Chidale Basics

This perky little pooch brings the enthusiasm of the Airedale Terrier together with the smaller size of the Chihuahua to produce a wonderful family dog that is perfect for taking out for a jog or to play with the kids in the yard. The independent nature of the Airedale may make the Chidale a handful for first-time dog owners, but the loving nature of this designer dog makes him worth the time and effort to train.

The Chidale is a mixture of Chihuahua and Airedale Terrier.

Origin

The Chidale is part of a growing trend toward designer dogs where smaller breeds are used to produce a more compact variation of some of the popular larger breeds. Though the Chidale is a relatively new designer dog, his ancestry dates as far back as Pre-Columbian Mexico where the Chihuahua is first known to have lived and to mid-19th century Yorkshire, England where the Airedale Terrier was bred for hunting and named for the River Aire.

Pedigree

Although the Chidale is not a pure-bred dog and cannot be included on the American Kennel Club (AKC)’s roster, his parent breeds are both members. The Chihuahua became an AKC member back in 1904 under the toy group category and is considered “charming, graceful and sassy” while the Airedale Terrier joined in 1888 and is described as “clever, courageous and friendly”.

Food / Diet

As a smaller, active dog your Chidale will burn up calories faster than his larger counterpart so you need a top quality food high in protein and grain-free. His small size means you should plan to feed him several meals throughout the day and if your dog came to you as a puppy, be sure to wean him from high calorie puppy food to adult food as soon as he approaches maturity to avoid obesity. For small breeds this will be around the 10-12 month mark. As Chihuahuas are known to have a very low tolerance for preservatives and artificial coloring, you should speak to your vet about the ideal food.

The Chidale’s loyalty makes him a great watchdog.

Training

The Chidale is the offspring of two very strong-willed breeds and in the case of the Airedale, a breed that does not respond well to harsh commands. Socialization and obedience training need to happen early on and will require lots of patience, consistency and plenty of rewards to get the best out of this dog. For first-time dog owners, you may want to consider using a professional trainer or joining obedience classes if you aren’t getting results.

Weight

Your Chidale will weigh between 15 and 18 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The Chidale’s loyalty makes him a great watchdog and while he is not aggressive he won’t hesitate to bark when he senses strangers. His loving and playful personality makes him a wonderful addition to the family and because Airedale’s are known to maintain a puppy-like personality well into old age, your Chidale is likely to be active, curious and playful for many years. Both parent breeds can be highly independent and he needs both physical and mental stimulation to prevent him from becoming bored and getting into mischief.

Common Health Problems

While designer dogs are usually free from the health issues that accompany pure-breds, you should know what problems your new pup could potentially inherit. Chihuahuas can experience patella luxation and GME (Granulomatous Memingoencephalitis) which impacts the central nervous system of certain variations on this breed. Airedale Terriers can suffer from allergies, itchy skin conditions and growths, cysts or tumors on their skin.

Life Expectancy

You can expect your Chidale to live a long life of between 10-15 years.

Exercise Requirements

Your Chidale is going to want to go for walks. Lots of them! This bright, active little breed may not be up for marathon-long walks, but he needs to get out several times throughout the day for physical and mental stimulation. This dog is equally fond of active playtime so a tossed ball or Frisbee in the backyard will give him a chance to let off steam while a visit to your local dog park would be a great opportunity for him to socialize and would benefit his exercise regimen tremendously.

The Chidale’s loving and playful personality makes him a wonderful addition to the family.

Recognized Clubs

The Chidale is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).

Coat

The Chidale will often pick up the tan and dark markings of the Airedale as well as the breed’s hard, wiry coat. In spite of being a light-shedding dog he will still require a good weekly brushing to keep him looking his best and the occasional bath as necessary. If your pup inherits the Airedale’s floppy ears, be sure to clean them out while conducting your weekly brushing to prevent a build-up of debris that can lead to infection

Puppies

As with all small breed dogs, Chidale pups are extremely little and need extra attention when being handled as their tiny bones can fracture easily. Equally important is to not over-exert this puppy during walks and playtime as joints are still growing. Until they reach six months of age, opt for quality foods and treats that contain protein, oats and barley (over corn, wheat or rice) to help provide calcium to their growing bones.

Photo credit: graphicphoto/Bigstock