Many people know this designer breed as Chi-Corgi or Chigi. It is a canine that blends the best traits of two popular small dog breeds, including the perky and devoted Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and the ornery nature of the Chihuahua. The Corgi Chihuahua mix is a compact dog that is amazing for living in apartments.
The personality traits of this friendly and adaptable dog make it a good choice for different dog owners. For example, if you have children, this happy puppy will blend right in. Or for seniors, they provide companionship and love without the need for too much exercise.
Famous as one of the shortest designer breeds, the Chihuahua Corgi is a mix of two small dogs. The difference is the Chihuahua parent breed is small and tiny, while the Corgi parent is famous for its large butt.
Meet The Breed
A relatively new designer dog breed, the Chigi puppy is gaining popularity lately. It is a cross between a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Chihuahua. Despite being a mix, this puppy has unique features that set him apart from the parent breeds.
Today, we will discuss some of the appearance features of the mixed breed, as well as temperament, training and exercise needs, and potential health issues.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Corgi Chihuahua mix is their adorable looks. They have a unique appearance that combines the distinctive features of both parent breeds. Additionally, Chigis are known for their high energy and playful nature, which makes them great pets for families with children.
Intelligent and easy to train, they are also loyal and affectionate. They love to cuddle, but also play and roam around.
Meet The Parents
When it comes to any designer dog breed, there is no breed standard. The best way to know what you can expect is to learn a thing or two about the parents. Let’s start.
Chihuahua
First, let’s talk about the Chihuahua parent breed. One of the smallest, if not the smallest dog around, Chihuahuas are known for their pesky personality. What they lack in size they make up in personality.
The breed originated in Mexico and according to some research, it descended from the Techichi, a companion dog of the Toltec civilization. They first made it to the United States in the 1800s. Yet, once they made it there, they quickly became popular due to their charming personality.
The special and beloved dog captured the hearts of many. Combine their size and amazing personality, and Chihuahuas are amazing apartment dogs. Here are some common personality traits:
- Extremely loyal to their owner and form a strong bond with families
- They can become attached to one person and be extremely protective of that person
- Spunky, lively, and often fearless, do not let their small size fool you
- Highly intelligent, but can pack a stubborn streak
Corgi
Thanks to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Corgis became one of the more famous dog breeds. The Queen had several Corgis in her palace. But there is more to this dog breed than being royalty.
The popular and beloved dog has found love around the world thanks to its unique appearance. Many call it the Kim Kardashian of the canine world because it has the largest butt-to-body ratio.
Fun fact: this apartment dog was once bred for herding. It originated in Wales. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some personality traits of the former herding dog:
- Highly intelligent and quick learners, Corgis excel in obedience and agility training
- They pack a big personality, almost as big as their butt
- Loyal and protective of their family
- Versatile dogs that can adapt to different lifestyles. They are happy living in an apartment or on a farm
Appearance
Now let’s take a look at the appearance of the Corgi Chihuahua mix puppy. As a designer breed, this hybrid dog is not recognized by The American Kennel Club. There is no set breed standard and you will not get official pedigree papers for owning one.
As a relatively new mixed breed, there are still questions about appearance and personality. Yet, there is some information about size.
As the offspring of two small dog breeds, a Chihuahua Corgi mix will stand between 10 and 12 inches, and weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. Yet, they can be smaller depending on which genes they inherit.
When breeding these two, usually the mother is the Corgi, while the father is the Chihuahua. The breeding combination results in a Chigi puppy that has a long body and short legs, but with a smaller head and ears similar to the Chihuahua dog.
Their coat is short, yet dense. The variations of their short coat include black, white, brown, and tan. It is worth noting that sometimes, your puppy might inherit the double coat of the Corgi or the smooth coat of the Chihuahua.
Temperament
The temperament of the Corgi Chihuahua mix is a blend of the traits of both parent breeds. Corgis are known for their herding instincts, while Chihuahuas are known for their bold and assertive personalities.
The Chigi is a lively and energetic dog that is always ready to play and run around.
These social dogs love to be around their dog owners and other people. When socialized early on and properly, they are amazing with other pets and children.
One downside is they bark a lot. They have two parents that are known for barking. Chihuahuas are yappy, while Corgi dogs have herding instinct that makes them quite vocal.
Obedience training and socialization can prevent barking tendencies. These dogs are intelligent, yet sometimes stubborn. More on training and how to make them beloved pets below.
Training
If you want a fun and affectionate companion, the Corgi Chihuahua mix can be one. But you have to put some effort, time, and work into training.
How smooth the training will be, depends on the dominant genes of the parents. If your puppy inherits more of the Corgi gene, it will be more obedient and willing to please. Yet, if it inherits more of the Chihuahua dog gene, expect some stubbornness.
Even a Chihuahua can be trained, but it requires a different motivation. Food and affection is the way to make your puppy willing to work.
We recommend using a sympathetic, consistent, and praise-oriented training method. That will make your dog willing to learn and train.
Exercise Needs
Small dogs generally have more energy. And here you have a mixed breed dog that comes from two small dog breeds. Corgis are known for their herding instinct and willingness to run, while Chihuahuas love to roam around.
But while the Chigi will happily play around the house the whole day, between 45 and 60 minutes of exercise per day is more than enough. Add in some mental stimulation games, and you will have a happy puppy.
Health Issues
The best part about having a Chihuahua mix? You will have a dog that will live a quite long life. Chihuahuas are some of the longest-living dog breeds. And with this crossbreed, the puppy is healthier than its parent breeds.
Yes, there are still some health issues and risks, including glaucoma, skin issues, diabetes, hypoglycemia, patellar luxation, and hypothyroidism. But the percentage is quite small.
Generally speaking, this hybrid dog lives between 14 and 16 years.
Grooming
Grooming this puppy depends greatly on which genes and coat the puppy inherits. For example, it can have either a double coat or a smooth coat. If it inherits the double coat of the Corgi, this mix will need a bit more brushing and grooming.
That would also mean a lot more shedding. On the other side, if your puppy has a short coat like your Chihuahua, brushing your pet once per week is more than enough.
Why Shouldn’t You Get One?
- These dogs might turn out to be heavy shedders like their Corgi parent
- Might be a bit overly protective of its family
- This canine has a tendency for barking and being vocal
Why Should You Get One?
- One of the longest-living designer dog breeds
- Highly adaptable, the Chigi is happy living in an apartment or on a farm, living in a household with children or with elderly people
- Lively and friendly, these social dogs are amazing companions
