Chion

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Chion

Weight
6-10 lb
Lifespan
10-15 years
Group
Not applicable
Best Suited For
Families with children, singles and seniors, houses with/without yards, apartments
Temperament
Charming, intelligent, affectionate, playful
Comparable Breeds
Chihuahua, Papillon
Height
8-11 inches
ADVERTISEMENT

Chion Basics

Also known as a Papihuahua, Chi-a-Pap and a Pap-Chi, the Chion is the product of two small but highly intelligent and self-assured little breeds; the Chihuahua and the Papillon. He’s a great companion dog with a playful personality, active disposition and his ability to get along with other dogs, cats and kids makes him the perfect family pet. A tendency to bark at strangers and react to sudden noises means he is the perfect mini watchdog but because this can become excessive, this indoor pooch may be better suited to a house versus apartment setting.

The Chion is a designer/hybrid dog, and is the product of two small but highly intelligent and self-assured little breeds; the Chihuahua and the Papillon.

Origin

The Chion background is somewhat vague given this particular hybrid is considered rare. The Chihuahua is thought to date back to an ancient civilization that lived in Mexico between the 10th and 12th centuries. The history of the Papillon can actually be traced through works of art. The earliest toy spaniels resembling the Papillon are found in Italy and depicted in many famous paintings beginning around 1500.

Although a playful, fun-loving breed, the Chion can be somewhat difficult when it comes to training.

Pedigree

ADVERTISEMENT

Chions are the result of first generation cross-breeding which means directly descended from Chihuahua and Papillon parents versus coming from two Chions. This direct lineage is a requirement of the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) who recognize the Chion breed and whose standards require the hybrid must be a cross between two pureblood dogs that are registered with American Kennel Club (AKC) parentage. The Chihuahua joined the AKC’s “toy” group back in 1904 and is described as graceful, charming and sassy. The Papillon was officially recognized as part of the same group in 1915 and is depicted as alert, friendly and happy. What a perfect mix for an upbeat little family dog!

Food/Diet

Both Chihuahuas and Papillon love a diet that is poultry-based so it’s reasonable to expect a Chion will thrive on a similar food type. As a pup, you should plan to feed him three to four times daily as smaller meals are easier for him to digest. By six months you should be able to move to twice daily and gradually change to a dry, high quality adult dog food. Because of the propensity of small dogs to have dental problems, dry food and treats should be his diet going forward and you may want to incorporate “teeth brushing” into his training routine early on so you can continue this practice throughout his life.

Training

Weight

The size of any hybrid dog is influenced by which of the two parents is predominant. In this instance, with two small dogs, the height and weight will vary but is typically less than 11 inches and under 10 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

ADVERTISEMENT

Common Health Problems

Chions are generally a healthy breed but like most hybrids, there is always a chance for inheriting health issues from parent breeds. In the case of Chihuahuas, they are known for having joint problems (patellar luxation) and dental issues due to the small structure of the skull and potential over-crowding of teeth. Additionally, the breed may be susceptible to eye injury and hypoglycemia, which means he’s burning off more energy than he is taking in so small, frequent meals are ideal. For Papillion, the large, floppy ears that are a signature of the breed and present in Chions, require careful attention and cleaning to avoid infection.

Life Expectancy

The average life span of a Chion is 10 to 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

As is the case with any breed of dog, the Chion requires daily exercise and regular playtime interaction with other dogs in order to remain mentally alert and physically healthy. While they are energetic little dogs, their small stature means that a modest amount of activity is sufficient to meet their needs. Daily active playtime or a short walk should suffice.

The Chion is a spunky little dog that is lively, alert, and attached to his owner.

AKC

While the hybrid nature of the Chion means he cannot be a member of the American Kennel Club, he is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, Inc. and International Designer Canine Registry.

Coat

The Chion is considered an “average” shedder with a coat that is typically long, thin and curled with fringe at the end. The coat is normally a solid color but may have spots that will be the same color as his mask. Brushing a couple of times each week should be sufficient to keep them looking their best but their triangularly shaped butterfly ears will require more attention to keep them free of matting and should be cleaned every few days to prevent inner ear infections.

Puppies

When choosing from a litter of Chions, you should be cognizant of the more common health problems of this breed and ensure you select a puppy that does not exhibit eye, gum or joint problems.

Photo credit: Marcus Williams/Flickr; Ed Oswalt/Flickr; Hcommunications/Bigstock

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Pitbull Named Top “American Hero Dog” At The 2013 American Humane

Elle the therapy dog teaches children about dog safety, reading, and overcoming prejudice Each year, the American Humane Association honors American Hero Dog…

French Pomerbull

Small, sweet, and sassy, the French Pomberbull really takes the prize as being one of the most adorable hybrid breeds around.

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Bentley

Meet Bentley, our Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptapet.com. He’s a young Yorkshire Terrier who lives in Madison Heights, MI. He is already neutered…

Noble Novelties Worthy of Your Aristo-Cat

Is your cat is the supreme ruler of your home? Appeal to your kitty''s merciful side by offering some magnificent tokens as a sign of your undying loyalty.

Kishu

The Kishu is a Japanese dog breed developed thousands of years ago. These dogs are very loyal to family and tend to get along best with one person.

Best Small Dog Dresses

Small dog dresses make petite pooches look super cute on special occasions - take a look at our selection of best small dog dresses for a perfect pick!

Top 10 Toys To Keep Your Dog Mentally Sharp

Looking for ways to keep your smarty-pup''s mind stimulated? Check out the top 10 toys to keep your dog mentally sharp (and have fun in the process!).

Czechoslovakian Vlcak

The Czechoslovakian Vlcak or Czech Wolf Dog is a new breed of dog first bred as a military attack dog. It looks more like a wolf than it does a dog.

Zebra Finch

The Zebra Finch has all the traits of a perfect pet bird - they''re ease to care for, have a lovely personality and can be found almost anywhere.

Miniature Goldendoodle

The Miniature Goldendoodle is an exciting and relatively new designer dog breed that combines the best traits of two popular breeds: the Golden Retriever and the Miniature Poodle.

Tried & Tested: Real Quotes From 7 Trustworthy Pet Insurance Comp

Worried about the integrity of a pet insurance provider? We picked seven reputable pet insurance companies and applied for quotes - here''s what happened.

4 Springtime Fresh Safety Tips For Dogs

Helpful spring safety tips for dogs and pet parents What is that we finally see? Could it be? Yes, it is! A patch of grass! The snow is melting, the sun is s…

Ask The Hairy Dogfathers: Daddy’s Puppy Problem

The Hairy Dogfathers take on some baby daddy drama – with a full house of animals and another baby on the way, is now the best time to add another pupp…

Stichelhaar

With his brown coloring, his wiry coat, and facial furnishings, the German Stichelhaar is similar in appearance to other pointers.

CBD Oil for Cats: A Holistic Option

The benefits of CBD oil go beyond just for humans. In fact, CBD oil for cats is a popular holistic option for a range of ailments.