The Chihuahua-Poodle mix breed is a feisty little canine that will never cease to surprise you with its antics. DogAppy provides some facts about the Chi-Poo breed, and also tells you what its care entails.
Fast Facts
Parents – Chihuahua and Poodle
Group – Toy
Skills – Competence, Obedience, Agility
Recognized By – Designer Breed Registry, International Designer Canine Registry, American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club
Other Names- Wapoo, Choodle, Poo-Chi
Among the group of small mix breed dogs, standing tall at 13 inches, is a firecracker of a pooch with a strong personality and irresistibly adorable looks. Who is it you ask? It is the Chihuahua-Poodle mix, also known as the Chi-Poo. Coming from two intelligent and loving breeds, there is no doubt about its loyalty towards its family. It is loving, friendly, and likes to curl up on laps. It enjoys going everywhere with its family, and is also easy to take along owing to its small size. Interesting yet? The following paragraphs provide some more information about the Chi-Poo dog’s characteristics. But first, let’s see where it comes from.
The Chi-Poo is a cross between the Toy or Miniature Poodle and the Chihuahua. One very interesting fact about this breed is that while crossing, the dam is usually the Poodle, and the Chihuahua is the sire. This is because, being bigger in size, Poodles tend to have safer pregnancies with fewer complications. On the contrary, most Chihuahuas have to undergo C-sections, with higher chances of premature deliveries. Now for some more facts.
Meet The Folks
The Toy Poodle
The Chihuahua
❑ Appearance
This is the trickiest aspect of all when it comes to a Chi-Poo. Studies have shown that this is a small dog that usually takes its coat and color from the Poodle, and its size and stature from the Chihuahua. In general, a Chi-Poo can weigh anything between 4 to 20 pounds, and stand anywhere between 6 to 13 inches.
Its head is like the Chihuahua’s, and can be round or flat. It has small feet. Its tail can be long or short, and is sometimes docked. It has almond-shaped eyes that are either black or brown in color. Its ears may either be dropped or upright, or upright at the base and dropped at the tips. It is not possible to predict how a puppy will look; it depends on which parent has the stronger genes.
The coat of a Chi-Poo is just as versatile as its physical attributes. The coat can be long and soft, or curly, or a combination of both. The short-haired Chihuahua is the preferred choice for crossing. The coat color can vary between cream, white, black, tan, or a combination of these. However, if both the parents are of the same color, which is dominant in at least three preceding generations, then the pups’ color can be determined with some certainty.
❑ Temperament
Looking at this dog makes me wonder, “How can something so small have so much personality?” The Chi-Poo is a loving, friendly, social, loyal, and spirited dog. It loves its family dearly, but does show a tendency to get more attached to one family-member. It loves to play, and moves around like it has springs attached under its feet! Most adorable of all, it is a cuddly sleeper that loves to snooze on laps when tired.
The Chi-Poo sure has a zest for life; you will be amazed at its liveliness. One thing to keep in mind though, is that this is a small dog that can develop a small dog complex; a small dog complex is one wherein the dog, owing to its size, becomes aggressive toward anything that it perceives as a threat or as injury-inducing. This makes it an unsuitable pet for families with children under the age of 10, as the rough playing of young kids can injure this pooch, or may turn it snappy towards them.
❑ Grooming
The Chi-Poo does not shed heavily, but it needs to be brushed regularly to keep the coat smooth and tangle-free. Bathing once every 4 to 6 weeks is sufficient; if your dog tends to get dirty often, then you can get canine wet-wipes to clean the coat. A long-haired Chi-Poo tends to become quite shaggy, and hence, regular trimming and clipping of the coat is essential.
This breed can also inherit overactive tear glands, which may cause tears to dry under its eyes. These tears need to be cleared, either with a soft wet cloth or a very fine and blunt comb. Consult your vet for the best approach. Brushing the teeth 3 to 4 times a week, and keeping the ears clean is also important.
❑ Exercise
This is a very springy and lively breed. However, it does not require very rigorous exercise. A walk or two a day will suffice; your dog will be out and about the house for the rest of the day, keeping itself busy.
❑ Training
There is no doubt about the fact that this a very intelligent breed. And with great intelligence comes great independence. And with that comes some amount of stubbornness. Keeping all these traits in mind, train your Chi-Poo with a lot of patience and a lot of praises. Positive reinforcement will go a long way in making your dog feel good about itself, and making it believe that may be you are worth listening to. If you let go of the control, then be ready for a pooch-dominated atmosphere around the house! So be firm, assertive, kind, encouraging, and supportive.
This dog requires company, and does not like being left alone for long hours, so avoid doing that. Otherwise, it may face separation issues. Also, socialize your dog with other people and animals to prevent it from becoming too attached to just one member of the family. If the dog becomes over-protective of one person, then it will not be able to live in anyone else company.
❑ Health
Although hybrids are generally healthy, the Chi-Poo is prone to some common genetic health problems that are dominant in both its parents. Progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, cataracts, dry cornea, epilepsy, dry ears, skin allergies, and slipped stifle (knee caps) are some of these issues. Hence, while buying your puppy, select a breeder who can provide information about both its parents, and who does not sell pups when they are too young. This breed has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, although some dogs live longer.
❑ Living Conditions
A Chi-Poo is an indoor dog. It does well in apartments as does not require too much space.
All in all, it looks like the Chi-Poo is a wonderful pet and companion. It is small, easy to travel with, and sheds less, which is good for people with allergies. These are some of its awesome qualities. If you have anything about your Chi-Poo that you want to share, then feel free to do so in the comments section below.
