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Unless you’ve spent the past year living under a rock, you’ll no doubt have heard of Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo born in 2024 in a Thai zoo. His chubby little face and hilarious antics made him a crowd favorite, and there are plenty of people who would love to have a Moo Deng of their own. While that may not be a possibility, some dog breeders are trying to create a canine alternative; enter the Mini Hippo.
The latest in designer dog breeds, the Mini Hippo is a cross between the roly-poly Shar Pei and the floppy-eared Cocker Spaniel. Although the result is undeniably cute, there are some serious health concerns that may plague this curious canine creation.
Join us as we take a look at this trending hybrid and determine whether or not their health can stand up to the hype.
History and Origins
The Mini Hippo, also known as a Cocker-Pei, is a fairly new mixed breed believed to have originated in the United States through the mixing of the Cocker Spaniel and Chinese Shar-Pei.
As with any cross-bred dog, it can be difficult to predict which characteristics will come through in the offspring, so the best place to start is with the two breeds involved.
The Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel has been a favorite breed among families for generations. As the smallest member of the sporting family, this floppy-eared pooch has a mild-mannered disposition. They are easy-going, gentle with children, and have an abundance of energy.
This is a type of pup that loves to play, run, and frolic. One great trait of this breed is although they are high-energy dogs, they do not feel the need to constantly burn off the energy. They are not likely to chew or become agitated if a daily walk is missed.
There are many different types of Cocker Spaniels that all share the same playful and happy personality characteristics. Another important note about this breed, though, is their general vulnerability. Cocker Spaniels have more tender feelings than other breeds. They don’t do well with aggressive yelling or harsh punishment.
More stressful environments can cause this type of pooch anxiety. That being said, early training is advised, so negative reactions are less likely to affect their mental well-being. Obedience training is also a good idea for socializing this pooch as they can be shy if not exposed to other dogs early. Typically, this type of pup is good with other dogs, as well as other pets.
Common Health Problems
Although the Cocker Spaniel is generally considered to be a fairly healthy dog, some common health issues may be particularly relevant when combined with those of the Shar-Pei, including:
- Otitis (ear infections)
- Pyotraumatic dermatitis (skin infections)
- Entropion (eyelids rolling in)
- Cherry eye (prolapse of the third eyelid gland)
- Conjunctivitis
The Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei is the other half of the Mini Hippo. This ancient breed comes from China, and their ancestors are believed to stretch back as far as 200 BC. This extremely loyal dog is protective of their family and territory.
It is thought that the Shar-Pei was originally bred to protect and guard upper-class citizens. They were also used to hunt and herd, and in later years, they were also bred to fight. Many of these ancient traits still exist today. The stocky, short-snouted pooch is a great family dog as long as a firm hand is taken right away.
This type of pooch is calm, good with children, and very intelligent. They can also exhibit aloofness and independence. Where the Cocker Spaniel lives to please you, the Shar-Pei exists to protect you; whether you need it or not.
Like the Cocker Spaniel, though, early training is a must for this pooch; otherwise, they will take over the home. They can be stubborn but they are always loving and fiercely loyal. Not surprisingly, they are not keen on strangers or other dogs.
Common Health Problems
The Shar-Pei is predisposed to a number of health problems, including Shar-Pei Fever, certain cancers, and behavioral issues. Most notable are the problems arising from their trademark skin folds:
- Otitis (ear infections)
- Pyotraumatic dermatitis (skin infections)
- Moist pyoderma
- Skin allergies
- Entropion (eyelids rolling in)
- Ectropion (eyelids rolling out)
- Cherry eye (prolapse of the third eyelid gland)
- Conjunctivitis
Most Shar-Peis require some level of surgery to correct their entropion and may even have this procedure performed before leaving the breeder. Additionally, their narrow ear canals and folded ear cartilage predispose them to developing ear infections and also make them extremely difficult to manage and effectively treat.
The Mini Hippo
Now that you know the background of this new breed, we can move on to the meat on the bone, if you will. As mentioned, the Mini Hippo Dog has inherited traits from both of their ancestors to create a sought-after new breed of canine. Since they are ever so cute, we will look at their physical traits first.
Appearance
The Mini Hippo Dog’s name comes from their short, padded, and wrinkled snout that resembles a hippopotamus in mini form. They are typically short, small to medium-sized dogs that are squarish in the body.
They can be anywhere from 40 to 65 pounds and be 18 to 21 inches in height. The fur color of the Mini Hippo Dog varies depending on their patronage, and they will have one of three coat types:
- Bear Coat: This is the most desired type of fur for this breed. It is soft, wavy, and smooth, plus it is typically longer than 1 inch.
- Brush Coat: The brush coat is soft and glossy, and very similar to the one above, although it is 1 inch in length.
- Horse Coat: The last type is a rougher textured fur that is ¾ an inch or shorter.
When it comes to their tail, many breeders subject the puppies to tail docking, a procedure that takes place within the first few days of life. If it is left to grow, it generally curls upwards and wags a mile a minute. Mini Hippos have smaller floppy ears, razor-sharp teeth, and a surprisingly deep bark.
Temperament
When it comes to the temperament of any breed, early experiences, socialization, and training will have the greatest impact. However, breeding and genetics also play a significant role. For the Mini Hippo, the contributing breeds have almost opposite traits, so temperament will be almost impossible to predict.
Training and Obedience
A Mini Hippo Dog can be stubborn and independent at times. Like the Shar-Pei, if they are not dealt with in a friendly yet firm manner, they can run amok in your home. That being said, this breed responds very well to positive reinforcement training. Their intelligence, calmness, and cool temperament usually make puppy school easy.
Mini Hippo Dog Care Guide
Health
You may sometimes hear the phrase “best of both,” but you should always take this with a grain of salt. Without extensive selective breeding and genetic testing to weed out the potential health problems and pitfalls of a breed, there is just as much chance of a designer pup inheriting the worst of both parent breeds.
In the case of the Mini Hippo, skin, ears, and eyes are likely to be a problem. With both the Cocker Spaniel and Shar-Pei known for conditions like entropion and otitis, there is a high chance that the product of the two will suffer from the same issues. There is also the risk that the Mini Hippo may inherit the narrowed ear canals of the Shar-Pei and the floppy Spaniel ears, creating the perfect incubation conditions for bacteria and yeast.
With the high incidence of eye problems, the droopy Spaniel eyes, and Shar-Pei wrinkles, the chances that the Mini Hippo will need corrective eyelid surgery are extremely high. Prospective owners will need to be vigilant and dedicated to eye, skin, and ear cleaning and maintenance, with great care to ensure skin folds and ears are kept clean and dry at all times.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is always a good idea, no matter the breed, but for a Mini Hippo, taking out coverage as soon as you bring your dog home, if not before, is vital. The potential skin, ear, and eye problems of this breed combination could start from the moment you bring them home, so you want to make sure you have an insurance policy in place before you need to take them for their first health check. The last thing you want is a Shar-Pei-related breed that is not covered for skin, ear, or eye conditions!
Grooming
Depending on the type of coat, a Mini Hippo may shed a lot or a little, but either way, they need regular brushing to help keep their skin and coat in top condition. Because their wrinkled skin can trap moisture, bathing should only happen when absolutely necessary, and skin wipes or dry shampoos are often the best option.
If your dog has a lot of skin folds and rolls, special attention needs to be paid to keeping them clean and dry – moist skin folds are the enemy. Consider keeping a supply of medicated wipes to help keep those wrinkles clean and infection-free.
Keep your Mini Hippo’s eyes clean and moisturized with cleaning wipes and lubricating gel. Make sure you start early with your grooming routine, using games and rewards to turn it into an enjoyable experience for you both.
- Also see: Best Dog Wipes: Reviews & Top Picks
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Diet and Nutrition
As with any dog breed, feeding your Mini Hippo a high-quality, nutritionally based diet is one of the most important things you can do to maximize their health and behavior. Although food allergies won’t necessarily be a major problem, avoiding unnecessary ingredients like artificial additives and preservatives will minimize the risks of reactions to foods, and many dogs with skin issues benefit from low-allergen/low-grain diets.
General Care of the Mini Hippo
Mini Hippo Dogs require a moderate amount of daily exercise. They can be prone to laziness and weight gain if you’re not careful, but they can also suffer from overheating. A gentle walk and some play will keep your dog happy, and be sure to keep them cool and rested during the hottest times of the day.
If your Mini Hippo loves a swim, it is important to ensure they are dried thoroughly at the end; did we mention that moisture is their enemy? If you do have a little water baby, we’d recommend using an ear cleaner designed to dry the ear canals at the end of a swim.
These little dogs can easily become overweight, and although this will no doubt increase their resemblance to their namesake, it will not make for a healthy pup, so be careful to watch how much they eat.
Summary
We don’t doubt that the adorable appearance and quirky nature of the Mini Hippo will make them a sought-after breed, and it would be hard to resist their gorgeous hippo looks. However, it is important to be aware of the potential health problems that may come from combining the Cocker Spaniel and Shar-Pei.
If you are looking to adopt one of these pups, ensure you are able to meet both parents so that you can get an idea of what sort of genetics your prospective pet may be inheriting. If you decide that the Mini Hippo is the dog for you, make sure you take out a good insurance policy so that you can always give them the very best healthcare.
Not sure you’re up for the Mini Hippo challenge? There are plenty of breed combinations that don’t exaggerate problematic traits, and you can always check out your local animal center for a unique pup in need of a loving home.
Featured Image Credit: Vasiliy Khimenko, Shutterstock
