Looking for information of on the cheeky little Chihuahua Poodle Mix called a Chipoo?
The Chipoo falls into the growing category of designer breeds.
These are puppies bred from two recognized purebreds, in this case, the Chihuahua and Miniature or Toy Poodle.
Perhaps not as popular as other poodle hybrids like a Labradoodle or Whoodle, the Chipoo is a smaller dog with its own distinctive features.
With one parent being a Chihuahua, the smallest dog breed around and one with an energetic personality, the tiny stature and diverse style of the Chipoo makes them stand out in a pool of poodle hybrids.
What else should you know about the little Chihuahua Poodle Mix?
The Chipoo is a First Generation Mix and That’s Not a Bad Thing
First generation mixes like little Chipoo puppies are surrounded in a bit of controversy, much of it myths explains Carol Beuchat Ph.D.
In fact, Chipoo puppies are less likely to face diseases that are common in their parents based on a 2006 study conducted by the University of Sydney.
Inbreeding among purebreds can make them more prone to genetic diseases. For example, the Chihuahuas can develop conditions like patellar luxation, glaucoma or even hemophilia.
Poodles, on the other hand, inherit stomach problems and cataracts.
By breeding these two together, the risk is potentially reduced and the Chipoo my gain benefits from both breeds.
There is no way to predict the outcome of breeding, though.
How the Chipoo Began
It’s unclear when the Chipoo first started to appear but it is a fairly new hybrid
The Toy Poodle Chihuahua mix has a very old and impressive parentage however.
Chihuahua History
It’s likely that the Chihuahua’s origins trace back even before the Maya people inhabited Mexico.
Ancient remains of dogs very similar to Chihuahua’s have been found in archeological digs that date back to the 13th century.
Poodle History
The Poodle most likely came from Germany, originating around the 15th and 16th centuries before the breed popped up in Spain in the 18th Century.
Perhaps the Chipoo dog hasn’t been around all that long, but it clearly has longstanding lineage between the Chihuahua and the Poodle.
The Diverse Nature of the Chipoo
A mixed breed like the Chipoo offers diversity in style. As a hybrid, the Chipoo will have a mix of characteristics from each parent.
The Toy Poodle Chihuahua mix full grown weighs anywhere between 3 to 20 pounds and can stand from 5 to 15 inches.
Crossbreeding accounts for some of the variances is weight and height.
On average, a Toy Poodle is around 10 to 15 inches tall.
Chihuahuas, though, are celebrated for their very tiny stature.
Their height doesn’t normally rise above nine inches.
The head of a Chihuahua Poodle Mix could be apple-shaped like the Chihuahua or rounder with a long nose like the poodle.
Bushy or Not is the Question with a Chipoo
The coat is another place where genetics likes to make this hybrid a little different.
Poodles are known for their sculpted grooming.
Grooming gives them the aristocratic look that defines the breed.
A Chihuahuas coat can be long or short and curly or smooth depending on the characteristics of the parents.
Chipoo puppies even from the same litter can have different coats both in hair length and texture.
Most common coat colors among Chipoos include:
- White
- Apricot brown
- Black
- Fawn
These dogs may be a solid color like a Poodle or have a pattern of colors throughout the body which is a possible characteristic of the Chihuahua.
Chihuahua Poodle Mix: The Mighty Mouse of the Dog World
Remember Mighty Mouse, the tiny little superhero with red trunks, cape and a big attitude?
If Mighty Mouse were a dog, he’d be a Chipoo.
It’s known for both its intelligence and its energy — a lot of energy.
Like both parents, the Toy Poodle Chihuahua mix is usually devoted, loving and affectionate.
Its intelligence makes this dog easy to train and the Chipoo tend to bond with one family member in particular.
Chihuahua Poodle Mix Temperament
The high energy level of the Chipoo means they get bored easily, so leaving them home alone for long periods of time outside a kennel can lead to disaster.
The Chihuahua Poodle Mix interacts well with other dogs or different kinds of pets in the home when they are all raised in the same environment.
It is more difficult to get them to accept a new dog coming into the family, though.
Much like the Chihuahua, they can be fiercely protective of their humans and may bark and snarl at other dogs if they get too close.
Early socialization can help them to be more accepting of strangers in the home and out at the dog park.
Chipoos love to play but can get a little over excited in a way that is may be overwhelming for young children.
For this reason, they are better suited to homes with children over the age of 10.
Caring for the Chipoo
Some Chihuahua Poodle Mix puppies may inherit the Poodles low shedding coat, but this is not guaranteed.
Long-haired versions of this dog may require regular professional grooming to keep the coat healthy, shaped and free from tangles.
Home grooming with a soft bristled brush is recommended between trimmings for long-haired Chipoos along with a bath every few weeks to keep them tidy.
Brush the long-haired Chipoo before bathing, otherwise, their hair may mat.
Short haired Chipoos also require regular bathing. Between baths, consider a wipe down with a wet cloth or doggie wipe.
Chihuahua Poodle Mix Food
The Chihuahua Poodle Mix does well with the standard diets unless otherwise directed by the veterinarian.
The vet will most likely recommend high-quality food made for small dogs to avoid common digestive issues and dental problems.
They can get overweight, so monitor their diet closely and limit treats unless used for training or teeth cleaning.
Health Concerns for the Chipoo
Crossbred dogs like the Chipoo are at risk for the same conditions that affect their parents.
Some health concerns that may pop up with this dog include:
- Overactive tear gland
- Hypoglycemia
- Loose kneecaps
- Glaucoma
- Dry skin
Dental problems are also common among small breed dogs as their tiny jaws make their teeth inherently weak.
For this reason, the vet may suggest daily brushing, regular cleanings and a dry food diet.
Obesity in these dogs can cause further health problems like:
- Chronic respiratory infections
- Tracheal collapse
- Joint damage
- Poodles can be prone to Addison’s disease, a condition that affects hormone production.
A Chipoo might also be at risk as one parent is a Poodle, although it is less common in Toy Poodles.
Chihuahua Poodle Mix Health Tests
It is important that each parent is health checked for all the diseases relevant to their breed before they are mated.
The Chihuahua parent should have a clear bill of health from the vet, including no history of dental problems, or knee problems.
They should also have no family history of nectrotizing meningoencehalitis.
The Poodle parent should be PRA clear, vWF clear and have a recent clear eye test.
They should also have no family history of luxating patellas, Cushings disease or heart problems.
Training a Chipoo
The Chihuahua Poodle puppy comes from two highly intelligent breeds and will benefit from positive reinforcement training.
They love to play and toys work to keep them stimulated. Without that stimulation, the dog will get bored and unhappy.
Walks provide good exercise.
Keep in mind their legs are small, so the walks should be short but frequent.
Let them run when possible, as well.
How to Find Chipoo Puppies
You are not likely to find a Chipoo puppy in a shelter or adoption agency, so the best option is to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder.
Due to the small size of this breed, newborn puppies require a lot of care, so reputable breeders can be difficult to find.
You also may need to travel to get your puppy.
Before purchasing a dog, insist on health screening for issues that commonly impact Chihuahuas and Poodles to ensure the puppy is healthy.
Ask the breeder to see certifications of these screening tests.
You should also meet the mother, and the father too if possible.
Make sure that they are both friendly and confident, and have an obvious bond with their owner.
They should also have a purpose in life beyond producing puppies, whether that’s as a show dog, agility dog or an adored family pet.
A good breeder will ask you lots of questions, and happily answer all of yours too.
The Perfect Companion For Life With A New Puppy
They will show you evidence of the parents health checks and have had all their puppies flea treated, wormed and checked by the vet.
The Cost of a Chipoo Puppy
Expect to pay anywhere from 500 to 1,400 dollars for a Chipoo puppy.
The average price falls in the 950 dollar range but may vary depending on the location and breeder.
Look locally first for a breeder to reduce the cost.
When you locate one with a puppy, ask for references to check out the breeder before buying.
Is A Chihuahua Poodle mix Right For My Family?
The small size of the Chipoo allows them to thrive in apartments and houses.
They do well as a family dog but are better suited to older children or homes with no kids.
They are social animals and will want attention.
They don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time.
Since the Chipoo is crossbred, they can have different temperaments and be somewhat unpredictable.
But if you love both Chihuahua and Poodle temperaments and don’t mind which combination you end up with, then you should be happy with the outcome.
References
Glennon E. Instead of a “Designer Breed,” Consider the Undoodle: The Otterhound. American Kennel Club, 2015
Mattinson, P. Purebred Vs Mutt – Common Objections To Mixed Bredd Dogs. Thelabradorsite, 2018
Beuchat, Carol. Health of Purebred Vs Mixed Breed Dogs; The Actual Data. 2015
Leroy G. Genetic Diversity, Inbreeding and Breeding Practices in Dogs: Results From Pedigree Analyses. The Veterinary Journal, 2011
Chihuahua. University of Prince Edward Island CIDD Database, 2011
Poodle, Standard. University of Prince Edward Island CIDD Database, 2011
Scidler, C. Chihuahua. Federation Cynologique Internationale, 2010
Logan, Ellen. Dietary Influences on Periodontal Health in Dogs and Cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 2006
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