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The Chigi is a mix between the Chihuahua and the Corgi. Despite being such small animals, these dogs are fiercely loyal, impressively intelligent, and surprisingly energetic. If you’re looking for a small dog with a big personality, the Chigi is almost certainly the one. However, this breed isn’t for everyone.
Breed Overview
Height:
7 – 12 inches
Weight:
10 – 20 pounds
Lifespan:
12 – 14 years
Colors:
Black, cream, white, and/or fawn
Suitable for:
Apartment living, families with children, beginner dog owners
Temperament:
Playful, affectionate, loyal, sometimes stubborn
In this article, we will go over every aspect of owning a Chigi so that you can make a decision about whether or not the Chigi is a good fit for your family.
Chigi Characteristics
Chigi Puppies
If you’re interested in buying a Chigi, make sure to do your research before going with a particular breeder. Sadly, puppy mills, so-called “backyard” breeders, and even pet stores are often in the business looking for a profit and don’t always prioritize the health of their dogs.
As a designer breed, Chigis are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. As a result, you will not receive any official pedigree papers with information about your dog’s lineage and health history. However, a good breeder will be able to provide you with that information. You should also be able to visit the breeding facility and meet your dog’s parents for yourself. Consider it a red flag if a potential breeder dodges your questions or refuses to let you visit with your dog or its parents before you commit to buying
Temperament & Intelligence of the Chigi
The Chigi is a highly intelligent dog. Though loyal, playful, and affectionate, they can be stubborn at times. Below, we will lay out different aspects of bringing a Chigi into the fold of your family.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Overall, Chigis are great pets for families with children. Bear in mind that Chigis may instinctually try to herd your small children thanks to their Corgi ancestry; however, these dogs are fairly easy to train and should be able to unlearn that habit. Keep in mind that Chigis are fairly small and could easily be injured if your children play too rough with them. Be sure to teach your children how to interact with your dog to prevent them from being nipped or your dog being hurt.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
As long as you properly socialize your Chigi, you should have no issues with your Chigi getting along with any other dogs you may have. Chigis tend to get along just fine with other animals, too, as long as they were raised together. Your Chigi’s herding instincts may take over every once and a while when it comes to smaller animals such as cats, but as with your children, you should be able to train it to stop this behavior.
Things to Know When Owning a Chigi:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Chigis are small dogs that don’t need to eat very much in a day compared to larger breeds. If you have multiple dogs, make sure to account for differences in size and activity level before deciding how big your dogs’ portion sizes should be. It is not recommended that you allow your Chigi to free eat, as these dogs are prone to weight gain. Instead, split your dog’s daily food portion into at least two meals to ensure that it gets the correct portion and prevent bloat, which can result from eating too quickly.
To estimate how much food your dog needs, you can use charts such as this one from PetMD. If you still aren’t sure how much your Chigi should be eating or you have noticed significant weight loss or weight gain, talk to your vet about your specific dog’s food requirements.
Exercise 🐕
Despite being such small dogs, Chigis are fairly energetic animals that need about an hour of exercise each day. You can help your dog meet this requirement by taking it on a walk, playing fetch in your yard, or visiting the dog park. Do keep in mind that these dogs probably can’t walk as far as larger dogs because they have fairly short legs.
As long as your Chigi is getting the exercise it needs, it is well-suited to apartment living because it is such a small animal. You will simply need to be more intentional about creating an exercise schedule for your dog if you do not have access to a fenced-in yard.
Training 🎾
The Chigi’s Chihuahua parent has a stubborn streak that the Chigi may sometimes inherit. Though they are intelligent animals, Chigis can be difficult to train as a result. It is important to start obedience training for Chigis from an early age so that they can learn basic commands and develop a foundation for learning desirable behaviors.
Grooming ✂️
Chigis have fairly short coats, so you only really need to brush them about once per week to help keep shedding at bay. In addition to brushing your Chigi’s coat, you should plan to brush its teeth, trim its nails, and clean its ears on a regular basis.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Like most crossbreeds, the Chigi is likely healthier than either of its parent breeds. However, there are certain health conditions that Chigis are prone to developing. Below, we have outlined both mild and serious conditions that you need to be aware of if you decide to bring home a Chigi.
Male vs Female
Each individual dog has its own personality, regardless of sex. While there are general physical and behavioral differences to note between males and females, you cannot decide whether a particular dog will be a good fit for your home based on its sex alone. Still, it can be helpful to know what those general differences are as you weigh the pros and cons of buying a male or female Chigi.
Physically, males are almost always going to be larger than females. Note that both sexes are still very small dogs, with the males weighing a maximum of 20 pounds and measuring no more than one foot tall. Males are likely to be more playful than females, whereas females are likely to be more reserved. However, females usually mature faster and are easier to train than males, who can be more stubborn than their female counterparts. Keep in mind that certain behavioral differences, such as marking territory or going into heat, can be eliminated by spaying or neutering your animal.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Chigi
1. The Chigi is one of the smallest designer dog breeds out there.
With the Chihuahua and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi as their parents, it’s no surprise that these dogs are short. They tend to measure no more than one foot tall, making them one of the shortest designer breeds you can find.
2. The Chihuahua has the biggest dog brain relative to its overall size.
As a result, these little dogs are extremely intelligent and usually easy to train. However, they can be somewhat stubborn animals, which can sometimes make them difficult to house train.
3. Corgis make great watchdogs, despite how short they are.
Corgis are extremely attentive dogs who also happen to have a very assertive bark. Bred as herding dogs, they have no problem using that bark whenever they sense a threat to their family or home. This trait makes them excellent, if unlikely, watchdogs.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Chigi is a good fit for many different types of homes, particularly those living in an apartment or another small space, those with children, singles, and the elderly looking for a companion animal. They are even quite suitable for beginners who may not have much experience caring for a dog. However, it is important to understand that while Chigis tend to be fast learners, they are sometimes willful and may not always do what you want them to do. If you are easily frustrated or feel that you won’t be able to adequately train your dog in the basic obedience commands that will help set you up for success later on, you may want to consider paying for your pup to be trained by a professional.
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Featured Image Credit: penguiniz, Shutterstock
