There are many Poodle mixed breeds out there, but have you ever heard of the Poodle and Chihuahua mixed breed? They’ve got the curly coat and intelligence of a Poodle combined with the size and courage of a Chihuahua!
Learn all about what the Poodle and Chihuahua mix are like and if they will be a great addition to your home.
What is a Poodle and Chihuahua Mix?
The Poodle and Chihuahua mix is also known as the Chipoo or Choodle. It was most likely developed in the United States back in the 70s. The Chipoo, like other Poodle hybrid breeds, are becoming more popular breed than before.
In the past, these dogs were used to hunt rats and mice but now they are mostly kept as pets. They can be very friendly with children and other animals. Some of them have a short coat while others have a long one.
Ever since their development, people have bred Chipoos for companionship. While Poodles are energetic working dogs, their size makes them adorable lapdogs that fit into many households.
When you breed a Chipoo, the Chihuahua is typically the father (sire), while the Miniature or Toy Poodle is the mother (dam). Miniature and Toy Poodles are larger than Chihuahuas, thus having safer pregnancies and deliveries.
Chipoo Appearance
Think of the Chipoo as a Teacup Poodle, the smallest Poodle size, but with a longer body. The typical characteristics of a Chipoo include their tiny feet and unique tail, which can either be long, short and even cropped. They have floppy or pointed ears, sometimes drooping at the tips, with almond-shaped black or brown eyes.
Female Chipoos stand between 5-15 inches tall and weigh 3-20 pounds. Male Chipoos are slightly taller, standing at 9-13 inches and weighing 10-20 pounds. Once Chipoos hit six months old, their growth rates decline, so their height and weight are close to when they fully grow.
Chihuahuas have short or long coats. The short-haired Chihuahua has a smooth coat, while a long-haired Chihuahua has soft, slightly curly fur. As for Poodles, they usually have wavy or curly coats.
The coat a Chipoo has depends on whether breeders use a short- or long-coated Chihuahua. Usually, breeders use short-coated Chihuahua as one of the parent breeds. So you can expect a Chipoo to have a short or long coat combined with a straight or curly appearance.
There are various coat colors that Chipoos are born in, depending on genetics. They either have a solid color or a combination of: Apricot, Black, Brown, Blue, Cream, Golden, Gray, Fawn, Silver, White, Tan, and Brindle
Speaking of coats, they require regular brushing and a grooming routine to remove any loose hair and tangles. You must meet the grooming requirements to keep them comfortable and healthy!
Personality and Temperament
The Poodle and Chihuahua mix is very energetic, like their pet parents. They are bouncy and lively social animals that love moving and playing all day long! They love attention and socializing with other adults, children and other animals.
While daily walks and playtime are necessary, they’ll spend most times of their day snuggling on your lap. Like many dogs, Chipoos are sweet, friendly, and outgoing!
Unlike the Poodle, Chipoos are independent and don’t suffer from separation anxiety as much. That said, they may bond more with a specific family member, so you’ll need to fix that! Such behavior can still result in separation anxiety.
You can leave him to explore the house on his own while you’re out for a few hours. Since Poodles are highly intelligent, leave him with mentally stimulating toys to keep them busy and away from destructive behavior.
Both Chihuahuas and Poodles are loyal and protective. They are also alert and will let you know when intruders are around through barking. Barking is acceptable, but train your Chipoo to keep the barking levels as low as possible.
Training and Exercise
Chipoos are highly energetic and thrive on physical activity. However, they don’t have intense daily exercise requirements; though, regular exercise is recommended. Your Chipoo will love family activities, walks, and off-leash playtime; make sure to keep him hydrated and avoid overexertion.
It’s best to provide your dog with plenty of exercise, e.g. a 45-minute walks or other forms of exercise as part of their daily lifestyle. Note: Chipoos may shiver when temperatures are below 50 degrees F.
As for training sessions, you won’t have much trouble as they are an intelligent mixed breed dog. As long as you use positive reinforcement while asserting influence, they will learn to behave excellently. Make sure that you start leash training and socializing early on, along with house training.
As Chipoos grow, they develop a stronger and more independent personality. That increases Chipoos’ chances of becoming stubborn, especially if you spoil them too much and leave them untrained. Make sure that you handle their stubbornness with patience and a firm voice.
Nutrition
Chihuahuas and Poodles nutritional needs are very similar. Both dogs have a high energy requirement, which is why they need to be fed a diet that contains the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Food with a higher fat density might help supply more energy while keeping an eye out for small weight increases.
The Life Expectancy of a Chihuahua Poodle Mix
Both Chihuahuas and Poodles have a lifespan of 12-15 years, so expect the same with Chipoos. However, Chipoos are prone to certain health conditions, such as:
- Cataracts – an eye condition that will eventually result in blindness.
- Glaucoma – an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve.
- Dry cornea – this condition occurs when the eyes become dry and irritated. It can be caused by allergies, environmental factors, or even genetics.
- Overactive tear glands
- Dental issues – these include gum problems, tooth decay, periodontal diseases, and missing teeth.
- Dry skin
- Skin allergies
- Dry ears
- Epilepsy – a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, which can be triggered by various stimuli and result in transient or permanent impairment of consciousness .
- Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar
- Luxating patella – a condition in which the kneecap (patella) becomes dislocated from its normal position. It can be caused by trauma or surgery, and it may also occur spontaneously. The knee joint has three ligaments that hold the patella in place: the medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, and quadriceps tendon.
- Slipped stifles – a common problem among both Chihuahuas and Poodles. It happens due to overuse of the leg muscles. When this happens, the stifle bone gets pushed out of alignment. This condition usually affects dogs between two and five years old. If left untreated, it could lead to arthritis.
- Progressive retinal atrophy – a degenerative eye disease that causes loss of vision.
We recommend getting a health guarantee from the breeder and a vet. That way, you know what to expect from your Chipoo and take preventative measures to keep them healthy.
How Much are Chihuahua Poodle Mixes?
You can find Chipoos for sale from reputable breeders. On average, Chipoos are $500 to $1,400. While this sounds pretty expensive, it’s better than getting a Chipoo from sketchy breeders offering bargain prices. The litter of mixed breed pups may come from puppy mills, have health issues, or aren’t Chipoos at all!
You may also find this mix breed dog at rescues and animal shelters, too! Check with your rescue center or search online; you never know if you can find a Chipoo to adopt for a minimal fee. However, please take note that you’ll most likely adopt an adult Chipoo that needs some time to get used to his new environment.
Is the Chipoo Best for Me?
Chipoos are indoor dogs doing well in any-sized homes. For people living in smaller spaces, you won’t have to worry. While having a yard is fantastic, it’s not necessary as long as you can walk your Chipoo daily and take him to the nearby dog park.
Individually, the Chihuahua and poodle are intelligent Dog Breeds. As mixed-breed dogs, they smart, spunky, and great companion dogs. While they are not the first choice as a guard dog, they will alert you as strangers come to the home. They make wonderful family pets because they love attention and cuddling. They are playful, loyal, and smart. These dogs are perfect for families who want a small pet but need something bigger than a cat.
They make good family dogs since they get along with children and other pets within the household. However, to help integrate them and any children, you must socialize Chipoos while they’re still Poo puppies so they can interact appropriately. They may not be best for families with very young children, as the child may not be as careful and possibly hurt the tiny Chipoo!
Are you the best choice for a Chipoo?
While they don’t suffer from intense separation anxiety, it’s still likely. So make sure you have the time to spend most of your day with your Chipoo puppy and be the
Chipoos aren’t huge fans of cold climates, tolerating heat better. If you live in areas with cold weather all year long, Chipoos may not be the perfect companion for you. But if you meet all the requirements your Chi-poo puppy needs, he will thank you and become a great canine companion.