Breed Info 101: What kind of dog is a Chipoo? - K9 Web (2024)

Last Updated on April 26, 2023

The Chipoo is a new designer breed who may be a master of disguise with its several aliases: Choodle, Poochi, Poohuahua.

No matter what you call it, the Chi Poo is a loving, playful cross between a Chihuahua and a Toy or Teacup Poodle.

This energetic, low maintenance pooch is great with kids and may be a great addition to your household. Read on to decide for yourself.

Where did the Chipoo come from?

The Chipoo may have existed naturally over time, but breeders may have begun intentionally mixing Chihuahuas and Poodles in the U.S. in the 1970s, nearly ten years after the first Poodle mix, the co*ckapoo.

As with most Poodle hybrids, breeders of the Chipoo could also have the intentions of creating a low-maintenance dog who is easy to train.

The Chihuahua is usually the father of a Chi Poo puppy, and the Poodle the mother. It’s because Poodles are larger and can have less risky pregnancies and deliveries.

The Companion Chihuahua

There isn’t much known about this tiny canine anomaly, but it’s said to date back to ancient times in Mexico in the 10th and 12th centuries.

The Chihuahua was first recognized in 1905 by the AKC and belongs to the Toy Group.

These dogs certainly aren’t toys, though. They’re notorious companion dogs who trot next to you wherever you go or fit perfectly into a bag– as seen in popular movies such as Legally Blonde.

These silly little purse dogs are known for their apple-shaped heads, erect ears, and giant eyes.

They weigh up to 6 pounds (3 kg) and stand at about 5 to 8 inches (13 to 20 cm) in height. Their coats can either be long or short and come in a variety of colors.

Chihuahuas are small dogs with big personalities, happy to have a lap to curl up on at the end of the night. The good news for Chihuahua-lovers is that this breed’s lifespan is 14 to 16 years, so they make great long-term companions.

The Talented Poodle

Poodles are thought to have originated in Germany in the 13th century for hunting waterfowl, and the Toy Poodle came out of the U.K. in the 18th century.

Poodles are incredibly smart and regal. They are multi-talented with their known successes in working and therapy careers. The Poodle comes in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy.

The Chipoo is a Chihuahua crossed with a Toy Poodle, or mini Poodle, a breed recognized by the AKC in the Non-Sporting Group. The Poodle struts its stuff at number six in dog breed popularity.

The standard poodle is 50 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg) and over 15 inches (38 cm) in height, while a miniature poodle is 15 inches and under, and a toy poodle is even shorter at 10 inches.

Poodles are known for having an elegant gait and athletic build, with dense or curly fur in many different colors such as black, white, or brown.

Their obedience and eagerness to please probably plays a role in why these dogs are so popular.

Their lifespan has a broad range at 10-18 years.

The Chi poo is not recognized by the AKC but is recognized by other groups such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (Chi-poo), the Designer Breed Registry (Choodle), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (Wapoo), and the International Designer Canine Registry (Chi Poo).

What does a Chipoo look like?

Since the Chipoo is a designer breed, it’s difficult to predict their appearance. Typically, they’re like fluffy Chihuahuas with Poodle features, and their coats and colors depend on which parent’s genes outweigh the other’s.

Chipoos have a small, compact body and the Chihuahua’s erect tail. Their ears can either stand up or flop down.

How big will a Chipoo get?

These dogs are small when full grown, weighing anywhere from 3 to 20 pounds (1 to 9 kg) and as tall as 5 to 15 inches (13 to 38 cm). Males are typically larger than females.

Chipoo puppies are even smaller and more fragile! Hard to believe, I know. They require extra care and close attention with frequent feeding. By the six month mark, your Chipoo should weigh almost half his adult body weight.

They’re adaptable to apartment living due to their size and needs, but they’d also do just fine in a house– I’m sure they’d appreciate the extra room to run around.

Check out this heart-warming video of a litter of tiny Chipoo puppies with their mama:

The beautiful coat & color of the Chipoo

Chipoos typically have medium-length coats and are a great breed choice for allergy sufferers because of their low-shedding from their Poodle parent.

The Chihuahua Poodle coat will depend on its parents. There are long-coated and short-coated chi poos, and each coat can be either smooth or coarse, wiry or fluffy.

Breeders may either breed Poodles with long-haired or short-haired Chihuahuas, but it’s usually the latter.

These silly little dogs come in a wide range of colors, but the most common are cream, silver, grey, fawn, white, brindle, golden, tan, and black.

Chipoo Temperament: Small Dog, Big Personality

Chipoos are known to be playful, as well as highly intelligent and independent. They seem to really have it all together. Their high intelligence most likely inherited from their Poodle parents means they’re easy to train.

This pooch is certainly flexible. They enjoy being alone, so they’re OK with working parents who leave for long periods of time.

But they also thrive on attention whenever they can get it.

They inherit their chi parent’s desire for companionship and eagerness to please, which can be super convenient for the working person who seeks an understanding friend.

Chipoos like to be on-the-go all the time, so they’ll probably follow you all over the house– watch your feet!

This canine loves their family members but are wary of strangers. Therefore, slow introductions are best.

Ch-issues

If Chihuahua genes are strong, your chipoo may inherit a pack leader mentality, especially in a household with children and/ or other pets. This may lead to Small Dog Syndrome if not properly trained from puppyhood.

These dogs can also be possessive over toys and develop a stubborn streak. Just because these dogs are small, doesn’t mean these behaviors are cute, and they should be taken seriously!

Chihuahuas are known to be yappy, so your Chipoo may suffer from this noisy pooch trait too.

Poodle Problems

Poodles of all sizes, including the mini Poodle, are sometimes too smart for their own good and thus instinctive. This can cause some temperament issues in a Chihuahua Poodle mix, like bossing around other family members.

They may also inherit a habit of marking their territories, so expect to dig deep for extra patience with potty training problems.

For these reasons, obedience training is essential early on. Luckily, this breed is incredibly intelligent, so training should be a breeze!

Chipoos with other pets and children

Chipoos are independent dogs who are easily excitable around children. They prefer adults or older children who have already learned how to handle a dog. Small children should not be left unsupervised.

Early socialization is essential when it comes to chipoos getting along with other pets in the house.

Tips for taking care of your Chi Poo

Grooming: Are Chipoo dogs hypoallergenic?

Chipoos are low shedding dogs. This is great news, as it makes their coat care easier. You’ll have to brush them once a week, and maybe more often depending on the length and texture of your Chipoo’s coat.

Chipoos have some eye issues and therefore need extra grooming and care. Regularly cleaning their eyes will help reduce tear stains from their overactive tear glands.

You Chipoo may be prone to ear infections because of their floppy ears. Regular grooming will allow you to notice the signs earlier on and seek proper care to correct them.

Chipoos typically dislike the cold because of their thin coat, so I recommend investing in some cute chi-poo sweaters.

What’s the best food for my Chipoo?

The Chi Poo isn’t just that picky-eater friend you dread making dinner plans with. This breed is prone to digestive issues, so generic dry food may not sit well with them.

They need high-quality protein food formulated for small dogs. It’s best to stick to home-cooked treats and avoid artificial coloring or chemicals.

Since they’re prone to low blood sugar, they need several meals during the day. It’s best to feed them one cup per day, split up into multiple meals. Expect to spend anywhere from $25.00-$30.00 a month on your chipoo’s dietary needs.

Your Chihuahua Poodle mix’s diet will change from puppyhood to adulthood, so it’s best to consult your veterinarian through each stage.

Exercise means playtime

Chipoos are an active breed, so they do need exercise during the day, but not excessive exercise. A good run or trip to the dog park once a day is enough for this little bundle of energy.

They will do best with about 45 minutes of exercise daily.

Intelligent breeds like Poodles need mental stimulation with their exercise schedule, or else they get bored. And boredom may lead to behavioral issues like destroyed couch cushions or other belongings.

You can mix things up with fun games inside the house. Your Chihuahua Poodle puppy will most likely attempt to make a game out of every daily task like watering the plants or taking out the trash.

Exercising doesn’t have to feel like a chore or work with your Chipoo– they’re sure to make everyday a new adventure.

Are Chihuahua Poodle Mixes healthy?

Chi-poos are generally healthy dogs, but they are prone to some minor health issues.

Some minor issues include overactive tear glands and skin rashes, and some more major ones are hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), digestive issues, glaucoma, and luxating patellas.

It’s important to maintain regular checkups with your veterinarian and to maintain open communication about how your puppy is acting at home.

The Chipoo average lifespan is about 12-15 years, which is typical for smaller crossbred dogs.

I’m in: Where to find Chipoo puppies for sale or adoption

Chipoo puppies generally cost $500-$900. This is a competitive price to its purebred counterparts, which can range from $500 to $2000 or over.

If you want to go through a responsible breeder for your puppy, there’s a bit of research required.

Chipoo Breeders

Finding reputable Chihuahua Poodle breeders is required to avoid a puppy mill disaster and have the best possible chance of a healthy Chipoo puppy.

I’ve luckily found some reliable breeders such as Texas Puppy Pal in Texas and Pet Land Mason in Ohio.

Greenfield Puppies is also a great site that can connect you to the right breeder.

Adoption is an option

Many crossbreeds end up in shelters, so it also might be a good idea for you to adopt rather than go through a breeder.

Chipoo puppy litters are typically 4-5 puppies

If you’re interested in adopting a Chipoo, you can check rescue sites that feature other adorable Poo mixes:

• Puppy Finder
• Adopt-a-pet

Oodles of Poodles and Chi mixes

Chihuahuas and Poodles are often mixed with different breeds to create more adorable puppies full of personality and silly appearances. Here are some other options if you’re interested:

Yorkshire Terrier Toy Poodle mix = Yorkie Poo

Shih Tzu Toy Poodle mix = Shih Poo

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix = Cavapoo

Maltese Miniature Poodle mix = Maltipoo

co*cker Spaniel Toy Poodle mix = co*ckapoo

Is this master of nicknames also a smart family addition?

Whether you say Chipoo, Poochi, or Choodle, this puppy is sure to adore you no matter what.

The cutie is a low maintenance companion pooch, flexible to adapt to apartment life or a house with a family, and isn’t afraid to share his space with others.

If you master the art of the independent lover, you and your Chipoo are sure to make a great team. Comment below.

Reference

• https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/ken-tudor/2014/august/4-reasons-why-socialization-important-your-dogs-health-31938
• https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/dog-gastrointestinal-and-digestive-problems
• https://www.petmd.com/dog/infographic/patellar-luxation-dogs-medical-diagram