Don’t Get a Chipoo If You Want THIS
Rocky Kanaka
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There are giant Doodles like the Saint Berdoodle and the Great Danoodle. There are medium Doodles like the Sproodle and the Whoodle. There are even small Doodles like the Doxiepoo and the Peekapoo. But did you know there are extra-small Poodle mixes called Chipoos?
The Chipoo (also called a Chi-poo or Chi Poo) is a Chihuahua Poodle mix, usually a combination of Chihuahua and Miniature, Toy, or Teacup Poodle. Sometimes as little as 5 pounds, this designer dog breed can be small enough to fit in one hand! If “tiny” is a quality you look for in your dogs, the Chipoo certainly fits the bill, but don’t go buying a mini Poodle and Chihuahua mix just yet!
⚠️ Beware! You Will Have Zero PRIVACY
Adopting a Chipoo dog mix can bring immense joy and companionship to your life. However, it’s important to consider that your privacy may be greatly diminished once you welcome this adorable canine into your home. Chipoo dogs are known for their affectionate and social nature, always seeking to be by their owners’ side. Whether you’re sitting on the couch, working at your desk, or even trying to use the bathroom, don’t be surprised if your loyal Chipoo becomes your constant shadow. They thrive on human interaction and crave attention, making it challenging to find moments of solitude. Your new furry friend will be constantly seeking your company, showering you with unconditional love and loyalty, and reminding you that privacy, as you once knew it, may be a thing of the past. But for many pet owners, the joy and love received from their Chipoo companion make it a small sacrifice to pay.
Meet 6 Insta-Famous Chipoos
Don’t worry, we’re not going to make you wait to see adorable Chipoo pictures until the end! We’re starting things off with six Chihuahua Poodle mixes from Instagram. As you scroll through these pups, take a look at how different they all are. Hybrid dogs like the Chipoo can look vastly different from one another and often have different sizes, colors, hair textures, etc.
1. Teddy
Teddy is a 1.5-year-old Chipoo with a luxurious fluffy coat and a classic Chihuahua curly tail! Teddy’s physique is all Chihuahua, just look at the attitude in that stance. Because he’s a Chihuahua mixed with a Poodle, Teddy has much more fur than even long-haired Chihuahuas.
2. Clifford
Clifford the little red (and white) dog is a Chipoo with a little extra spice! Because the Chipoo isn’t a true breed and is instead a mixed designer breed, many Chipoos have additional parent breeds. In Clifford’s case, he’s a Chihuahua Terrier Poodle mix with a sprinkle of a few other breeds in there.
3. Chloe
Chloe is a Chiweenie Poodle mix—also called a Chiweeniepoo. That means that Chloe is 25% Chihuahua, 25% Dachshund, and 50% Poodle! Remember how we mentioned that many Chipoos also have additional parent breeds? Chloe is a great example of that.
4. Hobi
This sweet little Chipoo is Hobi whose dad was a fawn Chihuahua and his mom was a red Toy Poodle. A very small dog, Hobi might be small enough to qualify as a “teacup” Chihuahua Poodle mix!
5. Benny Jet
Benny Jet is a mid-sized Chihuahua and Poodle mix, and lives in Mexico where he goes everywhere with his moms—especially if a pup cup or food is involved! When a French Poodle Chihuahua mix is this size, it usually means their Poodle parent was a Miniature Poodle rather than a Toy Poodle.
6. Dobby
Dobby is a long-haired Chihuahua mixed with Poodle—toy Poodle, that is—living in Ontario, Canada. This adorable black Chihuahua Poodle mix loves going for walks no matter the weather, but won’t say no to a nap, either!
Chipoo Basic Info
The Mexican Chihuahua mixed with French* Poodle is fairly common amongst hybrid dogs. Chihuahua and Poodle genes are often found in small-sized cross breeds, likely because these breeds are popular and abundant in the United States. Because of this, the Chipoo may be a 50/50 Chihuahua mix with French Poodle, or they may have additional breeds in their genetic background.
Chihuahua Poodle Terrier mixes, Chiweenie Poodle mixes, and other small breed hybrid dogs may all qualify as “Chipoos” as long as a significant portion of their parentage is made up of Chihuahua and Poodle. Chipoos can also be a mix breed of any variety of Chihuahua and either Toy or Miniature Poodles.
So, a long-haired Chihuahua Poodle mix is just as much a Chipoo as a short-haired Chihuahua and Poodle mixed. In the same way, a miniature Poodle Chihuahua Terrier mix is just as much a Chipoo as a toy Poodle Chihuahua mix.
*Note: Although Poodles are commonly called French—and are the national dog breed of France—Poodles actually originate in Germany.
Chipoo Temperament
Both Chihuahuas and Poodles are fabulous companion dogs known to form strong bonds with their humans. Eager to please and quick to choose their favorite people, the Chipoo (or a Poodle mixed with Chihuahua) is intelligent, loving, and loyal.
“I got a Chipoo puppy 2 months ago (she’s now 6 months old) & it has been the most pleasant experience ever!” says a comment on a Reddit thread where people were sharing their experiences with the French Poodle Chihuahua mix. “She’s the easiest puppy I’ve ever lived with. Very smart, sweet, & loyal! She follows me everywhere & is just such a well-behaved puppy! Super easy to potty train & crate train.”
Your Chipoo WIll Become Your Shadow
Of course, life isn’t always sunshine and roses with any dog breeds, and there will always be behaviors you don’t love as much as others. Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes can be very vocal and protective of their humans and their homes. Poodles and Poodle mixes are similarly protective of their humans, and Chipoos often inherit this instinct and will turn into your shadow.
In some cases, this attachment to their humans can turn into separation anxiety and reactivity. Because of this, it’s important to instill confidence in your Poodle mixed with Chihuahua—they may be small, but they have the same needs as big dogs.
Chipoo Size
The size of a full-grown Chihuahua Poodle mix will depend enormously on its parentage. For example, a Miniature Poodle with Chihuahua mix will be larger than a Toy Poodle mixed Chihuahua. Similarly, if another breed is added to a Chipoos genetic makeup, this too can affect their size.
On average, Chipoos stand between 5–15 inches at the shoulder and weigh 4–20 pounds.
Teacup Chihuahua Poodle mixes are Chipoos that stand under 6 inches and weigh less than 6 pounds. However, breeding dogs this small has been questioned due to the high potential for birth defects and serious health conditions. If you see a breeder advertising that their puppies are “teacup” this could be a red flag.
Chipoo Health
Mixed-breed dogs like the Chipoo tend to be healthier in general than purebred dogs. Of course, there is always a chance of a dog developing health issues over its lifetime, and it’s good to know what to look out for. Chipoos may inherit health concerns from either their Poodle or Chihuahua side or may develop conditions common amongst small and toy breeds.
Some health issues to look out for if you own a Chipoo, a Poodle Terrier Chihuahua mix, or a similar hybrid breed include:
- Low blood sugar
- Overactive tear glands
- Addison’s disease (a hormonal imbalance of the adrenal gland)
- Luxating patellas
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Vision and eye problems
- Heart problems (e.g. mitral valve disease)
- Dental issues
Where To Find a Chihuahua French Poodle Mix of Your Own
The best place to find a Chipoo is at your local shelter or via a rescue organization. Chipoos are not an actual dog breed and are not regulated or bred by reputable breeders. Most often, Chipoos are the result of stray dog pairings, accidental litters, backyard breeding, and puppy mill breeding. Because of this, it’s best to avoid breeders advertising Chipoo puppies and instead go the adoption route.
Remember, most Chipoos will also have additional breeds in their parentage, so be open to the idea of a mixed breed with diverse genetics!
Here are a few resources—including breed-specific rescues—to help you get started.
Chihuahua X Poodle FAQ
Are Chipoos hypoallergenic?
No. There is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. The idea of a 100% hypoallergenic dog was created as a marketing tactic and does not hold true. All dog breeds, regardless of hair type, carry approximately the same amount of allergen. Some individual dogs may cause fewer allergic reactions in humans than others, but this is not due to their breed type.
In some cases—if you are allergic to dog dander and not their saliva or urine—a low-shedding dog breed may not trigger your allergies. Some Chipoos are low-shedding, but others aren’t, so don’t get a Chipoo expecting to not be allergic to it if you have a dog allergy.
Do Chipoos shed?
Yes. Combining different dog breeds can produce strange, sometimes unexpected results. When you mix Chihuahua and Poodle, the puppies may or may not inherit their Poodle parent’s low-shedding fur type. More commonly, Chipoos will shed moderately—less than their Chihuahua parent and more than their Poodle parent.
Are Chipoos good with young children?
Sometimes! Some Chipoos enjoy the activity and playfulness of kids. Others find children intimidating and may be uncertain and nervous around them. Because of their small size, Chipoos can also easily be injured by over-zealous kiddos who haven’t yet learned to be gentle with animals. Because of this, we recommend Chipoos for families with older, calm children or young ones who have learned to respect dog boundaries.
How long do Chipoos live?
The average lifespan for a Chipoo is 12–15 years, but some live much longer. Small breeds like the Chipoo have been known to reach ages of 20 or more, and are often quite healthy throughout their long lives.
Loving this tiny Poodle mix? Read about another miniature Doodle, the Maltipoo!
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