Pitbull Chihuahua Mix: The Ideal Family Dog?

If you want a playful pup that is full of life then the Pitbull Chihuahua Mix is for you. This mix is also called Chipit or Pithuahua. Sounds funny, right?

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is an excellent alternative if you’re seeking for a dog to join your household. To develop the pitbull Chihuahua mix, a purebred Chihuahua and a purebred American pitbull terrier were crossed.

This mix is getting a lot of attention. And for good reason. They are great dogs!These puppies are friendly and engaging, making them a wonderful choice for an active household looking for a companion. The pitbull Chihuahua hybrid is known by the names Chipit and Pithuahua. So, do you believe a pitbull Chihuahua mix is right for you and your family?

This is an uncommon breed that is more likely to be found in a rescue or shelter than in a breeding facility. In this article, we take a closer look at the breed and answer some of the most common questions posed by potential Chipit owners.

What is a designer dog?

Designer dogs were originally introduced about twenty years ago. The goal of crossbreeding was to create a hybrid by combining the best traits of two purebred animals.

Crossbreed dogs tend to be healthier and live longer than purebred canines. Many fervent supporters of purebreds, on the other hand, say that too much crossbreeding dilutes the gene pool, which can be harmful to the future of certain breeds. Mixed breeds appear to be a terrific concept on the surface. Crossbreeding, on the other hand, has some disadvantages.

To begin with, you never know whose parent the puppies will most closely resemble. As a result, you can end up with a puppy who looks like his Chihuahua father but has the attitude and behavior of his pitbull mother. Second, rather than being bred out, some health issues that are common to both parent breeds can be passed on to their offspring.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix

The Pitbull and Chihuahua mix is a designer dog. So, of course, you can buy them from a breeder. But, there are so many mixed breeds waiting for you at shelters. The Chipit or Pitbull and Chihuahua mix too!

So, instead of supporting breeders, help out your local shelter and give a home to a cute dog.

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a social, energetic, and entertaining dog. This unique crossbreed is also known as a Chipit or Pithuahua, as previously said. The Dog Registry of America, and the International Designer Canine Registry both recognize the Chipit. But the American Kennel Club, on the other hand, does not recognize the breed at this moment.

A Chipit can reach a maximum height of 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 20 pounds. However, this is an estimate because some pitbull Chihuahua mixes can be smaller if they take more after the Chihuahua parent than the pitbull parent. Chipits are generally healthy and live for a long time, often reaching the age of 13 or 14. They are a loyal dog that loves it’s family.

To learn more about this designer dog. let’s take a close look at the purebred breeds parents.

American Pitbull Terriers

The American pitbull terrier is a breed that originated in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Breeders started experimenting in the 1800s by combining old-style bull-baiting dogs with lightweight terriers. Their end goal was to create a smaller-framed, less aggressive dog.

These early Pitbull dogs eventually found their way across the Atlantic to the United States. Here they were used for herding, hunting, and as companions by early pioneers and immigrants. These dogs were the direct ancestors of the modern American pitbull terrier.

The American Kennel Club still does not recognize the Pitbull Terrier as a distinct breed. Because they have a reputation for being aggressive, certain countries, like the United Kingdom, have banned the breeding of American Pitbull Terriers as they were used as a attack dog in that current time. In addition, the breed is prohibited in various places in the United States.

The American pitbull terrier isn’t violent from birth. People’s maltreatment or unethical training of the dogs causes them to become problematic. A properly socialized and trained Pitbull is just as pleasant, cheerful, and safe to be around as any other dog breed. Pitbulls are frequently mated with other breeds, so their crossbreeds are pretty common and popular.

Chihuahua

The little Chihuahua is classified as a toy breed by the American Kennel Club. You might think that the purebred Chihuahua is a gentle lap dog. However, you couldn’t be more wrong! These small dogs have the biggest personalities. This dog is a known and loud barker and can be a problem if you live near neighbors who like their complete silence.

The tiny Chihuahua is a popular handbag dog that is frequently seen in the company of celebrities and well-heeled people all over the world. The Chihuahua is also Mexico’s national dog ambassador.

Don’t be fooled by the breed’s charming appearance; these tiny fellows are also known as “armpit piranhas,” and they can be quite a handful! Chihuahuas can have a hard time getting used to being around kids or other animals. Chihuahuas are a popular choice for mix breeds, both intentionally and unintentionally. The chiweene and yorkie chihuahua mix are two other popular chi-mixes.

What Chipits look like

Male Chipits are between 14 and 18 inches tall and weigh between 20 and 35 pounds. The females are smaller. They are between 12 and 16 inches tall and are between 15 and 30 pounds heavy.

Both males and females have a broad and muscular build. So, they are strong and sturdy dogs.

Their coat can be short or long. If the Chihuahua parent breed had long hair, then the mix could have long fur too. But in most cases, a Pitbull Chihuahua Mix will have a smooth and shiny coat. They have short necks, long ears, small feet and a lot of other Pitbull characteristics.

Their coat can be different colors:

• white
• black
• brindle
• golden
• brown
• tan color
• gray
• chocolate

Their coat can be only one color. But it can also be a mix of two or three colors.

They don’t shed a lot, so it’s easy to take care of them. Brush them 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a week to keep it shiny.

Bathe them once every two or three months. Or when needed, when they are dirty or smelly.

Chipit Mix Temperament

Now we know what Chipits look like. But what are they like? How do these small dogs behave?

The Chipit is a loyal and loving dog. And they are full of energy. They are very active. Chipits are great for a family that has an active lifestyle too.

Because they have so much energy, they need a lot of exercises too. And mental stimulation. Otherwise, they can become destructive.

Know that they are barkers! They will bark at anything and anyone. But they only want to alert you when someone is on your property.

Chipits are loyal and want to protect you and your family. So it’s good to socialize them from early on. The more places, people, and animals they see and get to know the less they will bark.

One concern many people have with Pitbulls is that they are aggressive. But, that’s not true. Pitbulls aren’t aggressive by nature. But, if they aren’t raised right. If their owner mistreated them. Then they can become aggressive.

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a great family dog. They are loving and kind. And get along great with children. You don’t have to worry about them hurting your child.

Its strength is great because it is derived from a Pitbull. When pitbulls play, they are known to be aggressive. Even if the Pitbull Chihuahua is merely playing, its strength may be uncontrollable. What the Chihuahua Pitbull considers a playful pounce to its playmate could be a painful tackle. Socializing it with other canines and people should be added as an extra precaution.

Despite this, this breed is known for being a wonderful house guardian and a devoted family member. It enjoys playing with children since they share the dog’s energy. However, if left unmanaged and untrained, it has the potential to wreck a good pair of shoes or your sofa because they are easily bored.

Grooming

Many potential owners of this crossbreed will be happy to hear that they are a pretty low maintenance designer dog breed and don’t require much grooming.

Because of his short and smooth coat, your Pitbull Chihuahua mix doesn’t need much grooming. Brushing their coat will take only five minutes twice a week. And their coat keeps shining. However, if your mix has a long furred Chihuahua coat, you should brush their coat at least four times a week. This will only happen in those cases where the Chihuahua dad has a long haired coat. So that’s another thing that depends on the gene pool. Brushing their glossy coat keeps it clean and prevents shedding irregularities. That will also keep you from having to vacuum all the time.

Bathing is recommended at least twice a month to maintain its appearance and avoid removing the protective oils that they naturally have on their coat. Nail clipping is recommended once a month or as needed. If you aren’t experienced with trimming down dog nails, rather leave it to a professional. You can ask your dog groomer or even vet to do it.

One thing that is often overlooked in the grooming of a dog is his oral hygiene. Dental hygiene is essential and should be practiced on a daily basis. But if this is too much for you, cleaning his teeth a couple times a week while giving him dental care treats will also do the trick.

Don’t forget to clean their ears as well. This will keep your dogs ear canals healthy and it will also prevent possible infections.

Exercise and activity levels

As already said Chipits are full of energy They need at least two long walks a day and one or two play sessions.

If you love to be active and go on long walks, this is the breed for you. This dog enjoys going for walks, so two 30-minute walks each day, as well as games like tug-of-war and frisbee, should keep him active and stimulated in the great outdoors.

Every day, take a 20- to 30-minute walk around the neighborhood to ensure that your Chipit expends all of its pent-up energy. This way, he won’t become bored and chew on your shoes or furnishings.

Other activities, such as fetch and romping in the park, will calm this dog down.

This breed has a lot of energy that has to be released, and they can keep it up without slowing down, so don’t plan to spend a lot of time on the couch with them.

They aren’t large dogs, so they can adapt to living in an apartment. But they would be the happiest in a house with a big yard. Somewhere they can go out at all times. Just to run around. They are a good choice for an active family.

Training

Proper training is a must too. They tend to be a little dominant, and pushy. So you will have to be firm when training them. They are an intelligent dog, so so they learn fast. You just have to know how to train them.

This dog is noted for being feisty, which is a Chihuahua trait, and for being very playful, which results in a short attention span, which is a Pitbull trait. Although the dog is intelligent, it has a tendency to lose concentration and be arrogant. If you are a first-time dog owner, you should seek professional help.

The best period to train them is between the ages of 8 and 12. Your Chihuahua Pitbulls is more open to advice and developing its value system during this stage. This is the time when your dog will decide whether his actions are correct or incorrect. It’s also a great opportunity to teach children new skills. Take advantage of their puppy stage as their brain is still developing and they are easier to train.

Teach your dog your domestic rules or boundaries. You must decide where they are permitted to hang out and where they are not permitted to enter. When your dog enters a dog-free zone, this will eliminate any possible shouting from you. To be fair to your dog, dedicate a space to it. It makes no difference whether it’s a crate or a dog house. Give it a comfy spot to sleep in.

If your dog listens, reward him with a treat or a well-deserved belly rub. When dogs are happy, they are more motivated. They love positive reinforcement and it will make the training much easier.

Allow your Chihuahua Pitbulls to interact with other canines. Keep in mind that your Chihuahua Pitbulls are descended from a chihuahua and suffer from tiny dog syndrome. We can get rid of it by exposing them to other animals and pets.

Health

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix lives quite long. Their life expectancy is between ten and 13 years. But they can live longer if you take good care of them.

There are a few health problems the Chipit are prone to. For example,

• Patella Luxation,
• Hypoglycemia,
• Hip Dysplasia,
• Heart Problems,
• Collapsed Trachea

But, a healthy diet and enough exercise will keep your dog healthy. You don’t have to put them on a fancy diet, but you can buy them high-quality food. These are known facts that can have a huge impact on your dog’s health buff.

The most common health conditions

Mix breeds often inherit some of their parents’ health problems, despite being healthier than their parents. Here are some of the most common health problems associated with this combination:

Problems with pregnancy. Chihuahuas are known to have issues with pregnancy. Female chihuahuas typically have reproductive troubles, which is why this breed is rare and difficult to come by.

Open Fontanels. Chihuahuas have moleras when they are born. This is a chihuahua standard. However, because your dog is a mix, you should have it checked out. An open fontanel is a hole in the skull that has not been completely closed. It is believed that dogs will close the hole in 9 to 12 weeks. If not, they have a so called open fontanel.

Patellar luxation. Pitbull chihuahua mix breeds are very prone to this condition. This is basically a kneecap dislocation. It’s very common in pitbulls and chihuahuas, thus the mix breed is likely to have it as well.

Hip Dysplasia. Another common health problem among the pitbull chihuahua mix breeds. It causes the dog’s hip to pop out. This is as painful as it sounds and can even cause paralysis or other severe issues besides unbearable pain.

Nutrition

A balanced diet will keep any dog healthy. The pitbull Chihuahua mix doesn’t require any fancy diet and will perform well on high-quality, age-appropriate dog food. Although the Chipit enjoys canned, wet dog food on occasion, your dog will thrive on a kibble diet. Because this combination is so active, it may require a meal designed for a normal-sized breed rather than one designed exclusively for chihuahuas.

As your dog crunches his meal, kibble (dry biscuits) helps remove bacteria and plaque off your dog’s teeth. This cleans the teeth and can help prevent periodontal disease and gingivitis in dogs. Remember to feed your dog with endless fresh water throughout the day, especially when he has dry food.

Puppy Price

You typically won’t find too many licensed breeders for this mix, as they are more commonly found in shelters. These pups are usually the offspring of two stray dogs that end up mating, as there isn’t typically a huge market for Chipit puppies when compared to other designer dogs.

If you buy a Pitbull Chihuahua mix from a breeder you’ll pay around 300 to 700 dollars. They aren’t that expensive because they aren’t popular either. Not many people want a Chipit.

Usually, they go for more famous designer dogs for example:

• Rottweiler Husky Mix
• Great Dane Pitbull Mix
• Pitbull Bulldog Mix
• Beagle Husky Mix
• Beagle Poodle Mix

So, you might have a harder time getting one from a breeder. However, there are many shelters and Rescues where you can find them. That’s where they cost around 100 and 500 dollars.

Rescue and Shelters

Despite the fact that this dog is a rare crossbreed, you might just get lucky and locate one of these wonderful canines in need of a home. Many non-profit websites have a large number of worthy puppies of all kinds and sizes waiting to be adopted into a loving household. This unique breed is likely to be available at your local shelter lots of time.

Some rescue organizations have a program that allows potential owners to try out dogs for a month or so. You can formally adopt the dog if he proves to be a suitable fit for your family. But, if the two of you don’t get along, you can return the pup to the shelter, and hopefully a more fitting family will adopt him eventually.

Breeders

Like we already said, this mix breed is prone to different disease that they can inherit from their parents. That’s why it’s so important to buy from a reputable breeder. They will do the testing that is needed to make sure your pup is as healthy as possible.

Never purchase a pet from an online advertisement or a pet store. There’s a good probability they’re selling you a dog from a puppy mill. A puppy mill is a place where canines are bred for high production. These businesses do not take into account the health of the parents or their offspring, resulting in health issues.

Look for a small-scale local breeder whose operation is open to the public. A reputable breeder makes their kennels and operations open to the public. They usually have medical records for each of their puppies as well as their parents, so you can be confident in their well-being.

When visiting a kennel, keep in mind that it should be clean and large. This shows that the dogs are well-cared for and that they are allowed to play with other dogs.

Good breeders will also provide you with some advise. They can also determine whether you are eligible to keep a dog. Better still, ask them questions about dog ownership so you can get a sense of what to expect when caring for one.

Here is a list of reputable Pitbull Chihuahua breeders:

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

Are they good family dogs?

Pitbull Chihuahuas make excellent family dogs. They are affectionate, protective, and fantastic with children. However, getting a dog is not a decision that can be taken quickly. You have to do your research, and most importantly, you must evaluate your family to see if it is appropriate for you.

Chihuahua Pitbulls are extremely energetic canines. A daily dose of running is required. As a result, if there is an active person in the home, the dog will thrive and life his best sporty life. If you’re thinking about starting an active lifestyle, Chihuahua Pitbulls can be a fantastic incentive. It would work well if you had a large backyard. Chihuahua Pitbulls are small enough to fit into a small apartment. But like we already said they are very active and need lots and lots of exercise.

These dogs may be small, but like we already said — they have the biggest personalities. Kids love these dogs, but because they are small, don’t leave them unsupervised. They can, however, be protective and distrustful of strangers. If properly trained, they may make excellent guard dogs.

They also display signs of concern and empathy for their families, and they get pretty attached to their family members. These pups may not be your first choice if you have small children as they need a lot of attention. They are also prone to separation anxiety, so if you’re away for longer periods of time — this breed isn’t the one for you.