Are you looking for some helpful information about the cheeky Chihuahua Poodle Mix, or simply called Chipoo?
The Chipoo dog breed belongs to the ever-growing designer breed category. The poochi puppies are being bred from two popular recognized purebreds, namely the Toy or Miniature Poodle and Chihuahua. Perhaps not as famous as the rest of the Poodle mix, such as the Whoodle or Labradoodle, the Chi poo is a much smaller canine with its own unique features.
Since one parent is a Chihuahua, which is among the tiniest dog breeds in the world with an energetic personality, the diverse style and small stature of the Chipoos make them stand out from the other Poodle hybrids.
What are the other facts you have to know about the tiny Chihuahua Poodle Mix?
Chipoos – The World of Dog’s Mighty Mouse
Are you familiar with Mighty Mouse, the small superhero wearing a cape, red trunks, and a tremendous attitude? If he were a dog, Mighty Mouse would be a chihuahua poodle mix.
Chi-poos are known for both their intelligence and energy and lots of it.
Similar to both parents, the Poodle Chihuahua mix is often loving, affectionate, and devoted. Their intelligence makes it very easy to train this dog. The Chipoos also tend to bond with just one member of the family in particular.
Chipoo – A First Generation Mix
First-generation mixes such as the tiny Chi poo puppies are entangled in lots of controversies, but most of these are just myths.
The truth is that Chi poo puppies are not that prone to diseases commonly found in their parents, according to a study conducted in 2006.
Interbreeding among the purebreds can increase their risks of suffering from genetic diseases. For instance, the Chihuahuas tend to develop conditions such as glaucoma, patellar luxation, or hemophilia.
On the other hand, Poodles inherit cataracts and stomach problems.
When these two are bred together, the risk is significantly lowered, with the Chipoos gaining benefits from both breeds.
However, it is not possible to predict the final outcome of this breeding.
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Origin of the Chipoo
It is not clear when the Poochi first began to appear. However, this hybrid is still relatively new. The Chihuahua Poodle mix has a very impressive and old parentage.
The Maya people inhabited the origins of the Chihuahua, likely trace back way before Mexico. The ancient remains of canines that resemble Chihuahuas were found in the archeological digs, dating back to the 13th century.
As for the Poodles, it is most likely that originate from Germany during the 15th to 16th centuries, way before this breed reached Spain during the 18th century.
The Chihuahua poodle dog is probably not around for that long, but it is clear to see that this has a longstanding lineage between the Poodle and the Chihuahua.
The Appearance of Chipoo
A mixed-breed such as the Chipoo provides style diversity. Being a hybrid, Chipoos will have a combination of characteristics from both parents.
The Chihuahua Poodle mix, once full grown, can weigh anywhere around 3 to 20 pounds with a height of 5 to 15 inches.
Crossbreeding is responsible for several variances in height and weight.
On average, Toy Poodles have a height of 10 to 15 inches. Meanwhile, the Chihuahuas are being celebrated for their very small stature. Most of the time, their height doesn’t typically go beyond 9 inches.
The head of Chipoos can be apple-shaped, just like the Chihuahua, or it can also be rounder with a long nose such as the Poodle.
The coat of the breed is another place wherein genetics can make the hybrid a bit different.
Poodles are famous for their sculpted grooming. Proper grooming can give them an aristocratic look, which defines the breed.
Chihuahua’s coat can be short or long and smooth or curly, which depends on the parents’ characteristics.
Even Chipoo puppies that belong to the same litter might have varying coats, both regarding hair texture and length.
The most common colors of coats among Chipoos are apricot brown, white, fawn, and black.
These canines may have a solid color similar to a Poodle, or they can also have a color pattern all over the body, which is a Chihuahua’s possible characteristic.
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Chi-poo Temperament
The Chipoo has high energy levels, which only means that they tend to get bored relatively quickly. Thus, you might deal with a disaster if you leave them home independently for an extended period of time outside their kennel.
The Poodle Chihuahua mix can interact well with other canines or other pets in the house if they have been raised in a similar environment.
However, it may be harder for them to accept a new pet added to the family.
Like a Chihuahua, the mix can be extremely protective of their family members and may snarl and bark at other canines when they get very close.
It will help engage them in early socialization to be more accepting of the strangers out in the dog park or at home.
Chipoos also love playing, but they tend to get too excited in such a way that young kids may find them overwhelming.
This is the reason why the mix is better suited for families who have kids of more than 10 years old.
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Caring Tips
Some Chipoo puppies may inherit Poodles’ low shedding coat, but again, it is not a guarantee. The long-haired versions of this breed may need regular professional grooming in order to keep their coat shaped, tangle-free, and healthy.
Home grooming using a soft-bristled brush is also recommended in between trimming for the long-haired Chipoo combined with a good bath every several weeks for them to stay tidy. Brush your long-haired Chipoo before bathing, or else his hair might mat. Chipoos with short hair also needs bathing regularly. Between baths, consider wipe down with a doggie wipe or wet cloth.
Foods
Chipoo does well with standard diets unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian. The vet will likely recommend some high-quality foods made for small dogs to avoid dental problems and digestive issues. They may also get overweight, so you should monitor their diet always and limit the treats unless used for teeth cleaning or training.
Chipoos should be provided with the diet of toys or small dogs like wet food for the reason that most of them might face some challenges in digesting the contents of commonly used foods for dogs. This dog mix can be picky when eating. So, it might take time to feed these dogs. Just give your pet about ¾ to 1 ½ cup of dry food. Feeding Chipoo with healthy foods a lot of times a day would decrease the risk of hyperglycemia.
Health Problems
Chipoos, like other crossbred dogs, are at risk for the conditions that affect their parents. Other health problems that might pop up with Chipoo include dry skin, glaucoma, loose kneecaps, hypoglycemia, and overactive tear gland. In addition to that, dental issues are common among these dogs because their small jaws make their teeth weak. Due to this, vets suggest brushing daily, cleanings regularly, and a dry food diet.
Obesity in Chipoos may cause some health concerns such as joint damage, tracheal collapse, and chronic respiratory infections.
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Health Tests for Chihuahua Poodle
Every parent must be checked for all diseases relevant to their breeds before they mated. Chihuahua parents must have clear health from the veterinarian like no history of knee problems and dental problems. They must also have no necrotizing meningoencephalitis.
Poodle parents must have a clear eye test, vWF clear, and PRA clear. They must also have no history of heart problems, Cushing’s disease, and luxating patellas.
Training Tips
Chihuahua Poodle puppies come from 2 highly intelligent breeds and would benefit from any positive reinforcement training. They like playing, and the toys work to keep these stimulated.
Without this stimulation, dogs would get unhappy and bored. Walks are also a good exercise. Remember that their legs are small, so walks must be short yet frequent. When possible, let them run.
Being intelligent like Poodle, Chipoos respond well to training once handled by tactful trainers who won’t be harsh on them yet handle their stubbornness in a patient and healthy way. Chipoo loves amusing their owners with some impressive trick.
The techniques to praise and reward Chipoos will encourage them to respond positively. Good socialization training is needed to be given to puppies to help them get over particular behavioral problems like showing possessiveness and barking.
They also get destructive sometimes. Aside from that, they must be trained to get over their habits of being attached to a family’s specific individual. His absence might trigger separation anxiety in them. For the safety of your Chipoo, consider leash training.
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Exercises Needed
Where to Find a Chihuahua Poodle Puppy?.
You won’t likely find Chipoo puppies in an adoption agency or shelters. Therefore, the best option is buying a puppy from reliable breeders. Because of the breed’s small size, the newborn puppies need lots of caring, so trustworthy breeders may be hard to find. You might also have to travel to get a Chipoo puppy.
Before buying a Chipoo, insist on health screening tests for possible issues that impact Poodles and Chihuahuas to ensure that your puppy is well and healthy. Ask your chosen breeder to see the certifications of screening tests, if possible. It would be best if you also met the parents of your Chipoo puppies.
See to it that they are both confident and friendly and have a bond with the breeder or owner. They must also have a purpose in life other than producing puppies, regardless if it is an adored family dog, agility dog, or a show dog.
The Chipoo breeder would you countless questions and would answer yours as well. If they are reliable, they will show you the evidence of parents’ health checks and have had all puppies flea treated, checked by a veterinarian, and wormed. If your preferred breeder has shown you everything you need, you can guarantee that your Chipoo puppy is healthy.
Are Poochi’s Good as a Family Dog?
Chipoo’s small size enables them to thrive in houses and apartments. They’ll do well as your family dog, yet they are suited better to older kids or homes without kids. They want attention and are considered as social animals. They do not do great once left alone for a long period of time.
Since Chipoos are crossbred, they may have various temperaments and be unpredictable sometimes. If you love both Poodle and Chihuahua temperaments and do not mind which combination you might end up with, you will be happy with the result.
Conclusion
Chipoos are dependable companion dogs. They fit perfectly on laps and low maintenance, which make them ideal for young kids and families. Also, it’s inexpensive for its pedigrees and can live in a small house. All in all, Chipoo has a lot of desirable traits and a good choice for anyone who wants a dog.
