Are you looking for Pitbull Chihuahua mix puppies? Read on to find out all you need to know about these bold little pups, including ancestry information, trainability, breed health, and more, to determine if this strange concoction is the dog for you.
Crossbreed dogs are bred for a purpose, the Labradoodle being the first hybrid on the scene catering for those who loved the Labrador but not his fur. Following the Labradoodle, we now have a whole catalog of highly popular hybrid dogs to meet the demand of owner’s preferences. Some, like the Bassador, are less well-known but increasingly popular, and the same can be said for the Pitbull Chihuahua mix.
Chihuahuas have been bred with large dogs before, none coming any larger than the Great Dane, and Pitbulls have been crossed with other breeds of dogs, including the Great Dane and the Boxer.
We also have the pocket-sized Pitbull, the result of Pitbull and Patterdale Terrier parentage. The pocket-sized Pit was designed for those who wanted the nature of the Pitbull but were limited with space. So, what does a Chihuahua bring to the table when mixed with Pitbull DNA? Well, in this post, we’re going to explore exactly that.
What is a Pitbull Chihuahua Mix?
A Pitbull Chihuahua mix is exactly what it sounds like – a cross between the two breeds. They’re an increasingly common pet in America, but they’re often the result of accidental breeding and not as sought after as more common mixes, like the Cockapoo or Cavachon.
Intentional breeding of Pits and Chihuahuas is pretty rare, and so you’re more likely to find this hybrid in a shelter, as opposed to from a breeder. However, there really is so much to love about this alert, brave, and extremely loyal dog.
Pitbull Chihuahua mixes are playful and full of life, so the perfect choice for an active couple or family who wants a fun, sociable pet. As they aren’t a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club, there are no breed distinctions, and puppies can vary from litter to litter, and even sibling to sibling, meaning you can never be sure what type of dog you’re going to get.
This crossbreed could take on more prominent features of either parent; some may be small in stature like the Chihuahua, whereas others can be more muscular and stand much taller like the American Pit Bull. Both parents are strong-willed, and so this will likely pass down to mixed puppies; they’re also breeds known for having high energy levels, and so again, this will probably be continued down the line.
Pitbull Chihuahua Quick Facts
*As stated, there are no breed distinctions, so these are general figures.*
Average Height:
Males: 14 inches to 18 inches (35 cm to 45 cm)
Females: 12 inches to 16 inches (30 cm to 40 cm)
Average Weight:
Males: 20 lbs to 35 pounds (9 kg to 15 kg)
Females: 15 lbs to 30 lbs (6 kg to 13 kg)
Average Life Span: 10 – 13 years
Origin: America, Mexico, England, Scotland and Ireland.
Other Names:
- Chipit
- Pithuahua
- Chitbull
- Chihuabull
- Mexican Bulldog
Pitbull Chihuahua Characteristics
- Intelligent
- Agile
- Courageous
- Loving
- Loyal
- High-energy
- Social
Where is the Pitbull Chihuahua From?
The Pitbull Chihuahua mix, or Chipit, is recognized by the Dog Registry of America but not acknowledged by the American Kennel Club – which means the traceable history of the Chipit isn’t there.
We do know the history of the parent breeds.
Despite the American Pitbull Terrier being called an ‘American’ dog, the breed actually has English, Irish and Scottish roots. During the 1800s, Great Britain was the place where terriers and bull-baiting dogs began to be bred together.
When immigrants from Great Britain came to America, they brought many of these crossbreeds with them, where further interbreeding went on for companionship, herding, and hunting purposes. These dogs are direct ancestors of today’s American Pitbull Terrier, who became a recognized breed in 1898. The breed is subject to restrictions in some States and a banned breed in the UK.
The ancestry of the Chihuahua is less certain.
Artifacts found support the theory that Chihuahuas were both food, and companion pets during Aztec and Toltec civilizations. We don’t know for sure when they first stepped foot on American soil, but it is believed to have been around the 1800s when tourists brought them as companions from Mexico. Chihuahuas became a registered breed in 1908 with the American Kennel Club.
Pitbull Chihuahua Physical Appearance
The appearance and the size of a Pitbull Chihuahua mix vary, depending on which parent’s genes have been absorbed the most. They will typically grow to under 20 inches tall and weigh around 20 pounds.
The body of the Pitbull Chihuahua mix is often short, broad, and muscular, with the Pitbull’s short neck being common. However, many puppies will inherit the long ears, small feet, and thin muzzle of the Chihuahua.
The Pitbull has a distinctive dome-shaped head, and this can pass down to puppies who don’t get the apple-shaped Chihuahua head – it is rare to have a mixture of both and is usually one or the other. Coats tend to be short, close, and glossy, and the most common colors are; brindle, black, tan, golden, white, and brown. The only color you won’t get really is merle.
Because of their short coats, light grooming should be sufficient, and shedding is unlikely to be excessive. A weekly soft toothed brush should be adequate to stay on top of shedding.
Pitbull Chihuahua Exercise and Training
This hybrid is absolutely full of energy and will require at least two substantial walks a day. Regular daily play sessions will help to keep this puppy mix mentally stimulated and reduce boredom. Chihuahuas and Pitbulls can be very agile even in their senior years, so there is little chance of this mix slowing down with age!
The Pitbull Chihuahua cross will be a very intelligent dog who must be adequately trained and well socialized to prevent him from becoming overly dominant or taking on the alpha role in the home. The stubbornness of the Chihuahua combined with the energy and strength of the Pitbull can make for a challenge when it comes to training, and so this breed wouldn’t be suited to novice owners.
The Chipit can often bond with one member of the family the most and occasionally display territorial jealousy, which needs to be addressed early on. When this mix is well socialized and properly trained, a family will have an extremely loyal, loving, and affectionate dog who needs to be involved in all activities!
If you do decide to adopt this crossbreed, it is worth noting that neither parent breed fares well when left alone for long periods, so one should expect the same with a Pitbull Chihuahua mix. Although they are small in size, they do require lots of space and can become disruptive if confined. However, they’re not known to be much of a barker, so they could live happily in apartments with plenty of exercise and social interaction.
Pitbull Chihuahua Breed Health
With a long life span, the Pitbull Chihuahua has every chance of being a very healthy dog – very often the case with crossbreeds. But, there are some health conditions they can be prone to, these are:
- Open fontanel
- Hypoglycemia
- Heart problems
- Patellar luxation
- Collapsed trachea
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Skin Conditions
- Asthma
Pitbull Chihuahua Parents
Both the Pitbull and the Chihuahua are confident and courageous dogs, and both with reputations they don’t entirely deserve. Neither breed is notably aggressive, with barks tending to be much worse than their bites. Pitbulls receive the more negative press, but to many, they have remained America’s Sweetheart dogs and are regularly used as service and therapy dogs.
The Pitbull and the Chihuahua are two dogs who love their families and would protect them at all costs. They make excellent watchdogs and can be on constant alert for any potential threats. When they’re well raised to feel content, they are incredibly loving, affectionate, and sweet-natured, and the Pitbull especially has a real fondness for children.
Pitbulls and Chihuahuas like to be top dogs and don’t always respond well to multi-dog households without proper training and early socialization. Neither breed would be ideal for first-time owners due to their stubborn natures. Their high intelligence and high energy mean that plenty of exercise and mental stimulation is required for them to be well-rounded dogs.
Let’s look more in-depth at the two breeds.
Pitbull Terrier
The Pitbull Terrier is not a breed without controversy. Banned in the UK and with limitations in some states, owning a Pit can mean that you’ll be exposed to much negativity in the neighborhood. Long-term owners of Pitbull Terriers claim there is no breed more loving or loyal than this dog with the permanent smiling mouth.
The Pitbull isn’t a breed for everyone, and for those who aren’t prepared to invest time in socialization and training, this certainly isn’t the right dog for you. When raised correctly, the Pitbull will make an excellent companion. They are gentle, devoted, and highly affectionate with their loved ones, especially children.
Pitbulls have a zest for life and love to be involved in all family activities. They aren’t known for aggression, but nor will they back away from a fight, so off-lead exercise should be conducted with great care. They have a need to chew and possess powerful jaws, so specialized strong dog toys are the safest bet to prevent destruction in the home.
Chihuahua
We love Chihuahuas, and they’ve made it into the top 3 most popular breeds in 34 States. Their loving natures and small size make them a top choice for older people and people with limited space. Chihuahuas are suited to apartment and inner-city living, although their fiery natures mean regular exercise and mental stimulation are vital to keeping them happy and stable!
Chihuahuas often have ‘small dog syndrome’ and can be willing to take on any dog of any size, so early socialization is key. Chihuahuas do have a reputation for snapping at other dogs, strangers, and children if they perceive them as a threat to their diminutive size, and like many small dogs, they can have a tendency to bark a lot.
This breed will often favor one member of the household and follow them around all day long. They hate to be left alone and like to be part of every aspect of family life. When treated respectfully by children, they make perfect companions and are pretty low-maintenance dogs, so suitable to a wide range of people and living situations.
Summary of the Pitbull Chihuahua Mix
A bold, strong-willed watchdog who will love you with all that he has. Raise this mixed breed with care, guidance, and ongoing training, and you have a perfect family dog. Early socialization is essential as this hybrid breed isn’t the greatest fan of his own kind but can live in a multi-dog household if he has been brought up with other dogs and has set boundaries in place.
The Chipit is reasonably low maintenance, and grooming can be taken care of entirely at home, with regular brushing, including 6-8 weekly nail clipping.
Mental stimulation is important as this will be a highly intelligent dog. Little else we can be certain of; he could be tall or short, wide or thin, black or white, so be prepared for a surprise appearance as he grows, but this is only the shell to a happy, friendly, devoted hound.
We love so many aspects of this hybrid. His affectionate, family-orientated nature, love to learn, and passion for life all contribute to how adorable this crossbreed is. Now, all that’s left to consider is: What name will you give to this Pitbull Chihuahua mix?
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.