It is certainly not the first combination that springs to mind for most people when conjuring up a possible new hybrid but hear us out. Maybe the somewhat outlandish pairing of Goldendoodle and Chihuahua could offer up something truly unique.
In this article, we will explore what this cross could have to offer and why you would consider a Goldendoodle over the traditional Poodle in this mix.
Table of Contents
Goldendoodle History
The Golden Doodle is a hybrid breed, created by crossing a purebred Poodle with a purebred Golden Retriever.
While there were likely accidental crossings of these two popular breeds many years prior, the first documented intentional breeding of a Goldendoodle was recorded in 1969. At this time the breed was developed to offer up a variation on the Golden Retriever, which was commonly used as a guide dog. Breeders discovered that crossing the Golden with a Poodle made for a curlier, lower shedding coat which was less problematic for those who required a guide dog but who also had sensitivity to dog hair and dander.
It wasn’t until the mid to late 1990s when the internet propelled a whole wealth of new and emerging Doodle hybrids into popularity, that the Goldendoodle really began to take off.
Fast forward to the common day and the Goldendoodle remains a favorite of many dog owners and Doodle fans the world over.
Chihuahua History
Taking their name from the state in Mexico where they are reported to have originated from, the Chihuahua is thought to have been around from as far back as the mid-1800s. As tourist travel from Northern America to Mexico began to increase, many Americans purchased these unusually small dogs while on holiday returning home to keep them as pets.
The breed did not grow massively in the 1900s when the idea of a pure companion dog was still a luxury, many people instead chose dogs that could also double as hunting and/or guard dogs. Unfortunately, although plenty sassy, the diminutive Chihuahua is not going to be able to do much to protect its castle or hunt down prey.
It wasn’t until the 1960s and 70s when perceptions changed and people began to own dogs more commonly for companions only, that the Chihuahua took off in popularity. A 1990s advertising campaign for a fast-food taco chain used the Chihuahua heavily and catapulted the breed into the common consciousness. It has stayed there ever since, often ranking in the top 20 breeds in both America, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
What Do You Call a Goldendoodle Chihuahua Mix?
The purebred Poodle and the Chihuahua have already been crossbred to create the fairly popular Chipoo and likewise, the Golden Retriever and the Chihuahua have crossed paths, albeit slightly less commonly, resulting in the charming “Golden Chi”.
After a trawl of the internet and our other sources, we have been unable to find more than the occasional comment on a Goldendoodle Chihuahua mix, much less a recognized name. Thinking of a name to denote the presence of Golden Retriever, Poodle and Chihuahua is no mean feat let us tell you!
We, here at Know Your Doodle’s have therefore got creative. We suggest (for consideration), a possible title of the “Golden Chi Doodle” or perhaps a little more fun, the “Goldendoo-huahua”. Not sure that the latter will catch on.
Why is the Goldendoodle Chihuahua Cross Being Bred?
It is hard to say, as essentially it isn’t. Yep, that’s right. In a world where it feels like just about every crossbreed possible exists, the Goldendoodle Chihuahua remains elusive.
This could be for a number of reasons, however personally I feel it may be a result of the popularity of the Goldendoodle and the Chihuahua as separate dogs in their own right. The Chihuahua has a firm following who may not be automatically drawn to the idea of a Doodle.
Similarly, Goldendoodles can attract an avid fan base who feel they are more than perfect as they are and would not wish to cross them with anything else.
Is it Ethical to Cross a Goldendoodle with a Chihuahua?
The breeding world remains slightly conflicted on hybrids in general, with many feeling it compromises purebred lines. There are some that can see the undeniable benefits of introducing a Poodle cross to reduce the shedding of many other breeds.
Where it becomes a bit trickier is justifying when a hybrid e.g. a Goldendoodle rather than a Poodle is warranted in a cross. Many may think this creates too many unknowns and that this makes the process unethical.
In reality, though it comes down to the practices of the individual breeders. Doing research, making sure they have the right credentials for the part of the world they work in, and completing health checks is really the best way to figure out if a cross is ethical rather than what dogs are involved.
The Benefits of a Goldendoodle Chihuahua Mix
A combination of a Golden Retriever, Poodle, and Chihuahua is definitely going to be a fairly mixed bag however has the potential to really be something special. The possibilities could include a petite little dog with big Chihuahua eyes, Golden Retriever coloring, and gentleness with a curly low-shedding Poodle coat.
It’s hard to think what is not to love there really.
The Cons of a Goldendoodle Chihuahua Mix
Just as this breed has the potential to get all the “good bits” it also could have a mix of someone of the less desirable traits of each breed. The Chihuahua and the Poodle can be known to be slightly territorial and aloof which when mixed together may make for a fairly anxious dog that no amount of Golden Retriever charm will cancel out.
In addition, while the Poodle coat is low shedding, the Chihuahua and the Golden Retriever certainly are not. This means if anyone in the household has a dog hair or dander allergy this mix may be too much of a risk.
What to Expect from the Goldendoodle Chihuahua Mix
Size and Weight
As the Goldendoodle Chihuahua mix is not being widely bred, we do not have the luxury of pulling average sizes and weights. We can however look at the size and weights of the parent breeds to give a rough idea of what to expect in this cross
First up we have the teeny tiny Chihuahua, standing at between 5″ and 8″ tall and weighing as little as 6lbs, this really is a pint-sized pup.
The Goldendoodle by comparison comes in three size variations dependent on the size of the Poodle used in the hybrid.
- Toy Goldendoodle: Less than 15″ and 10lbs to 25lbs
- Miniature Goldendoodle: 15″ to 20″ and 25lbs to 50lbs
- Standard Goldendoodle: 20″ to 26″ and 50lbs to 90lbs
It stands to reason that the larger Goldendoodle is chosen for the mother in this cross to prevent the tiny Chihuahua from carrying pups that would be too big for it to safely birth.
It would also make sense to use the smallest of the Goldendoodle varieties to try and avoid widely varying sizes in the litter. With this in mind, it can be estimated that a Toy Goldendoodle Chihuahua cross would be somewhere between 6″ and 15″ and weigh in the region of 10lbs to 20lbs.
Color and Coat Types
The Goldendoodle brings with it a hairlike, wavy to curly coat in just about every color imaginable. In reality, Goldendoodles will often have brown, fawn, or golden tones reminiscent of their Golden Retriever parents.
The Chihuahua also comes in black, tan, fawns, and brown shades and can be long-haired or smooth coated. The smooth coat type typically sheds less.
Just what a Goldendoodle Chihuahua mix coat may look like, it’s a roll of the genetic dice. Selecting a particularly curly-haired Goldendoodle may increase the chance of the curly locks being passed on and reduce the overall shedding associated with both the Golden Retriever and the Chihuahua.
If you are considering this cross it is best to plan for regular brushing and grooming.
Health
Crossing purebred lines has the potential to improve overall health by diluting genetic conditions common in the parent lines. Of course, if a condition is prevalent in both the Chihuahua and Goldendoodle there is the potential that this could be passed on.
The following conditions are common in both parent breeds:
- Luxating patella
- Hip dysplasia
- Dental problems
- Some allergies
Temperament
As there is little information out there on the Goldendoodle Chihuahua cross we can only surmise that it will be a combination of the parent breeds. Traits associated with the Goldendoodle include loyalty, affection, energetic, and being playful, while the Chihuahua can be slightly more independent and sassier.
The Chihuahua sass has the potential to temper some of the Goldendoodle’s sometimes overwhelming need to be with their owner. On the other hand, it has the potential to add a dose of stubbornness to the already intelligent Goldendoodle which may make for a pooch who will be training you rather than the other way around!
Exercise Needs
As the Goldendoodle Chihuahua cross is likely to be a small dog, their exercise needs will likely be fairly low. One walk around the block and plenty of indoor play will probably be sufficient. This may make the breed appealing to those with limited mobility or minimal yard space.
Feeding Requirements
Feeding requirements will depend on the individual size and weight however as this is likely to be a smaller hybrid feeding costs are not anticipated to be extortionate. Small dogs can gain weight extremely quickly though so it is prudent to be sparing with the treats and table scraps.
