Feist Chihuahua Mix – Feist Chi Breed Information

Parent Breeds:

Chihuahua & Feist

Breed Nickname:

Feist Chi

Size:

Small To Medium

Height:

12 to 18 inches

Weight:

12 to 30 pounds

Life Span:

13 to 18 years

Coat Colors:

Black, white, fawn, tan, red, cream, brown.

Friendliness

Intelligence

Good for First-Time Owners

Good with Children

Easy to Train

Exercise Requirements

Ease of Grooming

Amount of Shedding

Amount of Drooling

Tendency to Bark

What Is A Feist Chihuahua Mix Called?

A mix between a Feist and a Chihuahua is called a Feist Chi. They’re also known as Feisthuahuas, although the former is much more common.

These dogs are agile, intelligent, quick, and spirited. They might not be the most beloved designer breed out there, but they are lovely companions for the right people.

But does this apply to you? Today we’re looking at everything you need to know about Feist Chis to help answer this question.

There is very little information about Feist Chi and the history of breeding them. However, it is likely that they were first bred in North America in the 90s when designer breeding became a mass market.

Feists were originally hunting dogs, descending from Terriers and brought to the United States by UK miners. They date as far back as the 17th century when they were bred to protect and watch over children.

Chihuahuas date back to the 9th century when they were treated like royalty in Mexico. Many believe that they were sacrificed to accompany their owners to the afterlife.

Feist Chis are sociable, fun, outgoing, and smart. They love being around their owners and family. They tend to bond more with one owner rather than all of them, giving them a deeper insight into their emotional response.

This is the main reason why Feist Chis are commonly used as therapy dogs. They believe that your happiness is their own, and they’re very gentle and doting on this one owner.

For this reason, they don’t do well alone. They thrive on being around people, so they’re not the best breed if you’re going to be out all day.

Feist Chis is a loud breed, loving to express themselves through their voice. They’ll howl and bark, often not maliciously, but just to let others know that they’re around. They love attention, so that might be a reason for this.

They are small enough to fit in an apartment without any issues, but their loud voices might cause trouble with the neighbors.

Widely considered to be a healthy breed, Feist Chis can sometimes inherit health conditions from their parents. Chihuahuas are known for being susceptible to many health issues, possibly due to overbreeding, so their offspring might be predisposed to more, too.

Here are the most common illnesses to look out for:

• Collapsed Trachea
• Cataracts
• Heart Murmurs
• Open Fontanel
• Oral issues
• Patellar Luxation
• Pulmonic Stenosis
• Hydrocephalus
• Hypoglycemia
• Shivering

You should take your Feist Chi for a routine checkup once a year, increasing this to twice a year as they get older. This can get illnesses diagnosed quicker, improving the effectiveness of treatment.

Feist Chis are rather easy to train, despite the reputation their parent breeds have. Feists are eager to please and very intelligent, which sounds like a dream come true for anyone who is thinking about training their dog.

However, Chihuahuas are known for their stubbornness, which the Feist Chi can inherit. This can make this seemingly intelligent dog harder to train.

Make sure that you use positive reinforcement around Feist Chis, as this will help them learn through positivity rather than negativity. The latter can spur them to bring out their stubborn streak, making them even more resistant to training.

Small dogs can sometimes suffer from small dog syndrome. Feist Chis can suffer from this, but early socialization with other dogs and strangers can minimize the effects of this.

Feist Chis have plenty of energy to burn off, so they need around 30 minutes of exercise a day. They might even prefer more, but use 30 minutes as the baseline. They love accompanying their owners out and about, running errands, and going on strolls.

They also enjoy running, hiking, and swimming, but be mindful to not work them too hard and look out for the signs of fatigue.

Their energy levels will increase quickly after a short break – you can’t keep these dogs down! So, it is best to keep their exercise sessions to short bursts throughout the day, rather than one long walk. This will keep them happy and content, rather than bored.

Feist Chis are also very smart dogs, so their brains will need to be exercised as well. Use games and training to keep them alert and stimulated. They’re best suited for people who have enough time in their days to keep the Feist Chi moving and working.

Choose high-quality food that is tailored to small or medium dogs. You can often find Chihuahua food, which would be suitable for a Feist Chi.

Premium food is imperative as it will prevent the food from hurting their teeth and gums. Make sure that the food you choose is fortified with vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy.

To avoid overfeeding, only feed them the correct amount of food depending on their weight. Ask your vet if you’re unsure of how to do this. Remember that their weight will also change throughout their life, so you’ll need to change the portions regularly.

With Feist Chis, it is advisable that you offer them smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day as this can help with bloating.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas
• Best Puppy Food for Chihuahuas

Feist Chis usually cost between $600 and $800. They’re rather popular, so it’s not uncommon to see them priced at even more than this. Lower prices tend to be down to backyard breeders. These breeders will skip screenings and tests, and might even resort to inbreeding.

This can increase the number of health concerns your dog faces in the future. To avoid this, opt for a reputable breeder only.

You should also consider the ongoing costs of owning a Feist Chi, which include premium food, vet bills, sturdy toys, beds and crates, and more.