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Chimo Dog (Chihuahua & American Eskimo Mix) Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Chimo Dog (Chihuahua & American Eskimo Mix)

Height: 9–18 inches*
Weight: 8–30 pounds*
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: White, cream, multicolored, tan, fawn, black, gray
Suitable for: Singles, families with older children, urban living, apartment living
Temperament: Playful, alert, clever, somewhat reserved with strangers, quick, expressive

* Size will vary with Chimos because American Eskimo Dogs come in three size variants: toy, miniature, and standard.

Chimos are fun, quirky hybrids of two well-known breeds: the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog. This American Eskimo Chihuahua mix is an affectionate and lively companion with a notable suspicion of strangers and unfamiliar dogs, but they’re highly trainable and can adapt to just about any environment. They require a constant amount of daily interaction, which is why they’re excellent for seniors, at-home workers, and other households with someone always around throughout the day. Whether you’re living in a small apartment or you have a big family, the Chimo can be an ideal choice for a pet. Let’s look more in-depth at this popular designer dog breed!
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Chimo Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Chimo is what is known today as a designer dog breed (a purposely created hybrid), but it can still be difficult to find a “breeder” for them, even with their growing popularity. Most mixes are often a result of backyard breeding or puppy mills, which should be avoided if possible. Both puppy mills and backyard breeders are risky because of the lack of research into canine genetics, which can create puppies with serious health and behavioral issues. This is especially true for Chihuahua mixes, since temperament stability is a problem with this breed, even with selective breeding.

That said, there are reputable designer dog breeders with full records of their dogs. Any dog breeder should allow you to visit the facility and see the puppies’ parents in person or their full health records, and ask any questions that come to mind. If a breeder avoids any of these points, especially if they ban people from visiting the facility, avoid them at all costs.

Alternatively, try searching your local shelters and rescues for any Chimo dogs. They may not have puppies, but they may have young adult or senior Chimos available for adoption. Adopting is always a better route than purchasing, as most of the costs are recycled back into the rescue center.

Parent breeds of Chimo
Image Credit: Left: HG-Fotografie, Pixabay | Right: danutaniemiec, pixabay

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Chimo 🧠

Chimos are hybrids, so there is little to no information on their general temperaments and intelligence. The best way to find out what your Chimo’s temperament may be like is to look at the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog.

Although Chihuahuas have notorious reputations for being vicious and stubborn, a properly-trained Chi can be a loving and devoted companion. They’re quirky, expressive dogs that need a lot of daily interaction, so this is a great breed for retired individuals or people who are home often. Although temperament instability is a potential issue due to improper breeding, most Chihuahuas are not actually aggressive. They are also highly trainable, which may surprise many, but their small bladders make housebreaking a little tricky. Otherwise, Chihuahuas can be excellent companions, regardless of their infamy as “ankle biters.”

American Eskimo Dogs are bright and active dogs that enjoy spending time with their families. These dogs are highly intelligent, but they can be stubborn with training. They need a lot of daily interaction, so this isn’t the type of dog that can stay home alone for long periods of time. While they can become overprotective, American Eskimo Dogs are great watchdogs and will gladly alert you of any intruders. Daily training sessions and a firm leader will keep “Eskies” from taking over the household, but they’re usually not aggressive toward strangers or unfamiliar people.

While there’s no guarantee of how your Chimo will act, it’s safe to say that this hybrid will enjoy spending time with you and your family. They’ll need that daily interaction to stay happy, so it’s crucial to include them in all sorts of activities. Aside from potential overprotectiveness and stubbornness, Chimos can be friendly if socialized early.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, but only for families with older, calmer children. Chimos are usually on the smaller side, so their bodies may be too fragile to play with young and rambunctious kids. Chimos aren’t aggressive around children, but they can be moody if teased too much. Because of these reasons, we do not recommend them for families with kids younger than 6 years old.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Yes and no. Chimos can get along with other pets in their household, especially if raised together. The problem lies with strange and unfamiliar dogs, which can cause them to bark or lunge at them. This is due to the Chihuahua’s notable distaste for unfamiliar dogs. Early socialization is a must for this hybrid, but they may only tolerate other unknown dogs.

As for smaller animals and cats, Chimos are generally able to get along. There may be some tension at first, but this should go away with time. However, each dog is different, and it will take slow introductions to see if all pets can live in the same space safely.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Chimo:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Chimos are usually small dogs and they’ll be prone to dental issues. We recommend feeding them a dry dog kibble that’s made specifically for small dogs to help keep their teeth and gums clean. In addition to dry food, wet food should be added as well to make sure they’re getting enough nutrients in their diet. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian about your dog’s dietary needs for the best results.

Exercise 🐕

Chimos are somewhat active dogs, so you’ll need to take them on a few brisk walks a day and at least a half-hour of playtime. Since American Eskimo Dogs tend to roam, your Chimo will love to have somewhere to run off-leash in an enclosed space. They’ll also need a source of mental stimulation, so a variety of different games to play will help tire out your Chimo.

Both Chihuahuas and American Eskimo Dogs can be athletic, so consider trying agility to help burn out their energy. While they may be small, Chimos can quickly pick up on most activities. Due to their small size, though, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian before starting any rigorous activities with your Chimo.

Training 🦮

Training needs to start immediately with Chimos, even from day one. We recommend positive reinforcement training methods, but it’s even more important to avoid picking up your Chimo if they’re acting out. Picking up small dogs does not correct problems and if anything, will create more behavioral issues. Housebreaking may also be a difficulty due to their size, but taking them out every hour will reduce accidents.

Chimos need early socialization with people and dogs right away, so consider taking a group obedience class. This will help introduce your new Chimo to strange people, dogs, and places, while also teaching them the basics. In addition to group classes, Chimos can benefit from having one-on-one training sessions.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming your Chimo will mostly depend on the coat. If it’s short, grooming will be a breeze. Brushing out their coats occasionally will suffice. If your Chimo’s coat is long, it will need a more focused approach. Daily or weekly brushing will be required, as well as a bath every couple of months. Do not over-bathe your Chimo, or it could cause their skin to dry out. You’ll also have to have their nails trimmed on an as-needed basis, usually every 2 to 4 weeks.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Since Chimos are not purebred dogs, there isn’t a lot of information on their health. The best way to know is to look at the parent dogs’ health records and the common health conditions of both breeds.

Minor Conditions

The Chihuahua is prone to:

  • Hypoglycemia
  • Obesity
  • Tooth and gum disease

The American Eskimo might have issues with:

  • Cataracts
  • Skin allergies
  • Urinary stones
Serious Conditions

The Chihuahua is susceptible to:

  • Patellar luxation
  • Spinal deformities
  • Tracheal collapse
  • Seizures/Epilepsy
  • Uncontrolled trembling

The American Eskimo is prone to:

  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patellar luxation
  • Pyoderma
  • Hypothyroidism

Male vs. Female

The choice of male versus female is a personal one, since there aren’t many differences between female and male Chimos. Make sure that all parties are involved in this choice, but otherwise, neither males nor females are easier to train and handle.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Chimo

1. Chimos can be anywhere between 9 and 30 pounds

Chimos may be mixed with the tiniest dog breed in the world, the Chihuahua, but their size will depend on the American Eskimo Dog’s size. They come in three different sizes (toy, miniature, and standard), which will drastically influence the offspring’s size.

2. Chimos may have long coats

Chimos may inherit the long coats of their American Eskimo Dog parents, giving them a soft double-coat. Of course, if your Chimo comes from the longhaired variety of Chihuahua, the coat will also be long and fluffy.

3. Chimos are excellent watchdogs

While everyone expects Chihuahuas to be on alert, American Eskimo Dogs have great watchdog potential. It’s safe to say that most Chimos inherit these traits and will gladly guard the house, alerting their owners of anything they deem a threat to the property.

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Conclusion

Chimos are fun and quirky hybrids that can make excellent home companions. They’re unique-looking and have great personalities, but they’re also serious in their roles as watchdogs. Although Chihuahuas are constantly demonized, Chimos are loving dogs and rarely have aggression issues. This breed thrives off of daily interaction, so they’re best suited for people who are home frequently. If you give them the chance, Chimos will become your new favorite designer dog breed!

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Featured Image Credit: Pxfuel

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