5-12 lbs
8-11"
United States
The Chipin is a small dog between 8 to 12 inches tall and usually weighs about 5 to 15 pounds. They are a mix of the Chihuahua and the Miniature Pinscher, which are both toy breeds. The Chipin has a short, hard coat that can come in any color from tan to black and combinations thereof. They are very intelligent, fast learners, and easy to train. Due to their short coat, they do not need much maintenance and only require a moderate amount of exercise daily. This breed is excellent with children and pets and make great family pets. However, they can be territorial so they need to be socialized early.
The Chihuahua's history is controversial because there are so many different stories about their background. The most common belief is that they originated over 3,000 years ago, with the Aztecs. Another story is that the breed was started in China and was mixed with other small native dogs when they were brought to the New World by Spanish traders. Another theory is that the Chihuahua started in South America from the Techichi breed of dog, which was a tiny, mute dog used in sacrificial ceremonies. Some believed that the small dogs should be buried with their dead as guides to the afterlife and others believe the dog was used for food by the Aztecs and Toltecs. Another idea is that the Chihuahua was found in Chihuahua, Mexico in the 1800s, which is where the breed got its name. The Chihuahua was not popular in America until Xavier Cugat brought his Chihuahua to appear with him in public. They have been registered with the American Kennel Club since 1904 and this small, but mighty pup is a popular breed of dog in the United States. The Miniature Pinscher originated in Germany in the 1600s and their name (Pinscher) means terrier in German. They are not related to Doberman Pinschers and were used for hunting rats and mice. The Miniature Pinscher is a mix of the German Pinscher, Dachshund, and the Italian Greyhound. In the 1800s, the breed became unattractive and deformed due to the breeders trying to make them smaller, but this was fixed in the early 1900s. The breed became popular in German dog shows and after World War I they became popular in the United States. The Miniature Pinscher was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925. The Chipin is an adorable mix of the parent breeds.
The Chipin is a tiny and cute dog that has a short, smooth, and hard coat that comes in many colors such as cream, chocolate, golden black, tan, black and tan. With a small, round head, huge ears, and a tiny pointed muzzle, they look like a small Miniature Pinscher. Their body is small with well-defined legs, little feet, and they usually have the dark face mask of the Miniature Pinscher. They weigh about 10 pounds and stand about 9 inches high. Their expression is often curious, as if they are always thinking about something, and their dark brown eyes show intelligence.
This breed does not require as much grooming as most dogs. Brushing your furry buddy with a stiff bristle brush several times a week should be enough. You can bathe your Chipin when needed but use vet-approved mild dog shampoo. The shampoo removes the essential oils from your dog’s skin, needed to keep the coat healthy. Often, a wipe down with a gentle doggy wipe or wet facecloth will do the trick. You should also check their ears once a week for mites, redness, dirt, and wax buildup. Clean with a mild cleanser recommended by your veterinarian. Clip your Chipin's toenails when needed. It is also recommended that you brush the teeth at least a few times a week to prevent dental problems.
Your Chipin likes to be with the family all the time and may become bored and yappy when left alone. They are easy to train but you have to stick to the rules so your perky companion knows who is the boss. They do have a bit of a stubborn streak and because of this, you have to make sure to be consistent. Even though they are a small dog, they do not seem to know that and will go after dogs much larger than themselves if they believe they are a threat. They do like kids but small children can be a problem since your Chipin is so small and can be hurt easily. You should make sure your little pup is socialized early so to not become aggressive.
The Chipin needs at least 45 minutes of exercise per day such as running, walking, or hiking. You may also want to get your dog into agility training since this breed is good at that sort of thing and it is great exercise. If your dog does not get enough activity on a daily basis, they are likely to have behavioral problems such as chewing, jumping, digging, and excessive barking. Be sure to keep them mentally active as well by playing games with them, such as fetch and discipline training. They also enjoy chasing squirrels and rabbits so do not be surprised to see them doing that in the yard.
