Chi-Chi Basics
The adorably unique Chi-Chi brings the sassy Chihuahua personality together with the distinctive appearance of the Chinese Crested to produce a bold little dog with a playful personality. A strong attachment to their owner coupled with a cautious nature makes them a great companion pooch with watchdog potential.
The Chi-Chi brings the sassy Chihuahua personality together with the distinctive looking Chinese Crested.
Origin
The Chi-Chi is a modern day Designer Dog that originates in the United States. His lineage includes a purebred Chihuahua crossed with a pure-bred Chinese Crested.
Pedigree
The Chi-Chi’s non-purebred status means he is not registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). His parents are both long-time members; the Chihuahua joined the AKC’s “toy” group back in 1904 while the Chinese Crested joined as recently as 1991 in the “toy” group.
Food / Diet
The Chi-Chi is a super-active small dog that needs a top quality, nutrition-rich kibble that is specifically designed for his age, size and energy levels. Because he can become overweight easily, feeding should be smaller meals 2 to 3 times daily versus free-feeding.
Your Chi-Chi comes from two intelligent breeds.
Training
Your Chi-Chi comes from two intelligent breeds and while they are a pretty quick study, a stubborn streak can make them a challenge to train. A firm, consistent approach is required in order to bring out the best in this dog. Early socialization is highly recommended given the aggressive to-other animals nature of the Chihuahua and as with any dog, a rewards based tactic will net you the best results.
Weight
Your Chi-Chi will weigh between 6 to 10 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
The Chi-Chi is small in stature but can be big in attitude – particularly if he inherits more of the Chihuahua DNA. He is a loving little cuddler but can become quite needy which means he doesn’t’ do well when left on his own for long periods. A tendency to be wary of strange sounds or people results in a great little watchdog but not a great dog for apartment living. Overall, this is a loyal and sweet pooch who just loves being part of all family activities.
Common Health Problems
Designer dogs can often side-step the health issues that their pure-bred parents can be known for but it’s always important to know what your little guy might inherit. With the Chi-Chi, that can be patella luxation, skin allergies and dental issues. Note that if your dog is of the hairless variety, he does not have the typical protection against cuts and scrapes. Be mindful of this during playtime and walks and always do a quick once over to spot any injuries.
Life Expectancy
The ChiChi has a life expectancy of 10-15 years.
Exercise Requirements
The Chi-Chi is a small dog with big energy and you’re going to need to provide regular daily walks as well as indoor and outdoor activities to keep him mentally stimulated and out of mischief. He excels in anything agility-related so tossing a ball or Frisbee will suit him just fine. Because the Chinese Crested is known for climbing and leaping, care should be taken he doesn’t take on more than he can handle (or jump from).
The Chi-Chi is a loving little cuddler who can make a great watchdog.
Recognized Clubs
Also known as the Crested Chi, Mexican Crested and Chichi, the Chi-Chi is recognized by the the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
Coat
The ChiChi can be a mixed bag when it comes to hair types. He may have inherited longer, fluffy hair, short flat hair or be hairless. Overall he is a low- to non-shedding dog who requires minimal grooming – brushing 1 to 2 times per week if short hair and wipe him down with a soft, damp towel in hairless. Even if he has inherited the Chinese Crested’s “hairless” body, he will maintain the distinctive head, tail and foot tufts of hair that will need regular attention. As with most small breeds, dental disease can be a problem so teeth brushing should be an essential part of his grooming regimen.
Puppies
A litter of ChiChi puppies can run the gamut when it comes to appearance. You could have long-haired, short-haired and even the hairless variety – all in the same litter. High energy and a love of jumping and leaping mean this little guy needs to be watched carefully to prevent injury.
Photo credit: Bianca Grueneberg/Shutterstock.com
