In this article
View 8 More +The Chigi is a mix between the Chihuahua and the Corgi. Despite being such small animals, these dogs are fiercely loyal, intelligent, and surprisingly energetic. If you’re looking for a small dog with a big personality, the Chigi is almost certainly the one. However, they aren’t the best pets for everyone.
Breed Overview
Height:
7–12 inches
Weight:
10–20 pounds
Lifespan:
12–14 years
Colors:
Black, cream, white, and fawn
Suitable for:
Apartment living, families with children, beginner dog owners
Temperament:
Playful, affectionate, loyal, sometimes stubborn
In this article, we will discuss every aspect of owning a Chigi so that you can decide whether they will be a good fit for your family.
Chigi Characteristics
Chigi Puppies
If you’re interested in buying a Chigi, make sure to do your research before going with a particular breeder. Sadly, puppy mills, so-called “backyard” breeders, and even pet stores are often in the business looking for a profit and don’t always prioritize the health of their dogs.
As a designer breed, Chigis are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. As a result, you will not receive any official pedigree papers with information about your dog’s lineage and health history. However, a good breeder can provide their health history. You should also be able to visit the breeding facility and meet your dog’s parents. Consider it a red flag if a breeder dodges your questions or refuses to let you visit with your dog or their parents before you commit to buying.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Chigi 🧠
The Chigi is a highly intelligent dog. Though loyal, playful, and affectionate, they can sometimes be stubborn. Below, we will discuss different aspects of bringing a Chigi into your family.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Overall, Chigis are great pets for families with children. Bear in mind that Chigis may instinctually try to herd your small children thanks to their Corgi ancestry; however, these dogs are fairly easy to train and should be able to unlearn that habit. Remember that Chigis are small and can easily be injured if your children play too rough. Be sure to teach your children how to interact with your dog to prevent them from being nipped or your dog getting hurt.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
As long as you properly socialize your Chigi, you should have no issues with them getting along with any other dogs. Chigis get along just fine with other animals as long as they are raised together. Your Chigi’s herding instincts may take over occasionally when it comes to smaller animals such as cats, but as with your children, you should be able to train them to stop this behavior.
Things to Know When Owning a Chigi
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Chigis are small dogs that don’t need to eat much daily compared to larger breeds. It is not recommended to free-feed your Chigi since they are prone to weight gain. Instead, split your dog’s daily portion into at least two meals to prevent bloat, which can result from eating too quickly.
To estimate how much food your dog needs, you can use charts such as this one from PetMD. If you still aren’t sure how much your Chigi should be eating or have noticed significant weight loss or weight gain, talk to your vet about your dog’s food requirements.
Exercise 🐕
Despite being such small dogs, Chigis are fairly energetic animals that need about an hour of exercise daily. You can help your dog meet this requirement by taking them on a walk, playing fetch in your yard, or visiting the dog park. Remember that they can’t walk as far as larger dogs because they have short legs.
As long as your Chigi is getting the exercise they need, they can adapt to apartment living. If you do not have access to a fenced-in yard, you will simply need to be more creative about their exercise schedule.
Training 🎾
The Chigi’s Chihuahua parent has a stubborn streak that the Chigi may inherit. Though they are intelligent animals, Chigis can be stubborn. It is important to start obedience training for Chigis from an early age so that they can learn basic commands and develop a foundation for learning desirable behaviors.
Grooming ✂️
Chigis have short coats, so you only need to brush them about once per week to keep shedding at bay. In addition to brushing your Chigi’s coat, you should plan to brush their teeth daily, trim their nails every month, and clean their ears on a regular basis.
Health and Conditions ❤️
Like most crossbreeds, the Chigi is relatively healthy. However, there are health conditions that Chigis are prone to developing. Below, we have outlined mild and serious conditions that you need to be aware of if you decide to bring home a Chigi.
- Glaucoma
- Anxiety
- Skin issues
- Overactive tear ducts
- Diabetes
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypoglycemia
Male vs Female
Each dog has a unique personality, regardless of sex. While there are physical and behavioral differences between males and females, you cannot decide whether a particular dog will be a good fit for your home based on their sex alone. Physically, males are almost always larger than females. Both sexes are still very small dogs, with the males weighing a maximum of 20 pounds and measuring no more than a foot tall.
Males are likely to be more playful than females, whereas females are likely to be more reserved. However, females usually mature faster and are easier to train than males, who can be more stubborn than their female counterparts. Remember that some behavioral differences, such as marking territory or going into heat, can be eliminated by spaying or neutering your animal.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Chigi
1. The Chigi Is One of the Smallest Designer Dog Breeds Out There.
With the Chihuahua and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi as their parents, it’s no surprise that these dogs are short. They measure no more than a foot tall, making them one of the shortest designer breeds you can find.
2. The Chihuahua Has the Biggest Dog Brain Relative to Its Overall Size.
As a result, these little dogs are extremely intelligent and usually easy to train. However, they can be somewhat stubborn, which can make them difficult to house train.
3. Corgis Make Great Watchdogs, Despite How Short They Are.
Corgis are attentive dogs who also happen to have a very assertive bark. Bred as herding dogs, they have no problem using their bark whenever they sense a threat to their family or home. This trait makes them excellent, if unlikely, watchdogs.
Conclusion
Overall, the Chigi is a good fit for many homes, particularly those living in an apartment or another small space, those with children, singles, and the elderly looking for a companion animal. They are suitable for beginners who may not have much experience caring for a dog. However, it is important to understand that while Chigis tend to be fast learners, they are sometimes willful and may not always do what you want them to do.
If you are easily frustrated or feel that you won’t be able to adequately train your dog in the basic obedience commands that will help set you up for success later on, you may want to consider paying for your pup to be trained by a professional.
Related Articles:
Featured Image Credit: penguiniz, Shutterstock
