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Chimation (Dalmatian & Chihuahua Mix): Pictures, Complete Guide, Info, Care & More!

Written by: Oliver Jones

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Oliver Jones

Chimation (Dalmatian & Chihuahua Mix): Pictures, Complete Guide, Info, Care & More!

An active little dog with a big personality, the Chimation was developed by intentionally breeding a Dalmatian with a Chihuahua. Sassy and spunky, the Chimation brings together the high energy of the Dalmatian with the spirited personality of the Chihuahua to create a fantastic canine companion for just about anyone.

Breed Overview

Height:

10 – 12inches

Weight:

20 – 35 pounds

Lifespan:

12 – 15 years

Colors:

Black, Brown, Golden, White

Suitable for:

Active families with or without older children, Experienced owners

Temperament:

Smart, Easy to train, Loyal and loving, Active, Protective

If you’re wondering if this lively little designer dog is right for you, read the rest of our in-depth guide to Chimation ownership!

Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

divider-dogChimation Puppies

 

The Chimation is an adventurous hybrid dog with endless amounts of energy. As such, this dog is not well suited to live in an apartment. He needs tons of space to explore, run, and play. A suburban house with a big backyard is ideal for the Chimation. As a designer dog, the Chimation differs from a mutt in that his two parent dog breeds were purposefully bred to create a delightful dog that embodies the best traits of each parent. He’s a first-generation cross-breed that comes from two purebred dogs.

Parent_breeds_Chimation
Image Credit: Pixabay

Temperament & Intelligence of the Chimation

A deeply devoted dog, the Chimation can become overprotective of his family and cautious around strangers. Early socialization is essential to ensure your Chimation is confident and calm around new faces. Super active, the Chimation needs plenty of physical exercise to keep him happy and healthy. This dog isn’t well suited for apartment living. He much prefers a large house with a sprawling backyard.

Highly intelligent, the Chimation is easy to train. However, he can have a stubborn streak and needs firm and consistent training sessions. Without ongoing training, the Chimation can become rather bossy and will try to establish himself as the alpha of the household.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Chimation does best in a home with older or no children. Due to his small size, a young child can accidentally injure the Chimation. Since he is a high-energy dog, the Chimation will do best with an active owner who loves to hike, jog, and walk. Since this breed is prone to separation anxiety, the Chimation should never be left alone for long periods of time.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Yes! The Chimation is great with other dogs and even cats. Whenever your Chimation is interacting with larger canines, be sure to keep a close eye on him to ensure everyone is safe and plays nicely.

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Things to Know When Owning a Chimation:

In order to provide your new Chimation with the best life possible, it is important to thoroughly understand his care requirements. Here is everything you need to know about feeding, training, grooming, and exercising your new Chimation.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Chimation is a smaller dog that can eat up to two cups of kibble split into two meals per day. This will cost between $30 and $40 per month. Since the Chimation is prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), avoid giving him food that contains high levels of purine. Always buy food that lists “meat” as the first ingredient. Make sure your dog has constant access to clean, fresh water.

Exercise

Both of your Chimation’s parent breeds are active, energetic dogs. As such, the Chimation needs tons of exercise to keep him mentally stimulated and physically fit. Your Chimation needs at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. Aim to walk him about 11 miles every week.

Training

An extremely intelligent designer dog, the Chimation can easily learn basic commands and more complicated tricks. Sometimes stubborn and willful, the Chimation needs consistent training from a patient yet firm handler. Positive reinforcement training techniques work best for this breed.

Grooming ✂️

A distinctive-looking dog, the Chimation can inherit his Dalmatian parent breed’s unique spotting. He has a short, soft coat that requires one to two brushing sessions each week. Use a slicker brush to remove loose or dead hair. Trim your dog’s nails as needed, clean his ears and eyes, and brush his teeth daily.

Health and Conditions

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts
  • Bladder stones
  • Corneal dystrophy
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Hydrocephalus
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
  • Urinary tract infections

To ensure your Chimation is happy and healthy, take him to the vet every year for a routine wellness check. He may need occasional eye exams and radiographs to catch potential problems before they become more serious conditions.

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Male vs Female

The male Chimation will be a tad larger than the female. Males can also be more aggressive.


3 Little-Known Facts About the Chimation

1. Dalmatians are Born Spotless

Those iconic spots that Dalmatians are known for aren’t present when they’re first born. Instead, the spots will start to slowly appear when the puppy is about three weeks old. By the time a Dalmatian is four weeks old, all of his black spots will be fully visible.


2. Don’t Poke a Chihuahua’s Head

Just like newborn babies, the Chihuahua has a soft spot atop his head called a molera. But unlike babies, this soft spot never hardens.


3. Chimations Are a Recognized Hybrid Breed

Despite not being recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Chimation is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc., the Designer Dog Kennel Club, the American Canine Hybrid Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a unique little dog, the Chimation could be great for you. An active breed, the Chimation needs at least an hour of exercise every day. He’d do best in a household with older children and a large backyard. Not an ideal dog for first-time owners, the Chimation needs firm and consistent training in order to be well-behaved and social around strangers.

If you are thinking about adding a Chimation to your family, this petite pup will provide you with unconditional love and loyalty for years to come!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Left – Pixabay | Right – Mirko Kaminski, Pixabay

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