In the past several years, dog owners all around the world have ventured into the world of hybrid dog breeds. Some call them designer breeds, other mixed breed dogs, but in any case, we know what they are. They are a cross between two purebred dog breeds. Today, we will talk about a Chihuahua Pitbull mix.
There are a couple of reasons why people have increased their desire for crossbreeds. For starters, they are unique dogs. And then there is the improved health factor, as well as the fact sometimes they might be hypoallergenic.
Spoiler alert, this mixed puppy is not a hypoallergenic dog.
Meet The Breed
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppy is the result of breeding a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier and a Chihuahua. Sometimes, this puppy is known as Chipit or Pihuahua. But those are nicknames given to the unique puppy.
It is a rare crossbreed, so expect to pay quite a hefty price if you want to own one. Both of the dogs exhibit amazing loyalty, so you know you are getting a truly loyal companion.
Thanks to its nice personality, it is a dog you can easily train. That is unless it takes up the stubbornness of the Chihuahua. But more on this later on.
Meet The Parents
The best way to know what you are getting from a mixed puppy, including a Chihuahua Pitbull mix is to take a look at both parents.
Chihuahua
Often described as the National Dog of Mexico, Chihuahuas are small and feisty puppies. They are among the smallest dog breeds in the world, if not the smallest dog breed.
Famous for their loyalty and devotion to their dog owner, Chihuahuas form a strong bond with one person in most cases. They do love their family, but they often have a particular member they form the strongest bond.
Chihuahuas are known for being curious, energetic, and alert. Their sassy attitude is what makes them a popular choice, despite their small size. Fun fact: they can do better as a guard dog than an American Pitbull Terrier.
With that in mind, here are some common personality traits:
- Loyal and devoted to the bone
- Fearless with a strong sense of protectiveness
- Can be territorial and manifest barking and aggression toward strangers
- Can be stubborn
- Always on alert
Pitbull
The American Pit Bull Terrier is another loyal and affectionate dog. This is what they have in common with Chihuahuas. But the similarities might end there. Pitbulls are on the opposite side of the friendly spectrum. They are among the friendliest puppies, yet, they get a bad reputation.
Pitbulls enjoy being around people. They are energetic, strong, and athletic. With proper physical exercise and mental stimulation, they can be quite happy. Intelligent and trainable, American Pitbull terriers can sometimes be stubborn, due to their terrier gene.
With that in mind, here are the common personality traits of American Pit Bull Terriers:
- Extremely loyal
- Friendly with everyone they meet
- Can function in a household with other animals
- Excellent family pets who form a strong bond with children
- Enjoy being around people, known as snuggle bunnies
Appearance
Now let’s move to the Chihuahua Pitbull Mix, or as many call it, the Chipit puppy. The appearance of the Pihuahua can vary depending on the genetics of both parents. Remember, there are different types of Chihuahuas for starters.
Then, you have to consider size, one parent breed is a small dog, while the other is a medium dog. The offspring can inherit any combination of long ears that are erect, round eyes, a thin muzzle, medium ears, a wide muzzle, and a flat skull. Yet, more often than not, they take on their Chihuahua parent and have large ears, wide eyes, and a small muscled physique.
What you can be sure about is the coat. This puppy will have a short coat, but the coat color may vary. Since The American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize this puppy or its American Pitbull parent, there are no limitations or standards for colors. Your Chipit might be blue, brown, cream, silver, gray, black, or anything in between.
As for the size, it generally grows between 12 and 18 inches, weighing between 15 and 35 pounds. Yes, sometimes, your Chihuahua Pitbull mix might surpass these ranges.
Temperament
Now here is a fun aspect. Remember, as we said before, the two parents are on the opposite side of the spectrum. The Chihuahua parent, despite its small size, is an excellent guard dog that is always on alert and wary of strangers. On the other side, we have one of the friendliest dogs in the world.
With that in mind, when it comes to the temperament of your Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppy, you can expect an active and joyful canine.
No matter what genetics they inherit, these puppies will be loyal to their owner and family. They are completely devoted to family life. Just make sure to spend a lot of time exercising. Otherwise, they will get bored. More on this later on.
They can adapt to different living environments. Be it an apartment, or a house with a yard, they can easily adapt.
Their friendliness falls somewhere in the middle between the protectiveness of the Chihuahua and the love-everyone attitude of the American Pit Bull.
Both breeds are intelligent, so their offspring will inherit some of that brain as well. How trainable one is, depends on stubbornness.
Training
So, speaking about dog training, this is not an easy task. This puppy can be sassy like its Chihuahua parent. They are also too playful and might have a short attention span inherited from the Pitbull. Your first task is to find out what motivates your dog.
This is quite important since Chihuahuas are motivated by food, while Pitbulls are by human affection. Once you find out what motivates and drives your canine, you can use positive reinforcement and obedience training to get to the end goal.
The good news is that Chihuahua mixed puppies can be easily trainable. They are a joy to work with. Success is ensured because of their loyalty and devotion to their owner. Use it to your advantage. The more you spend time with your puppy, the more it will be willing to work and train.
Yes, they can be stubborn at times. But it is your job as a dog owner to set boundaries and house rules. Make sure to eliminate bad behavior the moment you notice it. And reward good behavior as much and as often as possible.
Exercise Needs
Both parents of your mixed breed are high-energy dogs. So, you can expect offspring with high exercise needs. They need to exercise regularly to stay healthy and fit.
Generally speaking, they need between 45 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. But do not forget about mental stimulation. It is as important as physical exercise.
Incorporate games into the training and exercise to make it more fun and engaging. Some games you can play include running, teaching new tricks, and fetch.
Health
One of the reasons why people have popularized designer dog breeds is their health. Crossing two different breeds generally result in a healthier dog. We know dog health is important when choosing a puppy.
With that in mind, Chihuahuas are some of the healthiest canines in the world that live longest. There are still some health issues that might occur. The two biggest risks are hypothyroidism and patellar luxation. With that in mind, a Chihuahua Pitbull mix should live between 10 and 14 years.
As for the two concerning risks, hypothyroidism is an abnormally low production of the thyroid hormone. It affects your canine’s metabolism. The symptoms are lethargy, hair loss, and weight gain. Patellar luxation is a condition in which your puppy’s knee dislocates and your dog feels pain and discomfort.
Grooming Needs
We said in the beginning that the good news with this mixed breed is there is almost no need for grooming. Your puppy will have a short coat, and 10 minutes of brushing per week should be enough. Both breeds are low-maintenance dogs.
You can use brushing for bonding with your puppy. Give lots of treats for calm behavior.
Why Shouldn’t You Get One
- The growth of your puppy is unpredictable as you have a cross between toy breed and medium breed
- This puppy needs plenty of exercise, and when bored, it can resort to destructive behavior
- A Pit Bull Chihuahua mix can be protective around strangers
Why Should You Get One
- One of the most affectionate, lovable, and emphatic companions
- A dog that can accompany you in your active lifestyle
- A goofy and fun dog that provides entertainment 24×7
