to 21 lbs
  • Schipperke – Height: 10 to 13 inches, Weight: 6 to 19 lbs
  • Pug – Height: 10 to 11 inches, Weight: 14 to 17 lbs
  • Shih Tzu – Height: 8 to 11 inches, Weight: 6 to 16 inches
  • Affenpinscher – Height: 9 to 12 inches, Weight: 7 to 13 lbs
  • Bichon Frise – Height: 9 to 12 inches, Weight: 7 to 11 lbs
  • Toy Poodle – Height: 9 to 10 inches, Weight: 4 to 8 lbs
  • Maltese – Height: 8 to 10 inches, Weight: 4 to 8 lbs
  • Yorkshire Terrier – Height: 8 to 9 inches, Weight: 4 to 6 lbs

These are just some of the smaller species of dogs found around the world. However, even these don’t account for the smallest dog breed to exist. The official status for the smallest dog breed ever goes to the Chihuahua.

A Chihuahua is your best friend from childhood that never grows up. Lifting one of these can feel like lifting a pillow. Generally, they don’t weigh more than 5 lbs. Baby Chihuahuas can weigh as little as 2 pounds! That is about the same as lifting three bananas. They measure about 5 inches to the shoulders. You can have one of these dogs settle in your grocery bag or have them sit on your shoulder while you clean the house.

In terms of weight, since 2013, the record for the smallest dog ever is held by a dog named Milly. At two years old, Milly weighed only about a pound. “Miracle Milly,” as her owner calls her, is about 3.8 inches tall.

However, as if the trend ran in the family, in 2019, Milly’s niece, Twitty “Piolin,” broke the record by manifesting herself as a furball measuring only 2.5 inches tall!

More Reading:

Chihuahua (Wikipedia)

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