Chiliers are a wonderful little breed; they are bubbly, affectionate, and full of joy. You can’t go wrong with this pup. However, it does come with its own needs, and you must know what you are in for when committing to a pup.
On average, you can expect to pay $1,800 to $3,500 for a Chilier. Both parent breeds, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the Chihuahua, are relatively expensive, so it is understandable why their mix is rather costly.
The cost of a Chilier (which is the crossbreed of a Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) will vary, depending on where you get your puppy from. Chilier puppies from registered breeders can fetch prices between $1,500 and $4,000, taking things like lineage, breeder reputation, and health screenings into account. Puppies and older Chiliers from shelters usually come with adoption fees between $400 and $1,000.
One thing to avoid when looking at buying a Chilier is unregistered breeders. These are pretty easy to spot as the prices are often much lower than those offered by registered breeders, but the parent dogs and puppies are unlikely to have undergone responsible breeding practices or health screenings, which can be detrimental to both their health and behaviour. With this in mind, you should only ever purchase a Chilier from a registered breeder or an adoption shelter.
While the exact cost of buying a Chilier through a registered breeder will vary depending on several factors (which we’ll explore below), the average price range is $1,500 to $4,000. Puppies priced at the higher end of this scale will likely be from a good lineage, have been health checked, and may even have received basic training, such as toilet training.
Adoption fees vary between shelters, but generally you can expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 , and this fee usually includes vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, and desexing. Just be prepared to invest a little more in the long run, as many rescue dogs are older and may have had a rough start in life or need some extra care to deal with health conditions.
So, what actually goes into determining the price of a Chiler? There are actually quite a few factors, including:
Well-established breeders who have been breeding for years and are registered with organisations like Dogs Australia / The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) will prioritise the health of their puppies. This includes conducting health screenings on both the parents and the pups and proper socialisation, both of which push the price towards that $4,000 mark.
Because Chiliers are a crossbred, they can inherit health issues from either parent breed. We’ve touched on this above, but to give you more detail, a good breeder will conduct health screenings to test for things like mitral valve disease, patellar luxation, and hip dysplasia. If a puppy has a clean bill of health and a vet record to say these are unlikely to be hereditary problems in the future, you can expect a higher price tag.
While Chiliers are not a recognised pedigree breed by the Australian National Kennel Council, the quality of their parent breeds can still influence the price. For example, if the puppy has show-winning Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles parents, the price will be higher. However, if the parent dogs come from a pet-only, non-show bloodline, the price of their puppies is far more likely to be cheaper.
Because of their crossbreeding heritage, a Chilier’s coat can come in many different colours and patterns, some of which are more desirable (and therefore more expensive) than others. A breeder will charge more for a rarer coat colour like blue, merle, or chocolate, too, while common patterns like tricolour or bi-colour command a lower price tag. One thing to keep in mind here is that while coat colours and patterns influence the cost, a responsible breeder will prioritise health over aesthetics, so any breeders that focus solely on colour should be seen as a red flag and are potentially unregistered.
That’s the initial cost covered. But what about the ongoing costs and the essential items your Chilier will need for a healthy, happy life? Here are a few of the things you’ll need to pick up before you bring them home:
Dog crate: $80 – $200 for a small-sized crate made from a durable material that your Chilier can use as their own space.
Dog bed: $50 – $150 for a soft, plush bed with additional joint support like a memory foam or orthopaedic insert.
Dog collar/lead: $20 – $60 for a soft, adjustable collar and a lightweight lead that isn’t too heavy on their small neck.
Feeding bowl: $15 – $40 for a stainless steel or ceramic bowl shallow enough to allow easy feeding with their small muzzle.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $25 for a toothbrush and toothpaste set to stop plaque building up and keep dental disease at bay.
Dog car harness: $40 – $80 for a small, crash-tested safety harness for use during car trips.
Puppy treats: $10 – $30 for small, natural treats that are easy to chew.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 per pack for washable puppy pads used for early house training.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $15 – $40 for a deep cleaning but hypoallergenic shampoo that can protect a Chilier’s sensitive skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $20 – $60 for a soft-bristle brush designed to prevent matting and tangles and nail clippers to keep their paws in good condition.
Like most small breeds, a Chilier doesn’t need a lot of food throughout the day, and an adult Chilier weighing between 4kg and 7kg should be fed around 60g – 80g daily. If we look at the foods below, this could mean a monthly spend of $30 – $180.
These are just estimates, and the actual price will depend on your Chilier’s age and size, as well as the brand you choose, the ingredients it contains, and the recommended portion size. We recommend consulting your vet for diet plan advice.
Veterinary care is one of the biggest ongoing expenses you’ll need to cover when you own a Chilier, especially as both Chihuahuas and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can suffer from specific health conditions. However, it’s not just these issues you need to worry about – there are also preventative procedures required all year round to keep your Chilier healthy. These include:
Annual vet checkups: $80 – $150 per visit to check for common breed-related issues, a weight check, and general wellness advice.
Vaccinations: $100 – $250 per year to protect your Chilier against life-threatening diseases like parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and kennel cough.
Worming and parasite protection: $15 – $30 per month to protect against parasites like fleas, ticks, heartworm, and various intestinal worms.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $600 for cleaning and extractions (if needed) under anaesthesia.
Pet insurance: $500 – $1,500 per year, depending on coverage level.
Most Chiliers have a medium-length, silky coat that requires both regular brushing at home and professional grooming to prevent matting and maintain skin health. Here’s what you might pay for certain grooming services:
Hydrobath prices: $20 – $50 per session for a basic bath to remove dirt and loose hair.
Full groom prices: $60 – $120 per session for a wash with hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner, blow-dry, brushing and de-shedding, trimming, ear cleaning, and nail trim.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $40 – $80 for an “in-between” wash and trim, focusing on these dirt-collecting areas.
As Chiliers are a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Chihuahuas, it’s fair to say they have a pretty strong-willed personality! If proper training hasn’t been given, this can manifest as bad behaviour, so classes are essential to keep both your dog and your home happy. Here’s what you can expect to pay for certain training classes:
Basic obedience training prices: $150 – $400 for a multi-week class covering several commands, lead walking, and socialisation with other dogs and people.
Puppy training class prices: $200 – $500 for a multi-week course that includes house training, crate training, early socialisation, and a few basic commands.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $100 – $250 per session for personalised training to remedy excessive barking, reactivity, separation anxiety, and more.
The cost of owning a Chilier is something that you’ll need to cover for many years, not just when you first purchase them. And, since a Chilier has an average lifespan of 10 – 16 years, you’ll need to feel comfortable and confident covering these expenses for a long time. That being said, the investment is more than worth it, and with proper care, you’ll have a furry friend who is loyal, loving, and will bring you years of happiness.
Several factors influence the cost of a Chilier. Here are a few:
Breeders want to make the ultimate puppy, so they will also spend a lot of time and money on finding the two best parents for the breed. Designer breeds are also prone to many health issues, increasing prices.
Finding a breeder is not easy, making these dogs fairly rare compared to other dog breeds, so the few people who breed them have made their pups very expensive. These pups are in demand but are challenging to come by. The price will also increase if the pup comes from a champion bloodline.
These small dogs have become very popular, so they are in high demand. The more popular the pup is, the more you can expect to pay.
You can save yourself a lot of trouble when it comes to purchasing a pup by simply purchasing it from a reputable breeder. Here’s how to choose a suitable breeder:
Good breeders put a lot of time and energy into their pups when caring for them and finding their forever homes. They will listen to you, answer your questions, and allow you to go and see the pups first.
A good breeder is fully registered with the relevant authorities or organisations. They will have the relevant documentation, such as pedigree papers and health check reports. They will also ensure the puppies have been dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
There will always be people who want to take advantage and scam you and who breed pups unethically. You must know how to spot the red flags and avoid these breeders; they will prey on first-time dog owners! You may notice that the breeder is not too keen on communicating with you and doesn’t know much about the breed. This is a red flag; do not trust them.
Reputable breeders put a lot of time and energy into understanding their pups and finding good homes. If they are ignorant, rather avoid them. Bad breeders also tend to have sketchy payment methods; it is worth looking at their website and social pages.
They’re not a good choice if their websites look unprofessional and have little to no information. Most bad breeders will advertise on social media platforms as they can benefit from free marketing.
Bad breeders often advertise prices that are too good to be true, and they usually are. You also do not want to support puppy mills, and if the pups are kept in cages and in bad conditions, you can be sure that their breeding practices are unethical.
Other costs to consider include feeding, vet care and grooming costs.
You will need to feed your pup high-quality dog food so they can grow properly and be healthy. So you should expect to pay about $20-$30 for dog food each month.
Their first year will be costly; you will likely need to pay $1000 or more on their initial vet fees. After that, you can pay around $300 to $400. You will also need to pay for pet insurance.
This doggo will not need professional grooming, but you must pay for puppy shampoo and all the necessary grooming tools. You can also get them professionally groomed now and then. So, you should expect to pay $100 to $200 for grooming each year.
Your dog’s nails will need to be trimmed, brushing and washing will need to be done to get rid of dog hair, you will need to brush your Chilier’s teeth, and all of this adds up.
This family-oriented dog is playful and loving, so they will make the perfect companion for anyone and will fit in almost any home. It all comes down to personal preference, and if you find that this pup is your match, it will undoubtedly be worth it!
Owning a dog is a big commitment, and you must know how much your doggo will cost you throughout its life to ensure you can care for and look after it properly! The Chilier is no exception. While they might not need as much attention as other breeds, you’ll still benefit from getting an idea of how much they’ll cost you.
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