How Big Is A Fully Grown Chihuahua Mixed With A Pitbull? Can be accessed below:
Uspetcares reports that pitbull Chihuahua mixed breed is commonly known as a “designer dog” when the two purebred breeds mate intentionally. The concept of creating designer dogs first appeared twenty or so years ago.The idea of crossbreeding was to combine the most desirable characteristics of two purebred animals to produce a hybrid.
Crossbreed dogs are typically healthier and more long-lived than purebreds. However, many staunch supporters of the purebred argue that too much crossbreeding dilutes the gene pool, and that can have negative implications for the future of certain breeds. So, on the face of it, mixed breeds are a great idea. However, crossbreeding does have a few drawbacks.
Firstly, you can never be sure which parent the puppies will most take after. So, you could finish up with a puppy who physically closely resembles his Chihuahua dad but has the temperament and personality of his pitbull mom. Secondly, some health conditions that are common to both parent breeds can be passed on to their progeny, rather than bred out. Let’s take a deeper look at each parent breed before diving in deeper with the Chipit mix.
American Pitbull Terrier
The American pitbull terrier actually originates from the U.K. and Ireland. Back in the 1800s, breeders began experimenting by crossing old-style bull-baiting dogs with lightweight terriers to produce a smaller-framed, less aggressive dog.
These early hybrid dogs then made the journey across the Pond to the United States with early pioneers and immigrants who used the animals for herding, hunting, and as companions. It’s those early canine migrants who are the direct ancestors of the American pitbull terrier we know today.
However, the American Kennel Club still does not recognize the pitbull terrier as a specific breed.Some countries, including the U.K., have banned American pitbull terriers, as the breed has a reputation for being bred and trained as an attack dog by criminals. Also, in the U.S., the breed is restricted in some states.
For example, in the city of Kearney, Missouri, a dog that carries five of eight pitbull characteristics is banned.The American pitbull terrier is not born aggressive. It’s people’s mishandling or deliberate training of the dogs that make them confrontational. Essentially, a well-socialized, properly trained pitbull is just as friendly, happy, and safe to be around as any other breed of dog. Pits are also commonly mixed with other breeds, and some popular mixes include the lab pitbull mix, or the pitbull german shepherd mix.
Chihuahua
The American Kennel Club classifies the tiny Chihuahua as a toy breed. You might assume that the little Chihuahua is a placid lap dog. Well, you couldn’t be more wrong! Also, the Chihuahua is a confirmed barker and can be something of a menace if you have near neighbors who like a quiet life!
The Chihuahua is an extremely popular purse dog and can be seen in company with many celebrities and well-heeled folk around the world. The Chihuahua is also the National doggy ambassador of Mexico.
However, don’t let the breed’s cute looks fool you; these little guys are also known as “armpit piranhas,” and they can be very feisty! The Chihuahua doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and these pups won’t tolerate clumsy children and the unwanted attentions of other dogs. Chihuahuas are popular mixes, sometimes by planning and sometimes not. Other popular chi-mixes include the chiweene or the yorkie chihuahua mix.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix
The pitbull Chihuahua mix is known for being a fun, lively, sociable dog. As we mentioned earlier, this rare crossbreed is also known as a Chipit or Pithuahua. The Chipit is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR). However, the American Kennel Club does not acknowledge the breed at the current time.
A Chipit can grow to be up to 20 inches in height to the shoulder, weighing up to around 20 pounds. However, that’s an estimate, as some pitbull Chihuahua mixes can be smaller than this if they take more after the Chihuahua parent than the pitbull. Chipits are generally healthy and are quite long-lived too, often making it to 13 or 14 years of age.
Temperament
The Chipit is a livewire! These dogs love an active lifestyle, preferably one that’s shared with their human family. If you have a family with active kids who love spending time in the Great Outdoors, the pitbull Chihuahua mix could be ideal for you.
You’ll need to be prepared to spend lots of time playing with your Chipit. These pups do need lots of exercise and entertainment, as they can become destructive if bored. You’ll find that the Chipit can be a barker, especially when alerting his owner of strangers on his home property.
Although the pitbull Chihuahua mix is quite a small dog and can adapt to apartment life, the breed is happiest in a place where he has lots of room to play. A place with a garden or a large backyard where he can run around and burn off excess energy would suit the Chipit perfectly.
Chipits are very loyal to their owners and can sometimes be over-defensive when strangers approach, and they perceive a threat. For that reason, it’s essential that you spend time socializing and training your pitbull Chihuahua mix right from day one.
Although there is some evidence to suggest that American pitbull terriers are more likely to bite than other breeds, those statistics can be misleading. Many times, confusion and misidentification lead to false reports of biting incidents. Also, the pitbull’s reputation as a vicious bruiser can attract irresponsible owners who fail to train and socialize their dogs properly.
Both the pitbull and the Chihuahua are confident breeds that are also extremely intelligent. So, you could find you have a challenge on your hands when it comes to training one of these pups.
Size & Appearance
The appearance and size of a pitbull Chihuahua mix will vary, depending on which parent the puppy most favors. The Chipit typically grows up to 20 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing in at up to 20 pounds. The body of Chipits is often short, broad, and muscular with the characteristic short neck of the pitbull parent. Many Chipits inherit the small feet, long ears, and thin muzzle of the Chihuahua.
The distinctive dome-shaped head of the pitbull often brings out the familiar apple-shaped head of the Chihuahua. In some individuals that can look super-cute, although, in others, the head may appear disproportionately small or large. Of course, until your tiny, fluffy puppy matures, it’s impossible to forecast how he’ll turn out accurately! That’s what makes taking on a mixed breed pup so exciting!
Coat & Colors
The coat type of the Chipit breed can vary tremendously. If the parent Chihuahua is short-coated, the puppies will usually have the short, close, glossy coat that’s also common to pitbulls. However, if the Chihuahua parent is long-haired, the Chipit puppies may inherit that coat type. That said, it’s more usual to find a short-haired Chihuahua, as the long-haired variety of purebred is harder to come by.
Generally, the pitbull Chihuahua mix will be black, white, tan, golden, brown or even differing shades of brindle. In fact, the only color that you won’t find is merle. With all that being said, this mix comes in a variety of different colors and can have shorter or longer hair.
Exercise & Living Conditions
The Chipit is full of energy! You’ll need to take your pitbull Chihuahua mix for at least two walks every day. Also, a couple of play sessions each day will help to keep your pup mentally stimulated and can prevent boredom from setting in. And don’t assume that your dog will run out of energy as he gets older! Even senior pitbull crosses have plenty of excess energy to burn!
Training
The pitbull Chihuahua mix is a highly intelligent dog that must be properly trained and well-socialized if he is not to become overly dominant in the household. Positive reinforcement is the way to go when training your Chipit. The Chihuahua can be rather stubborn, and that coupled with the pitbull’s energy and strength can make for a challenging combination to train. For that reason, the pitbull Chihuahua mix is not recommended as a pet for first-time dog owners.
Health
The life expectancy of a Chipit is typically between ten and 13 years on average, although some pups can live longer. Although the pitbull Chihuahua mix tends to be a pretty healthy breed, there are some health conditions to which these pups can be prone, including Patella Luxation, Hypoglycemia, Hip Dysplasia, Heart Issues, or even a Collapsed Trachea.
Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition that’s often seen in small dogs. Patella luxation often occurs following injury or trauma and causes one or both of the dog’s kneecaps to dislocate. Note that the condition can also be hereditary, appearing in young puppies of only a few months old.
Hypoglycemia: Many small dog breeds, including Chihuahuas, can suffer from a condition called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia happens when the dog’s blood sugar level falls too low. That happens most often after an exercise session, when the dog misses a meal, or when some exciting event occurs. If you’re concerned that your dog might be suffering from hypoglycemia, you should contact your vet as a matter of urgency.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a common genetic condition in many breeds of dog that affects the hip joints, causing malformation. The resulting deformity causes the hip joint to disintegrate, leaving the animal with chronic and painful arthritis. Although minor cases of hip dysplasia can be managed effectively with drug therapy, more severe cases require surgical correction.
Heart Problems: Although pitbulls are not prone to heart conditions, there are two cardiac problems that can affect Chihuahuas. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and Mitral valve disease. PDA is a condition that becomes apparent after the puppy is born. It affects a small blood vessel in the heart, causing it to fail to close correctly. Mitral valve disease develops in fully grown dogs. The condition happens when weakened heart valves permit blood to flow backward, placing the heart under considerable strain.
Collapsed Trachea: The dog’s windpipe or trachea is a muscular tube that is supported by surrounding rings of soft cartilage. The trachea passes through the dog’s neck en route to the lungs. Tracheal collapse can happen when a dog pulls hard against a collar or choke chain. However, many small dogs are born with deformed or weakened tracheal cartilage. That can allow the windpipe to collapse, interfering with the dog’s ability to breathe.
Nutrition
The pitbull Chihuahua mix doesn’t require any fancy diet and will do well on high-quality, age-appropriate dog food. Although the Chipit does enjoy canned, wet dog food from time-to-time, your dog will do best on a diet of kibble. It’s likely that because this mix is so active, it may need a food that’s fit for a normal-sized breed and not a food that’s engineered specifically for chihuahuas.
Kibble (dry biscuits) helps to scrape away accumulations of bacteria and plaque from your dog’s teeth as he crunches his meal. That cleans the teeth and can be very effective in preventing the onset of canine periodontal disease and gingivitis. Remember to provide your dog with unlimited fresh water throughout the day, especially when he has dry food to eat.
Grooming
The pitbull Chihuahua mix generally has a short, glossy coat that doesn’t take too much grooming. Ideally, you should brush your dog with a stiff-bristled brush twice a week to remove dead and loose hair, keeping your pup looking good. Although he is short-haired, the Chipit is a moderate shedder, so this pup wouldn’t suit a home with allergy sufferers.
As Family Pets
- The pitbull Chihuahua mix makes a fabulous pet if you have an active lifestyle.
- The Chipit is a friendly, affectionate, and loyal dog.
- You will need to have plenty of free time available to spend exercising your Chipit.
- These dogs do require lots of physical and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
- The pitbull Chihuahua mix can be quite a dominant personality.
- Early socialization and training are essential.
- The Chipit is the perfect size dog for apartment life.
- However, access to outdoor space is essential for these lively, energetic pups.
- The pitbull Chihuahua mix has a low-maintenance coat that doesn’t need much grooming.
- These pups do shed continually throughout the year.
- A Chipit is not a good choice for a home with allergy sufferers.
Puppy Prices
You typically won’t find too many licensed breeders for this mix, as they are more commonly found in shelters. These pups are usually the offspring of two stray dogs that end up mating, as there isn’t typically a huge market for Chipit puppies when compared to other designer dogs.
Depending on where you find your dog, the prices for this puppy will vary. Usually if you are adopting from a Rescue, you can find these pups from $100 all the way up to $500 depending on the organization. If you find a designer dog breeder, expect to pay upwards of $800 for this mix and you should always check the papers of the parents if they are being marketed as a designer dog with purebred parents.
Rescue and Shelters
Although the pitbull Chihuahua mix is not a crossbreed that you’ll find in abundance, you might just strike lucky and find one of these super dogs that is in need of a home. There are many non-profit websites have lots of deserving pups of all shapes and sizes that are hoping to be adopted into a caring, loving family home. It’s likely you may even find this mix at your local shelter.
Some rescue centers operate a scheme that allows potential owners to take dogs on a trial basis for a month or so. If the dog proves to be a good fit for your family, you can apply to adopt him formally. However, if the two of you don’t get along, you can return the pup to the shelter until a more suitable home becomes available for him.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fun dog that would be a good fit for your lively, active household, a pitbull Chihuahua mix might be the perfect pup for you. Chipits are loyal, friendly, and sociable, although one of these sensitive dogs might not get along well with small children and other dogs. Also, the Chipit can be a yapper if he takes that trait from the Chihuahua side of the crossbreed.
The Chipit doesn’t need a huge amount of brushing to keep his short, glossy coat in good condition. However, these pups do shed, and that could be an issue for allergy sufferers in your household. So, now that you know all about the Chipit, it’s time for you to begin your search for the ideal canine companion!
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety or care advice. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, insurance expert, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.