Pitbull Chihuahua Mix: Chipit Lifespan, Temperament and Health

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Updated on: 06/08/2023

As you may have guessed, the Pitbull Chihuahua is a mixed breed between the Pitbull and the Chihuahua, although it is also often referred to as a Pihuahua, Chitbull, or a Chipit. This is a very rare crossbreed in the dog world, but it has benefits as the Pitbull Chihuahua often carries the best traits from mom and dad. As such, you are left with a dog that has high energy levels, unrelenting loyalty, playfulness, affection, and a need for strict training.

Photo by @cynoclub from Freepik

As with any breed of dog, it is always a good idea to research what you are getting in for before inviting the pup into your home. Fortunately for you, we have compiled an all-you-need guide on Pitbull Chihuahua mix dogs below!

Characteristics Table

The following are the main characteristics shown by the Pitbull Chihuahua mix:

Height	12-18 inches
Weight	15-35 pounds
Lifespan	10-13 years
Coat	Short
Colors	Black, tan, white, gold
Shedding	Moderate
Temperament	Intelligent, loyal, friendly, affectionate
Intelligence	High
Social skills	Very friendly and energetic around people
Destructive	Can be destructive if bored
Other issues	Health problems – Pregnancy problems
People skills	Sociable and playful but can be protective against strangers
Children	Kid-friendly
Energy levels	Lots of energy

Breed History

The Pitbull Chihuahua cross is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, which is the case with most crossbreeds. However, the International Designer Canine Registry and the Dog Registry of America both recognize the Pitbull Chihuahua as a breed.

Photo by @chimisthechit from Instagram

The Chihuahua is classed as a toy breed, and its origins are not exactly known for certain. Dogs similar to Chihuahuas were around during very early civilizations such as the Toltecs and the Aztecs and were used not only for companionship but also for food and religious activities – although no one knows the entire truth behind these claims. In the 1800s, tourists started to admire the Chihuahua in Mexico, bringing them back home to a number of other countries. In the 1890s, they started to pop up in dog shows worldwide before being recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1908. The United Kennel Club followed suit exactly 40 years later.

On the other hand, the Pitbull dates back to the 19^th century United Kingdom. At the time, there was a desire to breed a dog that would be effective in blood sports and entertainment. This included dog fighting, bull-baiting, and bear-baiting, which is a rather sad origin story for the Pitbull. English Bulldogs and Old Terrier dogs were bred together to create the Pitbull cross for this purpose. Not only did they have the Terrier’s cunning and clever attitude, but they also had the bravery and ferociousness of the Bulldog. In 1845, the Pitbulls made the trip to America, still being used as fighting dogs. However, this is where the story changed. People soon saw the fighter’s soft side, and the Pitbull became widely known as ‘The Nanny Dog’.

Pitbull Chihuahua Mix Temperament and Personality

The Pitbull Chihuahua is known to be a bundle of energy and is used to an active lifestyle, so it’s best if your family’s personality matches theirs. For example, if you live alone and don’t get out too much, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix may not be for you. But a family with young, active kids who love to play outside may be the perfect match for the Pitbull Chihuahua mix.

If there is one thing you should know going into your life with a Pitbull Chihuahua cross, you need to be prepared to spend lots of time with them. As we said, they are a bundle of energy, but they are also playful and seek entertainment from their owners. They can become destructive if you can’t stimulate them with playtime and exercise.

They are also known to bark a lot, especially when a stranger is in or around your home. The Chipit is a very loyal dog and can be defensive, at times too defensive, when strangers are around. If they think someone is a threat, they will let you know about it. As such, you must train and socialize them from an early age. Some evidence suggests that Pitbulls are more prone to biting than other breeds, but training your Pitbull Chihuahua from day one will stand you in good stead.

The Pitbull Chihuahua cross may be a small dog, but don’t let that fool you. They can adapt to living in smaller apartments, but they thrive when given lots of space to run around in. If you have a big house or a large garden to burn off their energy, that would be ideal for you and the Chipit.

Activity and Exercise Requirements

As we have said a few times, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is a bundle of energy; therefore, you need to help them burn some of that energy throughout the day. We recommend at least two walks every day, as well as multiple sessions of playtime. Basically, you want to keep them physically exercised and mentally stimulated to stop them from becoming bored and destructive. Investing in toys and games can be a great way to keep them amused if you don’t have the time to play with them for hours. It is worth noting that while some dog breeds require less exercise and playtime with age, the Pitbull Chihuahua will likely keep their high energy levels throughout their old age.

american pitbull terrier activity levels

Photo by @natabuena from Freepik

Feeding and Diet

Fortunately, the Pitbull Chihuahua cross does not require any particular diet. All you need is high-quality dog food that provides a balanced diet and is aimed toward the age of your Chipit. We recommend a diet mainly kibble for Pitbull Chihuahua crossbreeds, with the occasional can of wet dog food.

The dry kibble will also help to keep their teeth clean from plaque and bacteria as they eat. This is good for general tooth health and can fight against onset problems such as gingivitis or canine periodontal disease.

The Pitbull Chihuahua has so much energy that you may be better off going for dog food usually aimed towards normal-sized breeds rather than Chihuahuas specifically or other smaller dogs. The Pitbull Chihuahua should be given as much water as they want throughout the day, so keep an eye on that water bowl.

It is always a good idea to ask your vet about your specific Chipit during your next check-up. Ask them for recommendations as there is considerable variation from dog to dog.

READ MORE: Small White Dog Breeds

Grooming and Shedding

Thanks to the short and glossy coat on the Pitbull Chihuahua mix, your new pet should not require too much grooming. However, using a stuff-bristled brush a couple of times each week to remove any dead hair is recommended. You may notice a decent amount of shedding from your Chipit, so beware anyone with dog hair allergies.

READ MORE: Best Small Breed Puppy Food

Known Health Problems

As with most dogs, the Pitbull Chihuahua mix can come with health problems throughout its 10–13-year life. The Chipit tends to be a relatively healthy breed of dog, but there are still a few problems to keep an eye out for.

Patellar Luxation. This is often found in smaller dogs and involves trauma/dislocation to one or more of the animal’s kneecaps. This can also be hereditary and present in Pitbull Chihuahua puppies.
Hypoglycemia. This is also often present in smaller dogs and involves the animal’s blood sugar levels falling too low. This is most common after a period of exercise or excitement or when your dog misses a meal. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your Pitbull Chihuahua may suffer from Hypoglycaemia.
Hip Dysplasia. This problem impacts the hip joints in dogs like Pitbull Chihuahua. The joints disintegrate and cause malformation, pain, and arthritis. Severe cases may require surgery, while minor cases can be managed with drugs.
Heart Issues. Two main cardiac issues are sometimes seen in Chihuahua breeds, even though Pitbulls are generally healthy regarding the heart. Patent ductus arteriosus causes a failure to close in a small blood vessel in the heart and can be seen in puppies. Mitral valve disease is more common in adult dogs and strains the heart as weakened valves allow backwards blood flow.
Collapsed Trachea. A Pitbull Chihuahua pulls hard against their collar or chain can cause a tracheal collapse. Some small dogs are also born with weakened or deformed tracheal cartilage, which can cause a similar collapse. Either way, a collapsed trachea can make it more difficult for your dog to breathe.

Training

As we explained above, the Pitbull Chihuahua requires training from day one. They are highly intelligent, protective and distrusting of strangers, so you need to make sure they are well trained and socialized early in life.

The best training tool for a young Chipit is positive reinforcement as they can be quite stubborn. They have a lot of strength, energy and high intelligence, so if they resist your training methods, it can become extremely difficult. As such, they may not be the best choice for first-time dog owners.

Adoption

You can try to find a Pitbull Chihuahua mix at your local shelter, but they are a very rare breed so this may be an unlikely road to go down. Adopting also comes with risks as the Pitbull Chihuahua may be there for a reason. Abuse, neglect, and personality problems may exist, which provide big speed bumps in your journey. Problems like these can have long-term effects so find out as much as you can about the Chipit and their history from the shelter. You want to know what you are getting yourself into before you make a decision.

Breeders

The most direct route to sourcing a Pitbull Chihuahua mix is via a breeder. This is especially the case if you have your heart set on a rare Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppy. Chipits are bred using Chihuahua and Pitbull parents and there are many experienced breeders out there who provide litters.

To find the best breeder for Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppies, we recommend that you research online for your local options. There should be reviews for each breeder, so you can see who has a good reputation and who should be avoided.

Conclusion

And there we have it, our complete guide to the Pitbull Chihuahua mix. This should give you all the starter information you need to confidently decide on whether you want to adopt or purchase a Chipit. Feel free to refer back as you welcome the new dog into your home for tips on training, health, exercise, and more. We wish you all the best with your new best friend!

FAQs:

Can a Pitbull be mixed with a Chihuahua?

Yes, a Pitbull can be mixed with a Chihuahua, although it is also often referred to as a Pihuahua, Chitbull, or a Chipit.

Are Pitbull Chihuahuas aggressive?

The Pitbull Chihuahua mix can be aggressive towards strangers if they think they could be a threat to the family. The Chipit is an extremely intelligent dog, but also very protective over their family, so they will bark and confront intruders. As such, it is important to train and socialize them from day one to teach them how to act around new people and animals.