What is a Chipin?

Nano the Chipin

A Chipin is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Miniature Pinscher.  Chi’s and Min Pins, as they are affectionately known, can each be a handful, and when combined, watch out!  You may have a sassy, willful, opinionated, and smart dog–possibly too smart–with an energy level that is off the charts.

Although the name Chipin sounds similar to Chin Pin, a Chin Pin is a very different dog.  A Chin Pin is a cross between a Miniature Pinscher and a Japanese Chin, aka Japanese Spaniel.

Meet Nano the Chipin

My Chipin, Nano, was a rescue surrendered to my local animal welfare in a box of puppies.  As best as we can tell, he was in a puppy mill that bred both Min Pins and Chihuahuas.  Even though he was not intentionally bred as a “designer dog,” I still call him that.  However, I doubt he cares if he is called a designer dog or a mutt.  He is happy to be loved, fed, and played with frequently.

Nano has all of the characteristics listed above, and in this post, I am going to share some insights I’ve gained by training him as well as some breed characteristics of both the Miniature Pinscher and Chihuahua and how those traits can intermingle when combined in the Chipin.

• Chihuahua + Min Pin = Chipin

  • High Energy
  • Major Attitude
  • Full of Themselves, BUT

  Once You Own a Chipin, You Can’t Live Without One!

Energy:  Nano is Short for Nanosecond

Miniature Pinschers and Chihuahuas are known for their high energy level, but our Chipin, Nano (short for Nanosecond), has the energy of both a Miniature Pinscher and Chihuahua combined.  When we rescued Nano from the local animal shelter, we of course noted that he was a hyper, energetic dog.  We have owned Min Pins for more than a decade, so we thought we were prepared for Nano.

Our new little Chipin, was malnourished, but he just needed a few good meals or so we thought. What we didn’t know at the time was that he was actually sick.  His behavior was so hyper that no one ever guessed he was ill.  After having four abscessed teeth pulled and a round of antibiotics, we now observed his normal energy level.  It was beyond anything we had seen, and we were used to hyper dogs.

How to Exercise a Chipin if You are not an Olymptic Sprinter

Below is a video of Nano “chasing” the laser, but if you watch closely, you will notice that he is not chasing it, but actually racing it.  If it “wins,” he turns around and gets a head start for the next race.  In other words, he cheats!

Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are officially listed as small dogs with medium energy by the AKC¹.  According to the breed standard, they should not weigh more than 6lbs, have an apple domed head, and some Chi’s have long coats while others have smooth.  The Chihuahua expression is “saucy,” and their temperament is “alert,” projecting the ‘terrier-like’ attitudes of self importance, confidence, self- reliance.”

In other words, Chihuahuas are full of themselves.  They think that they are the center of the world, and the world should cater to them.  Thus, reminding them of their place in the pack is important.

Miniature Pinschers

Smart

Protective

Chipins can be protective of their “pack,” and sometimes are wary of strangers to the point of being aggressive.  Caution is advised when introducing any dog to a stranger, especially on the dog’s home turf, but increased attention should be paid when a Chipin or either parent breed, the Chihuahua or Min Pin, is involved.  However, they are good watch dogs and will let you know if a stranger arrives at your house.  I sometimes refer to Nano as our postal alert system.

Affectionate

Care

Works Cited

1.  American Kennel Club.  “Chihuahua.”  Accessed 4/29/2017.
2.  American Kennel Club.  “Miniature Pinscher.”  Accessed 4/29/2017