The Pitbull Chihuahua mix, also commonly known as Chipit, is one of the most puzzling mixed breeds due to the contrasting personalities of its parent dogs. It resulted from the cross of the Chihuahua and the American Pitbull Terrier.
Because of the bad image of the Pitbull in the dog world, some people believe that the Chipit is a dangerous dog. In fact, this pooch is banned in some areas of the United States. But is this even a justifiable assumption?
Stay put as we explore all the vital information related to this mixed breed. Ultimately, this guide will assist you in determining whether the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is the right dog for you or not.
What Is a Pitbull Chihuahua Mix?
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The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a rare crossbreed of the Pitbull and the Chihuahua. It is an intelligent dog that is mistakenly thought to be aggressive towards people. It is also known as Chipit, Pihuahua, and Mexican Bulldog.
Although this particular mix is affectionate to their families, there are some places in the United States where it is banned due to its American Pitbull Terrier origin. Among these are Fruitland, Idaho, and Cameron, Missouri.
Hence, before you get a Chipit, make sure to check your local breed-specific legislation (BSL). This will let you know which mixed breeds are allowed or banned in your area.
Moreover, designer dogs like the Chihuahua Pitbull mix are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Thus, it cannot compete in AKC-organized competitions.
However, some dog registries like the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) recognize the Pitbull Chihuahua mixes.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Origin and History: Where Does the Chipit Come From?
The exact origin of the Pitbull Chihuahua mixes is not yet clear. However, knowing the history of its parent dogs could help us figure out where the behavior and reputation of this mixed breed have stemmed.
One of the parent breeds of the Chipit is the American Pit Bull Terrier. The ancestral origin of this remarkable dog dates back to the mid-19th century when the extinct Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs were crossed.
These two dogs were the parent breeds of the Bull and Terrier mix, which later became the American Pit Bull Terrier. In the past, the American Pit Bull Terriers were used in blood sports like bull-baiting, bear-baiting, and dogfighting.
The American Pit Bull Terriers are innately affectionate dogs. However, their bloody history seems to overshadow their good side as they are banned in some states. Unfortunately, this is also true for the Pitbull Chihuahua mixes.
Another parent breed of the Chipit is the Chihuahua. The origin of this small dog is still debatable. However, many scientists believe that it sprang from the extinct Mexican dog breed called the Techichi.
The Chihuahuas were officially discovered in the mid-19th century when they were originally bred for companionship. This is why Chihuahuas and their hybrids, like the Chihuahua Pitbull mixes, are considered good family pets.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Appearance: What Does a Chipit Dog Look Like?
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The appearance of the Chihuahua Pitbull mix is a product of the combined genetics of its parents. A Chipit may have an appearance that leans more on the Chihuahua side. However, it may also resemble its Pitbull parent.
The Chihuahua is a lap dog with long ears that are typically erect, round eyes, a thin muzzle, and a rounded skull. In contrast, the American Pitbull Terrier has small to medium ears, a wide muzzle, and a broad, flat skull.
The Chihuahua Pitbull mix may inherit any combination of these features. However, most Chipits are more like their Chihuahua parents. They typically have large ears, wide eyes, and a small physique that is well-muscled.
Additionally, this designer dog has a smooth, short coat in a range of colors that Pitbulls and Chihuahuas can have.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Size and Weight: How Big Do Chipits Get When Fully Grown?
Considering the sizes of the Pitbull and the Chihuahua, the Chihuahua Pitbull mix may reach a height of 12 to 18 inches, weighing around 15 to 35 pounds. Sometimes, a healthy Chihuahua Pitbull mix may even surpass these ranges.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog, whereas the Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Therefore, the size of a Chihuahua Pitbull mix varies from small to medium.
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppies generally reach their full size at around 9 to 18 months. Moreover, this designer dog has a strong, muscular physique that may look intimidating to other dogs which reflects its Pitbull origin.
Watch this video to see how a Pitbull Chihuahua mix grows over time:
PITBULL CHIHUAHUA MIXED BREED TAFFEY | MILLION KISSES FROM OUR LOVING PET<a href="https://youtu.be/vwygHeVhCzI" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FvwygHeVhCzI%2F0.jpg" alt="PITBULL CHIHUAHUA MIXED BREED TAFFEY | MILLION KISSES FROM OUR LOVING PET" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Temperament: Are Chipits Good Family Dogs?
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Amid the bad reputation of their parents in the canine world, the Chipits are great family dogs. They are extremely affectionate to their families, and they love to spend time and play with them.
Aside from that, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix makes a good guard dog due to its inherently vigilant nature. It is a loyal dog that is highly intelligent, eager to please, energetic, and willing to work.
However, a precautionary measure must be observed when it is around young children and other dogs. A Chipit dog that is not properly trained may become snappish to overly active kids, just like its Chihuahua parent.
Also, bear in mind that Pitbulls are sensitive dogs with a low tolerance for other animals, including small dog breeds. Therefore, poorly socialized Pitbull mixes, like the Chipits, may also exhibit this unwanted behavior.
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Chihuahua: Which Is Better?
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Pihuahuas Healthy Dogs?
Considering the lifespans of the Chihuahua and the Pitbull, the Pihuahua may have a life expectancy falling anywhere between 8 and 16 years. Some Pitbull Chihuahua mixes may even exceed this range.
Due to the idea of hybrid vigor or heterosis, designer dogs, like the Pihuahuas, are said to be healthier than their purebred parents. Despite this, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is still susceptible to some health problems.
Below are some common health problems in Pitbull Chihuahua mixes:
Hip Dysplasia: Being a descendant of the Pitbull, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is prone to hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia often experience painful arthritis due to the misalignment of the hip bone’s socket and thigh bone’s head. This hereditary condition may also cause lameness in affected dogs.
Patellar Luxation: Small dogs, like the Chihuahua and its mixes, are more predisposed to patellar luxation than any other dogs. In this condition, affected Chipit may experience limping and knee pain due to a dislocated kneecap. Many dogs can live with this condition for the rest of their lives.
Obesity: Since both the Chihuahua and Pitbull breeds are prone to being overweight, Pitbull Chihuahua mixes are also susceptible to obesity. This is one of the most common diseases in dogs across the United States. Unfortunately, obese dogs have a shorter lifespan due to the increased likelihood of developing health issues.
If your dog seems to develop any of these conditions, you should immediately seek medical advice from your trusted veterinarian. They certainly know the proper reductive, corrective, or preventive treatments for these health issues.
To help you with your dog’s vet care costs, you may also avail of pet insurance. Through this, you could avoid financial stress if something unfortunate happens to your Chipit dog.
How to Take Care of Your Chipitbull Mix
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Providing their necessities, like food, shelter, and medical care, is critical for your Pitbull Chihuahua mix dog’s physiological well-being.
However, responsible pet parents should provide more than just their basic needs. A balanced diet, cleaning, grooming, proper training, and exercise are all important components of caring for your Pitbull Chihuahua mix.
Check out the recommendations I provided below for properly raising your Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppy.
Food and Diet
Just like all other dog breeds, the Pitbull Chihuahua’s diet must be rich in protein to ensure proper growth. To be specific, high-quality dog food must contain at least 18 to 25 percent protein.
This requirement must be met regardless of whether you feed your dog with wet or dry dog food. If you opt for dry dog food, keep it in a well-sealed container. Dry dog foods are prone to storage mites and contaminations.
Meanwhile, if you opt for wet dog food, always check its fat content. Wet food typically contains less fat than dry food. Generally, a good diet for any dog breed must have at least 10 to 15 percent fat content.
The amount of food for your Pitbull Chihuahua mix depends on your dog’s size. If you have a small-sized Chipit, it must follow the serving size for the Chihuahua; otherwise, it must follow the serving size for the Pitbull.
Cleaning and Grooming
The cleaning and grooming requirements of the Pitbull Chihuahua depend on its lifestyle and activity. Active Chipits who always play outdoors require more frequent bathing than those that always stay indoors.
As a general rule of thumb, you can bathe your dog once a month. Overbathing your Chipit will cause its skin to become dry, itchy, and flaky.
Short-haired breeds like the Pitbull Chihuahua mix also need coat brushing. Specifically, this breed needs 10 to 15 minutes of coat brushing 2 to 3 times a week to keep its fur tidy and dander-free.
Training and Exercise
As a lively dog breed, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix may enjoy spending at least 30 minutes each day walking in the dog park. However, before doing this, make sure that your dog is properly trained to walk on a leash.
Aside from a daily walk, Chipit dogs must get at least an hour of additional exercise every day.
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix’s behavior is also something that needs to be honed through training. Socializing your pups with other pets at an early age and training them to follow commands are critical in controlling their prey drive.
Positive reinforcement is another training method that you can do for your Chipit dog. This technique uses rewards and prizes when a dog exhibits good behavior, thereby cultivating its desirable attitude.
How Much Does a Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
The price of a Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppy from reputable breeders falls anywhere between $200 and $1,000.
However, this is not the only expense associated with having a Pitbull Chihuahua mix. Your puppy’s necessities for the first few months contribute to the initial expenses of owning this rare mixed breed.
Below is the initial cost breakdown of owning a Chihuahua Pitbull mix puppy.
The table above shows that the initial cost of having a Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppy may vary from $525 to $2,240.
However, for puppies that are already dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped, this cost may still be lessened. Aside from that, some items on the table are one-time costs; hence, you won’t have to purchase them again.
You can learn more about the other costs associated with having a Chipit by reading our price guides for its parent breeds. Small Chipits may cost the same as the Chihuahua, while medium Chipits may cost similar to a Pitbull.
Places to Find Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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Finding a Pitbull Chihuahua mix in the United States might be challenging due to its restricted status Pitbull parent in some states.
Some puppy mills sell this specific breed of dog. However, it is strongly advised not to avail puppies from these places as they are notorious for poor and unethical breeding practices.
If you’re serious about getting a Pitbull Chihuahua mix, check out the sources listed below:
Pet Classifieds – This is an advertising website where you can purchase and sell puppies, cats, and other pets. Currently, they are providing services across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. All the advertised animals on their website are properly categorized so you can easily find your ideal pet. In the past, they have already advertised some Chipits.
Lancaster Puppies – Located in Pennsylvania, this website provides advertising for dog breeders, puppy sellers, and other pet lovers offering dogs and puppies for sale. To be specific, they advertise over 200 breeds of dogs, including some rare mixed breeds like Chipits.
Greenfield Puppies – Founded in 2000, this website has an extensive linkage to several breeders in Pennsylvania and its neighboring states. In the past, they have already sold several Chihuahua mixes. Hence, finding a Pitbull Chihuahua mix from their website is possible.
You can also look through our list of the best Chihuahua and Pitbull breeders in the United States. Some of them may have Chipits available. If not, they may know of breeders who do, and they may be able to refer you to them.
Purchasing puppies over the internet is a risky move. Some breeders seem trustworthy online but may have hidden agendas. To avoid this, check out our guide on buying puppies online, which will assist you in your dog search.
If you want to adopt a Pitbull Chihuahua mix, you may reach out to the following rescues and adoption sites:
Petfinder – This website primarily functions as an online database of approximately 11,000 animal shelters and rescue organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They are composed of animal-care professionals as well as average citizens who volunteer for local animal welfare organizations.
Chihuahua Rescue Indiana, Inc. – Located in Indiana, this all-volunteer rescue organization provides temporary refuge and care primarily for homeless Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. Their foster homes are located in Indianapolis and nearby areas. Before being placed for adoption, their dogs are already spayed or neutered.
Bobbie’s Pit Bull Rescue & Sanctuary (BPRS) – This Virginia-based rescue organization, which was founded in early 2016, is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding permanent homes for several Bully breeds. These include the Pitbull and its mixes. For families with low income, the BPRS offers free microchipping to canines and provides help for spaying or neutering.
Aside from these, you may also check out our articles on the 10 best rescue organizations for Pitbulls and Chihuahuas. These resources will surely provide additional options in finding a Pitbull Chihuahua mix.
However, before adopting this rare mixed breed, make sure you understand the dog adoption process. Also, if you’re on a budget but you still want this pooch, there are some ways to find free puppies in your area.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Chipitbull Mix
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is one of the most affectionate designer dogs that you can have. However, just because you have one doesn’t mean that there aren’t drawbacks to owning one.
Below, I’ve enumerated some advantages and disadvantages of owning a Chipitbull mix to help you decide whether this is the right breed for you or not.
Let’s start with the benefits of owning a Chihuahua Pitbull mix:
Loyal dogs: Chipits are well-known for their loyalty and endearing personality. These dogs love their owners so much and are constantly eager to play and cuddle with them.
Good guard dogs: True to its parent breeds, the Chipitbull mix is a vigilant dog. It is extremely protective of its family and would courageously attack anyone or anything that poses a danger to its pet parents. This is why they need early socialization and training to distinguish between neutral and threatening circumstances.
Ideal for active pet parents: The Chipit, like the Chihuahua and the American Pit Bull Terrier, is known for its high energy levels. It constantly needs physically and mentally stimulating activities to stay happy and healthy. Thus, it is ideal for a person with an active lifestyle.
Meanwhile, here are some drawbacks associated with owning a Chihuahua Pitbull mix:
Inherent predatory instinct: The Pitbull Chihuahua mix has a natural tendency to become a bit aggressive to other pets. However, early socialization, obedience training, and positive reinforcement could help in minimizing this unwanted behavior of the Chipits.
Snappish tendencies towards kids: The Chihuahuas are notorious for their snappish and yappy behaviors towards unruly kids. Sadly, these tendencies can be inherited by the Chipits. Thus, before you get a Chipit, you must teach your kids how to behave properly around it.
Limited number of breeders: Currently, the American Pit Bull Terrier is banned in some places across the United States. Because of this, finding a reputable breeder that offers Pitbull mixes, including the Chipit, can be quite challenging.
You’re probably wondering now if this is the ideal breed for you after reading this. It’s normal to think twice about getting a new pet. Finding the perfect companion dog necessitates a lot of considerations.
Remember that it’s better to be cautious and make the proper decision than to risk your dog ending up in animal shelters.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Pitbull Chihuahua Mixes Aggressive?
The Chipits have an innate tendency to become aggressive to other dogs. However, just like the Pitbulls, they are not generally hostile to people. They just become aggressive when they are in danger, terrified, sick, or in pain.
However, this tendency could be avoided if puppies are properly socialized and trained during their puppyhood.
Do Pitbull Chihuahua Mixes Shed a Lot?
No, Pitbull Chihuahuas do not shed a lot, but they do shed lightly to moderately year-round. The amount of hair they shed daily is typically consistent.
However, if a Chipit inherits the shedding qualities of its Chihuahua parent, expect it to shed more in the spring and fall. Coat brushing and a diet rich in omega fatty acids help the Chipit maintain a healthy coat and skin.
Are Pitbull Chihuahua Mixes Hypoallergenic?
The Pitbull Chihuahua mixes are non-hypoallergenic. This is due to the presence of lipocalin allergens in their dander, urine, and saliva. All dogs naturally have these allergens.
Cleaning your house regularly and properly bathing and brushing your pooch are some of the ways to manage your dog allergy, in case you have one.
Final Thoughts: Is a Chipit the Right Dog for You?
Owning a Chihuahua Pitbull mix is a big commitment, especially for newbies. It requires a lot of considerations, including the breed-specific legislation in your area, the Chipit’s temperaments, and its necessities to grow properly.
Being an offspring of the Chihuahua and the Pitbull, the Chipits are devoted and protective of their owners. They are not the right breed for people with sedentary lifestyles as they need lots of activities to stay happy and healthy.
Early socialization, obedience training, and teaching your kids to avoid being too rowdy are also critical if you wish to own a Chipit. Through these, their hostile behavior towards kids and other pets could be prevented.
After learning about the Chipits, do you believe this is the right breed for you?
Leave a comment below and tell us what you think about the Pitbull Chihuahua mix!
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