Are you a fan of designer dog breeds, and all you want is a loyal, smart, and courageous dog mix? Then perhaps you should consider the Pitbull Chihuahua mix. This breed mix results from breeding a small dog breed, Chihuahua, and the strong and agile Pitbull.
You can find this dog breed mix with other names like the chitbull, chihuabull, or the Chipit.
So how does this Pitbull Chihuahua mix resemble, and how much care does it require? Keep reading to learn more.
The Origin of the Pitbull Chihuahua Mix
The origin of the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is not that open. Most people claim this dog originated from America, but that’s is yet to be verified.
However, the history of its parents is clear. Let’s have a look at the history of the Chihuahua and the Pitbull.
Summary Table of The Pitbull and Chihuahua Mix
breed name | Pitbull Chihuahua mix |
Type of dog breed | Mixed dog breed |
Other names | Chitbull, chihuabull, or the Chipit. |
Breed recognition | International designer canine registry |
Weight range | 15-35 pounds |
Height range | 12-18 inches |
personality | Playful, loyal, tough, intelligent |
Coat type | Short or long |
Shedding level | moderate |
Grooming needs | moderate |
Relationship with children | perfect |
price | 300-700 dollars |
lifespan | 10-16 years |
History of the Pitbull
The Pitbull has its history tracing back to the UK. This dog came forth after interbreeding bull-baiting dogs and the terrier. All they wanted was to mesh the agile nature of the terrier and the courageous and masculine nature of Pitbulls.
Immigrants traveled with these dogs into America, where the inhabitants further perfected this dog breed by breeding it with other dogs to get perfect herding and hunting canines.
Highlight: the Pitbull is not officially recognized as a particular dog breed. Rather it’s more of a classification of dog breeds who share the same characters and appearance (*).
History of the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a small dog breed classified under the toy group by the AKC, and it’s one of the oldest dog breeds, with its history still not clear.
However, this dog breed is associated with an ancient civilization that used these dogs for companionship.
These dogs also have some roots in Chihuahua, a town in Mexico, hence the dog breed’s name.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Appearance and Size
The size and appearance of the Pitbull can often be hard to predict. However, what we know is that this dog will share the traits present in its parent. This dog can weigh between 15-35 pounds and have a 12-18 inches height range.
This dog breed mix has a masculine body like that of the Pitbull. The ears are long like that of the father Chihuahua, and still, its head resembles that of a Chihuahua.
The Chihuahua parent often determines the coat of this dog. You can have a Pitbull Chihuahua mix with a short or long coat. Mostly you will find this designer dog breeder having a short glossy smooth coat.
Consequently, there is no standard coat color when it comes to this dog breed mix. You can have a dog breed mix presenting with the following coat colors, white, black, brindle, black, and Tan.
Temperaments of the Pitbull Chihuahua Mix
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a dog breed mix that is loyal, gentle, intelligent, and courageous. This dog breed loves human attention, always in the love of joining any family activity. Also, it’s a dog that can tend to be attached to one single person in your house.
These dogs are also watchful of their surroundings, and they won’t hesitate to bark anytime they feel threatened.
Though they bark a lot, these dogs cannot be classified as perfect guard dogs; however, they are more of watchdogs.
Like its parents, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a dog breed full of energy. With such traits, it will not require an owner who is a couch potato.
Grooming and Taking Care of the Pitbull Chihuahua Mix
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix will need a dedicated owner who gives this dog breed a big room where it can flex its muscles. Again, this mix will need someone ready to take care of its needs like grooming, diet, and routine health checkups.
Furthermore, this dog breed doesn’t shed a lot, as it often comes with a short coat. Keeping this short tidy by brushing it three to four times a week will do the job.
Besides making your dog look good, brushing will help spread the natural oils present in its coat.
Additionally, you can bathe this dog coat once every three months using a dog shampoo. You can opt for a medicated shampoo if your dog has a skin condition.
Other grooming etiquettes that you should never forget doing include.
- Cleaning the ears once a week while checking for anything out of place.
- Trimming the nails short using a pet-friendly nail clipper.
- Brushing the teeth with a veterinary-approved toothbrush and toothpaste.
Exercise Needs
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a furball of energy. Ensuring your dog burns all its energy daily is one key aspect that will make your dog happier and healthier.
How much exercise does the Pitbull Chihuahua mix need? With its high energy levels, this dog breed mix will need 25-45 minutes of exercise daily.
Evening walks, fetch, or playing hide and seek will be a perfect way of ensuring your dog is well exercised.
Also, make sure you have availed a big space where this dog can romp around when it’s alone.
It’s often good to have a tired Pitbull Chihuahua mix as he will be easy to manage.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Training and Socialization
Don’t forget to train and socialize your Pitbull Chihuahua mix.
When it comes to training, ensure you have started early when the dog is still enthusiastic about learning new tricks and commands.
When training your dog, learn to use positive reinforcement. With positive reinforcement, you will only reward your dog when it follows your commands. Worth noting, your Chihuahua will learn good deeds will get him rewarded.
Again, let the dog understand you are the leader of the house. The reason being most dogs love a pack leader who will lead them, just like how their cousins the wolves do in the wild. If your dog doesn’t recognize you as the leader, you will have a furball who will be difficult to handle and guide.
With that, ensure you have taken the alpha role in your house.
Lastly, Socialization is an important aspect that Pitbull Chihuahua mix should not skip. With Socialization, it involves exposing this dog breed to lots of sights and sounds. Let the dog become exposed to many people and animals. A dog who is not socialized is always fearful and can attack you out of fear.
However, well-socialized dogs will know how to react in different setups.
You can take your dog to public places and let it become exposed to many people, sights, and sounds.
Diet
When checking this dog’s diet, look for one that will supply enough calories per its size, age, and energy levels. Active Pitbull Chihuahua mix will need a diet with many calories compared to couch potato type of chitbulls.
Nevertheless, as a high-energy dog breed, ensure it consumes dry kibble as this type of diet has high-calorie content.
So, how many cups of kibble will a Pitbull Chihuahua mix need? A Pitbull Chihuahua mix will need 1 to 3 cups of kibble per day. Adults will need two feeding sessions daily, while puppies can be fed 3-4 times a day.
If your dog is not comfortable with dry food, you can opt for a homemade diet or a commercial diet. Depending on which type of diet you settle on, all you need to ensure is that it’s enough to supply the needful calories. Don’t underfeed or overfeed your dog.
Also, remember to avail fresh and clean water daily. While at this, a veterinary or animal nutritionist can help structure a well-detailed feeding guideline suitable for your Pitbull Chihuahua mix.
Health Issues
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a dog breed less associated with diseases common to its parents. However, that is not a guarantee that you will get a healthy dog less susceptible to common ailments.
While at that, if you want to get a dog that is healthier and less susceptible to congenital conditions, consider purchasing from a legit breeder who is authentic.
So which conditions are more common to the Pitbull Chihuahua mix?
Furthermore, it’s important that you ensure your dog has received all vaccinations. Also, remember to deworm your dog regularly. Not unless you are a breeder, you need to desex this dog breed mix.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Lifespan
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix has a life span of 10-16 years. To enhances the chance of your dog living long, ensure he is well taken care of, and still maintain a schedule of visiting a vet once every six months for routine checkups.
Where to Get a Pitbull Chihuahua Mix
Visit any legit breeder in your locality and ask about the possibility of having this dog breed mix. A reputable breeder will answer all questions confidently, the breeding center is well-kept, and the dogs there look healthy. Lastly, the dog breeder is ready to show all the health clearance certificates of the parents and the puppies.
Please don’t get your puppy from a breeder who fails on any of our highlighted checkpoints.
Moreover, consider checking in any rescue center or animal shelter if you can’t find any breeder.
The probability of getting a puppy Pitbull Chihuahua mix in such centers will still be low as this breed mix is still rare.
However, Puppies in such centers will be much cheaper than puppies you get from a breeder. Caution don’t purchase your puppy from the internet, newspaper ads, or craigslist, as you may get scammed. Due diligence is needed. Also, avoid a breeder who is always having his puppies on discounts.
How Much is A Pitbull Chihuahua Mix
The price of a puppy, Chihuahua Pitbull mix, can range from 300-700 dollars if you get it from a breeder. However, if you get one from a rescue center, the price can range from 50-150 dollars.
Other expenses you will incur after owning this breed mix will range from 400-600 dollars per year. These are the medical and nonmedical expenses.
Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Summary
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a mixed breed best suited for a family that is active and ready to keep this dog company every time. This dog will need daily exercise sessions, it should be groomed regularly, and lastly, it should be fed a healthy diet.
Now on to you, do you own this breed mix? Or are you planning to have one? Tell us here down in the comment box.