San Diego Man Adopts 'Chihuahua' That Grows to 40 Pounds

The shelter assured the owner the dog would stay under 9 pounds, but DNA tests revealed a surprising mix of breeds.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A San Diego resident named Jonathan Ray adopted a Chihuahua mix puppy in 2024, but the dog, named Pharaoh, ended up growing to nearly 40 pounds - far exceeding the shelter's assurance that he would only reach 9 pounds. After DNA testing, Ray discovered Pharaoh is actually a mix of Chihuahua, pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, toy poodle, and miniature pinscher.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of accurately identifying a dog's breed based on appearance alone, which can lead to mislabeling at animal shelters. It also raises questions about how shelters can better inform potential adopters about a dog's likely adult size and health needs.

The details

When Ray adopted the 7-week-old Pharaoh in 2024, the shelter told him the puppy was a Chihuahua mix and would not grow beyond 9 pounds. However, Pharaoh kept growing and reached around 25 pounds within a few months. Frustrated, Ray returned to the shelter seeking more information about Pharaoh's parents, but the staff could only confirm his mother was a 13-pound Chihuahua. Determined to find out Pharaoh's true breed, Ray turned to DNA testing, which revealed Pharaoh is primarily a mix of Chihuahua, pit bull terrier, and American Staffordshire terrier, with smaller amounts of toy poodle and miniature pinscher.

  • Pharaoh was adopted by Ray in 2024 when he was about 7 weeks old and weighed 2.7 pounds.
  • A few months later, when Pharaoh hit around 25 pounds, Ray returned to the shelter.
  • Pharaoh is approaching his 2nd birthday in March.

The players

Jonathan Ray

A San Diego resident who adopted a Chihuahua mix puppy named Pharaoh in 2024.

Pharaoh

The dog adopted by Jonathan Ray, who was initially labeled as a Chihuahua mix but ended up growing to nearly 40 pounds.

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What they’re saying

“Turns out, he is a Chihuahua and that's first on the list. Second is pit bull terrier and third is American Staffordshire terrier. Fourth is toy poodle and miniature pinscher, both single digits.”

— Jonathan Ray (Newsweek)

“He would scratch his ears till they bled and had rubbed the fur from around both of his eyes. He requires a Cytopoint shot every two months...The vet informed me that it was something he could grow. It seems he has. He hasn't had a shot since July.”

— Jonathan Ray (Newsweek)

What’s next

The DNA test results will give Ray a better understanding of Pharaoh's likely personality and health needs, helping him be a more prepared and informed pet owner.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of accurately identifying a dog's breed based on appearance alone, which can lead to mislabeling at animal shelters. It underscores the importance of shelters providing potential adopters with more comprehensive information about a dog's background and expected adult size.