World’s smallest dog 2012: Milly the Puerto Rican chihuahua

Tiny Puerto Rican chihuahua Milly is on the verge of something big, being officially recognized as the smallest puppy in the world.

The current record holder is Boo Boo, another chihuahua from Kentucky, but Milly, who lives with her Argentine owners in the north east Puerto Rican town of Vega Alta, hopes to punch above her 170 g weight to earn her place in the Guinness Book of Records.

After she was born three months ago the family believed that Milly would grow, but having maintained the same height of just 6.53 cm for three weeks they began to think that the pedigree pup might be able to knock Boo Boo from the top dog spot that she has held since February 2008.

Measuring in at 10.16 cm Boo Boo towers over the new pretender to the throne and miniscule Milly’s carer Rivera Eizzal believes her pedigree puppy has got it in the (doggy) bag.

Rivera Eizzal, said: “Milly was so small she could not breastfeed due to the tiny size of her mouth.

“To get an idea of just how petite she is, when she was first born she received milk from an eyedropper.”

Milly is constantly accompanied by Rivera Eizzil or by her owner, Argentinian Vanessa Semler, who is dedicated to rearing chihuahuas in Puerto Rico.

Vanessa Semler says caring for Milly takes effort, but explains that she and her husband, Edwin Davila, have no children so they have the time to focus their energies on their pet project.

A judge from the Guinness Book of Records is due to travel to Puerto Rico in the coming months to clarify Milly’s size and measurements which will then be sent from the island to be officially confirmed.

Chihuahuas originated from the state of Mexico that carries same name and they usually reach a height of between 15 cm and 25 cm.

Boo Boo is a long-haired, female chihuahua who is owned by Lana Elswick of Raceland, Kentucky.