Chilean Fox Terrier vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison

The Chilean Fox Terrier, developed in Chile, is a dog breed which comes from crossing the British Fox Terrier with some of the local Chilean dogs.

The dog is thought to have been developed in the 19th century already, some time between 1790 and 1850.

The dog is known for its skills in catching rats and mice. Known also as the Chilean Rat Terrier, Terrier Chileno or Ratonero, the Chilean Fox Terrier hasn’t achieved formal recognition with any of the leading canine organizations.

The Chi-Pom or Chiapom comes from mixing the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua, and both these dogs are toy breeds and known as companion dogs.

These little dogs each have their own individual histories, but but being a cross breed, the Chi-Pom’s history isn’t well documented particularly well.

Nobody seems to know precisely when this new dog breed came into being, but they were first bred in the United States.

The Chilean Fox Terrier looks almost identical to his ancestors. He stands between 30 – 40cm and weighs between 5 to 9kg.

He is squarely proportioned, he is athletic looking and well muscled with long, slender legs. Many of these dogs are born with naturally short tails, but if not, then the tail is usually docked after the first or second vertebrae. Now that docking is falling out of favor, the breed is losing that distinctive look.

The head of the Chilean Fox Terrier is triangular with the muzzle being somewhat shorter than the Smooth Fox Terrier. The ears of the Chilean Fox Terrier are smallish and high set, being partially erect. The coat of the dog is short and thick and essentially white while the face is usually tan and black.

Temperament:

The Chilean Fox Terrier is loyal with his human family and can fit in well with a family where there are children and other pets.

Training and socialization become necessary for the dog so that he becomes obedient and amicable around his family and with strangers. He isn’t an aggressive dog but he is alert and can make an excellent watch dog.

He is dominant and confident and also intelligent and easily trainable. He is an active dog so he will require exercise every day, whether he lives in the city or in the country.

The Chi-Pom or Chiapom isn’t a pure bred dog, but a cross between the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian. This toy breed’s coat can be shortish like the Chihuahua or feathery and medium to long like with the Pomeranian, and the coat will be soft and shiny.

He has pointed ears, much like a fox, and the long tail is carried upward and curls over the back. The coat can be a solid color such as white, tan, cream, fawn, brown or gray, with the most common color being light brown.

If he takes more after the Pomeranian, he may need to have his hair cut. The typical Pomchi dog’s head is more round that the Pomeranian but with the narrow muzzle. The eyes are large and dark.

The Chiapom is a small dog that measures just 15 – 25cm in height and weighs between 2 and 8kg.

Temperament:

Pomchis are intelligent and inquisitive, having a temperament which comes from either of the two breeds which are quite similar.You’re definitely going to have an entertaining little dog, one who is energetic, curious and alert.

He isn’t a good choice with small children as he gets nervous and aggravated when handled improperly. Nervous and hurt, he may nip and then often he gets the blame, whereas he just shouldn’t have to put up with small children.

He loves to be in the company of his human family who treat him well, and he doesn’t like to be left alone. He is an intelligent little dog and is eager to learn. Therefore, even though he is small, training and socialization will be good for him and give him an even more amicable disposition.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a lively dog with an alert expression. He has become a popular companion dog, being less aggressive than other Terriers.

When you treat him well he becomes a loyal friend and forms a strong bond with his human owners. He gets on well with children who have been taught to respect animals, but he tends to become a bit aggressive around other dogs of the same sex.

Socialization and training however can make him much more relaxed around other dogs.

He is an attractive little dog with his short coat, giving the appearance of being well groomed. He can adapt to country- or city life too. He is such an easy dog to keep too so why not choose him as your 4-legged family member? He promises to make the perfect family companion.

Crossing two breeds of dog is the in-thing these days, and its not surprising that lovers of small breed dogs would think to mix the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian.

The Chiapom is affectionate, playful and good-natured with their human family. They are full of personality, are spunky and brave, believing they can protect their families. He may be too frail for this but he alerts you to danger with his barking.

With the Chiapom, you’re going to have an awesome little friend who will stand by you in thick and thin.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a healthy breed who doesn’t appear to have any particular health issues. It doesn’t mean that your dog will be free from disease, but it is worth knowing that a quality diet, fresh water and lots of love and attention does enhance longevity in a pet.

It is to your benefit to know about one or two common diseases that your dog could get.

Bloat:

You’ll notice your pet’s stomach being swollen. Bloat is a disease which can become dangerous because the stomach can twist. Once this happens, gas can’t escape from the stomach and your pet will want to vomit, he’ll salivate and you’ll notice unusual restless kind of behavior. You need to get him to the vet as soon as possible.

Kidney Disease:

This is also a disease that any dog can develop and can be a complication of another pet disease such as Lyme disease. One of the first signs of kidney disease in dogs is drinking more often than usual and also urinating more often.

He’ll lose his appetite and be lethargic and likely lose weight. Kidney disease is a serious disease and you will need to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Being a cross bred, the Chiapom will be healthier than the purebred Chihuahua or Pomeranian. He is full of personality, but sometimes he can have his fair share of doggy troubles too.

He is more prone to injuries just because he gets under your feet all the time. We look at one or two health issues with this small breed that you should be aware of -

Pancreatitis:

This is an ailment which can be found in all dogs but it occurs more in smaller dogs. An inflamed pancreas from trauma, infection or a metabolic disorder can mean your little dog vomiting, being uncomfortable with stomach pain and shivering.

Tracheal Collapse:

This is a disease which involves the trachea which is also known as the windpipe. When the windpipe weakens, it becomes difficult to breath. Obesity in your pet as well as dust and kennel cough can contribute to this ailment.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a low maintenance breed and this means you won’t be having to part with any money on grooming sessions for him. He’ll basically require a brushing twice a week.

The Chilean Fox Terrier, as a smaller dog breed, will also require regular dental brushing, as neglecting this can result in dental problems as well as a host of diseases that are associated with gum disease and tooth decay.

Make sure to feed him a quality diet full of vitamins and minerals and ensure he always has fresh, cool water available.

The Pomchi is a small dog who is looked upon essentially as an indoors dog, so it is quite able to adapt to apartment living as he won’t require large doses of exercise.

With some stimulating toys, he is able to exert energy indoors and will love to chase a ball down the passage. He certainly won’t do well in cold weather and being left outdoors.

Grooming:

The Chiapom often has the longer hair of the Pomeranian so it becomes necessary to give your little dog a good brush twice a week for the hair to remain tangle-free and to keep it shiny and silky.

Be gentle though as he has very sensitive skin.

You’ll notice with your Pomchi that he could possibly have overactive tear ducts so that they have a discharge. A small damp cloth can be used to wipe his eyes.

Diet:

Small breed dogs often require more calories than larger dogs because of their higher metabolic rates. He is a small dog that will require all the right vitamins and minerals.

Commercial dog foods are certainly convenient, and the best quality ones contain the nutrients a dogs needs to remain health. It is always beneficial for your 4-legged friend if you can include some brown rice, a little bit of cooked chicken and vegetables in his diet. However, if you are uncertain about the nutrition requirements of your pet, speak to your vet and get help with a food that caters for your dog’s age, breed and activity levels.