You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more adorable and friendly pocket-sized doodle than the Chipoo. Plus, by crossing the Chihauhau with a toy or teacup Poodle, you’re also getting a dog that is highly intelligent, playful, and eager to please. Chipoos can also easily adapt to the smallest spaces, so city living with one would be a cinch.
Is a Chipoo the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: United States
- Size:
- Weight: 5-20 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Chipoo Appearance
Considering that this breed is a combination of a Chihuahua and a toy or teacup Poodle, it comes as no surprise that Chipoos are diminutive, generally weighing around 5 to 20 pounds.
Their lovely locks come in a variety of hues, ranging from dark shades like brown and black, to lighter colors like gray, silver, fawn, brindle, cream, and white. Their coat also boasts a few special touches, including a plumed tail and some adorable feathering on their feet. These pups often have alert, erect ears—the better to hear all of your words of adoration with!
Chipoo Personality
When it comes to personality, these little guys have plenty to go around. In fact, their charisma and high energy make them fun and playful companions for families, though you’re going to want to make sure kids understand how careful they need to be with them, considering their small stature. They’re also good with other dogs and even cats so long as they’re introduced early on, and always watched carefully.
Though they’re known to be a bit on the independent side, they’re always eager to cuddle up with loved ones for a cozy movie night or evening of just chilling on the sofa.
Ideal Environment for a Chipoo
Since this mix is so small, they can easily fit into small spaces like apartments and condos—which is good news for city dwellers. However, you are going to need to consider the likelihood (which, honestly, is pretty likely), that your Chipoo is going to be a bit…vocal. Though tiny, these pups are known for their mighty voices, which may drive your neighbors insane if you’re in very close quarters.
Ideal Human for a Chipoo
There are many people who would make excellent human companions for a Chipoo, including families with children, single people, and senior citizens. These pups are playful and affectionate with children (just rmake sure the kiddos are careful, like mentioned above), and they don’t require a lot of exercise which makes them perfect for older folks who can’t get around as easily.
What’s most important is that their human is able to spend lots of quality time with them, providing them with plenty of one-on-one attention, short walks and activities, and cuddles (of course).
Chipoo Dog Training
When it comes to training your Chipoo you’re going to want to start working with them early on since they are highly intelligent, but also can be a tad stubborn. Since they have tons of energy they will adore engaging in games and activities that force them to use their brains and bodies.
Since they’re eager to please their loved ones, positive reinforcement is the best tactic to take when it comes to teaching them. It’s also imperative to socialize Chipoos early on by introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Lucky you!
Chipoo Dog Grooming
When it comes to keeping their coat under control, the Chipoo is definitely one of the easier doodle mixes. Their fur generally doesn’t shed much, though there is some variance depending on which parent breed your pup takes the most after.
Though you should plan on brushing your Chipoo regularly, the dogs that have longer, more Poodle-inspired coats will need to be brushed multiple times per weeks to make sure that their hair doesn’t tangle or develop painful, uncomfortable mats. You’ll also want to take these longer-haired Chipoos in to see a professional every few months to get a trim.
When it comes to bathes, this mix only needs one every 2 to 3 months, since bathing them too often may irritate their skin and the natural oils that they need to stay healthy.
Chipoo Health
Chipoos are a fairly healthy breed, but they do have a few possible health issues that you should keep an eye out for, including over-active tear glands, hypoglycemia, luxating patella, glaucoma, and various skin issues. You’re also going to want to pay special attention to their teeth, since smaller dogs like them often have oral health issues—keep those chompers nice and clean!
Chipoos generally live from 12 to 15 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.
Chipoo Breed History
It’s thought that Chipoos originated in the United States sometimes around the 1970s—a little while after Cockapoos first started making a splash with dog lovers.
Not much else is know about their history, but considering how popular both Chihauhaus and Poodles have been (and how long both of these breeds have been around), it’s no wonder this mix is one that continues to gain popularity.
Getting a Chipoo
Chipoo breeders
It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other, and this is especially important when choosing a crossbred dog, since you can see just what size the parents are. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.
Since Chipoos aren’t officially recognized by the AKC, you’d need to start your search for a reputable breeder elsewhere, and luckily, due to the popularity of these dogs, they shouldn’t be too tricky to track down. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.
Adopting a Chipoo
As with many highly popular breeds, Chipoos often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health.
A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search.
A Chipoo can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.
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