Miniature Pinscher/ chihuahua cross (chi pin)

jimbo83

Hi all

A friend has one of the above and we are considering getting one as he's a wonderful little chap.

Does anyone know of any breeders of this cross (UK wide is fine)?

Or are thee certain sites I should look on (or even stay away from)?

Thanks

krlyr

I would just say proceed with extreme caution. I am sure there are some responsible breeders of crossbreeds, but at the end of the day, you need to consider what the benefit of breeding a cross is.

A "good" breeder generally finds a great example of the breed, so one with great temperament, health, build (e.g. not too dainty in the face, if it's not meant to be a dainty breed), etc. and then finds the best stud they can to compliment all those features. To purposely take a good example of a breed, and then breed it with a completely different breed, then brings up the question of how you identify what features you want to pass on and why.

You'll probably be best off finding a breeder who breeds for "purpose" - these crossbreeds can't be shown in the same way as purebreeds, but it may be that a particular cross makes a brilliant agility dog, it may be they breed a cross to be put forward as service dogs, or working gun dogs, etc.

What you definiately want to avoid is anyone who breeds them simply because these "designer crosses" are so popular these days. A high price tag is something to be wary of - these crossbreeds should certainly not be worth more just because they're trendy, a good breeder will put a pricetag on that is justified by the health tests, stud costs, etc.

A good breeder will also be happy to be grilled with lots of questions - infact, they'll love the fact you're asking those questions. They should be happy to prove the health test results they claim, they should be able to show you mum (dad might be a stud elsewhere), and shouldn't seem like they've got anything to hide.

Be wary because some iffy breeders have cottoned on though - some will bring a random female to their house to pose as mum (real mum may be in poor condition from being overbred, or pups may have been removed from her too early - or they may just be a puppyfarm taking in pups and selling them in a staged home environment), some will say all the right things without necessarily doing them.

I would normally suggest finding breeders through recommendations, shows like Crufts/Discover Dogs etc. but I'm not really too sure of the best way to find a responsible breeder of crossbreeds. Is there any particular reason you wouldn't consider a Min Pin or a Chihuahua purebred? Not a pedigree snob (got a crossbreed myself) but may be easier to locate a good breeder. And it's more about the breeding and raising of pups that make them wonderful, rather than the cross itself.

http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/good_breeder

jimbo83

Thanks.

Hers seems to have a lovely temperament but I guess you won't be sure what you are getting temperament wise if it's a cross breed. He is also a beautiful dog.

With regards to the pure min Pin, I also think they are nice dogs so would consider. That said, their appearances seem to differ quite a lot, especially facially.

heartbreak_star

Please also consider rescuing a dog.

HBS x

krlyr

jimbo83 wrote: »

Thanks.

Hers seems to have a lovely temperament but I guess you won't be sure what you are getting temperament wise if it's a cross breed. He is also a beautiful dog.

With regards to the pure min Pin, I also think they are nice dogs so would consider. That said, their appearances seem to differ quite a lot, especially facially.

Crossbreeds will vary even more. If you're a bit particular about the looks side, then you want to find a breeder who's bred several generations, and you can look at the ancestors and their general looks. I'm a bit fussy about the kind of face shape I like in Rotties, for example, and there's some lines with really broad, wrinkly heads that I would avoid - just because all the pups end up looking the same way, and it's not a look I like. If I was to look for one, I'd find a breeder who's !!!!!es and their studs had the slimmer look I prefer, and check out the grandparents, uncles and aunts, etc. too.

Other than that, one way to guarantee it'll have the look you like is to adopt a rescue dog, if that's something you'd consider.


Whatever breed or cross you go for though, it will be a direct result of the amount of effort and research put in by the breeder. If they don't research the lineage, don't do health tests (not the same as health checks - which are literally 5-10 mins in the vets, won't pick up hereditary issues, joint problems, disposition to eye conditiosn, etc.), and don't socialise the pups (socialisation doesn't just mean letting loads of kids play with it or taking it out to meet dogs - it involves introducing them to various floor textures so they don't freak out on gravel, taking them out near roads so they get used to traffic noises, getting them used to the sound of a hoover/washing machine/etc in the house and so on - taking full advantage of that socialisation window they have before pup leaves to go to its owner, to introduce it to as many things as they can) then you will likely get a pup that's prone to health or behavioural issues.

jimbo83

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Please also consider rescuing a dog.

HBS x

Could you recommend any larger rescue organisations? U.K. wide is fine.

Thanks

Fosterdog

jimbo83 wrote: »

Could you recommend any larger rescue organisations? U.K. wide is fine.

Thanks

It depends on what area of the country you are, RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross are all nantional with multiple centres around the country. Then there are the smaller, independent and more local rescues, I'm in South Wales and can personally recommend Hope Rescue, Friends of the Animals, Green Acres and Welsh Wales Poundies. Many Tears in Carmarthen does take in puppy farm dogs, either ex breeders or unsold pups as it is an area rife with puppy farms so you are more likely to find your "designer" dog there but the dogs have awful backgrounds (although no different to a large percentage of puppy farm dogs sold every day under false pretences). Another place is the local pound, I have adopted one from Cardiff Dogs Home before after she was signed over by her owner.

Some rescues can be very picky and fussy with who they rehome to, some really don't care and just adopt them out to anyone and others try to look at each persons individual circumstances and the individual needs of the dog.

Most rescues will have puppies available not just older dogs, maybe not all the time but if a female comes in pregnant or if a dog is signed over already pregnant. Even pups as young as a few days old get dumped, so if it is a younger dog you want please don't be put off rescues.