Chihuahua Poodle Mix (Chi-Poo Breed Information) (2024)

Parent Breeds:

Chihuahua & Poodle

Breed Nickname:

Chi-Poo

Size:

Small

Height:

5 to 15 inches

Weight:

5 to 20 pounds

Life Span:

12 to 15 years

Coat Colors:

Cream, blue, brindle, brown, gray, silver, white, fawn, and black

Friendliness

Intelligence

Good for First-Time Owners

Good with Children

Easy to Train

Exercise Requirements

Ease of Grooming

Amount of Shedding

Amount of Drooling

Tendency to Bark

What Is A Chihuahua Poodle Mix Called?

The offspring of a Chihuahua and a Poodle is called a Chi-Poo. These dogs are also known as Choodles, Chipoodles, Poochi, and Poohuahuas.

The Chi-Poo is almost always bred with either a Toy or Teacup Poodle to keep them as small as possible.

A Standard Poodle being bred with a Chihuahua might also cause further issues for the offspring.

These small but mighty dogs are amazing companions for everyone thanks to their versatile nature. But is this the best breed to welcome into your family?

Let’s take a further look.

The Chi-Poo was originally intentionally bred in the 1970s in North America.

While the exact reasons for this breed are unknown, it is widely believed that the breeders wanted to create a dog that was as intelligent and trainable as the Poodle but with the adaptability of the Chihuahua.

In this modern world, more people are living in apartments without backyards.

Poodles are very athletic and settle best with a big backyard to burn off steam. Chihuahuas don’t have this issue and can easily live in apartments.

So, breeding these two dogs to get the Chi-Poo is offering the best of both worlds!

Another reason why Chi-Poos are lower maintenance than their parent breeds is that mixed breeds tend to minimize the health concerns of the parents.

This means fewer vet appointments (hopefully), aside from your routine checkups.

Chi-Poos are considered to be intelligent dogs with plenty of energy and playfulness. They like their own space and can be independent for a few hours at a time.

You might find that they relax in another room while you have guests over, despite acting like lap dogs around you.

This is the Chihuahua temperament showing through. Chihuahuas tend to gravitate towards one human more than the others in the family, creating a stronger bond with them.

Whale Poodles and Chihuahuas aren’t good at being left alone, the Chi-Poo is different. They tend to be fine on their own for hours and are therefore suitable for working households.

However, that doesn’t mean that the Chi-Poo wouldn’t prefer to be with you in your daily routine. They like burning off their energy while following you places, such as while running errands and on short walks.

They’re very intelligent, so they might get bored easily. Keep them stimulated with toys and games to avoid destructive behaviors.

Chihuahuas are also known for their stubborn streak, so you might find that your Chi-Poo inherits this, too.

They might only listen to their preferred caregiver, although early socialization and proper training can help rectify this behavior.

While mixed breeding is supposed to minimize the health concerns of the parent breeds, it is not a foolproof method.

Some Chi-Poos still suffer from these health issues, so you should be knowledgeable about them and the symptoms to look out for.

Here are some of the most important health issues to look for in Chi-Poos:

• Hypoglycemia: This is where the blood sugar levels drop too low. It can be fatal if not treated quickly and properly.
• Luxating Patellas: This is where the patella dislocates or moves out of its usual location. It can leave the leg limp and unresponsive, and be painful.
• Overactive Tear Glands: While you might just think this is watery eyes, it can also lead to conjunctivitis, allergic reactions, infections, and more.
• Glaucoma: This is cloudy eyes with pain, swelling, and loss of vision.

Since most of these issues concern the eyes, it is vital that you get them treated as soon as possible. Loss of vision in dogs can lead to depleting mental health in your companion, which is never nice to see.

Make sure that you are always taking your dog to their routine vet checkups to get any issues diagnosed quickly. This will better the chances of effective treatment.

Thanks to their Poodle parent, Chi-Poos are very intelligent and therefore great to train. They’re also people pleasers, so they’ll revel in making their owners happy.

Make sure you use plenty of positive reinforcement to show them that you’re happy with their behavior.

The Chihuahua’s stubborn streak might be present in your Chi-Poo, so they might have times when they’re easier to train than others.

They thrive on routine, so it’s a good idea that you keep their training at similar times and with the same people. This will minimize stubbornness and make training as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Chi-Poos are excitable dogs and therefore love being with their owners, so their exercise needs can be met while you’re out running errands.

They might be excitable, but they tire out quickly. Some Chi-Poos tire within just 10 minutes, but it could take 30 minutes.

They’re very adaptable, so they like all forms of exercise such as walking, swimming, and playing in the park.

Chi-Poos tire quickly, but their energy levels also replenish just as fast. They’ll need plenty of exercise sessions throughout the day to prevent boredom.

However, Chi-Poos are good for on-the-go people or busy professionals. They can live in apartments or large houses. If it’s the former, they’ll need to go out on more walks throughout the day.

Chi-Poos often suffer from gastric ailments and other digestive issues due to excessive breeding. This means that they will benefit from having lots of small meals throughout the day rather than all of their food at once.

Feed them high-quality food full of protein, with lots of vitamins and minerals, and minimal amounts of fat and carbohydrates.

As Chi-Poos are such small dogs, they only need tiny portions. Make sure that you stick to the feeding recommendations based on your dog’s weight to prevent overfeeding.

Talk to your vet if you’re unsure of how much to feed them a day.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas
• Best Puppy Food for Chihuahuas
• Best Dog Food for Poodles
• Best Puppy Food for Poodles

Chi-Poos are one of the rarer Doodle dogs and therefore come with a high price. Expect to see these puppies costing between $1,000 and $2,000, although some reputable breeders will cost even more.

It is vital that the parents are properly socialized for their offspring to follow in the same steps. Ideally, you should be able to meet at least one of the parents if you’re using a trusted breeder.

Ongoing costs include grooming appointments, routine vet appointments, and food.

Pet insurance might be more expensive due to the Chi-Poo’s small size and predisposition to certain health concerns.