PapillonChihuahua Mix is a cross of Chihuahua with Papillon. Crossbred appearances depend purely on the features inherited from the parent dogs. This designer dog inherits the best traits from its parents, making it brilliant as Papillon and brave as Chihuahua. These tiny adorable pups are known for their sweet and protective disposition for their owners.
Being a cross of two toy breeds, the Papillon Chihuahua is pocket-sized even when they become adults.
With their apple-like heads, bulgy eyes, and butterfly wings-like ears, the Papchi can be a suitable addition to a family who love pets. These mixed breeds are energetic and never shy away. They get gelled with kids. Please don’t go by their sizes, for they make excellent watchdogs. They are alert and won’t hesitate to bark at strangers. Don’t let these dogs alone, for they cannot tolerate being alone. Papillon Chihuahua mix may bark when required and stay calm during the separation period with consistent training. If you are looking for a canine that is alert, active, and loves you incredibly, then Papchi is right for you.
Table of Contents
Papillon Chihuahua Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Great watchdogs
Stubborn and difficult to house train
Adorably affectionate
Prone to dental problems
Papillon Chihuahua Mix Basic Information
Name: Papillon Chihuahua
Height: 6 – 11 inches
Weight: 4 – 10 pounds
Coat: Short to medium length, sometimes long
Color: White, cream, fawn, golden, dark brown, and black
Other names: Chion dog, Pap – chi, Chi-a-Pap, Papihuahua
Breed recognition: The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR), and Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC).
Papillon Vs. Chihuahua – A Comparison
Features
Papillon
Chihuahua
Image
Origin
France
America
Height
8 – 11 inches
6 – 9 inches
Weight
4 – 9 pounds
3 – 6 pounds
Size
Small
Small
Group
Companion dogs
Companion dogs
Children Compatibility
Medium
High
Family Compatibility
High
High
Pets Compatibility
Medium to high
Low to medium
Barking Level
Low to medium
Medium
Shedding Level
Low to medium
Low to Medium
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
Medium
High
Overall Health
Medium
Low to Medium
Energy
Medium to high
Medium
Exercise Needs
High
Low
Trainability
High
Medium
Activities
Watchdogs, companion dogs
Watchdogs, companion dogs
Complication inbreeding
No
No
Litter Size
1 – 3 puppies
1 – 3 puppies
Lifespan
12 – 16 years
10-18 years
Papillon Chihuahua Mix Personality
A Papillon Chihuahua bears a small apple-shaped head, dark nose, round bulgy eyes, butterfly wings-like ears in a small body. They have silky smooth hair and can be black-white, black-brown, cream, chocolate, fawn, dark brown, or golden. These mixed breeds also have thin, short legs with long fluffy tails.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
Medium
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium
Pet-friendly
Medium
Stranger -friendly
Low to medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Medium to high
Good to new owners
Medium
Sensitivity level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold-tolerance
Low
Heat-tolerance
Medium
Papillon Chihuahua Mix Temperament
Pap-Chis are brilliant dogs. However, they bark at times but are quiet most of the time. They may go well with children and enjoy playing with them, yet they should be monitored. Since these dogs are small and delicate, children should never handle them. Their bulgy eyes make them susceptible to injuries and dust. So it is better to check their eyes if they are disturbed or pawing. Sometimes Pap-Chis can also express aggression towards other dogs. One point that makes them unsuitable for apartment living is their barking tendency.
Pap-Chis are alert and protective, expecting just affection and love in return.
Papillon Chihuahua Mix Training
Pap-Chis are generally easy to train unless they are stubborn. Thanks to their intelligence, they pick up the tricks of training. Don’t be rude to the puppy. Puppy training is the key to success in training. Pet parents can give basic training such as crate training, potty training, and obedience. Then, train them to handle their behaviors with other pets and people.
Pap-Chis may exhibit aggressive behavior. However, early socialization and training sessions can make them well-behaved dogs.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
Medium
Intelligence
Medium
Mouthiness tendencies
Medium to high
Barking and Howling tendencies
Medium to high
Prey drive
Medium
Wanderlust tendencies
Low
Papillon Chihuahua Mix Exercise Needs
Although they may not require tons of exercise, they still should expel their energy by playing outdoors and indoors. Thirty minutes of exercise daily is needed. It’s suggested to walk them on a leash. They can be happy puppies playing with elderly pet parents. Pet parents must ensure that the Pap-Chis are kept engaged in physical or mental exertion. They love playing fetch and frisbee. Keep them engaged. A bored Pap-Chi can be a destructive dog.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
Medium to high
Exercise needs
Low to medium
Intensity
Medium
Playfulness
Medium to high
Papillon Chihuahua Mix Grooming
The grooming of your Pap-Chi depends on the coat that it inherits. Brushing him once or twice a week will be sufficient for a shorter coat while brushing on alternate days will be better for a longer coat—this aids in maintaining natural oil and luster. Remember to groom their butterfly ears. PapChi’s bulgy eyes can attract dust and are prone to infections. Hence, clean their eyes regularly. Do not forget to Clip their nails.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom
Medium
Drooling tendency
Low
Amount of shedding
Low
Papillon Chihuahua Health
Though Papillon Chihuahuas are healthy, some dogs exhibit diseases or illnesses acquired from parental genes. So, it is always better to check for any conditions before adopting or bringing a Papillon Chihuahua home.
Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is a disorder that can affect several tiny dog breeds, including Chihuahuas and their mixed breeds. When a dog’s blood sugar level drops too low, hypoglycemia occurs. This occurs most frequently after an exercise session, when the dog skips a meal, or when the dog witnesses an exciting occurrence. If you suspect your dog is suffering from hypoglycemia, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Corneal ulcers: Some canines develop corneal ulcers due to their flat faces or prominent eyes. Depending upon the severity of the ulcer, either pain-relieving medications like antibiotics, eye drops, ointments, or surgery may be advised. These ulcers are painful and may cause other symptoms such as:
Squinting
pawing or rubbing the eyes
Redness and excessive discharge or tearing.
Collapsed Trachea: A dog’s trachea (windpipe) is a muscular tube supported by soft cartilage rings. The trachea travels through the dog’s neck to the lungs. When a dog pulls too hard on a collar or chokes on a chain, it can cause tracheal collapse. On the other hand, many little dogs are born with malformed or weaker tracheal cartilage. This can cause the windpipe to collapse, making it difficult for the dog to breathe.
Patellar Luxation: Knee Dysplasia, also known as patellar luxation, is a condition that affects both the parent breeds. The dislocation of the knee cap can be excruciatingly painful, causing the dog to avoid leaning on the injured leg.
Signs of the luxating patella in dogs:
While your dog runs along, he may suddenly pick up a back leg and hop for some time.
He kicks his leg sideways to get the kneecap back in the position, which is normal.
Dental Issues: They may suffer from minor dental issues like tooth decay. So, pet owners should take proper dental care.
Color Dilution Alopecia: A state in which your pets might develop hair thinning gradually on their skin, resulting in hair loss permanently. This condition develops in some but not all dogs bred for unusual coat color.
Mitral Valve Disease: In this condition, the weakening of their heart valves causes blood to
flow back into the atrium, leading to cardiac failure. Veterinarians can detect it early, so it’s crucial to keep up with their regular examinations.
Liver Shunts: This is a condition in which the liver is not supplied with enough blood to purify it. As the name suggests, blood flow to the liver will be shunted. Liver Shunts are curable through surgery.
Deafness is prevalent in the breed, so responsible breeders will have tested the parents and the entire litter to ensure all can hear properly. A dog that is unilaterally deaf (deaf in one ear) may be able to live a relatively everyday life; a dog that is bilaterally deaf (deaf on both sides) may not be able to and will have different concerns to consider.
Neuroaxonal Dystrophy: It is a neurodegenerative disorder seen in dogs like Papillon, Chihuahua, Rottweiler, Collies, Boxer, and German Shepherds. The cerebellum becomes mildly atrophic and has no treatment.
Open Fontanel: Where the affected dog has a hole in its skull.
Eye Diseases: Pap-Chis can be prone to these eye diseases:
Corneal damage
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Eyelid mass
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Cherry eye
Entropion
Cataracts: As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow gradually. Cataracts may develop at any age and often don’t damage vision, although in some cases they cause vision loss. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist certifies the breeding dogs after testing them free of hereditary eye disease before breeding. Usually, cataracts can be removed surgically with good results.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Many eye infections involve the retina’s slow deterioration. In the initial phases, puppies become night-blind. As it progresses, they lose their eyesight during the daytime as well. However, most canines slowly adapt to their slight or complete sight loss as long as their home surroundings remain the same.
Small dog syndrome: Pap- Chis suffer from this syndrome, a collective behavior change exhibited by small dogs. They do all activities to overcome their small stature, such as excited manners, growling at people and other pets, and jumping up on pet parents, people, or other pets.
Allergies: Pap-Chis can be allergic to various substances, ranging from food to pollen. If your dog licks his paws or rubs his face a great deal, get him checked by your veterinarian.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a disorder that affects dogs during their growing phase. It causes the hip joint to relax, resulting in discomfort and dysfunction. The cartilage and bones in the dog’s hip start to wear away as he develops. This leads to arthritis, muscular atrophy, and decreased mobility over time.
Health Overview Table
Overall health
Medium to high
Weight gain tendencies
Medium to high
Size
Low
Papillon Chihuahua Diet and Nutrition
A half to 1 cup of high-quality kibble designed for toy breeds divided into three to four meals a day is recommended to maintain the sugar levels because small dogs may suffer from hyperglycemia. Dry kibbles aid in combating the periodontal disease to which both the parent dogs are susceptible.
Papillon Chihuahua Living Condition
Pap-Chis are suitable for families that spend time with their pets. They can bear hot climates and are intolerable to cold temperatures. Their barking tendency makes them unsuitable for apartment living.
Adding a Papillon Chihuahua to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breeding a Papillon Chihuahua
It would be best to get a Papillon Chihuahua pup from a reputed and reliable breeder who can provide you with health certificates, vaccination, and gene testing. They may get destructive if left alone for a longer time.
The cost of a Papillon Chihuahua Puppy would be somewhere between $200 and $750
