Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix, also known as Chimation, is a cross between two purebreds, namely Dalmatian and Chihuahua. Chimation brings the energy of the Dalmatian together with the sassy personality of the Chihuahua, producing a family pet that is great with older children. In addition, Chimatian has an extraordinary watchdog potential.
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Dalmatian Chihuahua mix scales the boisterous Dalmatian down to a smaller, more manageable size for those who can’t handle a large dog. While Chimation isn’t a purebred, he is a first-generation crossbreed, coming from the Dalmatian and the Chihuahua. As Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix is a designer dog, he is not registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC); nevertheless, both parent breeds are members in good standing.
Table of Contents
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Loyal and friendly
Needs a lot of activity
Great watchdog
Not suited for apartment living
Pet-friendly
Doesn’t get along with kids
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Basic Information
Name: Dalmatian Chihuahua
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 20 to 40 pounds
Size: Small to medium
Color: White, silver, cream, and black; deep brown or black spots and patches appear on the body, as also on the head, tail, and legs
Activities: Agility, conformation, obedience, rally obedience, and tracking
Barking Level: Medium
Shedding Level: Medium
Group: Mixed Breed
Litter Size: 5 puppies on average
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Other names: Chimation, Chimatian
Breed Recognition: American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
English Coach Dog, Carriage Dog, Plum Pudding Dog, and Spotted Dick
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Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Personality
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mixes inherit the visible characteristics of both their parent breeds, including the distinctive dots on their body. Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix weighs between 20 and 40 pounds and is usually 12 inches in height, but maybe taller. Their head is round or apple-shaped like the Chihuahua, and the ears generally droop down. This mixed breed is alert and has dark brown or black eyes.
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix looks like a slightly larger Chihuahua but has Dalmatian markings. The coat is usually smooth, soft, and in the classic white color with black spots, but large patches may also be present. The hair may be a little longer if the parent Chihuahua is long-haired. Other coat colors in Chimatian include cream with dark brown spots.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-Friendly
High
Kid-Friendly
High
Pet-Friendly
High
Strangers-Friendly
Low to Medium
Adaptability Overview
Suitable for New Pet Owners
Medium
Good for Apartment Living
Low to Medium
Sensitivity Level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Low to Medium
Cold Tolerance
Low to Medium
Heat Tolerance
Low to Medium
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Temperament
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mixes are known to be highly loyal to their owners, and they might be inclined to give extreme protection to their family, particularly around strangers. They are always watchful of their surroundings, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They enjoy spending time with their family and want to be included in family activities. Thus, they should not be left alone for long periods as it could make them unruly.
Chimatians can get along with older children and other pets if properly managed. However, even though they become great playmates for children, they should always be kept under observation. Since the Dalmatian-Chihuahua mix dogs are very high-spirited by nature, they might knock down and injure small kids. Children should also be taught not to approach these dogs while sleeping or eating.
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Training Needs
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix can be a little headstrong and stubborn at times, which you can handle with strict and consistent training. Let your Chimation pup know that you are his pack leader; otherwise, he’d become a rebellious adult. He does not respond to mistreatment or harsh training methods, but positive reinforcement like food rewards will help train your Chimation. In addition, early socialization with adults, children, and other household pets will make him much friendlier and unsuspicious of strangers.
Please do not leave your Chimations alone for extended hours as they suffer from separation anxiety. Instead, keep them physically and mentally stimulated, engage them with activities to burn their calories, and have a paw-fect time with them.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train
Medium to High
Intelligence
Medium to High
Prey Drive
Low to Medium
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite
Low to Medium
Tendency to Bark or Howl
Low to Medium
Wanderlust Ability
Low to Medium
Attention/Social Needs
High
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Exercise Needs
Both Dalmatian and Chihuahua breeds are active, energetic dogs. Your Chimation needs tons of activity to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated. Your Dalmatian Chihuahua needs at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. Aim to walk him about 11 miles every week.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
High
Exercise Needs
High
Playfulness
Medium to High
Intensity
Medium to High
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Grooming
Chimations can inherit their Dalmatian parent breed’s unique spotting. He has a short, soft coat that needs one to two brushing sessions every week. Remove loose or dead hair on your Chimation using a slicker brush. Trim your dog’s nails as required, clean his ears and eyes, and brush his teeth regularly.
A Dalmatian Chihuahua mix can live for about 10 to 12 years or even more if he is given a healthy diet and properly exercised. Being a hybrid, they are supposed to do well in health. However, like all dogs, these dogs are prone to specific health problems.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium
Weight Gain Possibilities
Medium
Size
Low to Medium
The list of diseases that a Dalmatian Chihuahua mix is prone to are:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a painful, life-threatening condition caused when the bones of the rear legs don’t fit properly in the joints. Hip dysplasia is primarily hereditary, but injuries, excessive weight gain, and wrong exercises can cause hip dysplasia. Some dogs might exhibit symptoms, while some might not. Treatment ranges from medication to replacement of the hip through surgeries. Avoid breeding Dalmatian Chihuahua mixes with hip dysplasia parentage to prevent this condition. Regular checkups are suggested.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: A disease that affects the hip joint and results in a hip joint ball’s deformity. It starts with a fall in the blood supply to the head of the femur bone until the bone ultimately dies off and collapses, and becomes deformed. The consequence of this deformation is arthritis or inflammation of the hip joint. It is unknown what causes Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, but it is supposed the cause is either inherent or injury-related. Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease symptoms indicate chewing at the hip, stiffness in the affected limb, atrophy of muscles in the limb, pain during movement, progressive lameness, and irritation. Treatment is usually crate rest, physical therapy, and surgically eliminating the deformed femoral head and neck. Prognosis is generally excellent after the operation, and many dogs only suffer insignificant lameness, particularly during weather changes.
Cataracts: It is a common cause of blindness. The lens of the eyes becomes cloudy and opaque. Treatment includes surgery.
Hydrocephalus: This is a comparatively rare disease experienced by smaller canines. Dogs with this disease have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside their heads that cannot drain. This puts a lot of pressure on the brain, leading to lousy vision or blindness, seizures, restlessness, trouble learning commands, and coma.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a disorder in the thyroid gland that can cause epilepsy, obesity, hair loss, lethargy, dark skin patches, and other skin conditions. Treatment includes medication and a proper diet.
Patellar Luxation: It is also known as “slipped stifles,” that is caused when the patella, which has three parts-the femora (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), and tibia (calf) — is not correctly bounded. This leads to lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, like a hop or a skip. This condition is caused by birth. In addition, the rubbing caused by patellar luxation leads to arthritis. There are four patellar luxation grades, ranging from phase I, an occasional luxation causing unstable lameness in the joint, to grade IV, where the turning of the tibia is heavy, and you cannot realign the patella manually. This gives your dog a bow-legged appearance. Uphill grades of patellar luxation may require surgery.
Kidney Disorder: Bladder or kidney stones are the most common problems with the Dalmatian Chihuahua mixes.
Corneal Dystrophy: Corneal Dystrophy affects the eye’s cornea layer. This genetic disorder will not be painful. Corneal Dystrophy can be identified by symptoms such as the formation of an opaque layer.
Skin Allergies: Overbathing can cause skin dryness, atopic dermatitis, or rashes, leading to excessive hair loss and shedding.
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Diet and Nutrition
Feed your Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix 2 cups of kibble split into two meals per day, which will cost between $30 and $40 per month. Avoid giving your Chimation foods that contain high levels of purine, as these dogs are prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs). The foods containing high purine levels are kidneys, liver, brain, and heart of duck, goose, and lamb; sweetbreads, venison, mushrooms, mackerel, sardines, spinach, peas, and cauliflower. Always buy food that lists “meat” as its first ingredient. Ensure your Chimation has constant access to clean, freshwater.
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Living Conditions
The Dalmatian Chihuahua is an adventurous hybrid dog with endless amounts of energy.
Unfortunately, this dog is not well suited to live in an apartment as he needs tons of space to explore, run, and play. However, a suburban house with a big backyard can be ideal for your Chimation.
Dalmatians and Chihuahuas prefer a warm climate, and Chihuahuas cannot tolerate colder temperatures. Thus, your Chimations will feel more comfortable in warm weather conditions.
Adding a Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breeding a Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix
Crossing two pure breeds like Dalmatian and Chihuahua can have a terrifying effect on the offspring. In addition, crossbreeding may pass on the parents’ health problems to their puppies. So, when crossing a Dalmatian and a Chihuahua, check their parent’s lineage and health records from a responsible breeder to avoid ending up with a weak hybrid pet.
Dalmatian Chihuahua Mix Puppy Cost
A Dalmatian Chihuahua mix puppy may cost around $500 to $800. This entirely depends on the sex of the puppy you chose, the breeder’s location, and the show record of the parent dogs.
Check for the puppy’s parents’ health clearances before buying. Also, it is suggested to visit the breeder’s place to view the puppy’s parents’ lively and estimate how your dog may look in the future.
