Corgis and Chihuahuas are easily among the most popular token lap dog breeds. I guess it is what you would expect from the smallest doggy and the Queen’s favorite pooches. It is for this reason that Chigis are so wildly popular. At first glance, Chihuahuas and Corgis have nothing in common which makes imagining what their mix would look like. But take it from me, there is probably no designer doggy as adorable and generally lovable as the Chigi. Stick around and see for yourself.
A Chigi is a type of mixed breed dog obtained from mating between a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Chihuahua. Due to the size difference, the Corgi is typically chosen to carry the pups to avoid complications during pregnancy and delivery. This hybrid dog varies greatly in terms of size, build, and coat. It is difficult to stick this breed to one solid description, but whether large, small, Corgi-like, or Chihuahua-like, these dogs always stand out with their endearing aesthetic.
Chigi doggies have loving personalities and are generally fantastic pets whether you live alone or you want one for a family. However, they have specific care needs from grooming to training and health considerations. Here is all you need to know.
What Does A Corgi Chihuahua Mix Look Like?
With Corgi Chihuahua mixed doggies, despite differences in overall appearance, you can pretty much always tell what breeds were mixed. This is because they take almost equal numbers of features from both parents. It could be anything from a Chihuahua’s form with a Corgi’s coat to a chewie’s head shape with Corgi ears.
How big a Corgi Chihuahua mix will get depends on the sizes of the parents. More often than not they fall between both parent’s size ranges coming out smaller than the Corgi and larger than the Chihuahua.
On average, they weigh between 10 to 20 pounds. In terms of height, they are considered small dogs as are both parents and have a height range of 7 to 12 inches at the point of maturity.
What is perhaps the most striking features with Chigis are their head and facial features. More often than not, they have the characteristic apple head shape seen with Chihuahuas. They also tend to have the long and perky ears that Corgis are known for but the folded variety from the chewie parent are also commonly seen. The eyes are also often like those of the Chihuahua with their round and sometimes disproportionately large appearance.
When it comes to the coat features, here is where you get the most variety with this mixed breed doggy. They usually have short and smooth fur but it may be long or medium. The colors most commonly seen are brown and golden but they can also come out black, red, blue and different combinations with tan and cream.
How Long Do Corgi Chihuahuas Live? Health Problems Of A Chigi
Chigi doggies are generally very healthy and have a lifespan of 12 to 20 years which is pretty good in the dog world. This relative longevity does not come as a surprise with the mixed breed nature that usually leaves out most of the breed-specific conditions that plague the parents, especially when both the Chihuahua and Corgis have relatively long life expectancy themselves.
However, due to their small size and the inevitable inheritance of some genetic conditions, they do still suffer some health problems. Here are the most common of these.
Hip Dysplasia
This is a condition where the sockets in the hip and shoulder joint do not form properly. They affect the Chigi’s form and mobility. They also increase the dog’s risk of developing arthritis later on in their lives.
Allergic Dermatitis
This can be triggered by a variety of allergens including fleas, mites, ticks, poison ivy, some fabrics and chemicals found in shampoos. It results in skin irritation with hives and itchiness which is uncomfortable for the pooch.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
This skeletal issue affects the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae in the Corgi Chihuahua mix’s back bone. It could lead to issues like spinal cord prolapse which causes pain and may end in paralysis.
Epilepsy
This is inherited mainly from the Chihuahua parent but Corgi’s also occasionally suffer the condition. It is a relatively easy one to maintain despite being so dramatic and with proper care should not affect the length or quality of your furry bestie’s life.
Hypoglycemia
This is a condition where the blood sugar levels are lower than what is needed to maintain normal functioning. It is particularly common with Chigis that grow to be very small.
How To Take Care Of A Corgi Chihuahua
Corgi Chihuahua mixed dogs are relatively easy to take care of. You just need to understand their often very specific needs, come up with a care plan that addresses them all and stick to the program. To help you out in your potential new journey as a Chigi parent, here are the most important tips to ensuring you take the best care of the doggies.
Go With A Low Carb High Protein Diet
As small dogs, Chigi’s are naturally prone to obesity. Their skeletal issues ranging from back problems to loose joints also mean that their bones need as much help as they can get. A low carb diet prevents excess weight gain while high protein levels promote muscle growth to support the skeletal system.
In this case, we recommend you try Ketona Ketogenic Dog Food for your Chigi. Its low carb and high protein organic formula is ideal to maintain weight and build muscle bulk for the pooch.
Include Skeletal Supplements In The Diet
With issues like intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, Chigis need skeletal supplements. Doggie Dailies Glucosamine is our best recommended option here. It contains compounds like chondroitin and glucosamine that help with improved joint function and relief of arthritis pain.
Make Sure They Get Enough Exercise
Chihuahua Corgi mixes can get angsty and stubborn when they are not mentally and physically stimulated. So set aside at least 30 minutes of playtime or other form of exercise during the day.
Invest In Quality Grooming Products
With their ultra-sensitive skin, you want to avoid harsh and chemical-laden products whether it is shampoo, deo or even doggy wipes.
Do Corgi Chihuahuas Shed? Grooming Tips Of A Chigi
Corgi Chihuahua mixes shed minimally. This applies to all coat types whether long, medium or short. Although not all the way hypoallergenic, they are much easier to live with for family members or guests who are allergic to dogs.
The specific grooming needs are determined by the coat type. Yes, all 3 varieties shed more or less at an equal rate and volume. However, the amount of care you need to take to keep the coat looking good varies.
With the short haired and medium types of coat, you can get away with brushing your Chigi’s fur once or twice every week. This keeps the fur smooth and healthy and reduces overall shedding by getting rid of loose hair before it is shed all over your home.
With longer-haired Corgi Chihuahua mixes on the other hand, a little more care is needed. This is because they are more prone to tangling and matting. To prevent this, increase the number of times you comb your doggy’s fur to 3 to 4 times a week. This ensures that you not only detangle mats but also get rid of loose fur for a healthier coat that sheds significantly less.
Whether long or short, you will need the right tools for the job to ensure that the brushing actually helps. Consider the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. It has fine and curved bristles that work with all coat types and features a click to release mechanism to get rid of the fur collected for easy cleaning.
In addition to the brushing, just wash your Chigi once every month remembering to clip the nails and clean the ears especially if they are droopy.
Are Corgi Chihuahuas Good Dogs? Temperaments Of A Chigi
Corgi Chihuahuas are fantastic dogs to have around the home. They take the best features of their parents and the few negatives are definitely not deal breakers. To help you understand what you have to expect, here are the most important temperament traits of a Chigi.
Social
They take time to warm up but when they do Chigis get along really well with everyone from random strangers in the streets to children and even other pets in the house.
Gentle
Chihuahua Corgi mixes are fantastic family pets if you do not want to deal with aggression. Even when frustrated, these doggies remain calm and gentle with very few, if any, tantrums.
Affectionate
Chigis are super loving. You can expect a lot of snuggle attacks, cuddle requests and fishing for praises.
Playful
If you want a playful dog then the Chigi will definitely scratch that itch. They love to play and something as simple as a game of catch in the living room will make them happy.
Alert And Curious
These doggies are very aware of their environment. This could come in handy if you want your Chigi to double up as a guard dog.
Sensitive
These dogs are really loving and want to be treated with the same affection and gentleness that they give. Harsh treatment will only drive a wedge between you and make the doggy harder to live with.
Occasionally Noisy
Chigis are not as yappy as Chihuahuas which if you want peace and quiet in your house is a major bonus. However, when anxious and if not properly trained they can be a little noisy.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Corgi Chihuahua Mix? Corgi Chihuahua mixes are relatively expensive and will cost you anywhere between $300 and $1,000 and even as much as $1,200. This is because it is not a very common designer doggy mix, and the parents can also be very expensive. However, if you are patient and lucky, you could get one for cheaper or even free from adoption shelters.
Do Chihuahuas Need Help Giving Birth? Chihuahua deliveries are notoriously problematic due to the doggy’s small size. This can cause complications for both the mother and the pups, with outcomes as unfortunate as death. With a mixed breed, the second breed is often chosen to be the mother carrying the mixed pups as the size is more often than not more than Chihuahua females can handle.
Can Corgi Chihuahuas Be Left Alone? Corgi Chihuahuas are not exactly super clingy, but they definitely love the company of their owners. So much as you can actually live them alone, they will not enjoy it. It is thus not advisable to leave them unsupervised for long as they get frustrated and destructive in such situations.
