Chilier Dog breed (Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)
Chilier Dog breed (Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)
This lively, playful hybrid dog breed has only been around for 3-4 decades and is a hybrid of the Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Both breeds are well known for being excellent companion dogs, which might explain why this pretty pooch is becoming increasingly popular. Their breed is a more recent addition to the United States where they are classed as designer dogs. Although both parents are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) this mixer is not.
With a typical Chihuahua head shape and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ears. These small dogs thrive with regular exercise, proper grooming and a healthy diet, to ensure they maintain a healthy weight and avoid any health issues. They have long and silky coats that come in a variety of colours,
What makes Chiliers good pets?
Depending on which parents’ genes are the strongest, the pup’s temperament will be soft, playful, and amenable (Cavalier king Charles spaniel) or somewhat stubborn and bossy (Chihuahua).
The Chihuahua can be moody and sometimes prefer to bond with one family member more than others, but if they are socialised can bond well. The soft nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel balances this as he loves people and is very friendly and gregarious.
Because of their size, they make great apartment dogs if walked daily and thrive with a garden to run around in.
Temperament
Again, it depends on which parent they take after, but they are known to have a happy nature and are very family-orientated. The Chihuahua is famed for its snappiness, but neither breed barks much.
Appearance
They have the trademark brown, slightly bulging eyes of the Chihuahua. Their coats come in a variety of colours:
- Black,
- white,
- fawn,
- grey,
- silver,
- brindle
They have a straight, medium-length coat with average density and should only require grooming once a week.
What size are Chiliers?
Chiliers are classed as a toy breed. The males come in at 8-10in high and weigh approx. 9-12lbs and the females are slightly smaller at 8-10in tall and 6-10lbs.
How much do their coats shed?
The Chiliers coat is long and silky. They aren’t regarded as huge shedders – a brush 2-3 times a week to spread their natural oils and remove excess hair is ample.
Are Chiliers good with children?
At their best Chiliers can be affectionate and playful, especially if they have more of the traits of their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent. They should be socialised from a young puppy with children and other pets to keep their bossy, jealous side in check.
Do they need a lot of exercise?
They resemble the terrier breed and can be very active for their size. They love to chase small animals and can be playful with balls and toys. Around 30 minutes (approx. 1 mile) of exercise daily is quite adequate. Indoor playtime will stimulate their minds and healthy snacks will keep them happy. If you are in the UK a romp along the beach will burn off lots of energy!
Once their energy is spent, they are more than happy to lie in your lap and soak up all the cuddles and affection!
Do Chiliers have any health issues?
The key issues they suffer from are:
- Patellar Luxation – where the kneecap can shift sideways some of the most common causes of lameness in dogs. Severe cases can be extremely painful.
- Glaucoma – is a disease of the eye where pressure mounts up and causes damage to the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.
- Heart Problems.
They can also suffer from some skin disorders and allergies.
Training
As the Chilier is intelligent, he learns quickly and is easy to train. Both parents are intelligent breeds and this little guy is no exception. They can also be stubborn and independent, be sure to mix up the training. Try to use positive reinforcement whenever possible during your sessions together. Without adequate training and solicialising these little fellows can become territorial.
Socialise pups from a young age to curb the Chihuahua’s anti-social temperament and try to nip bad behaviour in the bud. For such small dogs, they have gregarious personalities.
Lifespan
This little Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an excellent lifespan of around 12-16 years.
Do you have a Chilier? Let me know your experience with this breed in the comments below.