Chihuahua clothes: size and what to choose
In short: most chihuahuas wear Feel with Fill size XS (chest girth 27–32 cm / 10.6–12.6 in) or S (31–36 cm / 12.2–14.2 in). It is one of the breeds that feel the cold the most: a tiny body loses heat fast, and a smooth-coated chihuahua has very little undercoat. So a chihuahua needs a layer from about +10 °C (50 °F) down, and sooner in wind or rain. If your dog is smaller than our XS (chest under 27 cm / 10.6 in), we will sew any model to its measurements.
Chihuahua clothes size chart
| Your chihuahua | Measurements | Feel with Fill size |
|---|---|---|
| Very small adult or young puppy | chest under 27 cm (10.6 in) | Custom size |
| Petite, slim build | chest 27–32 cm (10.6–12.6 in), back 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in), neck up to 22 cm (8.7 in) | XS |
| Sturdy, broad-chested build | chest 31–36 cm (12.2–14.2 in), back 26–30 cm (10.2–11.8 in), neck up to 26 cm (10.2 in) | S |
| Large chihuahua or chihuahua mix | chest over 36 cm (14.2 in) | Custom size, or M if the back is 31–35 cm (12.2–13.8 in) |
XS and S overlap at a 31–32 cm (12.2–12.6 in) chest. In that gap, check the back and neck: a short back and a slim neck point to XS, a longer back or a thicker neck to S. Size M fits the chest of a large chihuahua but is cut for a 31–35 cm (12.2–13.8 in) back, which is often too long, so a custom size is usually the better choice.
How to measure a chihuahua
Stand your dog on a table and ask a helper to hold a treat: a wriggly chihuahua keeps still far better there than on the floor. With a soft tape, take the chest girth around the ribcage where it is widest, right behind the front legs; the back length along the spine, from the base of the neck to the start of the tail; and the neck girth along the collar line. A chihuahua has a broad, deep chest and a thin neck, so a piece that fits the chest may feel roomy at the collar: order by the chest anyway. On a long-coated dog, do not press the coat flat. A measuring diagram and the full XS–XL chart in inches are in our dog clothes size guide.
Smooth coat or long coat: how much warmth your chihuahua needs
Smooth-coated chihuahuas have short, close-lying hair and almost no undercoat, so they are the first to shiver and need full cover sooner than most dogs: a jumpsuit once it drops below about +5 °C (41 °F). Long-coated chihuahuas are a little better protected, but their silky coat has no dense undercoat, so wind and damp still get through. For them, clothes also keep the feathering on the legs and belly out of mud and slush. Look for details that protect long hair: the fleece anorak has a binding along the zip, and the hook-and-loop fastening on the fleece jumpsuit is hidden, so the coat does not catch.
What a chihuahua should wear at each temperature
| Weather | What to put on | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Cool and dry, +10…+15 °C (50–59 °F) | a turtleneck or a light hoodie | one thin layer takes the chill off without overheating |
| Wind, +5…+10 °C (41–50 °F) | a fleece vest or a brushed hoodie | wind cools a tiny body faster than the thermometer suggests |
| Drizzle and light rain | a fleece anorak with a water-repellent finish | keeps the back and chest dry and blocks the wind |
| Cold, 0…+5 °C (32–41 °F) | a fleece jumpsuit; for short, brisk walks, the waterproof “Puffy” puffer vest | the jumpsuit covers the belly, while the vest leaves the legs free |
| Frost, slush or wet snow, below 0 °C (32 °F) | the padded “Gossip-puffer” jumpsuit, or the water-repellent “Heaven” jumpsuit for wet snow; a water-repellent jacket only for short trips on dry frosty days | only a jumpsuit covers the belly and keeps the coat clean of salt and slush |
Below freezing, keep walks short and watch your dog: shivering, lifting its paws or stopping to be picked up mean it is time to go home. Indoors, take the clothes off, as a chihuahua overheats quickly in a warm room. Layering for hard frost and protecting paws from road salt are covered in our winter dog clothes guide.
Fit details that matter on a 2 kg dog
• Lightness. At 1.5–3 kg (3.3–6.6 lb), a chihuahua feels every extra gram, so choose fleece and soft knits over heavy fabric.
• Neckline. On the fleece jumpsuit, a hidden hook-and-loop fastening lets you adjust the collar to fit snugly around a thin neck.
• Harness opening. The anthracite fleece vest and the “Puffy” puffer vest both have one, which is handy if your chihuahua walks on a harness rather than a collar.
• Easy dressing. The “Hugme” hoodie hides its seams under a natural lining in the hood and sleeves, so small claws do not catch, and the fleece jumpsuit zips along the back.
• Snug fit. Elastic drawstrings on the fleece jumpsuit let you fine-tune the fit, so it does not hang loose on a slim body.
Ready-to-wear picks for a chihuahua
Each piece below matches a row of the weather table: the knitted “Charmie” turtleneck for cool days and home, the brushed “Hugme” hoodie and the anthracite fleece vest for wind, the fleece anorak for drizzle, and the “Puffy” vest and the fleece jumpsuit for real cold. All six come in XS and S and are sewn in our own workshop in Kyiv, where Feel with Fill has been making dog clothes since 2023.
Chihuahua clothes FAQ
Does a chihuahua really need clothes?
In cold, windy or wet weather, yes. With little body mass and, in smooth-coated dogs, almost no undercoat, a chihuahua starts to feel cold at about +10 °C (50 °F). Long-coated chihuahuas cope a little better but still need a layer in frost and slush.
What size clothes does a chihuahua wear?
Usually XS (chest 27–32 cm / 10.6–12.6 in) or S (chest 31–36 cm / 12.2–14.2 in). A dog with a chest under 27 cm (10.6 in) needs a custom size.
Should a chihuahua wear a jumpsuit, a jacket or a vest in winter?
For frost and slush, choose a jumpsuit: the belly gets cold first, and only a jumpsuit covers it. A jacket or the “Puffy” vest goes on faster and suits short trips outside on dry, cold days.
Can you make clothes for a very small chihuahua?
Yes. Select “Custom size” when you order, and our manager will check the measurements with you before sewing. A custom piece is 15% above the listed price and is ready 3–6 business days after payment. Made-to-measure items are non-returnable.
What size should I buy for a chihuahua puppy?
Young puppies are usually smaller than our XS, so a custom size fits best until the chest reaches 27 cm (10.6 in). Do not size up for the puppy to grow into: loose clothes let the cold in. More in our puppy clothes guide.
Do you ship to the US and Europe?
Yes, we ship worldwide. After you place an order, our manager contacts you in English to confirm the size, the payment method and the shipping cost. Sewing takes 3–6 business days from payment, and delivery abroad usually takes 1–2 weeks. Details are on the shipping and payment page.
Can I return or exchange chihuahua clothes?
Standard sizes can be exchanged or returned within 14 days. The buyer pays the return postage unless the item is faulty or we sent the wrong one, and we refund the money within 5 business days. Made-to-measure pieces and non-standard colours cannot be returned.
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