Chimation Basics

This feisty little dog with the big personality is a Chimation. He brings the sassy personality of the Chihuahua together with the energy of the Dalmatian to produce a family pet that is great with older children and has wonderful watchdog potential.

The Chimation brings the sassy personality of the Chihuahua together with the energy of the Dalmatian.

Origin

The Chimation is a Designer Dog that scales the boisterous Dalmatian down to a smaller, more manageable size for those who can’t handle a big dog. While he isn’t a pure-bred, he is a first-generation cross-breed, coming from two pure-bred dogs: the Dalmatian and the Chihuahua.

Pedigree

The Chimation is not a purebred and therefore is not registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) however both parent breeds are members in good standing.

Food / Diet

The Chimation is a medium-sized breed dog that will require a top quality kibble that is specifically designed for his age, weight, activity level and health requirements. Because this dog can be prone to urinary tract infections, foods containing high levels of purine (such as organ meats) should be avoided – opt for foods that indicate “meat” as a first ingredient. He should be fed 2 to 3 small meals throughout the day versus free-fed and always have plenty of fresh water.

The Chimation is a cautious dog who is highly loyal to his owner.

Training

The Chimation is the product of two breeds that can be a handful to train; the willful Chihuahua and the high-spirited Dalmatian. You will need to be patient, but results will come when you provide him with consistent, firm instruction that establishes you as the pack leader. All dogs respond best to a rewards-based approach, so expect to provide lots of praise as earned and plenty of treat to bring the best out in this dog.

Weight

Your Chimation will weigh in around 26 to 40 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The Chimation is a cautious dog who is highly loyal to his owner and at time a little overly protective when strangers arrive. He thrives on human companionship and loves to be part of all family activities – especially outdoors where he can burn off his boundless energy. He doesn’t do well when left for long periods on his own and can become destructive when bored, so lots of interactive playtime and puzzle toys are needed for this sweet boy.

Common Health Problems

You can typically expect the health issues that accompany pure-bred dogs to be side-stepped when it comes to a cross of the breed. You should always be aware of what your pooch can inherit and in the case of the Chimation, it includes potential patella luxation and joint issues while the Dalmatian is known to suffer from kidney stones and urinary tract infections as well as deafness and they have ranked 11th out of more than 3,000 dogs tested, for thyroid issues..

Life Expectancy

The Chimation has a life expectancy of 10-15 years.

Exercise Requirements

Chimations are the off-spring of a very lively dog breed that loves highly active playtime and needs good long walks to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated. The Dalmatian side of this dog produces a pooch that can be overly protective, so ensure early socialization has successfully been completed before you take him to dog parks.

The Chimation is a cautious boy with great watchdog potential.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as the Chi-mation, the Chimation is recognized by the the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)

Coat

The Chimation is typically a very interesting looking dog with the distinctive dot markings of the Dalmatian and the waif-like features and dark eyes of the Chihuahua. His coat is short and soft and you can expect some shedding year-round. Brushing him 1 to 2 times per week should be sufficient to keep him looking fabulous. If he inherits the Dalmatian’s floppy ears, inspection and cleaning should take place at the same time as his brushing, to keep them debris-free and prevent infection.

Puppies

The Chimation puppy needs early socialization to bring out the best in him. He can be highly cautious around people and this can prevent him from becoming a great family dog. Socialization and obedience will bring out the best in him. His energy is boundless however in spite of a desire to keep him active and moving, care should be taken to prevent over-exertion of his tiny limbs so that joint issues don’t plague him later in life.

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