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I adopted her a year ago from the vet tech school I attended, at that time it was guessed that she was a year and half old. She is 13" at the withers, 20" at the top of the head, and she weighs 22 pounds of pure muscle. Having grown up with tea cup chi's all my life, I can say that her personality and mannerisms are all chihuahua. She is pure black with a short coat.

I wonder if there is such a thing as a standard chihuahua like there is for the poodle and schnauzer, and if there is could my baby be one?

>>I adopted her a year ago from the vet tech school I attended, at that time it was guessed that she was a year and half old. She is 13" at the withers, 20" at the top of the head, and she weighs 22 pounds of pure muscle. Having grown up with tea cup chi's all my life, I can say that her personality and mannerisms are all chihuahua. She is pure black with a short coat.
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>>I wonder if there is such a thing as a standard chihuahua like there is for the poodle and schnauzer, and if there is could my baby be one?
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There are Chihuahuas born larger than the breed standard. They actually tend to be healthier. At least, they are sometimes healthier. There are a lot of breeders of Chihuahuas who don't breed for show.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

As a RVT I can appreciate a healthier bread of dog. I always have thought that she has to be a chihuahua, she even has the front foot raise and tuck (classic chi). Hey now I can laugh at those that said she has to be a chi-pit mix because she is sooo strong.

She doesn't look like a Chihuahua to me. And no, Chihuahuas don't come in a standard size. There is only one size not to exceed 6 lbs, although many are oversize. I think she's a small mixed breed dog.
staffordmom

I've seen some big Chihuahuas, but 22 lbs to me suggests she's mixed with a rat terrier or something similar to that- the nose is especially long for a chihuahua. Granted, she could even be mixed with poodle and the chihuahua coat came through. I don't think she's mixed with 4 or 5 breeds, but she is a mix with the chihuahua traits showing up the most. Love that rich black color on her!
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles