Chilier Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

2.7-5.5 kg

Height

20-25 cm

Lifespan

10-16 years

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About the Chilier

Reviewed by:

Dr. Dilber Hussain

Veterinarian

The Chilier is a mixed-breed dog, that was bred by crossing a King Charles Spaniel and Chihuahua. It is considered a designer dog breed and is a great family dog.

Chiliers are affectionate, playful and easy-going. They connect quickly with their family and will be a loyal friend and excellent companion dogs.

This mixed-dog breed comes in a variety of colours that combines those of Cavalier King Charles spaniels and Chihuahuas.

Read on to find out more about this cute King Charles Spaniel-Chihuahua mix, the Chilier.

What is the history & origin of the Chilier?

There is not a lot known about the history of the Chilier itself, but you can learn a lot about a dog by looking at its parent breeds: the Chihuahua and the Cavalier Spaniel.

The history of the Chihuahua is still shrouded in mystery – either they came from China to Mexico aboard ships, or they are the descendants of the Techichi dog from South America. Chihuahua’s were considered to be magical and poses healing powers. These little dogs were kept close to the side of ill people and were cremated or buried with their owners.

The Chihuahua was included in Aztec rituals and can be seen in Aztec artworks.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a new breed that has had several changes to the breed standard through the years. The spaniel arrived in the United Statues during the 1940s, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was established in the 1950s.

Today the Chilier is still not recognised by the American Kennel Club, but the breed is recognised by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club and the International Designer Canine Registry.

What is a Chilier Breed?

Chiliers are considered a mixed breed, or a designer dog breed. They are a new breed but have captured the hearts of dog owners everywhere.

The Chilier is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Chihuahua, and because of this mix, they do not have a standard coat pattern. The coat length and colour will depend on the Chilier’s parent breeds’ colours and coat length.

Because of the blend of coat length and properties of the spaniel and the Chihuahua, Chiliers can have feathering on their paws, fluffy ears, and a plumed tail that is carried high.

Chilier colours can be solid or tricolour, and include black, white, brown, grey, brindle, or spotted. Their coats are soft and luscious.

Chiliers also have noticeable large, round eyes, similar to the parent breeds.

Learn more about: Chilier Colours

Who is a Chilier Best For?

Chiliers are social and friendly dogs, making them ideal family pets. They are loving and enjoy the company of young children.

This breed also gets on with other pets, although it may chase after smaller animals. To avoid this type of behaviour, socialise your Chilier puppy from a young age and introduce it to other animals and dogs. These dogs are small, and care should be taken when they are introduced to large dogs.

Pet parents should be open to taking their Chilier to the dog park to get it properly socialised when young.

Chilier Grooming & Shedding

If your Chilier is the offspring of a long-haired Chihuahua, then its coat will require some grooming.

The main requirement to maintain a Chilier’s coat is combing and brushing to remove knots and loose hair. Chiliers shed moderately throughout the year, so by brushing them regularly you will reduce the amount of hair littered around your house.

Although a Chilier should enjoy the occasional bath, bathing too frequently will strip protective oils from the coat.

Dental hygiene is important, and responsible pet owners will brush their Chilier’s teeth twice a week with dog toothpaste to reduce the risk of dental diseases. You should also trim the dog’s nails if they get too long.

Learn more about: Chilier Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Chilers bark a lot?

Chiliers are quiet dogs that rarely bark, which makes them great for apartments. This active little dog does need plenty of exercise and could bark if left alone or bored.

What is the average weight & height of a Chilier dog?

The Chilier is a small and lively breed, usually weighing between 2.7 and 5.5 kg and standing about 20 to 25 cm tall. Despite their compact size, they have a big heart and are very affectionate, making them excellent companions.

Learn more about: Chilier Size & Weight Chart

Are Chilers easy to train?

Chiliers are incredibly intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training.

The biggest obstacle to training a Chilier is the pet owner who believes small breeds do not require obedience training.

Chiliers are strong-minded (something they inherited from the Chihuahua side), and will need consistent training from a young age, especially if you want a well-behaved adult dog.

Learn more about: Chilier Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Chilers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

This intelligent dog has a pleasant demeanour. It may be a small dog, but it has a big personality.

From the Chihuahua side, the Chilier has inherited loyalty to its owners. They can be a bit clingy, particularly to one person in the household, and will be devoted to that person until the end. Chiliers do not take well to strangers, so it is a good idea to socialise Chilier puppies as soon as possible.

From the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s side, the Chilier inherited alertness and friendliness. Chiliers will bark to alert the presence of a stranger but will reciprocate friendliness even from a stranger.

You get a perfect combination of the best traits of the parent breeds in this hybrid breed. Unlike other dogs of the same size, the Chilier is confident, warm and playful.

Learn more about: Chilier Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Chilier have any common health issues?

There is no firm data on the health problems of Chiliers, however, some health conditions can be hereditary from the purebred dogs that are the parents of the Chilier:

Patellar Luxation: This condition prevents the kneecap from remaining in place, causing it to slip out which can cause lameness or a limp. It can be treated with pain medication in mild cases but could require surgery if extreme.
Tear staining: small dogs often have brown stains on their face from the tear ducts. Because of their large eyes, the Chiliers are no exception. There is no solution to the problem, but regular cleaning of the face will prevent the stains from being too excessive.
Heart problems: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to heart disease. Both the spaniels and the Chihuahuas experience heart murmurs, making it a great health concern for Chiliers. Vets should do annual checks to assess the heart.
Hydrocephalus and Chiari-like Malformation: This is a condition that affects the skull and the train. Either the brain is too large for the skull, which causes pressure on the brain, or there is water on the brain which also results in pressure. These conditions can be painful and result in dullness and slow reaction times.
Hip dysplasia: This is a common condition in many breeds where the hip joint slips out.

Learn more about: Common Chilier Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Chilier?

The life expectancy of the Chilier is 10 to 16 years.

How much does a Chilier need to be fed?

You should feed your Chilier quality dog food suitable for its size. Free feeding (leaving food out during the day) is a terrible idea as these small dogs will keep eating and are prone to fast weight gain.

You should feed your adult Chilier 1/2 – 1 cup of dry dog food each day, over two meals.

Learn more about: What to Feed a Chilier? Diet & Feeding Chart

How much can you expect to pay for a Chilier in Australia?

A Chilier puppy can cost you between $420 and $1,100. The price will depend on the breeder and the breeding stock.

Learn more about: Chilier Prices In Australia

Chilier FAQs

Is a Chilier ideal for a first-time dog owner?

Yes, Chiliers are great dogs for first-time dog owners. They can be a bit stubborn, but consistent training will result in a loving, easy-going, and friendly little dog.

Do Chiliers suffer from separation anxiety?

Chiliers love their family and will suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. A crate-trained Chilier will do better if alone, but even so, it could still become distressed and start having destructive behaviours.

Are Chiliers hypoallergenic dogs?

No, Chiliers are not hypoallergenic. Some Chiliers have long coats that shed moderately throughout the year. The shedding of fur and dander is not great for people that have allergies. Even Chiliers with short coats will still shed, making them one of the dog breeds that are less than ideal for allergy sufferers.

Will a Chilier need professional grooming?

No, your Chilier will not require professional grooming.

Although some Chiliers have a medium-length coat, their grooming requirements are simple. Chilier owners can simply comb and brush out any knots, tangles, and loose hair. Tear stains can be regularly cleaned, and the ears should be cleaned to avoid infection.