Chi-Poo Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

2-9 kg

Height

12-38 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Chi-Poo

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

Are you searching for the perfect pooch to bring into your family? If so, the Chi-poo could be just what you’re looking for. Tiny, playful, and super cute, these little fluffballs make great family companions.

Whether you’re an experienced dog owner or you’ve never had the pleasure of a canine companion before, this Chi-poo dog breed guide contains everything you need to get started with your new pup.

From the breed’s history and its temperament to feeding advice and a useful FAQ section, you’ll know whether a Chi-poo is right for you by the time you’ve finished reading. If you’d like to find out more about this tiny dog breed, just keep scrolling!

What is the history & origin of the Chi-Poo?

The Chi-poo was possibly naturally bred throughout the years, but in the 1970s, designer breeders began breeding Poodles and Chihuahua.

Breeders set out to mix the Poodle and Chihuahua to create an intelligent but low-maintenance dog that would be independent and easy to train. Because it’s believed that mixing breeds can reduce health issues, more Chi-poos were bred to keep up with the demand for mixed breeds.

What is a Chi-Poo breed?

The Chi-poo is a Chihuahua Poodle mix. Although the Miniature or Toy Poodle is usually bred, some breeders cross the Teacup Poodle with the Chihuahua parent. This small breed also goes by a variety of names, including the Chi-poodle, Poochi, Choodle, and the Poohuahua.

Although the AKC recognises the parent breeds, the Chi-poo hasn’t been given official status. However, the breed is recognised by the following organisations:

The American Canine Hybrid Club
The Designer Dogs Kennel Club
The Designer Breed Registry
The International Designer Canine Registry

Who is a Chi-Poo best for?

Although Chi-poos make great family pets, they’re more suited to adults and families with older kids because of their small size. They can easily be hurt by excited young children and prefer to play with older children who understand that they need to handle the dog gently.

Both the Poodle and Chihuahua can be stubborn and temperamental. If your Chi-poo takes after the Chihuahua parent, it could be a bit nippy.

For this reason, children should be taught from an early age that they mustn’t play roughly with this small dog. Always be cautious, though. Never leave a young child with a dog unsupervised under any circumstances.

Chi-Poo Grooming & Shedding

The Chi-poo is a low shedding dog which is great news as it makes grooming much easier. A brush once a week is usually enough. However, more frequent brushing may be needed depending on the texture and length of the coat.

Chi-poos are prone to eye issues and will need extra care. Make sure you regularly clean your pup’s eyes to reduce the tear stains that their overactive tear glands produce.

The Chi-poo can also suffer from ear infections due to their floppy ears. Grooming your dog regularly can help you to notice early signs of health problems. This means you’ll be able to seek veterinary care quickly.

Chi-poos don’t tend to tolerate cold weather very well because of their thin coats, so a dog coat or a cute sweater may be needed during the colder months.

Do Chi-Poos bark a lot?

Because they’re bred from Chihuahuas, these small dogs may be a little bit yappy. Chihuahuas are well known for their big voices, so your Chi-poo might inherit this noisy dog trait. This could be a problem if you live in an apartment or are in very close proximity to your neighbours.

Your Chi-poo will bark to alert you if a stranger is approaching. But, it may also bark out of excitement. The best way to reduce the barking and avoid annoyed neighbours is to start obedience training early on.

What is the average weight & height of a Chi-Poo dog?

Because the Chi-poo is a new mixed breed, there aren’t many size standards. Your pup may be short and compact like the Toy Poodle, or it could follow after the Chihuahua or Miniature Poodle and be slightly taller.

However, you can expect a Chi-poo to have an average height of 12-38cm at the shoulder. The same goes for weight. If your pup is on the smaller side, it may only weigh around 2kg. But if it’s a bigger variety, you can expect a weight of around 9kg.

Are Chi-Poos easy to train?

As mentioned before, both of the Chi-poo’s parents have stubborn sides. This means that early training is essential. This energetic dog needs a leader that can show it how to behave correctly.

A firm but gentle control along with positive reinforcement is the way to get the best out of a Chi-poo. Have lots of praise and treats at the ready!

This little dog is also temperamental with a good memory. If you become angry or try harsh training methods, the dog will remember long after the incident. This can make training difficult as the dog may refuse to follow commands and could even cause aggression.

As well as short and effective training sessions, regular trips to the dog park are essential for fitness and socialisation!

How do Chi-Poos behave? A look at their temperament and personality

This Chihuahua Poodle mix tends to inherit the good qualities of each parent breed. They’re intelligent, playful, and energetic. They’re great performers, and they can learn tricks very easily. Their high intelligence levels mean they learn quickly and are very confident.

However, this little pooch can develop “little dog syndrome”, which means they think they’re bigger and tougher than they are! This goes hand-in-hand with its confidence and can get it into trouble!

When it comes to affection, a Chi-poo tends to bond with one person. They are loving and loyal to other household members, but they will devote most of their affection and love to their chosen human! This makes them an ideal breed for people living alone.

Does the Chi-Poo have any common health issues?

One of the top reasons for creating designer dog breeds is to reduce the risk of health problems that many purebred dogs suffer from. However, there’s no way to know if your Poodle Chihuahua mix will develop any of the problems that each parent breed can suffer from.

When it comes to your Chi-poo, there are some minor and serious problems that you’ll need to watch out for. This is why regular check-ups with your vet are vital for keeping your dog healthy and happy. Some common health problems to be aware of include:

Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar can be particularly concerning in smaller breeds and puppies.
Overactive Tear Glands: This can lead to excessive tearing and potential irritation.
Glaucoma: A serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss if not treated.
Luxating Patellas: This involves dislocated kneecaps, which can cause pain and mobility issues.

What is the lifespan of a Chi-Poo?

Like other small breeds, the Chi-poo typically has a long lifespan of 12-15 years. Providing your dog with a healthy lifestyle can help it to live a long, healthy, and happy life. This includes adequate exercise, a healthy and balanced diet, and routine health checks by a vet.

How much does a Chi-Poo need to be fed?

Like all canines, your dog’s diet should provide all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that will allow them to live a healthy life. Neither the Poodle nor Chihuahua has any serious food allergies or intolerances, so the Chi-poo can eat dry, canned, or raw dog food.

Fresh, clean water should always be available and remember that your pooch will probably need to drink even more during the summer months.

How much can you expect to pay for a Chi-Poo in Australia?

The price for a Chi-poo puppy varies between breeders. But, you can expect an average price to be around $500. It’s important to choose a responsible and reputable breeder who will provide details about the puppy’s parents – records about the health, and purebred status of the parents should be offered.

If possible, you should also visit the puppy’s parents. This will help give you an idea of their temperaments, and you’ll be able to check the conditions that they’re kept in.

Chi-Poo FAQs

Are Chi-poo dogs hypoallergenic?

This mixed breed tends to have a medium-length coat, making them a good choice for those suffering from allergies. Although no canine breed is fully hypoallergenic, the Chi-poo is considered to have hypoallergenic qualities thanks to the Poodle parent.

Can Chi-poo dogs swim?

Many Chi-poos do love to swim and have inherited a natural swimming ability from each parent breed. However, because of its small size, your pooch should always be supervised when swimming in any body of water.

Can you shave a Chipoo?

Trimming a long-haired Chi-poo is a good idea to keep the coat looking neat and tidy. However, shaving the coat can expose the dog’s skin to sun damage. With a layer of fur to protect it, your pooch could suffer from painful sunburn.

Regular brushing can help keep the coat in good condition, and it will minimise shedding even more.