Pitbull Terrier Chihuahua Mix: Chipit Breed Information (2024)

If you’re looking to welcome a dog into your family, you might want to consider the Pitbull Chihuahua mix. The Pitbull and Chihuahua mix is an unusual canine blend created by crossbreeding a purebred Chihuahua and a purebred American Pitbull Terrier. The mix is not one that many people expect, but makes for a very unique and unforgettable pet.

These pups are playful and full of life, making this pooch the ideal choice for an active family who is looking for a sociable, fun pet. The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is also known as a Chipit and a Pithuahua. The Chipit needs a tolerant, patient owner and, in the right home, makes an adorable and loyal companion.

This is a unique breed that you are more likely to find in a rescue or shelter than directly from a breeder. In this article, we take a close look at the breed. We also answer some of the most commonly asked questions that prospective Chipit owners have.

Parent Breeds

A Pitbull Chihuahua mixed breed is commonly known as a “designer dog.” These dogs are bred together intentionally. The concept of creating designer dogs first appeared twenty or so years ago. The idea of crossbreeding was to combine the most desirable characteristics of two purebred animals to produce a hybrid.

Crossbreed dogs are typically healthier and more long-lived than purebreds. However, many staunch supporters of the purebred argue that too much crossbreeding dilutes the gene pool, and that can have negative implications for the future of certain breeds. So, on the face of it, mixed breeds are a great idea. However, crossbreeding does have a few drawbacks.

Firstly, you can never be sure which parent the puppies will most take after. So, you could end up with a puppy who physically closely resembles his Chihuahua dad but has the temperament and personality of his Pitbull mom. Secondly, some health conditions that are common to both parent breeds can be passed on to their progeny rather than bred out. Let’s take a deeper look at each parent breed before diving in with the Chipit mix.

American Pitbull Terrier

The American Pitbull Terrier actually originates from the U.K. and Ireland. Back in the 1800s, breeders began experimenting by crossing old-style bull-baiting dogs with lightweight terriers to produce a smaller-framed, less aggressive dog.

These early hybrid dogs then made the journey across the pond to the United States with early pioneers and immigrants who used the animals for herding, hunting, and as companions. It’s those early canine migrants who are the direct ancestors of the American Pitbull Terrier we know today.

However, the American Kennel Club still does not recognize the Pitbull Terrier as a specific breed. Some countries, including the U.K., ban American Pitbull Terriers, as the breed has a reputation for being bred and trained as an attack dog by criminals. Also, in the U.S., the breed is restricted in some states.

For example, in the city of Kearney, Missouri, a dog that carries five of eight Pitbull characteristics is banned. The American Pitbull Terrier is not born aggressive. It’s people’s mishandling or deliberate training of the dogs that makes them confrontational. Essentially, a well-socialized, properly trained pitbull is just as friendly, happy, and safe to be around as any other breed of dog. Pits are also commonly mixed with other breeds, and some popular mixes include the Lab Pitbull mix or the Pitbull German Shepherd mix.

Chihuahua

The American Kennel Club classifies the tiny Chihuahua as a toy breed. You might assume that the little Chihuahua is a placid lap dog. Well, you couldn’t be more wrong. Also, the Chihuahua is a confirmed barker and can be something of a menace if you have neighbors who like a quiet life.

The Chihuahua is an extremely popular purse dog and can be seen in the company of many celebrities and well-heeled folk around the world. The Chihuahua is also the National doggy ambassador of Mexico.

However, don’t let the breed’s cute looks fool you. These little guys are also nicknamed “armpit piranhas” and are often very feisty. Chihuahuas are popular mixes, sometimes by planning and sometimes not. Other popular Chi-mixes include the Chiweene or the Yorkie Chihuahua mix.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is known for being a fun, lively, sociable dog. The Chipit is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR). However, the American Kennel Club does not acknowledge the breed at the current time.

A Chipit can grow to be up to 20 inches in height to the shoulder, weighing up to around 20 pounds. However, that’s an estimate, as some Pitbull Chihuahua mixes can be smaller than this if they take more after the Chihuahua parent than the Pitbull. Chipits are generally healthy and are quite long-lived. They often make it to 13 or 14 years of age.

Temperament

The Chipit is a livewire! These dogs love an active lifestyle, preferably one that’s shared with their human family. If you have a family with active kids who love spending time in the Great Outdoors, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix could be ideal for you.

You must prepare to spend lots of time playing with your Chipit. These pups do need lots of exercise and entertainment. They can become destructive and start with bad behavior if bored. You’ll find that the Chipit can be a barker, especially when alerting his owner of strangers on his home property.

Although the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is quite a small dog and can adapt to apartment life, the breed is happiest in a place where he has lots of room to play. A place with a garden or a large backyard where he can run around and burn off excess energy suits a Chipit perfectly.

Chipits are very loyal to their owners and can sometimes be over-defensive when strangers approach and they perceive a threat. For that reason, it’s essential that you spend time socializing and training your Pitbull and Chihuahua mix right from day one.

Although there is some evidence to suggest that American pitbull terriers are more likely to bite than other breeds, those statistics can be misleading. Many times, confusion and misidentification lead to false reports of biting incidents. Also, the pitbull’s reputation as a vicious bruiser can attract irresponsible owners who fail to train and socialize their dogs properly.

Both the Pitbull and Chihuahua are confident breeds that are also extremely intelligent. So, you could find you have a challenge on your hands when it comes to training one of these pups.

Size & Appearance

The appearance and size of a Pitbull Chihuahua mix will vary, depending on which parent the puppy most favors. The Chipit typically grows up to 20 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing between 15 and 45 pounds. The body of Chipits is often short, broad, and muscular, with the characteristic short neck of the Pitbull parent. Many Chipits inherit the small feet, long ears, and thin muzzle of the Chihuahua.

The distinctive dome-shaped head of the Pitbull often brings out the familiar apple-shaped head of the Chihuahua. In some individuals, that can look super-cute, although, in others, the head may appear disproportionately small or large. Of course, until your tiny, fluffy mix puppy matures, it’s impossible to forecast how he’ll turn out accurately. That’s what makes taking on a mixed-breed pup so exciting!

Coat & Colors

The coat type of the Chipit breed can vary tremendously. If the parent Chihuahua has a short coat, the puppies will usually have the short, close, glossy coat that’s also common to Pitbull’s. However, if the Chihuahua parent has long hair, a Chipit mix puppy may inherit that coat type. That said, it’s more usual to find a short-haired Chihuahua, as the long-haired variety of purebred is harder to come by.

Generally, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix will be black, white, tan, golden, brown, or even differing shades of brindle. In fact, the only color that you won’t find is merle.This mix comes in a variety of different colors and can have shorter or longer hair.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Chipit is full of energy. You’ll need to take your Pitbull Chihuahua mix for at least two walks every day. Also, a couple of play sessions each day will help to keep your pup mentally stimulated and can prevent boredom from setting in. And don’t assume that your dog will run out of energy as he gets older! Even senior Pitbull crosses have plenty of excess energy to burn.

Training

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a highly intelligent dog that must be properly trained and well-socialized if he is not to become overly dominant in the household. Positive reinforcement is the way to go when training your Chipit. The Chihuahua can be rather stubborn, and that, coupled with the pitbull’s energy and strength, can make for a challenging combination to train. For that reason, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is not recommended as a pet for first-time dog owners.

Health

The life expectancy of a Chipit is typically between 10 and 13 years on average, although some pups can live longer. Although the pitbull Chihuahua mix tends to be a pretty healthy breed, there are some health conditions to which these pups can be prone, including patella luxation, hypoglycemia, hip dysplasia, heart issues, or even a collapsed trachea.

Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition often seen in small dogs. Patella luxation often occurs following injury or trauma and causes one or both of the dog’s kneecaps to dislocate. Note that the condition can also be hereditary, appearing in young puppies of only a few months old.

Hypoglycemia: Many small dog breeds, including Chihuahuas, can suffer from a condition called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia happens when the dog’s blood sugar level falls too low. That happens most often after an exercise session, when the dog misses a meal, or when some exciting event occurs. If you’re concerned that your dog might be suffering from hypoglycemia, you should contact your vet as a matter of urgency.

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a common genetic condition in many breeds of dogs. It affects the hip joints, causing malformation. The resulting deformity causes the hip joint to disintegrate, leaving the animal with chronic and painful arthritis. Although minor cases of hip dysplasia can be managed effectively with drug therapy, more severe cases require surgical correction.

Heart Problems: Although Pitbulls are not prone to heart conditions, there are two cardiac problems that can affect Chihuahuas. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and Mitral valve disease. PDA is a condition that becomes apparent after the puppy is born. It affects a small blood vessel in the heart, causing it to fail to close correctly. Mitral valve disease develops in fully-grown dogs. The condition happens when weakened heart valves permit blood to flow backward, placing the heart under considerable strain.

Collapsed Trachea: The dog’s windpipe or trachea is a muscular tube that is supported by surrounding rings of soft cartilage. The trachea passes through the dog’s neck en route to the lungs. Tracheal collapse can happen when a dog pulls hard against a collar or choke chain. However, many small dogs are born with deformed or weakened tracheal cartilage. That can allow the windpipe to collapse, interfering with the dog’s ability to breathe.

Nutrition

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix doesn’t require any fancy diet and will do well on high-quality, age-appropriate dog food. Although the Chipit does enjoy canned, wet dog food from time to time, your dog will do best on a diet of kibble. Because this mix is so active, they may need food made for a normal-sized breed and not food that’s engineered specifically for Chihuahuas.

Kibble (dry biscuits) helps to scrape away accumulations of bacteria and plaque from your dog’s teeth as he crunches his meal. That cleans the teeth and can be very effective in preventing the onset of canine periodontal disease and gingivitis. Remember to provide your dog with unlimited fresh water throughout the day, especially when he has dry food to eat.

Grooming

The Chihuahua Pitbull mix generally has a short, glossy coat that doesn’t take too much grooming. Ideally, you should brush your dog with a stiff-bristled brush twice a week to remove dead and loose hair, keeping your pup looking good. Although he has short hair, the Chipit is a moderate shedder, so this pup wouldn’t suit a home with allergy sufferers.

As Family Pets

• The Pitbull Chihuahua mix makes a fabulous pet if you have an active lifestyle.
• The Chipit is a friendly, affectionate, and loyal dog.
• You will need to have plenty of free time available to spend exercising your Chipit.
• These dogs require lots of physical and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
• The Pitbull Chihuahua mix can be quite a dominant personality.
• Early socialization and training are essential.
• The Chipit is the perfect size dog for apartment life.
• However, access to outdoor space is essential for these lively, energetic pups.
• The Pitbull Chihuahua mix has a low-maintenance coat that doesn’t need much grooming.
• These pups do shed continually throughout the year.
• A Chipit is not a good choice for a home with allergy sufferers.

Puppy Prices

You typically won’t find too many licensed breeders for this puppy mix. They are more commonly found in shelters. These pups are usually the offspring of two stray dogs that end up mating. There isn’t typically a huge market for Chipit puppies when compared to other designer dogs.

Depending on where you find your dog, the prices for this puppy will vary. Usually, if you are adopting from a rescue, you can find these pups from $100 all the way up to $500. If you find a designer dog breeder, expect to pay upwards of $800 for this mix. Always check the papers of the parents if they are marketed as designer dogs with purebred parents.

Rescue & Shelters

Although the Chihuahua Pitbull mix is not a crossbreed that you’ll find in abundance, you might just strike lucky and find one of these super dogs that are in need of a home. There are many non-profit websites with numerous deserving pups of many breeds needing caring, loving family homes. It’s likely you may even find this mix at your local shelter.

Some rescue centers offer an option that allows potential owners to take dogs on a trial basis for a month or so. If the dog is a good fit for your family, you can apply to adopt him formally. However, if the two of you don’t get along, you can return the pup to the shelter until a more suitable home becomes available for him.

Final Thoughts

If you want a fun dog that is a good fit for your lively, active household, a Pitbull Chihuahua mix may be the perfect pup for you. Chipits are loyal, friendly, and sociable, although one of these sensitive dogs might not get along well with small children and other dogs. Also, the Chipit can be a yapper if he takes that trait from the Chihuahua side of the crossbreed.

The Chipit doesn’t need a huge amount of brushing to keep his short, glossy coat in good condition. However, these pups do shed, and that could be an issue for allergy sufferers in your household. So, now that you know all about the Chipit, it’s time for you to begin your search for the ideal canine companion.