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An active little dog with a big personality, the Chimation was developed by intentionally breeding a Dalmatian with a Chihuahua. They combine the Dalmatian’s high energy with the Chihuahua’s spirited personality to create a fantastic canine companion for just about anyone.
Breed Overview
Height:
10–12 inches
Weight:
20–35 pounds
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
Black, Brown, Golden, White
Suitable for:
Active families with or without older children, Experienced owners
Temperament:
Smart, Easy to train, Loyal and loving, Active, Protective
If you’re wondering if this lively little designer dog is right for you, read the rest of our in-depth guide to Chimation ownership!
Chimation Characteristics
Chimation Puppies
The Chimation is an adventurous hybrid dog with endless amounts of energy. They’re not well suited to live in an apartment and need space to explore, run, and play. A suburban house with a big backyard is ideal for the Chimation. As a designer dog, the Chimation was purposefully bred to create a delightful dog that embodies the best traits of each parent. They’re a first-generation hybrid that comes from two purebred dogs.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Chimation 🧠
As a deeply devoted dog, the Chimation can become overprotective of their family and cautious around strangers. Early socialization is essential to ensure your Chimation is confident and calm around new faces. Since they’re energetic, they need plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy.
They’re highly intelligent and pretty easy to train but have a stubborn streak and need firm and consistent training sessions. Without ongoing training, the Chimation can become bossy and try to be alpha of the household.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Chimation does best in a home with older or no children. Due to their small size, a young child can accidentally injure the Chimation. Since they’re high-energy dogs, Chimations will do best with active owners who love to hike, jog, and walk. They can be prone to separation anxiety, and they should never be left alone for long periods.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yes! The Chimation is great with other dogs and cats. Whenever your Chimation interacts with larger canines, keep a close eye on them to ensure everyone is safe and plays nicely.
Things to Know When Owning a Chimation
In order to provide your Chimation with the best life possible, it is important to thoroughly understand their care requirements. Here is everything you need to know about feeding, training, grooming, and exercising your new Chimation.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Chimation is a smaller dog that can eat up to 2 cups of kibble split into two daily meals. Since the Chimation is prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), avoid serving food that contains high levels of purine. Always buy high-quality formulas that list “meat” as the first ingredient. Make sure your dog has constant access to clean, fresh water.
Exercise 🐕
Both of your Chimation’s parent breeds are active, energetic dogs. Therefore, the Chimation needs plenty of daily exercise to be mentally stimulated and physically fit. They need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. Aim to walk them about 11 miles every week.
Training 🎾
Since they’re bright pups, Chimations can quickly learn basic commands and more complicated tricks. Sometimes, they’re stubborn and willful and need consistent training from a patient yet firm handler. Positive reinforcement training techniques work best.
Grooming ✂️
As a distinctive-looking dog, the Chimation can inherit the Dalmatian’s unique spotting. They have a short, soft coat that requires one to two brushing sessions each week. You can use a slicker brush to remove loose or dead hair. Trim your dog’s nails as needed, clean their ears and eyes, and brush their teeth daily.
Health and Conditions ❤️
- Cataracts
- Bladder stones
- Corneal dystrophy
- Hypothyroidism
- Hydrocephalus
- Hip dysplasia
- Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
- Urinary tract infections
To ensure your Chimation is happy and healthy, take them to the vet every year for a routine wellness check. They may need occasional eye exams and radiographs to catch potential problems before they become more serious conditions.
Male vs Female
The male Chimation is a bit larger than the female and can be more aggressive. However, males and females have similar temperaments and make excellent pets. Their upbringing and health affect their temperament more than their sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Chimation
1. Dalmatians are Born Spotless
The iconic spots Dalmatians are known for aren’t present when they’re born. Instead, the spots will slowly appear when the puppy is about 3 weeks old. When a Dalmatian is 3 weeks old, all of the black spots will be fully visible.
2. Don’t Poke a Chihuahua’s Head
Like newborn babies, the Chihuahua has a soft spot atop their head called a molera. But unlike babies, this soft spot never hardens.
3. Chimations Are a Recognized Hybrid Breed
Despite not being recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Chimation is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc., the Designer Dog Kennel Club, the American Canine Hybrid Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a unique little dog, the Chimation could be the ideal pet. As an active breed, the Chimation needs at least an hour of exercise every day. They do best in a household with older children and a large backyard. If you are considering adding a Chimation to your family, this petite pup will provide you with unconditional love and loyalty for years to come!
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Featured Image Credit: Left – Pixabay | Right – Mirko Kaminski, Pixabay
