Chihuahua Poodle Mix: Meet The Chi-Poo dog

The Chihuahua Poodle mix is a small mixed-breed dog created by combining the world’s smallest dog – the Mexican Chihuahua, with the German Poodle, a medium-sized hypoallergenic companion pet. This combination is an adorable, affectionate, and active small dog with plenty of personality to compensate for its lack of size. Because of their hypoallergenic coat, the Chihuahua Poodle is perfect for anyone with allergies that are looking for a low-maintenance pet.

Image credit: aimer_chipoo

To learn more about the Chi-poo, as it is otherwise known, we’ll take a look back through the histories, temperaments, suitability, and popularity of each parent breed to get a better idea of where the Poodle Chihuahua mix came from.

Chihuahua Poodle Mix – At a glance

Weight:	5–20 pounds
Height:	5–15 inches
Lifespan:	12–15 years
Coat Colors:	Cream, brown, black, blue, brindle, silver, grey, white.
Temperament:	Playful, loving, independent.
Suitable for:	Active families, active single individuals, active elderly individuals.

Chihuahua Poodle mix characteristics and info chart.

What Does a Chihuahua Poodle Mix Look Like?

Like most designer dogs, Chihuahua Poodle mixes will inherit their physical appearance from each parent breed. You can expect your Poodle Chihuahua mix to be a small dog, with a short coat type. It will either have a curly coat (like the Poodle) or a wavy coat (like the Chihuahua), although in all cases will be a single coat, and be hypoallergenic.

The average size of a Chihuahua Poodle mix will only be between 5 and 15 inches tall – adopting their small size from the Chihuahua parent dog. You can expect your Chi-poo to inherit the large eyes of the Poodle but the facial shape and size of the Chihuahua. It may also inherit the upright ears of the Chihuahua.

When it comes to coat colors, your Poodle Chihuahua mix could inherit a combination of both parent breeds, or a solid color of either one. Coat colors are one of the most difficult physical characteristics of mix breed dogs to predict.

Other aspects of a designer dog’s physical appearance can also be difficult to predict, as much of it depends on the predominant genes during the mixing of the parent dogs.

The History of the Chihuahua Poodle Mix

Unfortunately, we don’t have much history on the Poodle Chihuahua mix. The breed was likely produced during the late 1990s and early 2000s when crossbreeding became popular across the United States.

However, we do know plenty about their parent breeds – the Poodle and the Chihuahua – so, we’re going to take a dive into the histories of each parent dog to learn more about the how the Poodle Chihuahua mix came to be.

The History of the Poodle

The Poodle is a breed of water dog about who’s origin there is intense debate. Some cynologists believe the Poodle was bred in Germany, others believe it originated in France. In either case, Poodles were bred as fetching dogs for small-game hunters – created for their speed and agility in the water, they originally fetched downed ducks and other small water-based game.

Renowned for their curly coat types that help to repel water, Poodles also have a double fur coat, which features an insulating base layer, followed by a water-repellent outer layer. It is believed that the Poodle was developed in the Middle Ages in Germany, where their namesake “puddeln” originates – which means “to splash.”

During their early years, Poodles weren’t just used as water dogs, they were also used in circuses and obedience trials, but in modern history are now popular family pets. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886.

The Poodle comes in four different types: Miniature Poodle, Toy Poodle, Standard Poodle and the Medium Poodle – though the latter is not universally recognized as a breed.

How Popular Are Poodle?

Poodles are generally popular worldwide as companion pets – in all of their various forms. In the United States in 2021, Poodles ranked as the 5th most popular dog breed in the US, according to the American Kennel Club.

Who Are Poodle a Good Dog For?

Poodles are a wonderful choice of pet for growing families or those with allergies to pet dander. Their gentle, non-aggressive nature makes them a good option for those with smaller children too. The miniature Poodle may also be a good fit for an active elderly couple or single person.

Poodles do need a fair bit of daily exercise. So, prepare to walk your Poodle daily and encourage mental stimulation. More on that later.

How Did Poodle Come About?

There’s debate about whether Poodles herald from France or Germany, with various cynologists from the international cynology community disagreeing about where the Poodle originated.

Poodles were originally bred to be water dogs – fetching dogs for hunters who hunted waterfowl, such as ducks, swans, or geese. Today, however, they are known as loving and loyal companions.

When Did First Cross-Breed The Poodle?

For many owners, Poodles are generally kept as purebred dogs due to their temperaments and hypoallergenic coats. However, this hypoallergenic coat tends to carry over to mixed-breed dogs. For this reason, Poodles tend to be a very popular crossbreed. This crossbreeding of Poodles likely began in the 1990s and early 2000s, as breeding dogs of different types and sizes became popular throughout the United States.

Some popular Poodle crosses include:

Corgi Poodle Mix (Corgi-poo)
English Bulldog Poodle Mix (Boodle)
Pug Poodle Mix (Pug-a-poo)
Doberman Poodle Mix (Doberdoodle)
Labrador Retriever Poodle Mix (Labradoodle)

The History of the Chihuahua

The Chihuahua originated in Mexico, in a Mexican state of the same name. Descended from the Techichi, a small, mute dog owned by the Toltec Peoples, an Aztec tribe, the modern-day Chihuahua bears striking physical resemblance to the Techichi.

The Chihuahua is the world’s smallest dog breed. They were first noted in the Mexican State of Chihuahua in the mid-19th century, but they were first noted in the United States in 1904 and were likely sold to American tourists in Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century.

Chihuahuas today are almost exclusively kept as companion pets for elderly owners or family pets or are used as show dogs. Interestingly, the breed standard for a Chihuahua does not specify, though most tend to be between 6 and 9 inches tall, with the taller Chihuahuas reaching roughly 15 inches tall.

How Popular Are Chihuahuas?

Chihuahuas have been steadily gaining popularity in the United States since their introduction in the early 20th century. Chihuahuas were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904, and have been favored as companion animals ever since.

In 2021, Chihuahuas ranked as the 37th most popular dog in the United States, according to the AKC’s breed popularity rankings.

Who Are Chihuahuas a Good Dog For?

Given their small size, Chihuahuas are often popular companion animals of the elderly, particularly for those looking for an active companion – as Chihuahuas are far from lazy dogs – but, they won’t wear you out.

They’re also small dogs with a slight Napoleon complex and fervently loyal to their human companions. Expect your Chihuahua to be a bit of a barker. Chihuahuas can also suffer from intense separation anxiety. This, combined with their barking, doesn’t make them great apartment pets.

Chihuahuas do best in family homes, and are a popular breed for their general demeanor, social skills and as low-shedding dogs.

How Did Chihuahuas Come About?

The exact origins of the Chihuahua are unknown. However, they were first noted in the mid-19th century in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, but are thought to descend from the Techichi, a small dog kept by the Aztecs in the 9th century.

Today, they are popular with experienced dog owners and first-time dog owners.

When Did First Cross-Breed The Chihuahua?

Crossbreeding of the Chihuahua is a relatively new thing. Due to the size differences between Chihuahuas and other breeds, any breeds that are of larger size (if bred with a female Chihuahua), typically will need to be bred via IVF treatments.

In the modern era, mixed-breed dogs have been extremely popular throughout the United States since the 1990s or early 2000s. Many popular Chihuahua crosses created during this time include:

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix (Pit Chi)
Chihuahua Greyhound Mix (Grey Chi)
Corgi Chihuahua Mix (Chigi)
Border Collie Chihuahua Mix (Border Chi)
Doberman Chihuahua Mix (Dober Chi)

How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?

One of the most important aspects of preparation for your family’s new pet is researching the possible temperamental tendencies that your new dog may display. You want to ensure that the temperament and habits of your new pup don’t overly disrupt your family’s lifestyle – as the whole point of getting a new dog is to enrich your family life, not detract from it.

If you’re an active family, you’ll want to find an active companion that can accompany you on your weekend hikes, or trips to the beach, or evening run. Similarly, if you’re a more relaxed, laid-back family unit, you’ll want a dog that’s going to embrace the more laissez-faire aspects of life. Like, a Pug!

What is the Temperament of the Chihuahua Poodle Mix?

The Poodle Chihuahua mix will adopt the temperaments of each of it’s parent breeds. Like many Poodle mixes, you can expect your Poodle Chihuahua mix to be a calm and loving pet, with the loyalty of the Chihuahua.

The Poodle Chihuahua mix will be a moderately active breed, though it may be easily excitable, like their Chihuahua parent breed. You can expect your Poodle Chihuahua mix to be an affectionate and loving dog, happy to curl up on your lap after playtime.

Is The Chihuahua Poodle Mix Friendly?

In general, your can expect your Poodle Chihuahua mix to be a very friendly animal! They may be initially suspicious of strangers and may bark aggressively at those who come to the door, but this can rectified with positive reinforcement training.

Is The Chihuahua Poodle Mix Easy to Train?

When training the Poodle Chihuahua mix, you may experience some stubbornness as the Chihuahua’s independent genes come into play. Persistence and positive reinforcement techniques are key. Training with other dogs is a great way to improve your Poodle Chihuahua’s social skills.

How Much Can A Chihuahua Poodle Mix Weigh?

The average weight of a Chihuahua Poodle mix is between 5 and 20 pounds.

How Tall Can A Chihuahua Poodle Mix Get?

The average height of a Chihuahua Poodle mix is between 5 and 15 inches tall.

Similar-Sized Breeds

There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Chihuahua Poodle mix. These include:

Maltese
Chihuahua
Bichon Frise
Miniature Dachshund
Jack Russell Terrier
Papillon
Toy Poodle

Does the Chihuahua Poodle Mix Shed?

Fortunately for owners with dander allergies, the Chihuahua Poodle is a low-shedding dog, who’s dander isn’t an allergen due to the Poodle genetics! Unfortunately, many short-haired Chihuahuas suffer from dry skin and other skin conditions that need regular grooming (including washing) to help mitigate. If you notice skin irritation with your Chi-poo puppy, you may need to seek out a vet.

How Much Exercise Does A Chihuahua Poodle Mix Require?

Like their parent breeds, the Poodle Chihuahua mix will have a moderate energy level. This will mean about 45 minutes of daily walks, including other physical activities such as fetch.

As a pet parent, part of your job is encouraging mental stimulation for your Poodle Chihuahua mix. This could mean outdoor brain games, or if you’re leaving them alone for extended periods of time, we suggest a small KONG toy to prevent boredom.

How Long Can a Chihuahua Poodle Mix Live?

The average lifespan of a Chihuahua Poodle is between 12 and 15 years.

What Health Conditions Could the Chihuahua Poodle Mix Have?

Patellar Luxation (Kneecap dislocation)
Periodontal Disease (Dental Diseases)
Otitis Externa (Ear Infections)
Epiphora (Overactive tear ducts)
Tracheal Collapse (Progressive respiratory disorder)

How Can You Find a Chihuahua Poodle Mix Puppy For Sale?

Before you start searching for a Chihuahua Poodle mix puppy to purchase, we instead recommend you start by searching for one to adopt! The greatest gift of new life you can give to any pet is typically one of adopting it from an animal shelter or vet clinic.

Thousands of American dogs languish in vet clinics and animal shelters each day, just waiting to find their forever home. Search your clinic or shelter to see a Chihuahua Poodle mix is waiting to be adopted!

Alternatively, you can search online at AdoptAPet.com to see if there are any privately owned Chihuahua Poodles in your local area.

How Much Does a Chihuahua Poodle Mix Puppy Cost?

The average cost of a Chihuahua Poodle mix is roughly $800. This amount varies depending on the breeder and location, but is still roughly double the cost of adopting a Chi-poo from a clinic or animal shelter.

However, if you’re set on a buying a Poodle Chihuahua mix, ensure that you do so through a reputable breeder! To help you out, we’ve written this handy guide on how to find and work with a reputable breeder – and how to avoid puppy mills.

Is the Chihuahua Poodle Mix the Right Breed For You?

If you’re looking for a spry, spunky companion that keeps you active but also knows when to relax and is gentle with children – and a good match for your visiting allergic Aunt, then the Poodle Chihuahua mix might be right for you!

If you’re still unsure or would like to consider other breeds first, we’ve created an extensive catalog of breed guides to help you.

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