Chipit Dog Basics

When you’re looking for a hardy little dog that brings the sassy charm of the Chihuahua together with the brawn of an American Pitbull Terrier, look no further; than the Chipit Dog. This sweet-natured companion dog is full of energy and highly agile making him a great pick for families with kids and for those with time for lots of active play.

The Chipit is a mix of sassy Chihuahua and brawny American Pit Bull terrier.

Origin

The confident, playful Chipit dog is the designer dog offspring of two popular breeds that come from highly diverse backgrounds. The tiny Chihuahua is considered the smallest dog in the world and dates back to Pre-Columbian Mexico while the American Pit Bull terrier was originally bred in England for use in blood sports and now is often seen as a family dog or companion animal.

Pedigree

The Chipit dog is considered a designer dog which means that while he is the offspring of two purebreds, he is not considered a pure-bred himself. As a result, he does not qualify for registration with the American Kennel Club (AKC). That said, the Chihuahua side of his family became a member back in 1904 under the toy group category and although the Pit Bull terrier is not recognized by the AKC, his kissing cousin, the American Staffordshire terrier has been a member in good standing since 1936.

Food / Diet

The size of your Chipit dog will dictate his diet. If he remains smaller in stature, a top quality food with all the vitamins and nutrients needed for an active small dog is important. If his weight leans more towards a medium sized dog, the same rules apply but opt for a larger kibble format to prevent gobbling. Feeding should be frequent small meals throughout the day with healthy snacks and treats.

Chipits lively nature and sturdy physique make them ideal for families.

Training

Patience truly is a virtue when training your Chipit dog. While he comes from two intelligent breeds, he can have a stubborn streak that may require a professional trainer if you’re an inexperienced dog owner. Early socialization and obedience are important with this pup to avoid small dog syndrome and to truly make him shine, a consistent, rewards-based approach with lots of treats and verbal encouragement will work wonders.

Weight

Your Chipit’s weight will range from 15-45 pounds depending on which side of the gene pool is most influential.

Temperament / Behavior

Chipits are a great family dog and their small size, lively nature and sturdy physique make them ideal for homes with young children. They do bond quickly and love to spend time with their human pack so you can expect to have your pooch follow you and other family members around the house on a regular basis. While they are friendly with strangers and other pets, they do have a terrier instinct which can cause them to chase smaller animals.

Common Health Problems

For the most part, designer dogs are free from the health issues experienced by their pure-bred parents however you should always do your homework to see what your little guy may one day inherit. In the case of the Chihuahua, patella luxation can pose a problem as well as GME (Granulomatous Memingoencephalitis) which impacts the central nervous system of certain variations on this breed. For American Pit Bull terriers, skin allergies, joint issues and hypothyroidism can occur.

Life Expectancy

Your Chipit has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years.

Exercise Requirements

The agile little Chipit is always up for a game of fetch in the yard or a romp in the dog park so stock up on tennis balls! His energy level is quite high and he is relentless about playing so you may need to moderate his activity on hot days to ensure he doesn’t wear himself out. In addition to active interaction he will need at least one daily walk to keep him mentally stimulated and physically fit.

The high energy Chipit is always up for a game of fetch.

Recognized

Clubs

Also known as a Chi-Pit, ChiPit, Mexican Bulldog and Pithuahua the Chipit is recognized by the the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

Chipits are short-coated, moderate shedding dogs that are quite easy to maintain. A good brushing 2 or 3 times a week with a stiff-bristled brush and bathing as needed should keep him looking his best. If he inherits the floppier ears of the American Pit Bull terrier, be sure to include ear inspection and cleaning as part of his maintenance regimen.

Puppies

Chipit puppies are known to be very shy and timid so will require early socialization to help them become comfortable around people and other animals.

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