If you want a designer dog with a short and smooth coat, that will make a great companion puppy, then you have to take a serious look at the Min Pin Chihuahua mix. This puppy can come in different colors, including black, brown, and white.
Called Chipin, this mixed breed is a cross between the Miniature Pinscher and the Chihuahua. Both puppies are happy and compact in size, resulting in a small dog with lots of personality. Sometimes, because of its Chihuahua parent, this puppy might show small dog syndrome. But it is not as common as in the Chihuahua dog breed.
Meet The Breed
As we said before, the Chipin is a mixture between Chihuahua and Miniature Pinscher. The small puppy belongs to the toy breed category according to standards by The American Kennel Club. No, the AKC doesn’t recognize the breed but set the standards for size. Yet, it is recognized by The American Canine Hybrid Club.
The Miniature Pinscher Chihuahua mix is a low-maintenance dog that is amazing with children and can adapt to a small apartment. If you want to own a hybrid dog that is great for apartment living and urban dwellers, this might be it.
One of the challenges might be their tendency to be yappy. Remember, it has Chihuahua genes, so expect it to be alert and warn of potential dangers.
Meet The Parents
Now let’s talk about the parents of the Chihuahua Miniature Pinscher mix. That is the best way to understand the personality of your mixed dog.
Chihuahua
First, let’s start with the Chihuahua parent. Often regarded as purse dogs, Chihuahuas are popular because of their small size. They make great family pets and companions for individuals that want a loyal and affectionate small breed.
They originate in Mexico, and a lot of people fall in love with their tiny size, big eyes, and large ears. Their playful personality is another bonus.
With that in mind, here are some common personality traits:
- Can be stubborn and territorial
- Tend to be more comfortable around their own breed, but do well with other dogs
- They can be noisy around large dogs
- Very intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement
- Wary of strangers
- Extremely loyal to their owners
Miniature Pinscher
The other parent breed is the Miniature Pinscher, often called the Min Pin. Hence, the Min Pin Chihuahua mix name. This small breed originated in Germany. They are famous for their high energy, athleticism, and confidence.
Some people call them the King of Toys because of their assertive and confident personality. Individuals who want a small, energetic, and intelligent dog breed can enjoy this great companion.
Now let’s take a look at the personality and temperament of the breed:
- Famous for their confident and assertive personality
- Highly intelligent dogs that need plenty of mental stimulation
- Can be stubborn and independent
- Loyal and affectionate with their owner
Appearance
Now let’s talk about what you can expect from your Chihuahua Miniature Pinscher mix. The breed’s appearance can vary depending on the genes of each parent. In any case, you will have a small puppy, but the other features might vary on dominating genes. One thing is certain, you will have a cute dog.
Generally speaking, the Chipin dog breed has a smooth short coat that comes in different colors. Some coat color options include black, tan, cream, chocolate, golden black, white, and more.
Based on the size and structure of two distinctive breeds, a Chipin might have a defined look with a small and round head, tiny pointed muzzle, dark eyes, and huge ears.
This cute and tiny dog weighs between 5 and 11 pounds and grows up to 12 inches. Their dark brown eyes are a sign of intelligence. What owners love about these mixed-breed dogs is their curious expression. It makes your Chipin pup look like it is up to something.
Temperament
The best way to describe a Min Pin Chihuahua Mix is a big dog in a tiny package. This curious, alert, and full of spirit animal will make your life as entertaining as possible.
They make excellent watchdogs because of their tendency to protect land and people. Be careful and ready for their territorial tendencies. Your canine will alert you of any visitors.
Speaking of their curious nature, they make amazing traveling partners. This companion dog will not take up much room, but will always have your back on walks.
One thing we have to warn you about is the surplus of energy. You have to be ready to have time and energy to dedicate to your puppy. This puppy is also prone to separation anxiety. They get attached to their owner to the point they want and need to come everywhere with you. Luckily, they are small enough for transport.
In the household, they tend to attach to one family member and get along with others.
Training
Every dog needs consistent training and socialization. Your mixed breed is no different. They can have different temperaments depending on which genes they inherit. But generally speaking, they are easy to train because of their attachment to their humans. Yes, they can be stubborn at times. But use their willingness to spend time around you to your advantage.
The Chihuahua parent is the more stubborn of the two. So, if your designer dog takes up the temperament of the Min Pin parent, it may be more eager to please.
In any case, training should begin early. Socialization is also important. Remember, this dog is alert of strangers and aloof around them. Make sure to socialize him as a puppy with different people, elderly, children, females, males, big, small, and plenty of other animals.
With successful socialization, you can have a well-mannered puppy. During puppyhood, introduce your Miniature Pinscher Chihuahua mix to as many new experiences as possible.
Training and socialization should be done with positive reinforcement. These puppies love treats and praise. Use it to your advantage. Never use negative reinforcement techniques like scolding and punishment. They might be counterproductive and make your dog fearful of you.
Exercise Needs
As we said before, this tiny dog has a large dog personality. And it is also quite active, despite its small size. While most toy breeds are considered lap dogs, it is not the case here. The Chipin puppy loves to play and run around the house all day long. If you have children, they will love to entertain them.
We recommend providing at least 45 minutes to 60 minutes of physical exercise and mental stimulation per day for these energetic dogs. You can even play games like fetch or throwing balls.
Without a decent amount of activity, your puppy is at risk of obesity. And nobody wants a fat toy breed, right?
Health
We mentioned obesity as a potential health concern. That is because people tend to give too much dog food and treats to a small puppy. These dogs do not need that much food to satisfy their daily needs.
We have to mention that any Chihuahua mix is generally healthy because of the Chihuahua genes. They can live between 12 and 16 years.
Some of the health risks associated with this mixed breed include hip dysplasia, eye injury, heart disease, cataracts, and low blood pressure.
Grooming
The short coat of your Chipin puppy will require only minimal grooming. Brush your puppy once per week to keep dirt off. Use this grooming time as a bonding opportunity. Yes, they shed all year long, and it increases during the spring and fall shedding seasons. During those periods, you might want to increase the brushing to twice per week.
Why Shouldn’t You Get One
- A Chipin pup can be quite territorial and protective
- They have a surplus of energy and can be destructive if you do not provide exercise
- Wary of strangers and larger animals
Why Should You Get One
- A tiny dog with a big personality you can take anywhere with you
- Plenty of entertainment thanks to its fun personality
- Requires a minimal amount of grooming
