If you are looking for a small and fast dog to lounge with you on the sofa — it’s the Chippet! This is a Whippet Chihuahua mix that goes by another name, too — the Chi Whip.
It’s a perfect blend of spirit and speed. Or, shall I say, sassiness and speed? But who doesn’t like that charming sass of a Chihuahua?
Now, imagine having a dog that can bark at you for no reason and then run as fast as lightning before you can say something back to them. You cannot catch this doggo!
I think that’s adorable. It’s keeping us grounded. We’re having a mix of great affection with the right dose of strong temperament. And a Chi Whippet is adorable!
But before you get yourself one, it is important to learn more about this crossbreed. They have their temperament and possible health issues, together with grooming facts.
And it’s more than that — we are bringing home a living being. There’s no turning back, or at least there shouldn’t be turning back!
So, let’s see a Chippet in detail and find out if this is the right dog for you.
What Is A Whippet Chihuahua Mix?
I cannot talk, write, or speak about Chihuahuas and not think about that song. DJ BoBo, anyone? No? Alright, then, it’s just me.
Back to the Chippet — a mighty mix of two mighty dogs. Without any sarcasm, both Chihuahuas and Whippets are powerful dogs. Maybe not physically, but they do have strong temperaments.
And that is our Whippet Chihuahua mix too. It’s a small dog but with a big heart! If you want to answer the question of what a Chi Whip is, then we should look at the Chi and the Whip separately.
Combining Chi traits with Whip traits gives us the perfect designer dog called Chi Whip. This is a mixed breed, and because it was bred from two purebred dogs — they are called hybrid or designer dogs.
A Chippet cannot be registered or go on Dog Shows, but it can sign its name on our hearts any time it wants! So, it doesn’t matter if the American Kennel Club recognizes just dogs with a pedigree or purebreds; we love all of our mixed dogs.
It is time to learn more about the Chippet and to do so, we need to take a closer look at its parent dog breeds.
Who Are The Parents?
The parents of our Whippet Chihuahua mix dog are two dogs of smaller size. The one is just up to eight inches tall! The Whippet – that’s the other one, is taller and could be put in a medium-sized dog group.
But, I would rather put the Whippet in a group of adorable dogs with rose ear shapes or in a group of sighthounds that leaves almost every other dog behind him in the dust. So, the first parent is a Whippet dog, and the other one is a Chihuahua parent.
I think everyone knows what kind of dog a Chihuahua is. They are feisty, small, and kind of shaky. With these two dogs, we can say that the Chippet is a mix puppy of two wonderful and good dogs — a Whippet and a Chihuahua.
Do we know anything about them? Of course, we do.
Chihuahua
Coming from Mexico, this unique and famous breed of dog has long historical roots. It is believed they originated from the Techichi dogs bred by Toltec people. It all happened on the territory of today’s Mexico.
And the first dog that was used to make our modern-day Chihuahuas was mute. They were also very valued and often considered to be a great prize or a gift worthy of the rulers. Today’s Chihuahua was brought to the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1908.
These are little dogs that have a height of up to eight inches. They don’t weigh much, either. Just under six pounds. Every cat I have ever owned was heavier than a Chihuahua. That’s just showing how cute and cuddly these doggos look!
But, there are more and more cases where people do not pay attention to how they feed their Chi dogs (nickname for a Chihuahua), and they end up having an obese or, simply put — a fat Chihuahua.
If you are wondering right now while you are reading this if your Chihuahua is of normal weight — don’t worry! I am sure it is, but if you want to be sure, you can check this Chihuahua growth chart to ease your mind.
And while you’re at it, you can listen to the song. Chihuahua!
Whippet
A lightning-fast Whippet. A lure coursing champion from the early Victorian period. And a big couch potato.
Yes, this dog is one of the fastest dogs on Earth, but at the same time — it enjoys lounging on the sofa and enjoying snuggles and kisses. A whippet puppy is one of the cutest things you will ever see. Trust me. They are cuter than a Poodle puppy.
Whippet is very similar to the Italian Greyhound, although they are larger. An adult Whippet male dog usually weighs around thirty pounds, but they are forty pounds too. They are up to 22 inches tall, but females are a bit shorter and generally smaller-looking.
Whippet descended from a Greyhound, and with such genes, they are definitely on the list of the best tall and skinny dog breeds around the world.
The Whippet is an amazing family dog that goes great with small children. They are also good with other dogs, so having a Whippet or a Whippet mix as a new pet is a great idea if you are looking to expand your furry family.
A Whippet cross-bred from another friendly dog (e.g., Beagle) is an even better dog for a household with lots of family members, both canine and humans.
What Do They Look Like?
We saw the parents and what they look like. Now is the time to answer the question about the looks of a Whippet Chihuahua mix.
First of all, any designer dog or a dog made by crossbreeding two purebred dogs is going to have the looks of both parents. Sometimes the looks will be closer to a Chihuahua, and other times the looks will be closer to a Whippet.
If you plan on breeding Chi Whips, you will notice that there are different puppies in the same litter. This is not just the case with breeding Whippets and Chihuahuas — you will have the same “problem” of not knowing the exact looks with a Poodle mix or German Shepherd mixes, or any other dog mix.
But, still, there are some appearance traits that can be predicted — to a certain degree. Nothing is 100% with mixed dogs and their looks.
Head
The shape and general appearance of the head are not a big mystery. Both Chihuahuas and Whippets have narrow muzzles and not a lot of fat tissue around the skull and the head muscles.
But, as always, there are some differences in the shape that can happen depending on the type of Chihuahua you use for crossbreeding.
If you have an “apple head” Chihuahua — you will have a mixed dog that resembles this type of Chihuahua. On the other hand, there is a “deer head” Chihuahua that — you guessed it, gives “deer shape” mixed puppies.
Whippets have a keen and alert expression that is easily recognizable in their mixed offspring.
So, to sum it up:
- Alert expression
- Long, narrow muzzle
- The nose of various colors (depending on the color of a Chihuahua parent)
- Not a lot of fat tissue
- Thin lips
Ears
Little, soft rose ears are one of the things that make Whippets so adorable. On the other hand, a Chihuahua has erect and large ears — quite different from the Whippet.
That means there are two types of ears your Whippet Chihuahua mix pup can inherit.
- Rose ears
- Erect, large ears
Rose ears mean that they are half folded with the inner side of the ear visible. If they are Chihuahua ears, they will be broad at the base, bat-like shaped, and erect.
Eyes
Both Whippets and Chihuahuas have round and large eyes. They are not protruding and are set wide apart in Chihuahuas.
When it comes to the color of the eyes of your future Whippet Chihuahua mix puppy, they will be dark, almost black. Shades of dark brown are also to be expected. But (there is always a but), if you breed a white Chihuahua with a Whippet, the eyes can be light-colored.
Body
The size of a Whippet Chihuahua mix is on the border between a small dog and a medium-sized dog. In most cases, it will be a bigger small dog.
The usual weight of an adult Chippet is around 20 pounds. Their usual height when they reach adulthood is around 18 inches. But the size can vary. Some pups will be smaller or larger than the rest of their littermates.
There is a high chance that the Chippet will inherit the famous inverted S shape of the body. This is a sighthound gene, and it is easily inherited in Whippet mixes.
Tail
There are no obvious rules as to what kind of tail the Chippet will inherit. It depends a lot on the Chihuahua’s tail because it can have a straight tail, long, or medium, and it can curve over the back.
So, if you want to guess your new pup’s type of tail — take a look at its Chi dad. We say dad because it’s a Chihuahua male that is usually used in breeding Chippets.
Here’s what could be expected:
- Straight tail with a light upward curve (Whippet tail)
- Curved over the back
- Medium tail with a moderate upward curve
Coat Type And Length
The type of coat of a Whippet Chihuahua mix is smooth. Both dog parent breeds have a smooth coat so it is understandable that the Chippet will have a smooth coat too.
The length of the coat is a different story. It can be:
- Medium
- Short
The length of a coat depends on the Chihuahua parent because they are the ones who can have a short or a medium-length coat type.
So, once again — take a look at the Chi dad to see the possible coat type of your Chippet pups.
Coat Color
There are a lot of coat colors and patterns a Whippet Chihuahua mix puppy can inherit. If you want to have some kind of idea of what colors a Chippet can have, you can check all the Whippet coat colors and all the Chihuahua coat colors.
There are no strict rules. It solely depends on the coat color of the dogs you are using to breed Chippets.
The most common coat colors of both parent dog breeds are fawn, cream, and black. So, that might be one of the possible coat colors of a Chi Whip.
Shedding And Grooming
Whippets and Chihuahuas are not big shedders. They do shed but compared to other single-coated dog breeds; they won’t cause a lot of shedding problems.
If you have a Chippet that has a short hair Chihuahua parent and a Whippet, then the grooming won’t be a problem either. They will need an occasional bath and weekly grooming.
If you have a Chippet that has a medium hair Chihuahua parent, then the grooming should be done at least two times a week to keep the fur shiny and healthy.
What Is Their Temperament?
Besides a dog’s size and grooming, a dog’s temperament is another important thing to check before bringing a new puppy to your home.
Are they good with children? Can they go well with other pets? These and so many other questions regarding their social traits, personality, and compatibility with various types of families are the questions we are going to discuss.
Is a Whippet Chihuahua mix an angel or a little devil?
Family And Chippets
Because of the loving dog parent breeds, the Chi Whip will also be an affectionate doggo. It is the best dog for first-time dog owners and for those who have small children.
The Chippet is not a big dog, and it will happily live in both apartments and houses. Of course, they will need a daily walk or exercise.
But, as for family life, the Chippet is an affectionate dog that can get too clingy sometimes. Because of this, they can suffer from separation anxiety.
Other Dogs And Chippets
Generally speaking, a Whippet Chihuahua mix goes well with other dogs. They go well with other pets too. But, sometimes, the Chihuahua gene can pop up all of a sudden and start to influence the Chi Whip.
What does that mean? We’ve all heard stories of aggressive Chihuahuas and how they act as if they are big dogs and not one of the smallest dog breeds in the world.
There are many reasons for such behavior, but in essence, it’s their size that makes them so feisty. They have to defend themselves in the world of giants. This type of behavior can show up in a Chippet as well.
But, proper socialization from an early age can solve this behavioral problem.
Chippet’s Protectiveness
Even though they won’t be great guard dogs because of their size, they can be wonderful watchdogs. No one can slip by the vigilant Chippet.
Chihuahuas are well known for their barking, but Whippets are not vocal dogs at all. They are not mute like their ancestors, but they won’t bark unless it is absolutely necessary.
But a mix of these two dogs will have a lot to say. They bark moderately, and because of their loyalty, they will bark at intruders as well.
So, a Chi Whip is a good watchdog.
Playtime and Chippets
Let me just say — you will have a lot of fun times with your Whippet Chihuahua mix doggo. They are playful, and they are happy to play with their favorite person — you.
And the best part of it is that you don’t have to have a huge backyard to play with a Chippet. Toys at home, tug-of-war, or a good play of catch — your Chippet will be happy.
A Chi Whip likes to lounge with you on the sofa and binge-watch all the episodes of your favorite TV show on a Sunday evening, but they do need daily walks.
Also, keep them occupied at home by giving them interactive dog toys, especially if you have to leave your doggo alone at home for a longer time.
What Are The Health Issues?
When it comes to Whippet Chihuahua mix health, you have to remember that you are bringing a Whippet mix to your home. That means they are not supposed to look heavy-bodied or fat. They should look gentle, fragile, and “skinny” to someone who is used to big dogs.
Why is this important? Because a Chippet that is overweight can have some serious health problems.
Patellar Luxation
This is a health issue that dogs have with a kneecap. The problem with their kneecaps is that they “pop out”, causing pain or discomfort.
A dog with patellar luxation has limited movement or trouble moving in general, especially going up and down the stairs.
There are four grades of patellar luxation, and depending on the grade, both the treatment and the prognosis of the treatment are different.
If it’s diagnosed at an early stage, the prognosis is much better. The fourth grade is the most severe, and it means that the patella is permanently dislocated and that it cannot be repositioned manually.
Heart Problems
A Whippet Chihuahua mix can inherit heart problems from a Chihuahua. The most common heart problem they can inherit is called mitral valve disease.
The problem with the mitral valve is that it’s not “strong” enough, and because of it allows the blood to go back into the left atrium from the left ventricle. This, of course, shouldn’t happen.
The blood goes from the left atrium into the left ventricle. The “door” between these two heart chambers is the mitral valve. From the left ventricle, the blood goes into the aorta. From the aorta, the blood is dispensed throughout the body.
The symptom of mitral valve insufficiency is a heart murmur. The heart murmur cannot be diagnosed or “heard” in the early stages of the disease. It can be heard when a larger amount of blood starts to “leak” back into the left atrium.
What To Do?
If your veterinarian tells you your dog has mitral valve insufficiency, they will also tell you that surgery is not an option.
This might come as a surprise, considering this can be done to humans. But unfortunately, the only treatment for dogs is drugs. Besides drugs, the vet will probably recommend a diet change — a low-salt diet.
The drugs your vet can prescribe are:
- Beta-blockers
- Vasodilators
- Cardiac glycosides
- ACE inhibitors
- Diuretics
- Nitroglycerin
These drugs are not over-the-counter drugs, and only a licensed veterinarian can prescribe these to your dog.
Also, a very important fact is that these drugs cannot cure mitral valve disease. They are prescribed to make the dog’s life easier and prevent any further health complications. With such an approach, we are trying to make a dog’s lifespan as long as possible.
How Long Do They Live?
The life expectancy of a dog depends on various factors. If you get a dog from a reputable breeder, your dog shouldn’t have a lot of health problems.
This is because a serious and good breeder won’t breed dogs that already have health issues, especially those that can be passed down to the puppies.
If your doggo is a healthy dog that has two healthy dog parents, they can live more than 15 years! That is a lot of years in the dog world.
But once again — it depends on some factors. Not only genetic factors but the food we give to our dogs, grooming, vet checks, vaccinations, exercise, etc.
A dog that eats high-quality dog food and has appropriate physical and mental stimulation will have a long and happy life.
High-quality food means it is high in proteins and low in carbohydrates. High-quality food also means it has minerals and vitamins, too.
How Can I Help?
If you want to make sure your Whippet Chihuahua mix dog lives a long and happy life, you can do these things to make it happen. They might sound obvious, but they are the truth.
- Regular vet checks
- High-quality food
- Fresh water is always available
- Vaccinations
- Regular treatment against external and internal parasites
- Grooming
- Daily walks
- Appropriate exercise
- Regular mental stimulation
- Hugs
- Kisses
- Telling him he’s a good boy
The Conclusion
If you are thinking of getting a Whippet Chihuahua mix puppy, you made the right choice! These doggies are small, cute, affectionate, and excellent dogs for someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with owning a dog.
If you choose a Chippet, you will get a low-shedding dog that requires minimal grooming, or in other words — you will get a low-maintenance dog. You will also get a dog that likes to bark and show its emotions. They might become a bit feisty from time to time, but good socialization can solve the problem.
Choosing a Chippet means you will have a dog that is a couch potato most of the time, but it will need a daily walk to satisfy those Whippet running genes.
You will also get a very affectionate dog that is a perfect choice for families with small children and other pets. Just make sure you keep an eye on children when they play with your Chippet because they might accidentally hurt him.
Overall, a Chi Whip is a good choice! Congratulations on your newest furry family member!
Read Next:
• Whippet Pitbull Mix: Mr. Worldwide, But A Bit More Elegant
• The Lab Whippet Mix, How It Looks, And What It Thinks
