Chigi – The Complete Breed Guide

Welcome to our guide to the Chigi.

The Chigi is a mix of two different breeds, the Chihuahua and the Corgi. The Chigi is a small-sized dog with an typical height of 7 to 12 inches and a weight between 10 to 20 pounds.

The Chigi is also known as the Chi-Corgi, Chorgi or a Chihuahua/Corgi Mix.

Why Choose a Chigi?

Raquel Vivier says “I chose a Chigi because he was really pretty and at the time I went to get a dog the only type of dog they had was a Chigi. But I was put into a big playpen and as I was attacked by a bunch of Chigis I chose Booger because he climbed me like a cat. It was so weird.”

What in your opinion are the best things about the Chigi breed?

Desirea Snyder says:”My favorite things about the Chigi is how loving and cuddly they are. My advice would be to make sure you give them space to run and be aware that they can be very nervous dogs. They are a great choice for an emotional support dog because they are so loving and their silly spunky behavior is sure to brighten anyone’s day..”

Why do you think the Chigi is special?

Michelle Ress says: “For me it was love at first sight. I saw her in someone’s car who parked in my driveway and it turns out she was being fostered and available. I stepped up and adopted her on the spot and never looked back.”

Are you glad you choose to buy a Chigi and not another breed?

Michelle Ress: “Though I had to pay a fee it wasn’t like I was buying her but rescuing her. She was born with demodectic mange and was going to be put down if not rescued. We rescued her, cured the mange and lived happily ever after; that was years ago.”

What advice might you give to people thinking about whether they should buy a Chigi over other breeds?

Michele Ress: “They are smart, lovable, and faithful.”

Here is an interesting video on the Chigi.

The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Chigi breed of dog.

You can also help too!

If you can answer any of the questions below, then please add your comments to the box at the bottom of the page or you can email us at sales@dogexperts.info.

We would love to feature your dog and publish any photos or pictures of your Chigi you would like to email us.

History & Origins

Because the Chigi is not a purebreed it is not recognised by the American Kennel Club of America (AKC) or the Kennel Club of Great Britain but it is recognised by the hybrid dog associations below:

American Canine Hybrid Club – Chigi

Designer Dogs Kennel Club – Chi-Corgi

International Designer Canine Registry – Chihuahua x Cardigan Welsh Corgi = Chigi

International Designer Canine Registry – Chihuahua x Pembroke Welsh Corgi = Chi-Corgi

Designer Breed Registry – Chigi

About The Breed

What colors of Chigi are most popular?

What does the Chigi look like?

How would you describe the Chigi temperament?

What are the pros/cons of the Chigi breed?

What can a new owner expect in terms of differences between the Chigi and other breeds?

Do they attract a lot of interest and curiosity from the public?

What type of typical personality does the Chigi have?

Is it possible to describe a fairly typical Chigi?

What is the breed standard/description for the Chigi?

Were there particular colors people preferred and that maybe you focused on?

Are there any downsides to owning a Chigi that prospective owners should be aware of?

Is the Chigi breed of dog suitable for first-time dog owners?

Some breeds can be described as greedy and prone to weight issues, would this apply to the Chigi?

What are the key differences when compared to other breeds?

Is the Chigi breed suitable for a person or family that are out at work all day?

Some owners seek a breed suitable for barking and offering a guard dog role – how does the Chigi match up to that role?

Are there myths about the Chigi – in other words do new potential owners come to you with misconceptions about this breed?

We asked a number of breeders in the UK and America what essential advice they would give to new owners of Chigi puppies and this is what they said:

What types of questions do you get once owners get their Chigi home?

Can you tell us something most owners would not know – tips, secrets etc from your years of experience?

What is the typical temperament of a Chigi, so people know what to expect from their new pet?

When fully grown how much on average does a Chigi weigh?

When the Chigi is full grown in size what is the maximum height and length expected to be?

Does the Chigi smell or drool a lot?

Do you have a Chigi growth chart?

What breed group does the Chigi come under?

What type of coat do they have?

Can they swim?

What does the movement of the tail show, does it mean they are trying to ‘talk to us’ or give us some message?

Suitability

Are there some types of people that you can suggest the Chigi is not suitable for, perhaps families?

How is the Chigi with children?

Do you think the Chigi is suitable for families with young children?

How does the Chigi get along with other (existing) pets and do you have any tips or advice for new Chigi owners in terms of successful integration?

Is it better to buy one Chigi or two?

Should prospective new owners be aware of any differences between males and females?

Would the Chigi be suitable as a guard dog?

Can I leave my Chigi during the day while I go to work?

Lifespan

What is the expected average lifespan of the Chigi?

Typically the Chigi will have a life expectancy of between 10 and 14 years.

Food & Diet

Do you have any special feeding routines or diet?

Do you have any feeding advice or brands that you prefer?

How to handle the Chigi puppy to start off – how much food, what type, how often?

What feeding routines and types of food/supplements do you recommend?

What to buy in terms of equipment? Bowls etc

Do owners need to consider supplements for their Chigi?

How about for older dogs?

Buying – How Much Do They Cost?

How much did your Chigi cost to buy?

Can you offer advice to people looking to buy a Chigi and how much should they spend?

What advice would you offer new Chigi owners?

What types of people are buying the Chigi and why?

Where can I buy Chigi rescue dogs or find a Chigi for adoption? Please note that buying or searching for a ‘cheap’ Chigi can be false economy as they may have health issues that cost you far more in the long-term – always buy from a good and responsible breeder!

Do I need public liability insurance or a license?

Puppy

How would you describe the Chigi puppy to potential new owners?

What types of owners are best suited to owning a Chigi?

What colors and sizes are most popular?

Are there things new owners do that perhaps frustrate you?

What can people expect when they become a new owner?

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Chigi?

As a Chigi breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Are there specific times of the year that you breed?

Choosing a puppy from a litter, what advice could you offer potential new owners in terms of selecting ‘the one’?

How long does it take to housetrain/potty train a Chigi?

When can you take them out in public and how do you handle them around other dogs?

Will they run off – when is it safe to let them off the lead?

We invite you to email us your Chigi’s pictures, in particular we are looking for photos showing Chigi puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks old as well as early pictures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 months old to a year old.

Do they have any nicknames or does the Chigi have popular names?

If my Chigi is pregnant what might the litter size be?

Could the Chigi be dangerous around young children?

Problem Behaviors

How do you deal with a problem barker – any tips and advice to new owners?

How do you prevent a Chigi biting?

How do you prevent a Chigi chewing?

How do you stop a Chigi jumping up?

Does the Chigi have an issue with excessive digging?

Why does my Chigi keep growling and barking?

Is there a reason my Chigi dog is often scratching excessively?

Do they suffer from separation anxiety and how can I prevent this?

Exercise

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what can you say about the Chigi and their exercise needs and do you have any tips or advice for new Chigi owners?

As a breeder of the Chigi , do you prefer a collar or harness?

As an expert of the Chigi breed do you prefer a standard leash or retractable?

Can you offer any dog walking tips for Chigi owners?

Playtime & Tricks

What games and toys can you recommend for the Chigi?

Are there toys you suggest avoiding?

How intelligent is the Chigi compared to other dog breeds?

How much can they understand?

Grooming

Do you have any special grooming routines or tips and advice for new Chigi owners?

How much time is involved?

What accessories are required to be purchased for grooming a Chigi?

Any advice/tips you can give concerning maintenance of nails?

How much do Chigi shed and how do I maintain their hair and how often?

How can I prevent or cure ear infections?

Do you have any tips for eye care?

Is the Chigi a hypoallergenic breed?

Bathing

Any advice/tips you can give concerning cleaning and bathing your Chigi?

Can you offer new Chigi owners advice concerning fleas and maybe products you use in treatment and prevention?

Showing

What advice and tips could you offer to owners who might wish to follow your path in showing the Chigi?

What started your interest in showing the Chigi?

If a new owner perhaps wanted to meet other owners or find out more – perhaps they have an interest in joining a local club or maybe they wonder how they can start showing their Chigi – where would they begin?

Can you offer any advice to others who may be wondering if they can also start showing?

How would an owner know they have a show-quality Chigi and how would they start off?

Can you give away any of your secrets?!

Is showing very expensive and why do you think people like to do it?

What do judges look for in a winner?

Breeding

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Chigi?

What official organisations are there for the new Chigi owner and what benefits or services do they provide?

In buying a Chigi, can you offer advice and tips to new owners?

How did you go from being an owner to getting into breeding?

Do you think the breed’s popularity has increased, decreased or remains the same?

How did you progress to becoming a breeder and why focus on breeding the Chigi out of all the breeds you could have chosen?

What do you think makes the Chigi special to you?

Are there things that you see owners doing that frustrate you?

As a breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Training

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what is it like to train a Chigi and do you have any tips or advice for new Chigi owners?

How should new owners approach bringing a new Chigi home, any advice and tips you can give?

Should I allow my Chigi to sleep in my bed or elsewhere in the house?

Do you recommend crate training and how long does this take?

Should my Chigi sleep in a kennel or crate?

Health

Health is always a major concern when buying a dog, do you have any advice for new Chigi owners to be aware of in particular?

Are there any health-related tips you can give to owners?

What sort of health issues should owners be on the lookout for?

What is the recommended schedule for vaccinations for your Chigi?

Can you offer any advice on how to treat and prevent worms?

What type of health issues can a Chigi have and how do you deal with preventing these?

Why does my Chigi have diarrhea?

Do they suffer from itchy and sensitive skin and if so why?

Why is my Chigi vomiting and do I go to the vets?

When should I take my Chigi for vaccinations and which ones do they need and how often?

How often will my Chigi be in heat?

Should I consider getting my Chigi spayed or neutered and when and how much does this cost and what are the benefits?

My Chigi is limping, what should I do and should I go to a veterinarian surgeon?

Do they suffer from allergies?

Why is my Chigi not eating?

How much does it cost to insure my Chigi?

What healthcare issues or diseases might be excluded from companies that provide Chigi dog health insurance?

Old Age

What age would you class as an ‘older or senior’ Chigi?

Do you notice any changes in their behaviour?

What changes in food and diet would you suggest making for an older Chigi?

Do you feed any supplements to an older Chigi – or anything else which helps them as they age?

Are there any health issues particular to a senior Chigi dog?

Do you have any advice for owners of an older/senior Chigi or tips you can pass on?