Chipin Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Chipin?

These designer dogs were first bred back in the early 2000s, and it's considered that the first breeders were located in North America.

The purpose of this breed's existence is relatively unknown; however, it can be considered that dog breeders wanted to create another new breed to help minimise certain health issues or to combine personality traits and temperaments.

The breed is crossed between a Chihuahua, which is an ancient breed from Mexico, and the Minature Pinscher. This dog type is known on the International designer canine registry, but due to their designer breed status, they're not officially recognised by the American Kennel Club.

Despite their lack of recognition within this breed club, it doesn't make them any less sought-after and popular by dog owners around the world. This Chihuahua Miniature Pinscher breed is still a loved one!

Who are Chipin dogs best for?

The Chipin are those that prefer the company of adults and older children. Whilst they do cope with other pets in the home, they don't always get along with them. It's something that should be considered before adopting or buying this breed if you have other dogs.

Early socialisation is important to ensure they get on with most people and pets. As Chipin puppies, they'll learn to socialise if you teach them correctly. They're prone to social anxiety, so it's important that you're giving your Chihuahua Miniature Pinscher mix plenty of attention.

How much grooming does a Chipin need?

The Chihuahua and miniature pinscher mix come with coats that are often short to medium in length. They're also very straight and smooth, making them fairly easy to groom with the right brush and dog grooming products. A mild dog shampoo will work well with these pups as it helps clean their coat but also loosens any hair that might be actively shedding.

Chipins aren't hypoallergenic, meaning they're not the ideal solution for those who have dog allergies. Bathing is recommended at least once every month to prevent matting and any smells from forming.

Brushing is required a few times a week to keep their short coat in good condition, and as well as trimming their nails and brushing their teeth daily, this is the extent of their grooming needs.

Do Chipin bark much?

With Chipins, they tend to be little dogs that love to guard over their owners. As such, they do tend to get very protective and territorial of their owners. This isn't something that can necessarily be prevented, making it difficult for some owners to manage when guests are around.

When it comes to their barking, they do tend to bark a lot as a result of guarding and fear. It's always good to introduce your dogs to strangers slowly and guests before they enter your home. That way, you can prevent them from barking too much or getting aggressive.

They do have a loud bark, considering they're such miniature in stature. It's not a bark that all owners will appreciate having, so it's important to factor this in when it comes to owning a dog breed like this one. The Miniature pinscher and the Chihuahua are exactly the same when it comes to their yappy barking.

Do Chipin bite?

Just like any dog type, they're prone to bite. Miniature Pinschers and Chihuahuas are more prone to biting because they're small and territorial in nature.

With that being said, a lot of this can be handled through early socialisation and making sure they're trained properly. You can certainly help reduce the risk of biting with the right training and commands in place.

What is the temperament & personality of a Chipin?

Chipins are small but they have a lot of love to give, especially when it comes to their owners. They demand a lot of attention, so you're going to be an owner who lives for their dogs and wants to give as much love and time to their dogs as possible. They're energetic, which certainly makes them fun to be around and they're constantly curious.

You'll love their sweet and loyal nature that comes from their Miniature pinscher and Chihuahua parents.

What is the weight & size of a Chipin?

You can guarantee that you'll have a very small dog on your hands. This dog type is one that you'll be able to pick up very easily and with little effort.

Typically they are classed as a toy to small in size and weigh around 2.2-8.1 kg, which is a fairly diverse weight range. They also stand around 18-31 cm tall. With their tiny to small stature, they make a great apartment or studio dog.

How much training does a Chipin need?

Training Chipins are going to be fairly easy as they are intelligent and can pick up commands fairly easily, especially when treats are involved. They need around 45 minutes of daily exercise and this will help with any behavioural issues that tend to crop up from being underexercised or stimulated mentally.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Chipin?

Chipin health issues can be inherited from their Chihuahua parent or Min Pin parent. These include any of the following:

• Cataracts

• Low bloody pressure

• Spina Bifida

• Progressive retinal atrophy

• Obesity

• Hip Dysplasia

As far as these health problems go, they tend to be fairly common in most dogs. It's not something that you can prevent for the most part with most of these ailments. However, for problems like obesity, keeping track of their diet is a good way to combat weight gain.

It's important that in order for them to live a long and healthy life, it's good to ensure they're being well looked after from a young age. It's inevitable that they will have health problems as they get older, just like us humans! The longer you can prevent them from having those issues though, the better quality of life they'll have.

What is the lifespan of a Chipin?

The average lifespan of a Chipin is around 10 to 16 years of age. This is something that is fairly decent when it comes to the lifespan of most small dogs.

As long as you're looking after their well-being by providing plenty of mental and physical stimulation, as well as taking them regularly to the vet, you should have no problems!

How much should you feed a Chipin?

This mixed breed doesn't need a huge amount of food to keep it sustained throughout the day. For the most part, it'll need around half a cup of food per day. You should limit their treats in order to prevent your Chipin puppies from gaining too much weight.

Their diet will need to change as they get older, so it's important to consult your vet, should you have any concerns.

What is the price of a Chipin in Australia?

Despite other pets and designer breeds in general, the Chipins are affordable for most. You would typically expect a Chipin to cost anywhere between $150 to around $600 depending on the breeder and your location.