About Chi-Poo Puppies

Commonly referred to as "designer dogs," Chi-poos are a cross-breed of Chihuahuas and poodles -- more specifically, miniature poodles. Both active and smart, Chi-poos do not top the most-popular list as some other cross-breeds do. However, they can adapt well to small spaces, including apartments, and they can be trained easily.

  1. Size and Description

    • The Chi-poo is in the toy breed group; males and females typically weight only 3 to 12 pounds, and are up to 13 inches in height. Their coats can be wavy or curly depending on the type of coat the parents have. Chi-poos can be black and white, or black, white, or brown in all different shades of those colors. Chi-poos do not shed much because they have the fur of poodles.

    Character and Temperament

    • Chi-poos are extremely loyal, and they often become attached to one person, even when they are puppies. They love their owners and will warn them of danger, mostly by barking. Sometimes the puppies can become bored or lonely, which can lead to destructive behaviors. But, owners can consider another pet as a friend to help guard against loneliness. Chi-poos easily get along with other animals in a household. They love to entertain their owners by doing tricks and are great cuddlers, too.

    Care and Training

    • Chi-poos need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They are prone to snoring and wheezing, and sometimes have dental problems. Owners should give their dogs dental chews to help prevent dental diseases or problems. Chi-poos also can have eye diseases or digestive problems. Owners should check with their veterinarians if any of these conditions are present. Regular brushing or professional grooming is needed for chi-poos; they should be bathed only when needed. Chi-poo puppies are intelligent and eager to please. Training should be done gently with lots of patience.

    Obtaining a Chi-Poo Puppy

    • Before adopting a Chi-poo puppy, you should thoroughly research the breed. Dogbreedslists.com highly recommends that chi-poo puppies, and all breeds, should be purchased only from reputable breeders. A list of reputable breeders by state is available at breedersassociation.net, which is linked in the resources section.