In response to the increasing demand for designer dogs, breeders are now more eager to produce new mixed breeds such as the Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix.
The Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix or Golden Chi is a rather uncommon and interesting mix of two equally well-loved dog breeds with contrasting physical and personality traits.
If you haven’t heard of this rare designer breed before, this guide has everything you need to learn about the Golden Chi — from its appearance, traits, and health up to how this mix is produced.
What Is a Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix?
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The Golden Chi is a new hybrid dog born by crossing two popular breeds — the Golden Retriever and the Chihuahua. The Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix is a unique combination of two breeds with differing qualities. This makes the Golden Chi super interesting, despite being a very rare designer breed.
Despite having parents that are the exact opposite of each other, we can assume that the Golden Chi will fall somewhere between the two breeds, and it is likely to be a well-loved breed that will stand out in the crowd.
Though this mix is not as friendly as its Golden Retriever parent, it is also not as stubborn as its Chihuahua parent. It is likely that a Golden Chi will be closed off around strangers but will become warm once it gets to know them.
As with any other crossbreed dogs, the Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix is not recognized by most kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club. Thus, it cannot compete in dog shows and agility competitions by the organization.
Can a Golden Retriever Mate With a Chihuahua?
Unfortunately, since the Golden Retriever and Chihuahua are exactly opposite in terms of size, they cannot undergo the natural mating process.
Breeding the Golden Chi would have to be done using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or what is commonly known as artificial insemination.
This long and complicated process includes manually collecting semen from the male Chihuahua and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of the female Golden Retriever so that fertilization can occur.
Although IVF had been successfully used in humans and other animals for decades, artificial insemination in dogs was only achieved in 2015.
In the case of Golden Chis, the mother always has to be the Golden Retriever as there is a huge chance that a Chihuahua mother would die while giving birth. This is because the litters are likely to be born mid to large-sized.
Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Origin and History
As with any other mixed breeds, the complete history and origin of Chihuahua Golden Retriever mixes are unclear. Thus, we can only assume why this mix was paired.
It is believed that the first documented crossbreeding of a Chihuahua with a Golden Retriever was in 1986 when Lisa Clark paired her Chihuahua with her father’s Golden Retriever.
However, going through the history of its parent breed is one way of having a better understanding of this new mixed breed.
The Golden Chi’s Golden Retriever parent can be traced back to the 1860s in Scottish Highlands when Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks developed a strong interest in dog breeding.
Marjoribanks wanted a dog that was excellent for the rugged terrain and rainy climate of Scottland, as well as an excellent hunting dog. He also wanted one that was good in the home.
The history of Chihuahuas, on the other hand, is still a mystery today as there are a lot of theories about this breed’s origin. But one thing is for sure, the Chihuahua was discovered in the mid-19th century.
It was in the late 1800s when this breed began to pop up all around Central and South America, with its main origin being Chihuahua, Mexico. It was in 1904 that this breed was registered with the American Kennel Club.
Both the Golden Retriever and the Chihuahua have grown to be well-loved dog breeds.
And with their difference in size and temperament, we can only assume that breeders wanted a new dog with the best traits of both breeds, hence the creation of the Golden Chi.
Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Appearance
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A Golden Chi’s appearance is quite unique. This breed’s coat will be thick and may look wavy. It can come in a range of colors, including gold, white, tan, and fawn.
Depending on which parent breed has a stronger gene, a Golden Chihuahua mix may either have its Golden Retriever parent’s floppy ears or its Chihuahua parent’s erect ears.
If your Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix is from an apple head Chihuahua, they are likely to have a rounded skull with a pointed snout. Mixes from a deer head Chihuahua, on the other hand, may have a long muzzle and softer features.
Regardless, your Golden Chi will have the facial structure of its Chihuahua parent but will have the softer, sweet features of a Golden Retriever.
To have a visual idea of what a Golden Chihuahua looks like, you can watch this video:
Cute puppy Golden Retriever cross Chihuahua new breed<a href="https://youtu.be/AXSLqRres94" 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%2FAXSLqRres94%2F0.jpg" alt="Cute puppy Golden Retriever cross Chihuahua new breed" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Size and Weight
A Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix is usually a medium-sized dog that, when fully grown, can grow up about 9 to 24 inches in height and about 15 to 30 pounds in terms of weight.
Golden Retrievers have a height of up to 24 inches, while Chihuahuas grow up to only 9 inches. With the huge difference between these two breed sizes, expect that your Golden Chi puppy can grow somewhere within that range.
Additionally, your Golden Chi pup will reach its full adult size between the ages of 12 and 18 months old. However, there may be certain factors that influence their final sizes, such as their nutrition and general health.
Likewise, genetics play a huge role in their overall growth. Thus, if its Golden Retriever parent was a larger dog, expect that your Golden Chi will more likely be larger than usual.
Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Temperament and Personality
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Unfortunately, a Golden Chi’s temperament is as unpredictable as its physical appearance. But, that does not necessarily mean that this designer dog does not make an excellent family pet.
Your Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix is likely to have the gentle personality of its Golden Retriever parent and the energy and stubbornness of the Chihuahua on the side.
That being said, this hybrid dog may have aggressive tendencies and may display overprotectiveness due to its Chihuahua genes. Your pup may not get along well with small kids and other animals.
Golden Chis can become withdrawn and reluctant around strangers. That is why it is recommended that they are socialized at an early age.
Similarly, these dogs cannot be alone for long periods as they are prone to separation anxiety which may cause them to show destructive behaviors when left alone.
When properly trained and socialized, Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes grow to be confident and playful dogs that will surely light up your home with their crazy antics and amazing personality.
Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
Your Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix is a generally healthy dog and may live longer than the other pets. The average lifespan for this unique pup is 11 to 15 years, given proper care and a healthy lifestyle.
However, it is still best to watch out for illnesses that your pet can inherit from its parents that may cause your pet’s quality of life to deteriorate.
Here are some of the most common health problems of a Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is very common in Golden Retrievers, making your Golden Chi susceptible to the same problem. This condition occurs when the hip joints fail to normally line up, resulting in a dislocation of the ball and socket.
Hypoglycemia: Chihuahuas are at a bigger risk for hypoglycemia than any other toy-breed dogs. Hypoglycemia or commonly known as low blood sugar happens when a dog’s system cannot regulate its blood sugar correctly, causing it to drop and eventually affecting neurological function.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a very common disease in dogs, more so for medium-sized dogs like the Golden Chi’s parent, the Golden Retriever. This disease affects the thyroid gland, which makes a hormone called thyroxine that controls metabolism.
As with any other dog breed, it is still important to regularly visit a licensed veterinarian to ensure that your Golden Chi is healthy and free from life-threatening diseases.
You can also provide them with pet insurance to save you tons of money once they have a medical emergency.
How to Take Care of Your Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix
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Knowing how to properly take care of your Golden Chis will help your pet have a generally healthy well-being. As with any other dogs, these mixes do better in environments where their needs are met.
Here are some tips to make sure that your Golden Retriever mix is well-taken care of.
Food and Diet
For optimum growth of your mix Golden Chi, it is important to provide it with high-quality dog food of at least one to two cups over two meals during the day.
However, you may need to adjust their food intake according to their size, age, and activity level. Check out our Golden Retriever feeding guide to get an idea.
Apart from kibbles, you can also give your Golden Chihuahua supplements and vitamins to help promote good skin health and improve overall function.
As with any other dietary concerns, it is still best to contact a licensed veterinarian so they can truly assess what is best for your Golden Chi.
Cleaning and Grooming
Unlike purebred Golden Retrievers, a Golden Chi will generally require you less cleaning and grooming. Though this mix may still have a lot of hair, they sure will not shed a lot like Golden Retrievers.
That being said, Golden Chis may still require weekly brushing to keep their coat clean, but they do not need intensive grooming needs and a weekly trip to a professional groomer.
Other than weekly brushing, you also need to trim your dog’s nails once in a while or once you notice them getting long. It is also important to maintain your dog’s oral hygiene, so make sure to brush three times a week.
Your Golden Chi’s oral hygiene is especially important because poor dental hygiene is a very common issue with a small dog like its Chihuahua parent.
Training and Exercise
Golden Chis may or may not be active dogs, depending on which parent they may take after. Regardless, it is still important for them to have their daily dose of exercise.
A quick run or trip to the dog park will help your dog exercise and socialize at the same time. If you have a fenced yard, you can also just let your pup just run around and play.
As with training them, Golden Chis usually adopt the loving, trainable nature of their Golden Retriever parents but with the stubbornness of their Chihuahua parents on the side.
That being said, despite being an intelligent hybrid, this mix can be quite difficult to train. As usual, early training and socialization are important to raise well-behaved companion dogs.
How Much Does a Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
A Golden Chi’s price may range from $2,000 to $3,500. The lengthy and difficult breeding process of a Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix is one of the reasons why they have such high price tags.
Aside from the puppy’s price, you also need to prepare for other expenses such as your Golden Chi’s vitamins, vaccines, and other supplies that your new puppy may need.
Here is the initial cost of expenses that you need to consider when you take home a Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix:
On top of these, you also need to set aside a budget for your Golden Chi’s monthly and annual expenses. It is also very important to allocate an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses.
For more info about the costs of owning this mix, you may read this article about the cost of owning Golden Retrievers and Chihuahuas. Since these are the parents of this mix, you may expect similarities in the cost of raising them.
Places to Find Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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Given the rarity of this dog, you might have to do a little bit of hunting to find a high-quality Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix. That being said, it is important to do intensive research before buying from any breeder.
As much as you badly want to take home a Golden Chi, make sure to buy from a reputable breeder, and best to avoid sellers selling this mix at an extremely low price as these are likely backyard breeders and puppy mills.
Here are some of the places where you can find a Golden Chi mix puppy for sale:
Greenfield Puppies – This online dog website has connected healthy puppies with loving families since 2000. They have over a thousand purebred and mixed-breed dogs available on their website, so if you are looking for a Golden Chi, you might be lucky to find one here.
PuppySpot – With years of experience, Puppy Spot has already helped over 200,000 healthy puppies find new families. They have a long list of pure and mixed-breed dogs that you can choose from. They update their list every now and then, so it’s best to always keep an eye out, especially if you’re hunting for rare mixes such as the Golden Chi.
PuppyFinder – PuppyFinder is one of the many classified ads websites where you can possibly buy a Golden Retriever mix Chihuahua from. They have over a thousand purebred and mixed breeds in their listings, so there’s a huge chance for you to find your pup here.
You can also check our list of Golden Retriever and Chihuahua breeder recommendations. More often than not, these breeders have mixes every now and then, so it’s best to check it with them.
You can also refer to our puppy buying guide for some helpful tips when dealing with breeders online.
Aside from buying Golden mixes straight from breeders, you can also opt to adopt instead. Aside from saving a penny, you also get to do a noble cause of giving these dogs another chance in life.
Here are some places where you can find a Golden Chi for adoption:
Homeward Bound Goldens – Homeward Bound is an all-volunteer rescue organization founded in 2000. To date, they have already rescued about 10,200 homeless, unwanted, and abandoned Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes of all ages.
As Good As Gold – This Illinois-based non-profit rescue organization is dedicated to rescuing and adopting purebred and mixed-breed Golden Retrievers. Aside from their rescue efforts, they also educate would-be Golden mixes guardians and the general public about the importance of spaying or neutering and positive training methods.
Ay Chihuahua Rescue – This volunteer-operated rescue organization focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Chihuahua and Chihuahua mixes. They place these rescued dogs into foster homes that they carefully choose. They also provide education and support for prospective adopters throughout the process.
You can refer to our list of Chihuahua and Golden Retriever rescues to give you more chances of finding the Golden rescue dogs you’re looking for. You can also check with your local shelters to see if they ever have one available.
Similarly, you can also check out our puppy adoption guide to help you have an idea about the necessary screening and evaluation process that you need to go through when adopting a Golden Chi.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Golden Chihuahua Mix
As with any other dog breed, owning a Golden Chihuahua mix has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages, and it’s best for potential owners to know these before they decide to commit to taking care of one.
To start with, here are the pros of owning a Golden Chihuahua mix:
Long lifespan: With an average lifespan of 11 to 15 years, the Golden Chi should be on top of your list if you’re looking for a dog that you can grow old with. Just remember, however, that you are responsible for taking good care of them for their entire lifespan.
Easy to groom and maintain: Luckily, Golden Chis are likely to inherit their Chihuahua parent’s trait of being very easy to groom. Though they may still have quite a lot of hair and may still need frequent brushing, they do not require extra grooming.
Fun-loving and playful: Both its parent breeds make amazing family companions, especially when they live with adult housemates that they can play with; that is why it is no question that this mix will surely brighten up one’s home.
Now, here are some cons of having a Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix that you should know about:
Very expensive breed: Due to this breed’s lengthy breeding process, its price tag is quite high. That being said, this might not be the dog breed for people on a budget.
Can be stubborn: Though its parent breeds are known to be intelligent dogs, the Golden Chi may tend to be stubborn, making it hard for owners to train them. This trait, however, can be corrected when trained at a fairly young age and with the help of positive reinforcement.
Cannot be left alone: This mix loves attention and may not do well when left alone, especially for long periods. That is why they are not suitable for families and individuals that are often away for work and leisure.
This list can help you in evaluating whether or not the Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix breed is suitable for you and your lifestyle.
By doing so, you lessen the chance of being mismatched to a dog and surrendering them to a shelter.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is the Smallest Golden Retriever Mix?
Though there is no official account as to what is the smallest Golden Retriever mix, it is safe to assume that the Golden Chi is the smallest mix since its other parent, the Chihuahua is the world’s smallest dog breed.
In fact, due to Chihuahua’s very small stature, they are not capable of giving birth to Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes. It is always a female Golden Retriever that carries its litter.
Do Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mixes Shed a Lot?
Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes shed all year round but not as much as a purebred Golden Retriever. Since they are dogs with a double coat, shedding can worsen in specific seasons.
Do not worry, though, as shedding can be managed with weekly brushing to remove loose hair before it falls out.
Are Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mixes Hypoallergenic?
No. Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes are not hypoallergenic. Though they do not shed as much as their Golden Retriever parent, there are still chances of allergic reaction due to its dander and saliva.
Owners wanting to take home one of these Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes must think twice before getting one as this might trigger their allergies.
Final Thoughts: Is a Golden Chi the Right Dog for You?
The Golden Chi is a very rare and expensive dog breed, so anyone given a chance to take home one would want to grab the opportunity. However, there are a lot of responsibilities attached to owning this dog breed.
It’s best to take into consideration everything that you need to know before you start your hunt for this rare gem. It is important to ensure that you and your dogs are a perfect match.
By doing so, you lessen the chance of these dogs ending up in shelters and not being able to receive the treatment that they deserve.
Are you ready to take home a Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix? Let us know in the comments.
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