Chigi Basics

The Chigi is a wonderful family dog who brings the loving, loyal personality of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi together with the playful and often sassy nature of the Chihuahua to produce a loyal, fun-loving pup that gets along with kids and other pets alike.

The Chigi brings the loving personality of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi together with the sassy nature of the Chihuahua.

Origin

The Chigi is a native of the US and likely surfaced in the 80’s when the trend toward Designer Dogs first took off. Chihuahuas are often bred with larger dogs to produce a more compact version that does well living in smaller homes or apartments.

Pedigree

The Chigi is not a purebred and therefore is not registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Both parent breeds are long-time members of the AKC however: the Chihuahua joined the “toy” group back in 1904 while the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has been a member since 1935 under the “herding” group.

Food / Diet

The Chigi is a small- to medium-breed dog that is moderately active and needs a high quality kibble that reflects his size, age and activity level. Like many smaller dogs, he can be prone to dental issues so selecting a top grade, grain-free (which can cause digestive issues) hard kibble that meets his nutritional needs is important for his diet and his teeth. Feeding should be smaller meals 2 to 3 times daily versus free-feeding.

Your Chigi will be a fairly easy dog to command.

Training

Your Chigi will be a fairly easy dog to command. His keen-to-please Corgi lineage makes him quick to obey commands and requires fewer repetitions. As with all breeds, a rewards-based approach with treats and verbal praise is the ideal way to bring out the best in this dog during socialization and obedience training.

Weight

Expect your Chigi to weigh in between 10 to 20 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The Chigi is a loyal little dog who can often bond strongly with one owner. He’s a great family pet who has the energy and playful nature children love. He’s also great with other pets though the Corgi does have a herding background so both kids and small animals beware! Like many dogs, he doesn’t do well when left for long periods of time so a stay-at-home pet parent is ideal – or plenty of puzzle toys to keep him busy. He doesn’t make strange or bark when he meets new faces so don’t expect this sweet boy to act as your watchdog.

Common Health Problems

Designer dogs typically avoid many of the health issues that can plague their pure-bred parents; however you should be aware of what they could have inherited. With the Chigi, potential health problems could include patellar luxation and joint issues, hypoglycemia, epilepsy and Von Willebrands. As with all small dogs, dental issues can be a concern so brushing and regular check-ups are essential.

Life Expectancy

The Chigi has a life expectancy of 12-14 years.

Exercise Requirements

While Chigi’s are playful and fun-loving, their activity level is actually moderate. They don’t need marathon walks or to join you on a long run; a romp in the back yard with occasional trips to the local dog park will be a great way to augment his daily walks.

The Chigi is a loyal little dog who can often bond strongly with one owner.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as the Chi-Corgi or Chori, the Chigi is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)

Coat

Your Chigi is considered a moderate-shedding dog that will require minimal maintenance and grooming to keep him looking his best. Brushing 2 to 3 times per week should be sufficient with bathing only as needed to prevent dry skin problems. Because small dogs can run into dental issues, daily brushing should be an important part of his maintenance regimen.

Puppies

Chigi puppies are sturdy little pups that are smart enough to begin their socialization and obedience training early on. With joint issues being a potential problem later in life, be sure to take exercise and playtime in moderation and gently. You don’t want to damage tiny limbs.

Photo credit: Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock