Chi-Poo

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-15 years
The Chi-Poo is a hybrid breed of the Chihuahua and the Poodle. This breed does have some known health conditions that you need to be informed of; however, this breed is considered relatively healthy.

When it comes to a hybrid breed, you need to take a look at both breeds of the parents to find out what conditions your puppy may suffer from. Some of the biggest health concerns to worry about with your Chi-Poo are heart problems, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and low blood sugar.

Heart problems can occur in your Chi-Poo and you should monitor him or her well. Regular checkups at the vet will ensure that any condition is caught early on and treated appropriately. Heart conditions can take the form of heart disease, a heart murmur, or any type of disease.

Patellar luxation is common in the Chi-Poo and is a painful condition best known as a knee dislocation. Females experience this more commonly than males, and you will find that if your puppy has dislocated his or her knee, their back limb may be weak.

Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joint in your Chi-Poo and is painful for him or her. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint does not form properly or when the joint does not fit into the socket the way it should. What happens is the joint rubs in the socket and the cartilage that covers the joint is worn down too quickly. This causes unnecessary stress and force on the joint, which results in pain and can affect the movement of your puppy.

Lastly, Chi-Poos are known to suffer from low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. This condition happens when your puppy’s blood sugar levels drop. This can be a life-threatening situation, but is usually regulated with a special diet and medication.

The Chi-Poo’s life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Chi-Poo is considered to be a sweet, fun, and affectionate puppy that has a playful side and a willingness to learn. You will find that this puppy makes a wonderful house pet and does well inside of an apartment too.

While the Chi-Poo is considered fun and sweet, he or she is likely to have an independent side and when allowed to, will become queen or king of the home. This independence will likely find your puppy in trouble as he or she will get into things they should not.

This breed likes to cuddle, and you will find him or her in your lap as you sit on the couch or next to you in bed as the day winds down. Your Chi-Poo will beg for your attention and does like to be the center of attention.

While not a watchdog, the Chi-Poo is a bit wary of strangers and may not be as inviting as other breeds are. You will find that the Chi-Poo does not do well at home alone and will often become anxious and suffer from separation anxiety.

This breed does not have a lot of exercise requirements, but will need a single walk in the day to help burn off some energy. You will find that your puppy likes to play indoors and is quite active at times inside your home. For the most part, though, this breed is considered to be on the lower end of the activity level spectrum.

Training your Chi-Poo is going to be hit or miss. Some of them train well while others are difficult to train and may frustrate you at times. It is important that you work at training every day, and you are firm when it comes to giving commands.

Socialization is imperative with this breed. You should socialize your puppy with other humans and pets while he or she is still young.

Grooming

The Chi-Poo is considered easy to groom, and he or she does not shed a lot. You should brush your pup two to three times per week.

If your puppy inherits more of the Poodle coat, then you will need to take him or her to the groomers on a regular basis to get trimmed and brushed.

Your puppy does not need to have a regular bath schedule, and a bath should only be given when it is necessary. While you do not have to give your puppy a bath all of the time, you should check his or her ears once per week to clean them.

Also, you want to make sure to trim your Chi-Poo’s nails to prevent them from growing too long. If you are uncomfortable cutting your puppy’s nails, you can take him or her to the groomer to have it done.

Diet

Your Chi-Poo will eat approximately 3/4 cup to 1 1/2 cups of dog food per day. You should choose a brand that is high quality and does not contain a lot of chemicals and by-products.

If you are unsure of what to choose for your puppy, talk to your veterinarian as he or she can recommend the best dry kibble brands for your Chi-Poo.
 

Find A Chi-Poo Breeder

Chi-Poo Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Chi-Poo

Cost

A Chi-Poo puppy will cost you anywhere between $500 and $1,000. The cost of the puppy will depend on the breeder you select and also on the sex of the puppy. Female puppies tend to cost more than male puppies.

In addition to the cost of your puppy, you will need to factor in costs for veterinary visits, vaccines, food, supplies, and similar. These additional expenses can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 annually.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. This breed is considered a wonderful pet for seniors and families. The Chi-Poo does not like to be left alone, and this can cause separation anxiety when it does occur. While this breed is often playful indoors, he or she may be difficult to train leaving you frustrated with a stubborn puppy. This breed ranks a 2.

 

Chihuahua

Poodle

Maltese

Bichon Frise