Also commonly known as the Golden Chi, the Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix is a cross between the Chihuahua and the Golden Retriever.
This is a relatively new and rare designer breed that is gaining popularity thanks to the dog’s delightful combination of the Chihuahua’s feisty nature and the Golden Retriever’s sweet personality.
Generally, the Golden Chi is quite small in size like the Chihuahua parent, but is typically very trainable, loyal and devoted. You can expect these pups to weigh around 15 to 30 pounds at maturity, depending on the dominant genes.
If you’re thinking of adding a Golden Chi to your family, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about the Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix, including history, physical characteristics, personality traits, nutrition, health, puppy costs and more.
Table of Contents
Few Facts About the Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Other Names: | Golden Chi |
| Size: | Small-sized dog |
| Good Guard Dog: | No |
| Average Weight: | 15 to 30 pounds |
| Average Height: | 20 to 25 inches |
| Lifespan: | 14 to 15 years |
| Apartment Living: | Yes |
| Ideal for: | Individuals and families with older children |
| Coat: | Thick, double coat |
| Coat colors: | Gold, white, tan, fawn |
| Suitable for first time owners: | Yes |
| Trainability: | Moderate Difficulty |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming Needs: | Brushing should be done a few times each week to help keep their coat healthy |
| Energy Levels: | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 45 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | These dogs can be left alone for 3 to 6 hours every day, with the maximum being 8 hours |
| Feeding and Diet: | 1 to 2 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into two meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Hip and Elbow dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Dental Issues and Hypoglycemia |
| Temperament: | Loyal, devoted, stubborn, intelligent, friendly, social, gentle, aggressive, affectionate |
| Cat Friendly: | Moderate, especially if raised together (early socialization is must) |
| Dog Friendly: | Moderate, Early socialization is must |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, best suited for homes with older children (early socialization is must) |
| Price: | $2000 to $3,500 |
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How is the Golden Chi Bred?
You may be wondering, ‘Can the Golden Retriever and the Chihuahua have puppies? Is that even possible?’
When you look at both parent breeds, you might think that it’s impossible. And it’s true; both parent dogs cannot mate and have puppies naturally. Breeding would have to be done using the In vitro fertilization (IVF) method.
For the Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix, the mom always has to be the Golden Retriever, because of the huge size differences of the dogs. A Chihuahua mother would die while giving birth to the large Golden Chi puppies.
This mix is a lovable pooch that requires a lot of attention and company.
Parent Breeds
For you to better understand what the Golden Chi might look and act like, you need to find out more about the parent breeds.
From their origins and breed purpose to their temperaments, you can get a good idea of what to expect from your new Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix.
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is definitely one of the most popular toy dogs in the world. Their history dates back to the Aztec times. However, it wasn’t until the breed was rediscovered by Americans in the 18th century that people started to fall in love with them.
Small and brave, this toy dog is said to be sassy and charming. Although the breed’s original purpose is not known, he is now commonly used as a companion dog.
He enjoys the company of his owner and does not tolerate being left alone. Despite being small in stature, they have a huge personality and can be quite stubborn. Chihuahuas also tend to be aggressive and overprotective, especially if not properly trained.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is another very popular dog. According to the American Kennel Club, it is the third most popular breed in the United States.
They are big dogs that are smart, friendly, social and loyal. They are also commonly used as companion dogs.
Golden Retrievers were developed in Scotland to help with retrieving the popular waterfowl birds from water.
Gradually, they transitioned to household pets or companion dogs. They are intelligent and eager to please, which makes training easy. They are also good with children.
Thanks to the Golden Retriever’s friendly nature, they are commonly mixed with other dog breeds to produce designer dogs, like the Golden Chi.
What Does A Golden Chi Look Like?
As with all designer dogs, you should learn as much as possible about each parent breed. The Golden Chi will either be a perfect blend of both or one of the parents. However, you won’t really know how your mixed breed dog will turn out until you bring them home.
Most Golden Chis can vary in both appearance and personality. However, most Golden Chis will inherit the best traits for both parent dogs.
There are some common traits that most Chihuahua Golden Retriever mixes will have when it comes to appearance, temperament, activity levels and health. Below, you will find out more about what you can expect from this designer dog.
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Size & Appearance
As with any other mixed breed, a Golden Chi’s appearance will vary depending on which parent dog has the dominant genes. The Chihuahua and the Golden Retriever might be very different in terms of appearance.
A large dog, the Golden Retriever has an average weight of around 55 to 75 pounds and stands between 21 and 24 inches tall when fully grown. He is probably most identifiable for his golden coat, which is thick and mostly wavy.
In contrast, Chihuahuas have an average weight of just 3 to 7 pounds and an average height of 6-9 inches. With erect ears, large eyes, and a tiny muzzle, the Chihuahua is a very cute pup. The dog’s coat can be long or short and comes in a range of colors.
Together, the Chihuahua and the Golden Retriever produces a unique pup. Since the two parent dogs are so different-looking, you cannot accurately predict what the offspring will look like. However, it is safe to conclude that the Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix will weigh around 15 to 30 pounds.
Their coat will certainly be thick and the ears will be smaller than those of a Golden Retriever. For facial features, the Chihuahua’s face will most likely be dominant, but with the cute characteristics of a Golden Retriever.
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Golden Chi Temperament
As with their general appearance, the Golden Retriever Chihuahua designer dog is a very interesting mix, because the two parent breeds have very different personalities. The Golden Retriever is gentle and calm while Chihuahuas are more aggressive and can be very stubborn.
This means that your Golden Chi will come packed with a lot of personality. However, almost all of the puppies will have their own unique character and a combination of both the Chihuahua and the Golden Chi traits.
Generally, the Golden Chi will have the gentle personality of the Golden Retriever and the energy and stubborn steak of the Chihuahua side of their parentage.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is that these hybrid dogs tend to be quite aggressive and overprotective thanks to their Chihuahua genes. This means they may not get along well with small kids, if they are not well socialized. He should also be well socialized with other dogs, as well as with cats and other pets to ensure you have a well-rounded dog.
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So, you should spend a lot of time with your puppy. That way, you can shape his personality and ensure it is the perfect match for you and your family.
When it comes to strangers, his Chihuahua parentage will most likely prevail, and he can be reserved at first. If they aren’t happy, they will bark to chase them away. Expect a barking watchdog, so this is something to consider if you live in an apartment or a small house where there are sensitive neighbors.
Exercise Needs
Golden Chis are active dogs, but they are not very energetic. They need 45 minutes of daily walks with some quality playtime.
As we’ve already mentioned, the Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix is definitely a smart dog. Both parents are intelligent and curious, so it’s important to provide adequate physical and mental stimulation by investing in interactive dog toys and dog puzzles.
In addition to giving them interactive dog toys and a place to play, you also want to buy them a spacious dog crate like the Midwest Folding Crate for Small Dogs and a comfortable dog bed like the Furhaven Orthopedic Dog Bed. This is particularly important if you want to give your dog his own separate place to rest and sleep.
Training
With the Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix, you have a unique combination of dog breeds: one that is known for being intelligent and stubborn, with one of the most obedient and trainable pups out there.
So is the Golden Chi easy to train?
Chihuahuas are known to be quite stubborn. When a medium-sized dog like the Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix acquires his traits, it’s best to start training as early as possible, because housetraining can be a bit of a challenge.
Just start early and make sure they master the basics before proceeding to the more advanced feats.
When it comes to obedience training, it’s best to use positive reinforcements. This implies rewarding your dog with treats and praise for a job well done.
Golden Chis should also be properly socialized with other dogs, animals and people. This is even more important since they can be overprotective or snappy, due to their Chihuahua genes. Not only will socialization teach them how to interact with other pets and how to be a well-mannered canine, but it will also help boost their confidence.
Feeding and Diet
It’s advisable to give your Golden Chi 1 to 2 cups of high quality dog food, split into two meals per day. You also need to adjust their food intake depending on the age, size and activity level of your pup.
Dogs require at least 18 percent protein in their regular diet for optimal growth, and health muscles. We also recommend probiotics with wild Alaskan salmon oil to help promote good skin health and improve gastrointestinal function.
Apart from food, we recommend giving your Golden Chi fresh water each day to keep him cool and hydrated.
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Health Problems
The Chihuahua Golden Retriever Mix is a fairly healthy designer dog. Since this is a mixed dog, however, he could inherit the various health issues associated with his parents. Therefore, it is important to be aware of them.
Here are the main health concerns to watch out for:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Injury
- Dental Issues
- Hypoglycemia
Lifespan
Chihuahuas are one of the longest living dog breeds out there, and your Golden Chi is expected to have a life expectancy of around 14 to 15 years.
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Grooming
The Golden Chi will most likely inherit the double coat of his Golden Retriever parent. Although they are known to shed, they don’t shed as much as a Golden Retriever.
It is important to brush them a few times each week to help reduce shedding. This will strengthen the bond between you and your canine, and also help maintain their coat in tip-top condition.
The Golden Chi also needs bathing once in six weeks or whenever he gets dirty or smelly. However, you should avoid over-bathing since that can dry out their skin and cause other skin issues. So, it’s a good idea to invest in deodorizing wipes for dogs to help keep their coat clean and superb.
Their teeth should be cleaned every week and their ears also cleaned regularly to prevent infection.
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Breeders & Puppy Price
The Golden Chi is a designer dog, so they are a few issues that prevent some people from actually acquiring them. One of them is the price and another is actually finding a reputable breeder.
Chihuahua Golden Retriever puppies are very expensive to produce. The average cost of a Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix puppy from a reputable breeder is around $2000 to $3500.
This cost might seem a bit high compared to similar or comparable mixed pups, but you should remember that a lot of time and effort goes into producing them.
Due to the size differences, breeding them typically takes a lot of time and skill. Artificial insemination technology is used. The mom is always the Golden Retriever, and the dad is always the Chihuahua. The best traits of both parents are produced. This means reputable breeders will want to set a higher price for a Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix for sale.
The best way to find your Golden Chi is to look for reputable Golden Chi breeders online. Make sure to read online reviews from past customers and actually meet them face to face.
Always ask to see the puppies, their parents and all the health records so you can take home a healthy Golden Chi puppy.
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Adoption
If you’re considering rescuing a Golden Chi instead, you can visit your local rescue shelter to see if they have any pups available for adoption.
They may not have one available when you visit, but talk to the staff who may advise you and point you in the right direction.
If not, you can consider dedicated breed shelters or rescue organizations.
Do Golden Retriever /Chihuahua mix dogs make good pets?
Yes, the Golden Chi can be a great family pet if properly trained and socialized.
The Golden Chi isn’t exactly your ordinary dog. If you find a puppy, you should certainly consider adding them to your family.
However, if you have younger kids, make sure you consider the pup’s size and behavior. A very small dog isn’t always a good match for a carefree toddler who doesn’t know how to interact with a dog.
While the Chihuahua can be overprotective and aggressive at times, the Golden Retrieve’s gentle nature can help result in a friendlier dog.
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Conclusion
The Chihuahua Golden Retriever is an interesting mix. Since the Golden Retriever and Chihuahua are so different, it is hard to predict exactly how this mix will shape up in appearance and temperament. Chances are this will be a medium-sized weighing around 15 to 30 pounds.
This seemingly impossible Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix works quite well due to the balancing out of their parents’ personality traits.
With the right owner, training and socialization, the Golden Chi can develop into an amazing dog that every member of your family will fall in love with.
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