Chigi Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- Chihuahua & Corgi
- Breed Nickname:
- Chigi
- Size:
- Small
- Height:
- 7 to 12 inches
- Weight:
- 10 to 20 pounds
- Life Span:
- 12 to 14 years
- Coat Colors:
- Fawn, black, cream, white
Chigi Characteristics
About The Chigi
What Is A Corgi Chihuahua Mix Called?
The mixed breed resulting from a combination of Chihuahua and Corgi is called a Chigi.
They also go by a few other names, such as Chi-Corgi, Chorgi, and the Chihuahua/Corgi. However, Chigi is definitely the cutest!
These dogs are lovable and playful, and they make excellent companions. They get the best traits from their parents, so it’s no wonder the Chigi has excelled in popularity over the years.
Our ultimate guide should help you make the decision of whether to welcome this breed into your home or not.
Chigi Breed History
First bred in the 90s in North America.
Parent breeds are some of the oldest dogs!
Chihuahuas and Corgis are some of the oldest dog breeds, but the Chigi is much newer. The first was originally bred in the 1990s during North America’s breeding obsession with designer dogs.
Their popularity soared, so breeders kept a steady stream of Chigis being produced to keep up with the demand.
Chihuahuas originated in Mexico in the 9th century, so they’ve been around for a long time! There are many theories on how and where the Chihuahua originated, from Mexico to China.
Corgis, on the other hand, began as a herding dog in Wales, UK.
However, they were quickly spotted by royalty, with Queen Elizabeth II taking a liking to them. They have since been known as regal lap dogs.
Chigi Personality & Temperament
Very loving and loyal.
Lots of energy to burn off.
Need early socialization.
Chigis are considered to be very affectionate and aware of their surroundings. They’re small but mighty, with big personalities that can fill the entire house.
They love their owners and are slightly protective over them, but they’re still very playful and fun.
You might find that your Chigi tries to herd you while out, and this is inherited from their Corgi parent. If there are small children in the house, they might also think they are part of their pack.
Early socialization can prevent your dog from confusing children with other dogs.
While the Chigi is small, they’re very excitable. They’ll need plenty of exercise and playtime to tire them out throughout the day.
Chigis are excellent lapdogs and enjoy a cuddle at the end of the day. Chihuahuas prefer one parent over the other, so your Chigi might follow this same pattern.
They are adaptable dogs and can live in both apartments and houses. They will prefer somewhere with a yard, though, so that they can run around and tire themselves out.
Chigis are small dogs, and they can often forget about this fact.
They love to play with everyone, but their excitement can get them hurt when playing with small children who don’t know how to handle dogs properly.
As long as you supervise play time, Chigis are excellent dogs for all families.
Chigi Health
Inherits health issues from parent breeds.
Eye issues are a major concern.
Your vet can assist you with what symptoms to look out for.
The Chigi might suffer from some of the same health issues that its parent breeds suffer from. While mixed breeding can minimize these ailments, it doesn’t mean that they’re not without risk.
Here are the health concerns to be aware of as a Chigi owner:
- Eye issues, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and overactive tear glands
- Patellar luxation
- Hypoglycemia
- Joint pain and other issues
- Epilepsy
- Von Willebrands
Chihuahuas are prone to more illnesses due to overbreeding. They suffer most from eye problems, digestive issues, and dental disease.
This is because their jaws are too small to fit all of their teeth, causing overcrowding and pain.
Due to this, it is essential that you keep up with your routine vet appointments to make sure everything is okay with your Chigi.
Use a vet who is skilled in treating Chihuahuas and other small dogs, as they will know the warning signs to look for.
Chigi Training
Highly intelligent.
Great dogs to train.
Can be stubborn when they don’t want to train.
Corgis are very intelligent dogs and therefore tend to be easy to train. However, Chihuahuas like to think that they know best and can be rather stubborn.
This means that while they can be easy to train, you’ll need to assert your dominance and show them who’s boss.
Chigis don’t do well with negative reinforcement and can see it as a threat. Ignore their bad behaviors and focus on the positive ones, offering lots of treats and kind words.
To prevent this stubbornness from turning into assertiveness, your Chigi will need to be trained and socialized from an early age.
Taking them to the dog park is an excellent way to do this as it allows them to meet other dogs of all sizes, as well as people.
Doing this can also prevent them from developing Small Dog Syndrome, which is where they bully other dogs sheerly due to their size.
Chigi Exercise Requirements
Highly intelligent.
Great dogs to train.
Can be stubborn when they don’t want to train.
Chigis are small dogs, but that doesn’t stop their energy levels from soaring. They love plenty of activity throughout the day, and will ideally go on multiple short walks with you every day.
They are very adaptable and therefore like accompanying you while running errands. This is enough to tire them out, but their energy levels replenish quickly.
Chigis do best in houses with a yard so that they can expel their energy on their own.
While Chigis can live in apartments, they will need to be taken out more for walks. This might not be the best for busy people, so keep this in mind when making your decision.
They are best suited for people who work from home or who have enough time to stop by and exercise them throughout the day.
Chigi Diet & Feeding
Offer premium food for small dogs.
Make sure their food has plenty of protein.
High-quality food is best for their teeth.
Choose a high-quality food for your Chigi that has been specifically formulated for a toy-size breed with lots of protein.
Protein keeps their muscles strong and healthy, and small amounts of fat and carbs will give them the necessary energy.
Foods fortified with vitamins and minerals are also ideal to keep them in good health.
As Chigis are prone to dental issues, choosing high-quality kibble is vital. Lower-quality foods might cause irritation or be too tough for their teeth, resulting in unnecessary pain.
Chigis are small dogs and therefore are susceptible to overeating and obesity. It is essential that you only feed them the correct amount for their weight. If you’re unsure about this, talk to your vet.
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Chigi Cost
Costs between $300 and $1,000.
Ongoing costs include toys, food, vet checkups, and more.
Any breed mixed with Chihuahuas tends to cost more, and Corgis are also an expensive breed. Expect these dogs to range from $300 to $1,000 in price.
Look for the higher costs to ensure that you’re using a reputable breeder with the necessary experience.
Ongoing costs include food, vet bills, grooming costs, and toys. Insurance will be higher due to their predisposition to health issues regarding dental, digestion, and eyes.
Food will cost less though as they don’t eat as much, so this might balance out the cost.