Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Facts

Chihuahua Mixed With Pitbull

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is the result of a Pitbull mixed with Chihuahua. The breed is known as Chihuahua Pitbulls or Pihuahua. It’s a rare crossbreed but it takes the best traits from the parent breeds. Both dogs are known for their high energy levels. Both dogs also exhibit unquestionable loyalty when it comes to their owner. In this particular mix, the dog being energetic and loyal translates playfulness, affectionate, protective, and requires strict obedience training.

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Pitbull Crossed With Chihuahua

1. Its growth is unpredictable. Pitbulls are known for their medium to large builds. Chihuahuas are known to be the smallest dogs in the world. It is almost impossible to tell how big or small the dog will be within one year. This could be problematic since some families do not want big dogs, thus sending them to pounds once they got too big.
2. The dog’s temperament might be unpredictable. This mix is also a product of a chihuahua. It is known that chihuahuas are bossy and feisty despite its size. Chihuahuas over protectiveness towards their owner tend to get physical so it requires proper obedience training.
3. This breed can be destructive when bored. Being energetic, this mix breed tends to be playful. But once they get bored, they might chew on some shoes or sofas to burn that excess energy. Having the determination of a Pitbull and the playful attitude of the chihuahua, it can reduce your shoes to its new chew toy or rip apart your favorite lazy boy in minutes.

3 Reasons Why You Should Get a Chihuahua Pitbull Mix

1. Protective Companions. Chihuahua mix with Pitbull tends to be cautious with other people. Their affection and protection extend only to their families which makes them great guard dogs. Their looks can be intimidating to some and might give people second thought before petting them.
2. Affectionate and Empathic. Chihuahua Pitbull can easily recognize when you feel happy or feel down. On top of that, they will try their best to cheer you up or celebrate with you. Sharing some traits from the Pitbull, it loves being a lap dog.
3. Active Lifestyle. Pitbull crossed with Chihuahua are balls of energy. They love long runs and the open field. If you are a health buff, this dog is a perfect running partner. Pitbull Chihuahua can also motivate you to start running if you haven’t started yet. Most instances, they will initiate so you can start running with them.

Appearance, Personality, and Traits of a Pitbull Chihuahua Mix

A Pitbull Chihuahua is a very active dog due to its parent’s natural trait. It prefers playing and running so expect a new jogging partner. Despite being energetic, a Chihuahua crossed with Pitbull will always try to console you whenever it felt a hint of sadness coming from the owner. They are extremely protective of their family.

Though extremely protective, they might get physical towards strangers. The Chihuahuas cautious trait can manifest, thus being aggressive towards other animals and people.

It is strongly advised to train your Chippit with proper social skills.

Since it also comes from a Pitbull, it’s strength is immense. Pitbulls are known to be very physical when playing. Even if the Pitbull Chihuahua is just being playful, it might not control its strength. What the Chihuahua Pitbull consider a sporty pounce might be a painful tackle to its playmate. The extra measure should be applied by socializing it with other dogs and with people.

Despite that, this breed is guaranteed to be a good guard of the house and very loyal to its family. It loves playing with children since they also tend to be as energetic as the dog. But if left unchecked and untrained, it might ruin a good pair of shoes or your sofa since they get bored easily.

Chihuahua Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale

Chippits are very rare. This little ball of energy is always sought after due to its looks and loyalty. Remember: mix puppies often get the traits of their parents. This includes the good ones and the bad ones. A dog owner must remember that when choosing a mix puppy, they are getting the personality and needs of two different dogs.

Mix breeds are also susceptible to the diseases from their parents, despite studies proving that they are healthier than pure breeds. Always do your research on how to spot healthy animals before considering a purchase.

In getting a Chihuahua Pitbull mix, it would be great if you consider adopting first.  Check your local rescue groups or your shelter for any Chippit mix that needs a new family or home. You can contact your city or State’s shelter. Not only can you save money, but you can give a home to a great dog.

But considering that the chihuahua pitbull mix is a rare breed, you might opt to buy one. Never buy from an online ad or a pet store. There is a great chance that they might sell you a puppy from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a practice where high-yield breeding of dogs is done. These companies consider the health of neither the parent nor their offsprings resulting in health problems.

Consider looking for a small-scale local breeder whose facility is open for inspection. A good breeder keeps their kennels and operations available for visitors. They usually have medical records for each of their puppies and their parents so you can be assured of their health. Keep in mind that when visiting a kennel make sure the place is clean and spacious. This indicates that the dogs are properly cared for and knowing that they can play with other dogs.

Good breeders also give you some pieces of advice. They can also gauge you whether you can actually own a dog. Better ask them questions related to owning a dog so you can have a general idea of what to be expected when taking care for one.

Below is the list of Pitbull Chihuahua breeders:

1. Marilyn Awram, Canada
2. Shirley Banderet, Arizona
3. Terri Barnes, Kentucky
4. Cathleen Cogan Bird, Canada
5. Vicky Bisard, Michigan

You can also check out sites like www.petfinder.com and www.adoptapet.com to help you in looking for that specific breed.

Grooming Your Chihuahua Pitbull Mix

Having a smooth coat, your Pitbull Mix with Chihuahua does not require that much maintenance. You will only invest ten-minutes brushing their coat, twice per week. But if your mix inherited a long furred chihuahua coat, then you might consider brushing their coat at least four times a week. Brushing their coat keeps them grime-free and prevent irregular shedding.

Bathing can be done at least twice a month to keep up with its appearance and not to remove the essential oils it excretes. Nail clipping can be done once a month or when necessary. Dental hygiene is important and must be done daily. Cleaning the ears can be done once a month. If your dog inherited the floppy ears of a pitbull, then be extra cautious when cleaning its ears.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Health Problems

Despite being healthier than their parents, mix breeds often do inherit some of their predecessor’s health problems. Here are some common health issues with this mix:

• Pregnancy Problems – Chihuahuas are known to have pregnancy problems. The main reason this breed is rare and hard to find is female chihuahuas mostly have childbearing issues.
• Open Fontanels – chihuahuas, when born, have moleras. This is a standard among chihuahuas. But since your dog is a mix, you might want to have it checked out. An open fontanel is a hole from the skull due to incomplete closure. It is expected that dogs from 9 to 12 weeks to close the hole. If not, then you have an open fontanel.
• Patellar Luxation –  quite common for pitbull chihuahua mix breeds. This refers to the dislocation of kneecaps. It is common among pitbulls and chihuahuas so chances are the mix breed might have it too.
• Hip Dysplasia – another common health problem among the pitbull chihuahua mix breeds. It causes the dog’s hip to pop out that might cause paralysis or searing pain.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Food Requirements

Having a balanced diet is paramount when it comes to a dog’s health. The physical appearance of a dog usually reflects its diet and it makes a whole world of difference whether you feed your furry buddy with the worst dry dog food or the best dry dog food around.

Food serving depends on the size of the breed. In this case, the Chihuahua Pitbulls may be a small or a medium dog, depending upon which gene pool is stronger. It would be more appropriate to feed these best dry dog food for small dogs. Proper nutrition for tiny pups cannot achieved with these best large breed dry dog food brands, due to the vast difference in nutritional needs of petite and grande doggos.

If you have a Chihuahua Pitbulls puppy, it is advisable to give it 1 and 1/2 cups of best puppy food brands. After a few months, you can already determine its size and give the proper proportions. If it leans to a smaller build, then 2 cups would be best. If it appears to be your Chihuahua Pitbulls is a medium build, then 2 and ½ servings every day is advisable.

Once your pooch enters the golden years, we advise you to switch to best senior dry dog food to keep their joints more flexible and their bones less brittle!

Chihuahua Pitbulls are not particular to brand food. As long as it is dry food that provides vitamins and nutrients, it should be enough. If you have concerns regarding the balance of nutrients in the dog’s body, consult with the vet and consider adding Nutra Thrive dog food supplement to your Pitbull Chihuahua’s diet.

Here are some dog foods you might want to consider:

• Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult Turkey and Oatmeal – great dog food if your Chihuahua Pitbulls turns out to be a small build. It contains real deboned turkey, probiotics for healthy digestion, antioxidants for the immune system, and specially crafted for smaller breeds.
• Wellness Core Dog Food –  good for puppies and adults. Designed to have the nutrients absorbed fully so you won’t think twice when you consider your dog’s health. Made from chicken and high in DHA which contributes to the Chihuahua Pitbulls puppy’s brain development.
• Dog For Dog Food – Affordable and budget-friendly dry food. It contains antioxidants to help the dog’s immune system. It’s 100% grain-free and features deboned chicken. It has a high protein rating this could help your dog’s muscle development.
• Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Open Range Dog Food – Beef flavored dog food. Can be fed to an adult or a puppy. It does not contain any unknown meat ingredients and guaranteed to be made from pure U.S. beef. It has lower fat content compared to other brands.
• Canidae Pure Sea Grain-Free Real Salmon – Salmon flavored dog food. Has glucosamine and chondroitin for good joint health. Made from salmon. The dog food has few ingredients so spotting allergens won’t be an issue. Can be a good non-red meat option due to its high protein yield.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Breed Exercise Requirement

The Chihuahua Pitbulls is a very active dog. It loves running around in huge spaces and enjoys playing with a ball. Though it might be energetic activities, a Chihuahua Pitbulls still needs a regular exercise regimen every day. Consider getting your Chihuahua Pitbulls as your jogging or running partner. If jogging or running is not your style, then try at least an hour of leisure strolling across your neighborhood. Try to settle in a park once in a while and try to play catch using a ball, stick or a frisbee. If you have a spacious backyard, make an obstacle course for your friend.

Keep in mind, playing is not all fun and games. Exercises instill mental discipline. It is important to keep your dog exercised so it won’t bore it quick. A bored dog might get creative and might try to “play” with your shoe.

Here are some exercises you might want to consider:

• Running – classic running. Improves endurance and leg muscles. Also helps bond with your pooch.
• Tracking  – tracking might not be the strong suit of the Chihuahua Pitbulls, but you can at least try to teach them. Tracking comes natural to dogs, only that others are more qualified to tracking.
• Fetch –  can be done indoors or outdoors. Teach your dog to fetch certain items in your house. Teaching them to fetch will help your dog to follow commands and determine the value of the item being fetched.
• Group Exercise – This can be done along with other dogs. Ranging from running, agility courses or patience tests, it’s a solid mental and physical exercise for your dog. You have an added social training for your dog as a bonus.
• Teach New Tricks – as your puppy develops into an adult, it is a good idea to teach them new tricks. You can teach them the basic “come”, “sit”, “lay down”, “shake hands”, and “stand”. These tricks are precursors to other complex commands. This is a great mental exercise for your dog.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Training

Training your Chihuahua Pitbulls is not an easy task. This dog is known for being sassy due to its a trait from the Chihuahua and being too playful resulting in a short attention span inherited from the Pitbull. The dog might be smart, but it tends to focus less and be too prideful. If you are an inexperienced dog owner, you may want to seek professional help. But if it all goes well, you might want to still consider these tips:

• Best time to train them is between 8 to 12 months. During this time, it is where your Chihuahua Pitbulls is more open to suggestions and develops its value system. In this period, this is where your dog will determine if his actions are right or wrong. It is also the best time to teach them new tricks. The dog’s brain is still developing at this point and better take advantage of it.
• Set boundaries. Teach your dog the boundaries or your house rules. You need to determine where they can hang out or where they are not allowed to come in. This will eliminate any possible shouting from you when your dog enters in a dog-free zone. To be fair to your pooch, make a space dedicated to it. It doesn’t matter if it is a crate or a dog house. Give it a soft place to rest.
• Reward good behavior. Make sure when your dog listens, give him a treat or a very well earned belly rub. Dogs are motivated when they feel good. They can determine if what they did was good when they expect a treat after.
• Teach New and Neat Tricks – indeed it is an exercise, but since the brain is developing at this point, it would be best to teach them at this time. Every successful trick must be compensated with a treat.
• Teach Social Skills – Have your Chihuahua Pitbulls work with other dogs. Remember, your Chihuahua Pitbulls also came from a chihuahua and has a small dog syndrome. We can remove that by exposure to other pets and animals.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix and Families

Chihuahua Pitbulls are great family dogs. They are loyal, protective, and really great with kids. But owning a dog is not an overnight decision to be made. It needs a lot of research and most of all, you need to consider your family if it really is applicable to you.

Chihuahua Pitbulls are very active dogs. It needs to have a daily dose of running. Therefore, the dog works best if there is an active person in the family. Chihuahua Pitbulls can also be great motivators if you are considering yourself to start an active lifestyle. If you have a spacious backyard, then it would do well. Chihuahua Pitbulls are small so they can live in an apartment as well but keep in mind they need physical exercise. This means you need to run as well.

Chihuahua Pitbulls have big personalities. They love kids and very playful. But they can also be protective and wary against strangers. They can be good guard dogs if properly trained. They also show signs of care and empathy towards its owners.

References:

1. Souza, Clarissa P., et al. “Evaluation of Immunological Parameters in Pit Bull Terrier-Type Dogs with Juvenile Onset Generalized Demodicosis and Age-Matched Healthy Pit Bull Terrier-Type Dogs.” Veterinary Dermatology, vol. 29, no. 6, 23 Aug. 2018, doi:10.1111/vde.12681.
2. Kiviranta, A.-M., et al. “Syringomyelia and Craniocervical Junction Abnormalities in Chihuahuas.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, vol. 31, no. 6, 11 Sept. 2017, pp. 1771–1781., doi:10.1111/jvim.14826.
3. Russell, Brian. Pitbull: the Ultimate Training Techiques for Your Pitbull Terrier. The Author, 2016.
4. Hearn, Ann. Chihuahua. Kennel Club Books, 2004.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull