Chi-Poo – Poodle mix with Chihuahua Guide

Do you have a busy life and need the right pooch that will not suffer from separation anxiety? Meet the Poodle Chihuahua mix!

The Poodle mix with Chihuahua is a cross between a Poodle and a Chihuahua. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog and a Poodle is a large-sized dog, both of which are companion dogs. The mix results in a sweet, brave, and amusing pooch that will make your family burst into laughter for up to 15 years. Typically, the hybrid stands 5 to 15 inches tall with a weight of 5 to 20 years.

But before you get excited and say that this mix is right for you, there are things you ought to know before you commit yourself. There is more to owning a mixed breed pooch than just the experiences they can offer. From temperament to exercise needs, training, grooming, diet, and possible health issues, knowing what the Poodle Chihuahua mix needs is crucial.

In this article, we have included a detailed review of the Poodle mix with Chihuahua. Continue reading and you will know whether this mixed breed is the right choice for you.

What do you call a Poodle mix with Chihuahua?

Dog enthusiasts know the Poodle mix with Chihuahua by many names, but a Chi-Poo or Chipoo is the most commonly used.

Other names include Poochi, Choodle, Chi-Pooch, Wapoo, Chipoodle, Chihuahua Toy Poodle mix, or the Applehead Chihuahua Poodle mix. Due to its status as a designer dog, the mix is not recognized by the AKC. However, Kennel Clubs such as the IDBR, DBR, ACHC, and DDKC recognize the Chihuahua Poodle mix.

Why mix with Poodle?

The reason why breeders mix dogs with a Poodle is mainly due to their disposition. This dog breed is affectionate, social, fascinating, and friendly to both kids and other dogs. Poodles are also very smart, trainable, and loyal.

Poodles also come in a range of sizes that produce both large and small dogs. This, therefore, satisfies the different needs of people looking for different dog sizes.

Table

Feature	Details
Size	Small-sized dog, 7 to 15 inches tall
Weight	7 to 20 lbs.
Life Expectancy	12 to 15 years
Eye colors	Either dark or light
Ear shape	Rounded or Erect
Coat Texture	A single, medium-length fur coat that sheds fairly
Coat Color	Black, grey, white, and numerous shades of brown

History of the Breed

Although the Chipoo is thought to have been there for years, breeders in the US started to mix the two purebreds by design in the 1970s. It was around the same year designers introduced Cockapoos. By mixing a Poodle and Chihuahua, breeders aimed to create a smart and trainable pooch with low needs for maintenance.

What do we know about the parents of a Chihuahua Toy Poodle mix?

Parents

The Poodle – This dog breed has its origin in Germany despite being France’s national dog. There are 5 types of Poodles including the Standard, Miniature, Toy, Klein, and Teacup, but only the first three are recognized. Poodles were originally developed for the purpose of hunting as water retrievers. Their owners used them to retrieve ducks and other birds that they hunted.

Poodles are famous for their intelligence and ease of training as well as an active and amusing temperament which makes them great family dogs. For this reason, they make excellent family dogs that suit the needs of many families. Poodles have a high dog IQ that ranks them very high when it comes to obedience training and working, and so are their mixes.

The Poodle was recognized by the AKC as a breed since 1887 under the non-sporting group. A Toy Poodle stands 9.4 to 11 inches in height while a Miniature is 11 to 14 inches, a Medium Poodle is 14 to 18 inches tall, and the Standard Poodle stands 18 to 24 inches in height.

Poodles have a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years but are prone to common health issues such as hip dysplasia, PRA, bloat, epilepsy, thyroid issues, and hypoglycemia. Collapsed trachea and Addison’s disease are also common.

The Chihuahua – This is the smallest recognized dog breed whose history dates back to the mid-19^th century. It is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico and is believed a descendant of the Techichi dog that existed in the 9^th century AD. Chihuahua was created for many purposes that included rituals & ceremonies, food, and companionship, what is they are used for today.

Like the Poodle, Chihuahuas are lively, bold, and devoted but tend to be alert and aggressive. With good training, they make great pooches for most families that need lapdogs. Unlike the Poodle, the Chihuahua dog IQ is classified as fairly intelligent. They have a short-term memory that makes training them harder.

Chihuahuas have a life expectancy of 12 to 20 years. Some common health conditions in this breed are luxating patella, obesity, spinal injuries, hydrocephalus, tooth & gum disease, and tracheal collapse. The first Chihuahua was registered by the AKC in 1904.

What is my Poodle mixed with?

If you are wondering how to know what your Poodle is bred with, the names tell it all. Mostly, designers will pick the name of the dog they used to mix the Poodle with and add a ‘poo’ word to them. There are more than 50 cute Poodle mixes available that all catch the attention of dog fanatics.

Appearance

So, what does a cross between a Chihuahua, the world’s tiniest documented dog breed and a Poodle, the highest performing dog in nearly all dog sports look like?

A Choodle or Chihuahua Poodle mix’s size can be a little tricky to predict since it might inherit more from one parent or both. Typically, you expect your crossbreed to be small in size. If they favor the Chihuahua parent more, they will be long and lean, while those who inherit the Poodle parent more tend to be shorter and stockier. They stand between 7 and 15 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 7 to 20 lbs.

Usually, your Chippo’s ears will be rounded but can stand erect too, a brown or black nose, and the eyes can be either dark or light. The mix has a single, medium-length fur coat that sheds fairly. Both parents of the Choodle come in a variety of colors which means your mix will be the same. Their colors include black, grey, white, and numerous shades of brown. They will either have a solid color or a blend of any two or three mentioned above.

Temperament and Characteristics

Most people who own the Poodle Chihuahua mix say they are full of life, smart, and will tend to be independent. Despite their small size, these pooches are energetic and love being around their family. So, you expect them to follow you everywhere around the house. And they are affectionate, most Chipoodles are not prone to separation anxiety like their parents.

Chihuahua Poodle mixes are even-tempered with a good nature but can be bossy if you spoil them too much. Both parents of the mix tend to bark so your cute doggie might yap and bark especially when nervous. These pooches will socialize well with members of the family. When strangers approach, however, they are wary and nervous.

While this mix may be small in size, they are not the kind to tolerate large dog breeds or pushy ones. They like being around other pets of their size. Due to the Chihuahua parent’s traits, a Chi-poo can be temperamental so avoid abusing them because they will keep this memory for long.

Ease of Training

One thing you need to recognize about this mixed breed is that both the Chihuahua and Poodle parents tend to be stubborn. Therefore, it is important that you begin training them as they are young before they start being bossy. To train a Chipoo effectively, you must be firm yet gentle and use positive reinforcement tactics when teaching obedience and good behavior.

Since the Chihuahua parent has a short-term memory, make your training sessions brief and enjoyable. Also, remember to throw some treats for something good they do and do not be harsh towards them or they will turn on their stubborn streak and make you want to cry.

Exercise

The Chipoo will thrive well with moderate exercises such as walking for 30 minutes daily. This will keep them healthy and help them burn off the extra energy. Make sure that they have ample playtime around the house and outside. This will prevent them from gaining weight which is a problem they are prone to.

In addition to buying multi-functional toys that they play with when they are alone, they would enjoy when you play a variety of games such as fetch and chase among others. Failure to do this will make your Poodle Chihuahua mix bored and you know the drill, right?

Nutritional Requirements

Feeding your Poodle mix with Chihuahua the appropriate diet goes a long way in helping them thrive and live happily. You should feed your Chipoo a healthful diet that is well-balanced for a healthy lifestyle and specifically formulated for their size and age.

A Poodle mix with Chihuahua needs to eat approx. 2 to 3 cups of dog food per day split up into several meals. Since none of the parent breeds suffers from food allergies or sensitivities, it will be easy to feed your pooch based on their preference. To prevent them from weight gain as they age, ensure their diet contains healthy fats and lean meat. They need at least 30% protein, 10% to 20% fat, and not more than 10% fiber.

It is worth noting that this mix is susceptible to skin irritation. As such, their diet should include omega fatty acids as well as probiotics and antioxidants for a healthy immune.

Health Issues

Like all mixed breeds, the Chipoo is healthier than both its parents but prone to some conditions they have. A few health issues affecting the Chihuahua Poodle mix include glaucoma, luxating patella, hypoglycemia, and overactive tear glands. Wapoos are also prone to digestive issues so make sure that you feed them in small amounts.

It is good that you take your Wapoo for vet checkups regularly to help maintain proper care. Feeding them appropriate dog food and in the right amount also keeps them healthy.

Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of a Poodle mix with Chihuahua is between 12 and 15 years. If you take your pooch for vet visits and feed them appropriately, however, they can live longer and happier.

How to Care for them

Decent care of your Chipoo begins with correct nutrition that is well-balanced according to your pooch’s dietary needs and made with high-quality ingredients. Taking your pooch to see the vet as planned is vital to their health since you can work with them about a suitable care routine. Proper training and exercising are also vital to your Chi-poo’s general health.

Grooming

Grooming is essential to your Poodle Chihuahua mix. This mixed breed sheds minimally which makes taking care of them easy. They do not need to bathe a lot and their fur coat can be styled as you please. Wapoo genetics makes them predisposed to overactive tear glands that can lead to tear stains near the eyes. As such, you will need to wipe their eyes gently often to minimize this.

Chipoo ears need to be checked regularly for pests and debris every day and cleaned as told by your vet. Clip their nails at least once or twice a month and brush their teeth daily for optimal oral health. Follow your vet’s instructions.

How much are Chi-Poo puppies worth?

A Poodle mix with Chihuahua is not one of the easiest crossbreeds to find which means they can be very expensive. You should, however, expect to pay about $500 to $950 for a pup from a reputable breeder, if any.

Where to Adopt

Instead of buying, you can choose to adopt a Poodle Chihuahua mix which is less costly around $100 to $300. You can approach workers from your local shelter or try contacting rescue organizations of the Poodle and Chihuahua parent breeds.

FAQs