The Corgi Chihuahua Mix: Everything You Need To Know About The Chigi

The Corgi Chihuahua mix is a cross between the sweet-faced and companionable Welsh Corgi and the feisty Chihuahua. The Corgi parent can be a Cardigan or a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, two strikingly similar but different breeds.

Also called the Chi-Corgi, Chi-gi, Chigi, or Chorgie, this tiny dog will get your heart all mixed up with their charm. Great for novice and apartment dwellers, the agreeable Chigi gets the best of both worlds from their parents.

Read along as we explore the Chigi inside and out, from their temperament to their looks. To help you bring home the perfect canine addition to your family.

These are great dogs for a household of adults, particularly for people who are retired or work from home. The Chigi is extremely attached to its humans and does not like to be left alone for long periods. They are alert and love to bark. So be aware of this before bringing one into a situation where barking can be a problem. At 10 to 20 pounds, they can adapt to small spaces, but only with adequate exercise.

These dogs need quite a bit of activity for their size, but be careful of dog parks. Negative encounters with other dogs can lead the Chihuahua Corgi mix to become reactive and fearful or aggressive with strange dogs. 

They love to chase things, so investing in teaching them games like fetch early on, or a sport like flyball is worth the effort. Because of the Chihuahua parent, they can be a bit snappy and don’t always like children. 

This is quite a healthy dog breed (or designer breed), but they can inherit some issues, especially from their Corgi parent. Grooming needs are relatively minimal, but you need to pay special attention to their teeth as they are prone to dental problems.

History of the Corgi Chihuahua Mix

Corgi Chihuahua mixes result from the growing popularity of designer dogs meant to be smaller versions of popular dogs. It’s a fairly recent practice that’s only a few decades old, with mixed dogs like Chigis gaining recognition from designer clubs like the DRA, DBR, and IDCR. But to understand this dog, we need to look at the history of the parent breeds.

Chihuahuas are believed to have originated in Mexico, where the Toltecs owned larger Chihuahua ancestors, the Techichi. These Chi ancestors are believed to have been mute. How these silent dogs evolved into the yappy little champs we know today is a mystery and a secret of crossbreeding.

The Aztecs conquered the Toltecs and are believed to have refined the Techichi into a lighter, smaller dog like the Chihuahua. It wasn’t long before these dogs gained American interest and found their way into American soil in the 1800s. By 1908 the little canine had official AKC recognition.

Corgis originated from the Teckel family of dogs that parented Dachshunds too. Of the Corgi breeds, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is older and believed to have existed in Wales for over 3000 years. They were named after Cardiganshire in Wales and can be traced to dogs brought by Celtics in 1200 BC.

Initially, the Corgi’s main job was driving cattle and clearing away predators and other herds for their master’s cattle. This explains their low-set physique, incredible athleticism, and endurance, making them the perfect drover dog.

The influx of Flemish weavers and the Viking invasion of Wales about 1000 years ago saw the introduction of Spitz-type dogs. This resulted in the development of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and those untouched Corgis remained to be Cardigan Corgis. The two are remarkably similar, but Cardigans are slightly larger with short tails and rounded ears.

What are the Physical Features of a Chigi (Corgi Chihuahua Mix)?

• Height: 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm)
• Weight: 8 to 18 lbs (3.6 to 8 kg)
• Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
• Color: Cream, tan, blue, chocolate, fawn, red, black, sable, and rarer colors like merle and chocolate blue
• Eyes: Dark brown to hazel eyes
• Nose: Dark, fleshy nose, although lighter dogs can have lighter noses

The Corgi Chihuahua mix is a dog that can have wildly unpredictable physical features because the parent breeds differ greatly. Generally, Chigis maintain the Corgi’s long body with their disproportionately short legs and can be small or medium-sized. 

They can have the famous Chihuahua apple head and somewhat bulgy eyes. These mixes can also have rounded ears, longer tails (from their Cardigan parent) or pointed ears and shorter tails (from the Pembroke parent). They are sturdy dogs, even if small, staying true to their ancient Corgi herding roots. 

It’s nearly impossible to predict how a Chigi will look because they come from three foundation breeds. Their coats can have all sorts of colors, from brindle, red, sable, and even the rare merle color. Other Corgi mixes with merle coloring include the Cowboy Corgi, which you can read about in our article. They can have the fluffy Corgi hair or the smoother, shorter Chihuahua coat.

General Care of the Corgi Chihuahua Mix

• Hypoallergenic: No
• Shedding: Mild to moderate shedding that increases in spring and fall
• Exercise: 30 to 60 minutes daily
• Temperament: Lively, affectionate, charming, loyal, and devoted
• Trainability: Relatively easy to train 

Energy 

The Chigi is impressively energetic, and they like something to do owing to their herding dog genes from the Corgi. Even the tiny Chi parent is quite excitable and develops behavioral problems if their daily exercise requirements aren’t met. 

Housing Needs

Chigis do well in apartments and small spaces because their small size makes them manageable for the average dog owner. Even while living in apartments, Chigis must exercise daily because they are extremely prone to barking. Dogs barking at night and at other inconvenient times can lead to issues with neighbors.

Exercise Needs

30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise broken into two sessions should be enough for the Chigi. As we mentioned, Chigis are tiny packets of energy, so don’t let the size fool you into easing on the walks. They will zoom about the house to expend any energy they didn’t release during the routine walks.

Chigis have low-set bodies making them prone to back injuries, so their workouts shouldn’t be too intensive. These intelligent dogs also need mental stimulation keeping their brains busy with snuffle mats, puzzles, and commands tires them out mentally, improving their behavior.

Food & Diet Requirements

Chigis need diets specially formulated for small dogs from puppyhood all the way to adulthood. These foods are calorie-dense, allowing more calories in less food to fit their small stomachs. A protein-dense diet (25%) is paramount because though tiny, Chigis are still dogs, so they need a meat-based diet. But alway check for health issues like liver shunts that can affect how well they can break down protein.

One thing to note about small breeds is their tendency towards hypoglycemia, where their sugar levels drop dangerously low. To combat this, Chigis need their meals portioned into 3 to 4 meals as adults and even more as puppies.

Additionally, Chihuahuas are known to be really sensitive to low-quality, processed foods and may pass these traits to Chigis. Therefore, ensure the foods you buy are free from byproducts and too many chemicals, and have meat as the first ingredient. Also, consult an animal nutritionist if you opt for a homemade diet to elude the chemicals in processed food. 

Grooming

Chigis are easy to maintain and groom, only needing one or two weekly brushes with a rubber glove or pin brush weekly. Chigis that take after the Corgi’s thick double coat may need more frequent brushing during spring and fall when they “blow” their coats.

Little dogs like Chigis are prone to dental issues due to overcrowding teeth. Therefore, brushing their teeth 2 to 3 times weekly is vital, along with chew toys and mouth rinses for better oral hygiene. Other grooming products include nail clippers for use every two weeks and ear-cleaning solutions after baths.

The Health of a Corgi Chihuahua Mix

Chigis are gifted with good health, especially if you get your dog from a reputable breeder. Being a mixed breed, these dogs can benefit from “hybrid vigor, “making them healthier than their purebred counterparts.

However, hybrid vigor doesn’t save these pups from health conditions prevalent in their parent breeds. Health issues affecting Chihuahuas and Corgis can be passed down to the Chigi. For example, IVDD and degenerative myelopathy are health risks affecting Chigis because of their long backs, giving affected dogs varying levels of pain and neurological problems. Here are other potential medical issues in these dogs based on severity.

Severe Medical Issues

• Hip and elbow dysplasia; 
• Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) which can intensify in overweight Chigis; 
• Heart issues; 
• Collapsing tracheas; 
• Liver shunts; 
• Degenerative myelopathy (DM);
• Eye issues like glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy; and
• Periodontal disease.

Mild to Moderate Health Issues

• Dental issues;
• Allergies;
• Skin problems;
• Ear infections;
• Obesity; and
• Hypothyroidism.

Occasional Health Problems

• Epilepsy; and 
• Von Willebrand’s Disease.

Chigi Temperament and Intelligence 

Chigis are small dogs with big-dog attitudes and are affectionate, lively, loyal, and quick-witted while maintaining agreeableness. These dogs love attention from their loved ones and are generally very charming to anyone that comes across them.

Chigis, just like Chihuahuas and other Chihuahua mixes like Jack Chis are prone to separation anxiety and excessive barking. They can have the infamous Chihuahua shake because of it. Their territorial tendencies make them good watchdogs, even If they’re small.

These dogs are quite intelligent but can be challenging to train. They can be stubborn and strong-willed. However, patience and positive reinforcement using treats will lead to a well-trained dog. Early training and socialization are paramount to preventing behavioral problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Chigis are excellent additions to your family and are great for new dog owners. They are friendly and very energetic for their size, so a social and active life is paramount. Chigis are healthy dogs, all factors considered, so they’re a worthy pick. 

Meet Your Experts

Tamsin De La Harpe

Author

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.