Chion Care

The Chion, as a hybrid of a Chihuahua and a Papillon, is a toy-sized, active crossbreed that needs a good bit of attention. Overall Chion care and maintenance won't take too much work, but will require a bit of daily exercise--along with plenty of TLC!

Below you'll find details on caring for a Chion including puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding/drooling tendencies. For answers to your questions about raising a Chion, see the following sections.

Though active, these hybrids are quite small, so Chion exercise requirements aren't too high. Breed members will fulfill a lot of their daily activity needs just running around being their social little selves--but they'll still benefit from a couple of short walks and a brief period of play each day.

Adult Chion dogs will generally only need about 30 minutes of proper exercise per day. You can start exercising your Chion puppy when it's 2½-3 months old by taking it on very short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Chion exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're eight months old
• A leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Prone to separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people
• Can get cold easily; don't exercise in freezing temps

It's important to exercise your Chion every day. These hybrids can be fussy and vocal, and without consistent activity they'll be even more temperamental and "yappy" than they already are! Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind. A few Chion exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 10-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: Can be played indoors or out; use the dog's favorite toy
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, a Chion will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Laser Pointer: These hybrids will go nuts chasing that "little red dot"

When indoors, give your Chion access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These little hybrids don't require too much maintenance overall. Chion shedding is moderate year-round--but drooling isn't an issue.

Chion dogs have coats that tend to be more like their Papillon parents': medium-length, silky, and fine. The coats shed an average amount, and owners can brush their Chions 2-3 times per week with a pin brush to help collect any dead hairs. Cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary every now and then, but definitely won't be a constant chore.

And a Chion almost never drools. If your Chion is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.