Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix (Golden Chi): Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Golden Chi is a hybrid designer breed that mixes two popular breeds: the Golden Retriever and the Chihuahua. These two dogs are very different in almost every way, except their color. The crossbreed is still new, which means we have to look at the parents to determine the likely characteristics of this particular cross.

The Golden Retriever is a loving dog that will get along with everybody they meet. They have plenty of energy, are intelligent, will get along with children and other animals, and make a very popular family companion.

Breed Overview

The Chihuahua does not give their love as freely as the Retriever; they make you work for it. Once they warm to a person, though, they will form a very close bond. This pup is also intelligent but more stubborn than the Retriever, which makes them harder to train.

We can assume that the Golden Chi will fall somewhere between the two breeds. It is likely that they will be standoffish around strangers but will become warm and playful once they get to know them.

Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix (Golden Chi) Puppies — Before You Buy…

What’s the Price of Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix (Golden Chi) Puppies?

Golden Retrievers and Chihuahuas cannot breed naturally. The process of creating the Golden Chi hybrid breed is complex and expensive, so while this breed is still relatively uncommon and not highly sought after, puppies are expensive. You should expect to pay a minimum of $2,000 and potentially as much as $3,500.

Choosing this type of breed means that you will have to do a lot of research, not only to ensure that the breed matches your lifestyle and requirements but also to find a reputable breeder. The cost of the puppies means that you may find some disreputable breeders passing other crossbreeds off as Golden Chi dogs in a bid to make more money from their breeding.

Ask lots of questions, only deal with breeders who can show you proof of the puppy’s breed, and ensure that you can see evidence of health checks and screening.

Because this breed is not purebred, they are not recognized by kennel clubs, nor are they recognized by hybrid kennel clubs. You will have to call breeders to locate one who is dealing with this breed.

The rarity of the breed means that you are unlikely to find them in rescues or local shelters. If you do, ensure that you get as much history as possible, and meet the dog before you take them home with you. If you already have dogs, ensure that you introduce your existing dog to the Golden Chi before you take them home. Adoption costs are usually around $300, which is a lot cheaper than buying.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix (Golden Chi)

The Golden Chi can be withdrawn around strangers, but once they warm to people, they will form a close bond with their family and friends. Expect the breed to be approximately three times the size of the Chihuahua and half the size of the Golden Retriever.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Golden Retriever is famed for being one of the best family companion pets. They are known to love people of all ages, will love to spend time playing with older children especially, and will enjoy any time you give them outdoors. The Chihuahua, however, is not as well suited to life with children. They can be a bit grumpy, and if your child does not yet know how to behave around dogs, it can lead to aggression from the Chihuahua. Your Golden Chi will likely fall somewhere between these two extremes. Expect it to take time for your puppy to befriend all family members, and when they do, you can bet they will become an integral and loving member of the family.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Similarly, whether your Golden Chi gets along with other dogs, cats, and other furry family members, will depend on whether they take after the Retriever or the Chihuahua more. Introduce them gradually, take things slowly, and don’t try to push your pets too quickly.

Things to Know When Owning a Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix (Golden Chi):

The Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix sheds less than a Retriever and is a little less feisty than a Chihuahua. They offer the perfect compromise between these two breeds, but they may not be suitable for all families and owners. Consider the following factors before welcoming this dog into your home.

Food & Diet Requirements

Expect to feed approximately 2 cups of good quality food per day to your Golden Chi. The exact amount you feed will depend on the age and size of your dog. Active dogs also require more food. You should measure the food and provide it over two meals during the day. If you use food or treats as a training aid, take this into account when calculating how much food to serve.

Exercise

Expect to give your hybrid at least 45 minutes of exercise a day. The Goldie has high energy requirements, and while the Chihuahua is a lively little dog, they don't require too much daily exercise to keep in good shape. Walks should be sufficient, though the breed may benefit from dog agility and other canine sports classes.

Training

A Golden Chi usually adopts the loving nature of the Retriever but the stubbornness of the Chihuahua. Unfortunately, this stubbornness does tend to prevail when it comes to training. So, while you will have an intelligent hybrid breed on your hands, they can prove difficult to train. You should attend training classes because these give you the tools to further train your dog, and they also teach some of the basic commands. Early training is especially important if you want your Golden Chi to live with children. Socialization should also be considered important; otherwise, your Golden Chi could adopt the standoff nature of the Chihuahua parent breed.

Grooming ✂️

One of the likely reasons for combining these two breeds is to reduce the grooming requirements of the otherwise popular Golden Retriever parent breed. They have a lot of hair and they do tend to shed profusely. The hybrid breed’s coat is approximately half the length of the Golden Retriever, so while it is still quite long and will require weekly brushing, it is considerably easier to care for. They will shed, but this will be less than you would experience from a purebred Retriever.

Other than a weekly brush, you should only have to deal with regular maintenance. This means that you will need to trim your dog’s nails when you notice them get long. You will also have to brush your teeth three times a week. This is especially important because poor dental hygiene is an issue with smaller breeds like the Chihuahua.

Health and Conditions

Male vs. Female

There is little known difference between the male and female of this hybrid breed. Upbringing is more likely to factor into the behavior of the breed, while the dominant parent breed will determine the size and physical appearance.

3 Little-Known Facts About Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix (Golden Chi)

1. Golden Retrievers Are Excellent Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Golden Retrievers are commonly used as search-and-rescue dogs. They have an excellent sense of smell and are keen-tracking dogs. They love to swim, have plenty of energy, are intelligent, and like to please their humans. This combination means that they can be trained as service dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs. Although the Golden Chi is unlikely to follow the same path, primarily because of the difficulty in breeding the line, they do retain many of these beneficial properties. Your puppy could be a keen swimmer with lots of energy and a desire to please.

2. The Chihuahua Is the Smallest Breed

What makes the Golden Chi such an unusual cross is that they are a combination of the large Golden Retriever with the miniature Chihuahua. The Chihuahua, which hails from the region of Mexico with the same name, is the world’s smallest breed. A purebred typically weighs around 5 lbs. and is 8 inches tall. Crossing them with the Golden Retriever means that the resulting hybrid will be around three times the size, weighing a minimum of 15 lbs. and standing at least 20 inches off the ground.

3. The Golden Chi Cannot Be Bred Naturally

The difference in size between the two breeds means that the Golden Chi cannot be bred naturally. Instead, a veterinarian has to artificially inseminate a female Golden Retriever with the sperm of a male Chihuahua. The size of the resulting breed means that they cannot be inseminated into a female Chihuahua. This difficult process is the reason that the designer breed, the Golden Chi, can cost as much as $3,500 per puppy.

Final Thoughts

The Golden Chi is a very rare designer breed. They have to be bred by inseminating a female Retriever with the sperm of a male Chihuahua, and this must be done artificially. The resulting breed will usually adopt traits from both parent breeds, and this usually results in a medium-sized dog that is a little reluctant around strangers but that is loving and devoted to its family.

The rarity of the breed means that you will have to pay $2,000 or more for a puppy of this breed, and it is likely to take a lot of research and effort to find a reputable breeder. The Golden Chi requires less grooming and maintenance than the Golden Retriever and may not be as stubborn and grumpy as the Chihuahua. This hybrid makes an excellent family pet.

Featured Image Credit: Phuttharak, Shutterstock