The chihuahua is a dog breed that has been with us for a long time. It is widely recognized as the oldest dog breed in the Americas. It is also one of the oldest dog breeds, originating from Mexico about 2,000 years ago.

Since then, the lively little dog has remained a beloved companion, a fact that is clear from their enduring popularity as la pets. Since we love these dogs so much, we will look at chihuahua puppies - from conception to adulthood and answer the question - How many puppies can a chihuahua have?

chihuahua puppy

How Long Are Dogs Pregnant For

Like other dog breeds, you can expect your female chihuahua to carry a pregnancy for 58 - 68 days, with 63 being the average from conception to the delivery of her puppies.

Below are some of the signs you may notice if your chihuahua is pregnant:

  • She will act tired and will not be as energetic as usual
  • She might have an upset stomach (equivalent to morning sickness in humans). She may vomit or refuse to eat
  • The dog’s stomach becomes much larger and firmer than usual quite rapidly
  • She will grow huge nipples, and recessed teats will start to emerge
  • Your dog will clean herself much more than usual. She will also appear to start “nesting.”

Here are the primary timelines to remember:

  • Between 15 and 30 days from conception, her stomach will start to swell visibly
  • By day 45, the gestating puppies are visible via x-rays
  • Labor starts at 60 - 65 days, with most chihuahua moms giving birth on day 63

Due to the breed’s large head and the mother’s small hips, there is always some risk to the mother and puppies. This risk is even greater if the chihuahua mated with a large dog to get pregnant.

For this reason, never let your female chihuahua out of your sight when she is on heat, and ensure she does not come into contact with larger dogs. An easy way to ensure this is to fit her with Fi, a GPS dog collar that gives you 24/7 location and activity tracking for your peace of mind. To find out more about Fi click here.

How Many Puppies Can a Chihuahua Have?

Generally, chihuahuas have small litters, and the first time a dog gives birth, you can expect them to be even smaller than usual. You shouldn’t expect to see more than three puppies for the first time she gives birth - a litter of one is far more likely.

Guessing how many puppies a chihuahua will give birth to the first time is an inexact science. Still, your chihuahua’s age is one of the main factors that determine the litter size. Generally, the younger the dog, the more likely it is to give birth to a single puppy after its first pregnancy.

However, while smaller litters are the usual result for a breed as tiny as a chihuahua, there are also recorded cases of dogs of this breed giving birth to surprisingly large litters. The most notable example is a Kansas chihuahua that gave birth to 11 strong and healthy puppies, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest litter of chihuahua puppies in history.

how many puppy can chihuahuas have

Life Stages of Chihuahua Puppies

Understanding the life stages of your chihuahua pup and their size will help you know what to expect at a particular age and how to take care of your dog best.

  • Birth to 2 Weeks: By having an average weight of only 2.5 to 5.5 ounces and a length of no more than 4 inches each, the newborn chihuahuas are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand comfortably. However, they grow rapidly in the first few weeks of their lives, often adding up to 10 percent to their body weight each day and doubling in size by the end of the two weeks.
  • 11 to 15 Weeks: The chihuahua pup is likely to experience a sudden and dramatic growth spurt, gaining considerable weight in 2 - 3 weeks.
  • 3 Months: By the time your chihuahua pup is three months old, they will have reached about 30 percent of their expected adult weight.
  • 6 to 9 Months: The pup’s rapid growth rate starts to slow down. Most chihuahua puppies will achieve their adult height of between 6 to 9 inches by the time they are nine months old. Although the puppy could still “fill out,” do not expect significant weight gain after nine months.

Toilet Training a Chihuahua Pup

Potty training is one of the essential tasks for any owner of a young dog. Some people claim that chihuahuas are difficult to toilet train. However, this is untrue - this breed is intelligent and easily house-trained with consistency and patience. It would be best if you tried to start toilet training your puppy at about eight weeks.

The most effective method for toilet training your puppy is to use positive reinforcement. Like any other dog, a chihuahua pup will make an effort to repeat any behavior that gets them a reward. If the dog performs their bodily functions at the designated toilet spot and you reward them with a treat, they will repeat it.

Fun Facts About Chihuahua Puppies

With chihuahuas being one of the most beloved toy dog breeds, here are a few fun facts about chihuahua puppies:

  • Chihuahua puppies initially became popular as pets in the US in the 1960s
  • An average chihuahua litter of a mature dog is four puppies
  • Chihuahua puppies have noses of various colors, including pink, black, gray, and brown. Some individuals also have two-toned noses.
  • Chihuahuas come in various colors and are the only dog breed in the world recognized as pure despite their color. White chihuahuas are rare and highly prized.
  • The puppies are descendants of Mexico’s ancient Techichi dogs
  • The Aztecs believed that the Techichi dogs, ancestors to the chihuahua, had the power to transfer diseases from their human owners to themselves to protect them. Surprisingly, many people still believe this myth today
  • The breed got its name from Chihuahua, Mexico, which is the state of their origin
  • All chihuahua puppies have floppy ears at birth, but most of them rise and stand erect by adulthood

Keep Your Chihuahua Puppy Safe at All Times

Keeping track of such a curious dog can be difficult. However, with Fi, the most innovative dog collar available today, you always know where your beloved puppy is and are sure that she is safe. Fi lets you harness the power of LTE-M Cellular networks and GPS to track your puppy 24/7 remotely.

Click here to learn about next-level protection and security for your dog.