Standards

Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height, only a weight and a description of their overall proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between 6 and 10 inches (15 and 25 cm) at the withers.

Both British and American breed standards state that a Chihuahua must not weigh more than 6.0 pounds (2.7 kg), however the British standard also states that a weight of 2–4 lb (0.91–1.8 kg) is preferred and that if two dogs are equally good in type, the more diminutive or smaller is preferred. The FCI standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and 3.0 kg (3.3 and 6.6 lb), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring. Typically the breed standard for both the long and short coat chihuahua will be identical except for the description of the coat.

The basic body type of purebred Chihuahuas is Apple headed. Characteristics of an Apple headed Chihuahua are short noses, an apple shaped head, and close- set eyes.