Chimation (Dalmatian & Chihuahua Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament, & Traits
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Click to skip ahead:
- Characteristics
- Temperament
- Intelligence
- Food & Diet Requirements
- Exercise
- Health
- Training
- Grooming
- Fun Facts
If you’re looking for an active little dog, the Chimation might be just the pet you’re looking for to give a forever home. The Chimation is friendly, sassy, and brings a lot of energy to the table wherever it goes. Since they’re energetic, you’ll have to be quite active to keep up with this little bundle of relentless joy.
If you’re wondering if this tiny pup is the right pet for you, join us as we discuss everything you need to know about the Chimation in the guide below.
Breed Overview
| Height: | 10 to 12 inches |
| Weight: | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 15 years |
| Colors: | White, brown, golden, black |
| Suitable for: | Active families with or without older children, experienced pet owners |
| Temperament: | Easy to train, intelligent, active, protective, loving, and loyal |
The Chimation is a cross between a Dalmatian and a Chihuahua and is a designer dog, which of course, makes it a very popular pet. If you’re considering giving a Chimation a forever home, you’ll need to know more about the dog’s characteristics, such as the temperament and diet requirements.
Chimation Characteristics
Chimation: Dalmatian & Chihuahua Mix Breed Puppies
A Dalmatian crossed with a Chihuahua is a very unlikely combination since they are completely different dogs. You need to know that this is an energy-filled, adventurous dog, so if you aren’t active and able to give the dog the attention and exercise it needs, you may want to adopt another breed.
As a first-generation dog that comes from purebred parents, the Chimation needs plenty of space to run and play. A suburban neighborhood with a huge backyard is ideal for your Chimation Puppy. Since the dog is so full of energy, it should not be kept in an apartment, as it’ll be harder for the puppy to run and release excess energy.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Chimation
The Chimation is an extremely loving and loyal dog that will go above and beyond to protect its pet parents. The dog can be overprotective and is also wary when it comes to being around strangers. However, if you start socializing and training your puppy at a very early age, you can teach it to behave around strangers and not to defend the homestead unless a real threat is present.
The Chimation is easy to train because it’s so intelligent. However, some are stubborn and willful and require patience to train. Training an adult Chimation will take more time, especially if they have a stubborn streak, but puppies are typically more receptive.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Chimations make good pets for active families with or without older children. Because the Chimation is a small dog, it can be easily injured by infants that don’t know how to handle pets. The dog thrives with an owner who hikes, jogs, walks regularly, or is active enough to keep up with their pet.
It’s important to note that the Chimation is prone to developing separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Owners who work at home are the ideal caretakers for Chimations, but those that leave for the day can hire pet sitters or ask family or friends to check in on their pets.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Chimation gets along with dogs and cats. They are loving, energetic pets that will love playing with the other animals in your home. However, it’s much easier to get a puppy used to other pets than an adult. If you adopt an adult Chimation, it’s best to introduce it to other animals gradually. Initially, you can keep them in separate rooms so that they can become accustomed to the new dog’s scent through the door before meeting in person.
After a few days, you can introduce your Chimation to your pets, but keep the dog on a leash until you’re sure they can play without issues. It’s wise always to supervise your pets when playing in case you have to intervene and separate them. You’ll also want to supervise playtime when the Chimation is playing with larger dogs, as the tiny dog could easily get hurt if the larger animal runs over it.
Things to Know When Owning a Chimation
If you’ve decided to give a Chimation a forever home with you, you’ll need to know how to keep your new pet fit, healthy, and happy. In the next few sections, we’ll go over the food, diet, exercise, training requirements, grooming, health conditions to watch out for, and some unique facts about the Chimation and its parents.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Although every dog’s diet should be based on the individual and what the vet says, most Chimations should typically be fed up to 2 cups of kibble daily or the equivalent portion in wet food. You should split this into two meals: one in the morning and one in the evening.
Chimations are also prone to urinary tract infections, so you’ll want to avoid foods that contain high levels of purine. High-quality dog food brands list meat as the first ingredient and usually include protein from animal sources as the first three ingredients. Although Chimations and all domesticated dogs are omnivores, they benefit from a protein-rich diet containing healthy animal protein and fat.
Exercise 🐕
Both the Chihuahua and the Dalmatian are active breed dogs. They need a lot of exercise, and your Chimation will probably inherit that trait from them. Plan on giving your Chimation at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. A good rule of thumb is to ensure they walk about 11 miles a week to stay healthy. You can divide the exercise routine into two long walks a day and play sessions in the yard or at home.
Training 🎾
As we said before, the Chimation is intelligent, and training the dog may be less challenging than with other breeds. Your Chimation puppy will easily learn any basic commands you try to teach and can learn more complicated commands. Of course, positive reinforcement works best with this breed.
However, the dog needs a firm, patient, loving owner who can train it correctly. That’s why it’s recommended that the Chimation goes to a pet parent who is already experienced with dog training. If you’re a first-time owner or new to training, you can enroll your pup in an obedience class with a professional trainer.
Grooming ✂️
The Chimation has a short, soft coat that you should brush once or twice weekly. It’s best to use a slicker brush to remove all the loose hair from your pet’s coat. They’re moderate shedders but experience heavy shedding in the spring that requires daily brushing. Ensure you keep up with your dog’s dental hygiene by brushing its teeth daily, and you should also trim your pet’s nails every 6 to 8 weeks.
Health and Conditions 🏥
As with any designer dog, your Chimation may inherit the health issues its parent breeds are prone to. The best way to ensure your puppy stays healthy is to be prepared. Take your puppy to the vet regularly, serve a healthy diet, and ensure your Chimation gets plenty of exercise.
- Bladder stones
- Cataracts
- Hypothyroidism
- Corneal dystrophy
- Hydrocephalus
- Urinary tract infections
- Hip dysplasia
- Legg Calve-Perthes Disease
3 Little-Known Facts About the Chimation
1. Chihuahuas Can’t Stand the Cold
Chihuahuas were developed in Mexico, and they don’t do well in colder climates. Because the Chimation is likely to inherit this vulnerability, it’s best to protect the dog from cold weather with a jacket and dog booties.
2. Dalmatians Have No Spots When They Are Born
As you may have noticed from the movie 101 Dalmatians, Dalmatians are not born with spots. In fact, they are pure white at birth. Dalmatians only get their spots as they grow older.
3. The Chimation Is Formally Recognized
Your Chimation Puppy is not AKC-Recognized as a hybrid breed. However, the dog is recognized by the Designer Dog Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America, the American Hybrid Canine Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.
Male vs. Female
Other than the males being larger than the females and a bit more aggressive, there is very little difference between them. However, intact dogs are likelier to escape your home and exhibit undesirable behaviors like marking. Having your Chimation spayed or neutered will reduce those problems.
Final Thoughts
The Chimation is a cross between the Dalmatian and the Chihuahua. It is a tiny dog that is fiercely loyal and protective, but it’s also quite intelligent, stubborn, and willful. Although first-time owners can adopt a Chimation, they’re better suited to pet parents with dog-training experience.
If you’ve decided to give this breed a forever home, ensure you’re ready to care for this high-energy breed. You’ll get a loyal, affectionate, sweetheart of a dog that loves you as much as you love it.
Featured Image Credit: (L) Jairo Alzate, Unsplash | (R) Maria Ivanushkina, Shutterstock
