Chi-Chi

Chi-Chi's are bold, intelligent and very friendly.

 

The Chi-Chi is friendly, bold, energetic, excitable, alert and loving

 

The Chi-Chi is definitely a family dog but will always show a preference for 1 or 2 family members.

( This I have found out as this our Chi-Chi Poppy is meant to be my wife dog but she is like my shadow and misses me something terrible when I am at work ).

 

They are typically friendly with everyone and all other pets ( we have a 8 year old ginger tabby cat but they just seem to give each other a wide berth ), they are also well known to be a cuddlebug showing affection and wanting attention and affection back. The more you socialize your Chi-Chi you will find them more friendly, bold when meeting someone new, they can be very intelligent and taught to do tricks as my wife likes doing with Poppy. Sometimes they can be a little ungraceful, falling over or off things. We have found ours to like burrowing under things and investigation everything new. 

 

The hairless Chi-Chi like the crested will have to be handled carefully, without the protective coat they may need sunblock, skin lotion etc and if you have little ones the need for care when handling them.

Short or smooth haired Chi-Chi's can just be washed down with a flannel/cloth and the long haired variety will need a daily grooming/brush.

 

As both our Chi-Chi Poppy parents were long haired she has inherited these traits and need a lot of attention when we let her coat grow long. 

 

THey are definitely not an outdoor/all weather dog and will prefer to be in your company, we always have a jumper ( she has several with my wife knitting ) , coat or raincoat depending on the weather and also how short with have our chi-chi's coat.

 

Chi-Chi's love a daily walk and will love to have you entertain them with play but will also grab the occasion cat-nap. They can keep themselves entertained but will need at least an hour or so of your time and to know you are nearby.

 

 

The Chi-Chi can grow upto approx 12 inches tall & weigh under 10 pounds. They are usually closer to the 6 to 8 pound range but can be as small as 4 pounds when fully grown. Our Poppy is now around 9-10 months old and is around 4 1/2 pounds in weight. 

 

The head of the Chi-Chi is between the apple head of a Chihuahua and the wedge shape of the Chinese Crested. They generally favor a deershape with a higher forehead.

 

The nose of the Chi-Chi is the same color as the body, the eyes of the Chi-Chi are bright, alert and almond or round in shape usually without the "bulge" or excessive size of a Chihuahua but that can occur.  The muzzle of the Chi-Chi is long and slightly pointed though may take a squareish look from the Chihuahua.

 

The teeth of the Chi-Chi meet in a scissor bite. They may have some missing teeth especially the Hairless variety which can have some extra teeth issues.Neck: The Chi-Chi has a long, slim, slightly arched neck.The Chi-Chi has an overall rectangular shape, slightly longer than tall, not counting the legs, a straight back, well-sprung ribs, slender appearance, refined but not delicate. The chest tapers into a slight to moderate tuck up. They can be slightly stockier than purebred Chinese Crested in body due to the Chihuahua influence.Forequarters:

 

The Chi-Chi has clean and narrow shoulders with long, slender, strong, straight legs. The hindquarters of the Chi-Chi are strong with moderate angulation. Chihuahua's can have issues with their hips and backlegs, so discourage excessive jumping or standing on backlegs in your Chi-Chi, just in case. The gait of the Chi-Chi is very lively, generally a prancing trot, similar to a show pony.Feet:

 

The Chi-Chi may have longer toes and a narrower foot than most other breeds. The Chinese Crested is known for a "harelike" foot, something bred out of Chihuahuas and most other dogs. Keep the nails trimmed, especially with the hairless variety or they could accidentally scrach themselves. Hairless usually have hairy feet and sometimes hair over their entire legs. The tail of the Chi-Chi is curved in a slight 'C' shape and held over back especially when excited. The tail is long enough to reach the hocks.

 

The Hairless variety will have a plume of hair that usually covers the last 2/3 of the tail.Color: The coat of the Chi-Chi can be any color. Most Chinese Crested have a lot of white, so most Chi-Chis have at least some white on their chest, belly or paws.The coat of the Chi-Chi can be short, long, powderpuff or hairless. Powderpuffs have a full coat as any other breed. Hairless range from hairy to true hairless. A True Hairless has hair only on its head, feet, lower legs, and tail.

 

A Hairy Hairless will vary in amount of hair, from a line of hair down the back, to patches over the body to almost completely coated save for a bit of hairless belly. Usually you can tell the difference from the moment a puppy is born. Both Powderpuffs and Hairless can be found in the same litter. If one parent is Hairless, in general, you have a 50/50 chance of a Hairless puppy. Amount of hair is random. If both parents are Powderpuff or normal coated, you will only have Powderpuff puppies. Longhair is a recessive gene, so it depends on the shorthair parent if there are any in the litter.

 

If both parents are longhair, then all puppies will be longhair. If one or both parents are shorthair with longhair somewhere in both their lineage, then the chance of longhaired puppies is 25 to 50 percent. The average life expectancy of the Chi-Chi is over 10 years. The Chi-Chi has more forehead than a Chinese Crested, though not necessarily the fully domed head of a Chihuahua. They have large, upright ears, long legs, an overall rectangular shape to their body and a fairly delicate "deerlike" appearance.

 

They are fineboned and elegant though not necessarily graceful when in a home setting. The coat and color varies. The tail is held in half circle when relaxed and over back when excited. Chi-Chis have an alert, loving and eager expression.Health: Hypoglycemia is usually the biggest issue in Chi-Chi puppies. The skin of course needs extra attention. If getting your Chi-Chi from a breeder be sure to discuss any genetic issues. The Chi-Chi, especially the Hairless variety needs lotion and sunblock.If the Chi-Chi has inherited the Chihuahua's larger eyes, they may tear more often. The ears of the Chi-Chi should not be cropped even if they don't stand up, some purebred Chihuahua and Chinese Cresteds simply don't for whatever reason.

 

The Hairless variety usually doesn't have as many teeth as a powderpuff, although this doesn't affect them when young. Hairless can also be more prone to disease and decay, so consider daily brushing and no bones. Purebred Chihuahuas usually have a few teeth missing or lose teeth sooner, so you may see this as well in your Chi-Chi of both varieties. Chi-Chis have fragile legs, especially as young adults or pups. They should be supervised around stairs. Don't put and leave your Chi-Chi on furniture if they can't jump up and down themselves as they might be injured by falling off. They should never be left alone with children for the dog's safety.