Micro Chihuahua: Standard, Price, Breeders… (With Pictures)

Micro and super micro Chihuahuas are considered the smallest dogs in the world. The growth of some of them does not exceed 4.5 inches at the withers and weighs 3-7 pounds. They are cute and very small creatures with strong character.

What are the breed characteristics of a supermini chihuahua and how should you take care of such a dog?

Micro Chihuahua: History & Origin

Micro-sized Chihuahuas were born in Techichi litters, which became the ancestors of Chihuahuas and lived in Mexico since the 15th century BC.- 16 century BC.

When the Spaniards conquered Mesoamerica, they began to destroy the cultural heritage of Indian civilizations, and at the same time getting to the local dogs living at the temples.

Many techies died at the hands of the conquistadors, but a small part of the population managed to escape: the dogs fled into the forest and settled there near the ruins of Aztec cities.

Micro Chihuahua
Image By @omelia_doggy

Several centuries later, at the beginning of the 19th century, residents noticed their descendants and, having tamed them, made them their pets.

The first breed standard also limited the Chihuahua’s weight to within 1.5-7.5 pounds. But too small sizes have long been considered undesirable, especially females, as micro females are not suitable for breeding. It is for this reason that such dogs were not in great demand at that time.

Everything changed when it became fashionable to keep small dogs in the house and take them everywhere, including to social events. After all, a micro dog is easier to hold in your arms for quite a long time than a standard dog.

Micro Chihuahuas have never been deliberately bred. Such puppies are not born in every litter and no experienced dog handler will undertake to predict whether such puppies will be among the expected offspring or not.

Micro Chihuahuas: Description & Character

The Micro Chihuahua is a very small, but at the same time stately dog. If such a dog has the correct structure, then it does not seem weak or too fragile. Micro Chihuahuas are energetic and cheerful by nature.

They are very attached to their owners and often accompany them everywhere. These affectionate dogs are very sensitive to the mood of the owner, as noted by many people who have such dogs.

Like all other Chihuahuas, the micro is brave and reckless. Owners need to make sure that their tiny pet does not bully large dogs, cats and does not chase crows while walking, as these animals can seriously injure them.

Micro Chihuahua
Image By @omelia_doggy

Micro Chihuahua: Physical Features

  • The body format of these dogs is close to square. The physique is strong, despite its tiny size, so that the dog looks squat and muscular.
  • The head is round, apple-shaped. The forehead is convex, the transition from it to the muzzle is pronounced. The muzzle is medium in length or somewhat shortened.
  • The teeth are not large, but white and strong, the bite is in the form of scissors.
  • The eyes are large, dark, set wide apart.
  • The ears are large, erect, in the shape of a rounded triangle.
  • The neck is medium in length, with a slight, graceful bend.
  • The withers are poorly defined, the back is straight and strong enough.
  • The ribcage is wide, oval, reaching to the elbows.
  • The tail is of medium length, relatively wide at the base, but strongly tapering towards the tip.
  • Straight limbs are straight and parallel. The hind ones are well-muscled, slightly longer than the front ones.
  • In micro chihuahuas, all colors are acceptable, with the exception of merle. Their coat can be smooth and close-fitting, or rather long, forming feathers

Micro Chihuahua: Life Expectancy & Health

Micro Chihuahua
Image By @omelia_doggy

According to statistics, Micro Chihuahuas live less than standard representatives of the breed. The average duration reaches 8-12 years, while the standard specimen is 12 to 16 years old. They are also prone to a number of health issues including:

  • tracheal collapse ;
  • dislocation of the patella;
  • fragile skeleton and weak muscular system;
  • hydrocephalus ;
  • hypoglycemia;
  • hepatic shunt;
  • urolithiasis and urinary incontinence;
  • eye and heart diseases;
  • atopy;
  • idiopathic epilepsy;
  • neuropsychic and autonomic instability.

A puppy can be completely healthy. I just named some of the diseases to which micro Chihuahuas are most susceptible. Some of them do not appear for a long time, until adulthood.

Many will begin to deny the relationship between size and the listed ailments. However, students at the University of Cambridge conducted a number of studies and established an indirect relationship. The incidence of pathological abnormalities in micro Chihuahuas is growing exponentially.

Extreme care and caution are required on the part of the owner, in case of physical contact with micro and super-micro Chihuahuas. Awkward movement can cause serious physical injury to the world’s smallest dog. It is necessary to provide a safe home environment.

Micro Chihuahua: Care & Maintenance

Micro Chihuahua
Image By @omelia_doggy

The long-haired micro should be combed at least once a day. It is enough to comb a smooth-haired dog 2-3 times a week.

Eyes and ears should be examined daily and cleaned as needed. As for the claws, they need to be trimmed every 10-14 days.

The teeth of these dogs are cleaned either with the help of special toys and treats or with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs.

Due to the fact that micro chihuahuas freeze easily, it is unacceptable to keep them in a room with drafts, and in cool weather at home, they need to wear a vest or blanket.

Vaccinations, as well as deworming, must be carried out strictly on schedule. It is better not to bathe Micro Chihuahuas unnecessarily, as they are very prone to colds.

Difference Between a Micro Chihuahua & a Mini Chihuahua

In addition to the difference in size, micro differs from mini in a shorter life span and in the fact that they are more likely to suffer from hereditary ailments.

They also have more accelerated metabolism, which means that micro more than mini are susceptible to attacks of hypoglycemia and worse tolerate both too cold and too hot weather. Micro is more prone to various injuries than mini.

Any surface raised 20 inches or more above the floor is a potential hazard for these dogs, and therefore you need to carefully monitor that the pet does not climb high furniture.

How to Choose a Mini Chihuahua Puppy

Micro Chihuahua
Image By @omelia_doggy

The popularity of the micro variety of this breed has led to the fact that dishonest breeders underfeed standard Chihuahua puppies or even inject them with special drugs that slow down growth.

Under the guise of micro, puppies born prematurely are often sold, as well as dogs with obvious signs of dwarfism.

For such reason, a puppy of such a small size should only be bought with documents of origin.

When choosing a micro chihuahua, you need to remember that bulging eyes and an unnaturally convex head can be signs of hydrocephalus.

IMPORTANT!
A healthy micro puppy should look proportional: it cannot have legs as thin as matches with a rather large body and a disproportionately huge head.

Also, the puppy should look plump, but not fat or thin.

Due to the fact that all Chihuahuas grow in different ways, it is better to buy a micro dog after it is at least six months old, otherwise, there is a risk that a tiny puppy will grow to the upper limits of the standard by this age.

Where Can you Buy a Mini Chihuahua?

Micro Chihuahua: Pros & Cons

 

Mini Chihuahua Pros

  • Nice and touching.
  • They do not take up much space in the house or apartment.
  • Sociable.
  • Despite their small size, they are very daring.
  • Smart and quick-witted.
  • Their fur is easy to care for.
  • You can take such a small dog with you wherever you go.
  • Easy to get accustomed to a tray or diaper

Mini Chihuahua Cons

  • Prone to many diseases.
  • Micro Chihuahuas are not uncommon for injuries.
  • In the absence of training, they become unauthorized.
  • They should not be allowed to play with other animals, as well as with children.
  • They tend to fight with other dogs.
  • May feel jealous.
  • Doesn’t get along well with other breeds in the house.
  • Micro females are not allowed for breeding. The same applies to males if their weight is less than 1.2 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much is a micro Chihuahua?

A Mini Chihuahua puppy has an average price of $1800-$2600. Some Breeders could even offer Mini Chihuahua puppies for $3000 or even higher.

The cost of a Mini Chihuahua puppy varies widely and depends on many factors. The price of the dog is influenced by the eminence of the breeder, as well as the availability of working and exhibition certificates from the parent couple.

Aside from the puppy’s price, it would be best to consider the expenses that would come with it. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your puppies like grooming tools, food, and shelter.

How big do micro Chihuahuas get?

According to the official breed standard, the maximum Micro Chihuahua weight is limited to 2.5 pounds. And according to the weight categories, cunning breeders have established an unofficial classification:

  • Standard – representatives of the breed weighing 3.7-7.5 pounds or more;
  • Mini – dog body weight in the range from 2.5 to 3.7 pounds;
  • Micro-Super Micro – dystrophies, not exceeding the weight of 2.5 pounds.

 

What is the smallest  Chihuahua in the world?

In 2014, the story of Milly was published, a Chihuahua from Puerto Rico who became the smallest dog in the world: with a height of 3.5 inches and a weight of less than 300 grams.

Final Thoughts: Is The Micro Chihuahua The Right Do For You

Due to the special size, special care and attention are required. A common cause of death of such a dog is careless handling. Small children can also be the culprits, who are capable of unknowingly inflicting injury on the dog.

I do not discourage anyone from buying mini and super-mini Chihuahuas, but I do not approve either. If you are determined to opt for a tiny representative of the breed, then I warned about the possible consequences. Be prepared for the fact that participation in the breed show will be refused if the applicant does not fit into the weight range according to the breed standard.

Weigh the pros and cons. Remember that a small dog is a big responsibility for the next 8-12 years. It is human irresponsibility and thoughtlessness that becomes the reason for the constant replenishment of dog shelters with dogs with broken fates. 

Author

  • Amanda Wheatley

    Passionate about animals, Amanda draws her expertise from her training as an educator, pet behaviorist as well as her extensive experience with animal owners. A specialist in dog and cat behavior, Amanda continues to learn about our four-legged companions by studying veterinary reference books but also university research sites (UCD, Utrecht, Cambridge, Cornell, etc..) Why Trust ShelterAPet? At ShelterAPet, our collective is composed of writers, veterinarians, and seasoned animal trainers with a deep passion for pets. Our team of esteemed professionals delves into extensive research to deliver trustworthy insights on a broad spectrum of pet-related subjects. We anchor our evaluations on direct customer experiences, meticulous testing, and comprehensive scrutiny. Our commitment is to uphold transparency and integrity for our cherished community of pet aficionados and prospective pet parents.