We’ve talked about the Chipoo in a previous article, but why don’t we touch more about what this adorable Poodle mix breed needs? If you already have a Chipoo as a family pet, you’re probably wondering what they need to take care of them well. Check out these helpful tips to raise a happy and healthy Chihuahua Poodle mix!
Chihuahua Poodle Mix Food Requirements
It’s a bit challenging giving such a small-sized dog a nutritious diet, as one can allocate too little or too much. Remember, small mixed breeds like the Chipoo are prone to obesity, leading to many serious health issues. Chipoos are also prone to low blood sugar and digestive problems, which is why you need to strike a balance with their food requirements.
Avoid generic dog food and make sure that their food source has a lot of protein with few carbs and fats. Furthermore, it should have higher vitamin content without extra additives or fillers.
It’s important to talk with their veterinarian regarding the type of food they need, according to their age, gender, and specific health conditions they have. The vet can also recommend trusted brands known for their high-quality food.
We recommend feeding Chipoos dry food formulated for small breeds. This type of dog food has all the nutrients small dogs require for health and energy.
The average Chipoo full-grown adult will require 400 calories a day, equating to one cup of dry kibble. We also recommend feeding them twice a day rather than once. Split a cup of dry food into two half cups.
While wet food can be adequate, note that Chihuahuas have soft teeth and are prone to dental issues. Because of this, we prefer dry dog food as its hard texture helps clean Chipoos’ teeth.
Chihuahua Poodle Mix Grooming Requirements
Many Chipoo haircuts are for dogs with long coats. Fortunately, you wouldn’t need to give your Chipoo a trim too often. Trim them once every 3-4 months unless you notice that their hair has grown too long.
That said, grooming requirements will depend on your Chipoo’s fur coat. Most likely, your Chipoo will have a short and wavy coat, and just like the Poodle, they might have a hypoallergenic coat. A Poodle doesn’t shed too much and has a single layer of a fur coat, which is why people with allergies don’t experience allergic reactions with them.
It is pretty easy to groom if your Chipoo has a similar coat as their Poodle parent breed. But they will require a regular grooming routine to maintain a clean, tangle-free coat.
We recommend brushing your Chipoo every other day, or even daily if you can, using a soft bristle brush. Doing so removes any dander and loose hair stuck within his coat. It will also keep your Chipoo’s coat smooth for the long run.
You will also need to bathe your Chipoo, but not as regularly as humans need to. Bathe your Chipoo every 4-6 weeks or when they come from a long day out running under the rain or mud! Be sure that you use dog-formulated shampoos made of high-quality ingredients and made for your dog’s coat. You may want to use a premium dog shampoo that can clean your dog’s coat while protecting it from fleas and insect bites.
When you aren’t bathing your Chipoo, wipe him down using a special dog cloth to keep him clean between baths.
Besides baths and trims, other parts of your Chipoo’s body require regular cleaning, such as:
- Brush their teeth 2-3 times per week
- Trim your dog’s nails when they grow too long
- Clean the ears approximately every two weeks, which prevents ear infections
- Clean the area around your Chipoo’s eyes using a soft, damp cloth to avoid eye infections and tear stains
Understandably, all these grooming requirements can be overwhelming, especially for new dog owners! You can take your Chipoo to a professional groomer for a complete grooming session. However, you must continue to do regular brushing, along with teeth and ear cleaning.
Chihuahua Poodle Mix Training Requirements
Chipoos are an intelligent and active breed, and just like all dog breeds, you need to train them while they are still Chipoo puppies! Make sure that you are both patient and consistent during training sessions, providing positive reinforcement throughout. Fair warning: Chipoos might be a handful at times, even showing a moody or stubborn streak!
Chipoos, being independent and intelligent, get bored easily. Therefore, mix training with mental and physical challenges. Opt for short training sessions to prevent overexerting their knees and legs.
Here are the following training sessions your Chi-poo puppy will need to undergo to prevent behavioral issues:
- Obedience training: Begin with teaching their name and essential command words, then you can work your way up to more complex commands.
- Crate training: This will help your dog feel comfortable if he’s anxious or traveling.
- Potty training (or house training): This is important, especially because Chipoos have small bladders. Because of their small bladders, it will be a bit more challenging potty training them. Prepare pee mats and odor sprays during training.
- Chipoos are playful and energetic, so it’s important to leash train them to avoid accidents and injuries. Conduct leash training, so they walk alongside you and stay calm despite all the distractions.
- Socialization is crucial at an early age, so your Chipoo feels comfortable around other people and animals. It lessens their shyness and aggressive behavior towards strangers as they grow.
- Agility training: It’s not a need for Chipoos, who we bred as companions and lapdogs, but you can train them as a form of fun exercise!
Chipoos strive in an active family environment. They require daily exercise and want to be part of all the family activities. Please keep it to 45 minutes of exercise every day to meet their high energy and activity level.
Besides active exercise, e.g. at a pet park, mental stimulation is a must, so provide them with toys that work their brains to play with them alone.