The Chihuahua and the Miniature Pinscher were crossed to make the Chipin, which is a mixed breed dog. Small, happy, and quick to learn, these puppies got some of the best traits from both of their parents. Finding out about the breeds of the parents can tell you a lot about their personalities and how they act. Chipins are also called Pinhuahua and Minchi, among other names.
Even though they are “designer” breeds, you may find these mixed-breed dogs in shelters and rescues. Keep this in mind when looking! Don’t shop! Even though they bark a lot, these cute puppies make great apartment dogs for families and active city dwellers.
The Chipin could be your new best friend if you want an active, “spirited” dog that will keep you on your toes, warn you of any dangers, and love you no matter what. The characteristics of Chipins’ mixed dog breeds are listed below.
Highlights
The Chipin is a mix of two dogs. They are not purebred dogs like their Chihuahua or Miniature Pinscher parents. Chipins are mostly black, brown, gold, and cream in colour. They can be many different colours, but most of the time they are only two. Chipins don’t do well in bad weather, but their coats are short, straight, and easy to care for.
They might need a dog coat in the winter and pet sunscreen in the summer. Most of the time, chipins like to be with adults or older kids who know how to play gently. Even though they might prefer to be the only pet in the house, they can get along with other pets if they are introduced to them early on. When they are fed too much, some Chipins tend to get fat.
Make sure they eat at the same time every day and that they get enough exercise to match their high energy level. Even though Chipins are great apartment dogs, they need to be with people and do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. Chipins are good watchdogs, even though they can be noisy.
History
The Chipin breed may have happened on its own over time, but in the early 2000s, probably in North America, people started breeding Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers together on purpose to make the Chipin breed. The Chihuahua, which is the parent breed of the Miniature Pinscher, was originally from Mexico. It’s not clear why these two breeds were mixed, but the resulting dogs are happy, alert, and smart.
As the number of people who wanted mixed-breed puppies grew, breeders kept making Chipins. Chipins are not currently recognised as a breed. Even though Chipins were first bred by people, some of them have ended up in shelters or with rescue groups. If you decide that this breed is right for you, you might want to adopt.
Check your local shelters, look for Chipin rescues and get in touch with Pinscher or Chihuahua rescues if you need to find a home for a mixed-breed dog.
Size
The Chipin is a young breed, so there aren’t many rules about how big it should be. But, since his parents are a Miniature Pinscher and a Chihuahua, you can expect Chipins to be small. Most of them weigh between 5 and 15 pounds and are between 8 and 12 inches tall at the shoulder. Some, though, come in different sizes. Most of the time, men are a bit bigger than women.
Personality
People say that Chipins is a big dog in a small body. They are very loyal to the people they live with and are very smart, alert, and quick. Chipins are easy to train, which makes them great watchdogs. Because they can be territorial, be ready to let them know when people are coming. They like how agility classes keep them mentally and physically active, so they are a good fit.
Because they are so curious, they would be great people to travel with. This fearless puppy might be the perfect dog for you if you want a friend who won’t take up much space and will always have your back. Before you get this breed, make sure you have the time and energy to care for it.
If you work away from home, you might have to take this puppy with you, or it might need a dog walker or pet sitter during the day. They don’t do well when they are alone. Chipins are so small and cute that one could easily become the office mascot and make everyone in the office fall in love with it.
Even though they get along with other family members, they often stick to one person. Chipins need a lot of care, so they might be best for a single person or a small family.
Health
Both the Chihuahua and the Miniature Pinscher are prone to some of the same health problems as the Chipin. Even though most are in good health, a few may be more likely to get sick, so it’s important to give them the care they need and take them to the vet regularly. Here are some of the most common health problems Chipins might have:
- Hips that stick out.
- Obesity.
- Eye damage.
- Illness of the heart.
- Cataracts.
- Pressure in the blood is low.
Care
As with any dog, you should continue to take your Chipin to the vet regularly so that any health problems can be caught early. Your vet can help you set up a routine of care for your dog that will keep it healthy. Chipins are very active and tend to put on a lot of weight. Most likely, your Chipin will spend the whole day by your side, eager to watch and learn from everything you do.
A 45-minute walk or walk every day would help them burn off energy and stop them from doing something bad. Because they are small, they might need to go to the toilet more often. If you never stop moving, this dog would love to be your co-pilot. Because their ears are sharp and pointy, they don’t get ear infections as often as dogs with ears that flap.
Even so, the ears should be checked regularly for dirt, wax, and mites. Trim your dog’s nails about once or twice a month, before they get too long. When they hit the ground, they shouldn’t make a lot of noise. You can get help with this from your groomer, and you can brush up with YouTube tutorials.
The most important thing you will do for your Chipin is to take care of its teeth. Since dental problems are more common in small breeds, you should brush their teeth every day. Your vet can tell you how to brush your dog’s teeth in the right way.
Feeding
A small breed like the Chipin that has a lot of energy should eat a high-energy diet. If you feed them too much, they are likely to gain weight, so stick to a regular schedule and don’t leave food out all day. Like all dogs, a Chipin’s dietary needs will change as it gets older and will continue to do so as it gets older.
There are too many differences between dogs, such as weight, energy level, and health, to make a specific recommendation. Instead, you should talk to your vet about your Chipin’s diet.
Design and Care of Coats
Chipins often have coats and colours that are a mix of those of their parents, the Miniature Pinscher and the Chihuahua. Most of the time, it comes in black, brown, gold, and cream colours. Most of the time, they have two colours, but sometimes they have all of them. Their coats are straight, short, and easy to care for.
They should be brushed a few times a week. Chipins should only get one bath a month, with a gentle shampoo that the vet recommends, because baths remove the natural oils from the coat. Because their coats are short, they don’t do well in harsh weather. In the winter, your dog will probably need a coat, and in the summer, when there is less fur to protect the ears, nose, and other sensitive areas, you might need to put sunscreen on them.
Children and animals
The Chipin is a small dog, so kids who are too excited could hurt it. Most of the time, it likes to be with adults or older kids who know how to play gently. For homes with only one person, the Chipin can be a great, active companion. It can get along with other pets if they are brought together slowly and calmly. This will go more smoothly if people get to know each other early on.
It’s best if they get used to other pets as soon as possible. Chipins would probably get along well with a cat, even though they can be mean to dogs they don’t know and might want to eat a bird or other small animal. It will be the happiest because it will be their only pet.
Rescue Teams
Chipins are a mix of different breeds, so it might be hard to find a rescue that only takes that breed. You might want to look into rescues for Chihuahuas or Miniature Pinschers instead, since they often take in mixed-breed animals.
Source: Chipin – Mixed Dog Breed Characteristics & 10 Facts (petscaretip.com)
Oliver Dog Breeds blog 