Chihuahuas and Pitbulls are two of the most misunderstood dog breeds. Chihuahuas have a reputation as feisty little divas, while pitties are imprisoned by their aggressive stereotype.
These doggies are definitely not for the faint of heart. So imagine my surprise when I found out that pitbull chihuahua mixes were a thing. After overcoming my shock and doing my research, I learned that these mixed doggies are actually pretty awesome.
Here is more on what I learned about the Chipit in case you are interested in this very unique designer pooch.
A Chipit is a mixed-breed dog between a Chihuahua and an American Pitbull Terrier or other members of the Pitbull dog type. Due to the vast differences in size and build, breeders prefer to have a female Pitbull carry the offspring. This is because they tend to come out larger than the Chihuahua parent and it is much safer this way.
Again due to the differences, the general appearance of the Chipit is difficult to predict or accurately describe, with genetics playing a huge role in determining how the pups come out. However, one thing is for sure with these dogs, and that is the fact that they come out as feisty, confident, and energetic as both of their parents are.
Let us take a closer look at what you have to look forward to in case you go through with the adoption of one of these furry little buddies.
What Does A Chihuahua And Pitbull Mix Look Like?
As already mentioned, it is not very easy to accurately describe what Chipits look like. This is because the parents themselves look nothing alike. In order to understand what you are in for and estimate the appearance, you have to first know what the parents look like.
Chihuahuas are tiny doggies and are actually considered the smallest standard dog breed. They weigh between 4 to 6 pounds and measure 6 to 10 inches in height. Believe it or not, they can actually be smaller than this with the likes of teacup and miniature chihuahuas. However, when it comes to Chipit breeding it is the standard-sized doggies that are used.
Pitbulls, on the other hand, refer to a group of dog breeds and not one specific breed. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They measure 16 to 20 inches in height and are thus considered medium to large build breeds. When it comes to weight, they are muscular and heavy, with an average weight of 40 to 80 pounds at maturity.
There is clearly a huge difference in terms of weight from 6 to 80 pounds and this variety is evident in the Chipits. Genetics play the biggest role in determining just how big a chihuahua pitbull will grow. More often than not, they end up in the medium dog size measuring an average of 20 inches in height and 20 pounds or more in weight.
When it comes to the actual build, they tend to be stocky and masculine like their pitbull parents. They also often take after the pitty’s dome-shaped head but may occasionally take after the chihuahua parent with the apple head shape.
Finally, when it comes to the coat, they more often than not have the short and smooth coat from the pitbull side in brown, black, tan, or golden. They may also have long hair like Long-Haired Chihuahuas, but these are very rare.
How Long Do Pitbull Chihuahuas Live? Common Health Problems Of A Pitbull Chihuahua
More often than not, size has a lot to do with a dog’s lifespan, with smaller dogs living longer. For reference, Chihuahuas can live for up to 12 to 20 years, while Pitbulls have an average lifespan of 8 to 15 years. Due to the often larger size of the Chipit, the lifespan is closer to the pitbull parent, with a range of 10 to 13 years or more.
Health also plays a huge role in determining the lifespan that the doggy gets to enjoy. Pitbull chihuahua mixed dogs are generally healthy but may suffer from some illnesses inherited from both bloodlines. These include:
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is an acute condition where blood sugars fall below what is required for normal functioning. This happens a lot in Chipits due to their extremely playful nature. You thus have to ensure that they have enough food and treats to fuel their active lifestyles.
Collapsing Trachea
This refers to the collapsing of the cartilaginous rings that keep the airway open. In Chipits, it could be a weakness inherited from the chihuahua’s parent. It can also be a result of pupping on collars which are common with Pitbulls and their offspring, including mixed breeds.
Patellar Luxation
This happens more frequently with Chipits that come out on the smaller side. The knee bone gets loose either spontaneously or following injury and hinders optimum mobility for the doggy.
Heart Diseases
These could be due to congenital anomalies, in which case patent ductus arteriosus is one of the most common cardiac diseases. It could also be deterioration from old age, as is the case with mitral valve disease which if untreated could progress to heart failure and death.
How To Take Care Of A Chipit?
Chipits are relatively low maintenance, they just need to be fed, let out, and groomed every now and then. To help make things easier for you, here are a few foolproof tips that should ensure you give your chihuahua pitbull mix the very best home.
Establish And Stick To An Appropriate Meal Plan
Chipits have really big appetites and really high energy demands with their active lifestyles. It is therefore important that you ensure to feed them an appropriate amount of food every day at set schedules.
Zesty Paws Superfood Chewable Treats also come in handy for an additional boost of energy between main meals plus access to superfood ingredients for a strong and healthy doggy.
Supplement Diet With Essential Micronutrients
In addition to the main diet with macros like protein and carbs, you may have to supplement some compounds and micronutrients for the dog’s sake. Those that help with skeletal health like Zesty Paws Hip And Joints Supplement are particularly important for conditions like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia.
Start Obedience Training And Socialization Early
Like their parents, Chipits have very big personalities and can be problematic to deal with as they grow older, to spare yourself the drama of raising a stubborn and aggressive dog, make sure to start training and socialization as early as possible.
Get Them A Comfortable Bed
Chipits sleep for 12 to 14 hours a day so bedtime is definitely something to invest in. Get your dog a nice comfortable bed preferably something with support for their often problematic bones and joints.
Invest In Playtime
These doggies have a lot of energy and if they get bored and idle they often resort to mischief and aggression. The Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen will definitely come in handy in this case. Just have them in there with all their toys when you are to busy to go outside with them.
Do Pitbull Chihuahuas Shed? Grooming Tips For Pitbull Chihuahuas
Pitbull chihuahua mixes shed minimally to moderately.
This is due to the short and smooth nature of their fur. With this coat type, issues like matting which cause increased shedding are less common so your grooming responsibilities are definitely fewer.
In fact you can get away with brushing the pooch’s fur once or twice every week to keep it smooth and healthy.
However, some Chipits inherit longer fur from their chihuahua parents. For this case, shedding tends to be more in terms of volume and noticeability. The volume increases due to issues like matting after long strands form knots.
If your chihuahua pitbull mix has this type of hair then the best thing for you to do is increase your frequency of brushing to 3 or even 4 times a week. This allows you to detangle any knotted fur and get rid of loose hair before it becomes a menace in your home.
In addition to the coat type, skin health plays a huge role in determining how much a Chipit sheds and by extension the associated grooming needs. They are prone to skin reactions from flea, tick and mite infestations which may result in loss of fur.
Oster Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal comes in handy in this case with oatmeal to sooth the irritated skin and fragrances to ward off future infestations.
In conclusion, do not forget about the nails when grooming your Chipit. This will save them and you a lot of trouble because they tend to itch a lot and the last thing you want is infections from the scratching. Do consider the H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers. They are designed to offer a clean and smooth cut for healthy and safe nails.
Temperament Of A Pitbull Chihuahua: More Pitbull Or Chihuahua?
Chihuahuas and pitbulls are both known for their problematic personalities. Chihuahuas can be loud, stubborn and are easily frightened. Pitbulls on the other hand have very aggressive and unpredictable temperaments which lands them and anyone they are suspicious of in a lot of trouble.
Despite this unpleasant family history, Chipits are actually relatively unproblematic. In fact they often take after the best aspects of both parent’s personalities with just a few negative ones making the cut every now and then. Here are some of their most important personality traits.
Active
The Chipit is a firecracker in every sense of the word and get seriously frustrated if they are forced to be idle. This means you will have to do a lot of playing and outdoor activities together to keep them happy.
Curious
They are also very curious little dogs and love nothing more than exploring. They will sniff, scratch and gawk at anything they consider interesting and require constant mental stimulation to burn through this energy.
Affectionate
Chihuahua pitbull mixes are loving dogs and often form very strong bonds with their owners. It may be big but do not be surprised when they try to force their way onto your laps for a snuggle.
Loyal
These doggies are also incredibly loyal, almost to a fault. They love their families and will do anything to protect them and sometimes this causes a lot of trouble.
Intelligent
Chipits are not the smartest dogs out there, but they are definitely above average when it comes to dog intelligence. This makes them very easy to live with and to train so take advantage as early as possible.
Related Questions
What Happens If A Chihuahua Gets Pregnant By A Bigger Dog? When it comes to mixed breeding between dogs of different sizes, it is never a good idea to have the smaller dog as the female. With chihuahuas, it could lead to serious complications or even death to both the bitch and her pups. This is because the resulting mixed breed is often larger than the average female chihuahua is built to carry.
What Is The Best Breed To Mix With A Chihuahua? Chihuahuas are common in designer dog breeds and have been mixed with everything from labradors to Yorkshire terriers. When it comes to size, the best breeds to mix with chihuahuas are small breed dogs, including Yorkies, Maltese, Dachshunds, and Pugs. If, on the other hand, you want a more manageable personality, calm dogs like golden retrievers and labradors are the best.
How Much Does A Chipit Cost? The price ranges from $175 to $900 for a Chipit pup. This depends mainly on where you choose to buy it with professional breeders charging a lot more than shelters. It could also be due to the pedigree of the specific pitty or chihuahua used in the mix in which case quality prime bloodlines will cost you more.
