Mini Hippo Dog Breed: Discover the Facts, Embrace the Charm.
If you are curious to know about the new Breed of dog that is making waves among pet lovers for its cute appearance, temperament, and friendly attitude, the mini Hippo is a mix of cocker spaniel and Chinese Shar Pei breeds. This unique mix gives them the fun-loving, sunny disposition of the Shar Pei and the intelligent, people-pleasing characteristics of the cocker. They are very loyal pooches and always strive to bring a smile to the face of their owner or his people.
Their origin is unknown, but they are believed to have first appeared in the USA in the second half of the 20th century.
This article will discuss these pup’s aspects and character traits.
Appearance
They are named Hippo because their short, padded, and wrinkled muzzles resemble hippopotamuses. They are small-to-medium-sized dogs, with a sturdy build and a distinctive wrinkled face.
Weight
Their weight is between 40 to 65 pounds.
Height
They can be 18 to 21 inches in height
Types of coats
They will have 1 of three types of coat
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Bear Coat
It is wavy, smooth, and soft, mostly longer than 1 inch, and it is considered one of this Breed’s most demanding types of fur.
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Brush Coat
It is also soft and shiny, and it is 1 inch in length
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Horse Coat
The texture of the type of fur is rougher and ¾ an inch or shorter than this.
All these types of coats do not have undercoats, so their shedding is minimal
Ears and tail
They have floppy ears that are smaller in size, and their tails gently curve. However, many breeders cut them in their infancy, as if they are left to grow, they will curl upward rapidly and wag.
Teeth and Bark
They have sharp teeth like razor and resonant bark.
Temperament
Regarding their temperament, these dogs are not just intelligent but also friendly, loyal, social, protective, relaxed, and playful. They are quick learners, especially when their owner is caring and patient.
Personality
These pups are friendly, loyal, and loving. As we have already discussed, they become suspicious around strangers and patrol in the middle of the night. Still, they don’t do well if left alone for a long period, like a week or more, so if you work away or for any reason leave him alone for many days, then this act is not right for this Breed. They inherit jealousy and independence from their forefathers. They love to cuddle and are highly intelligent and quick learners.
Training and Loyalty
Mini hippo dogs, while sometimes displaying the stubbornness of the Shar Pei, can be trained successfully and calmly. They can take on various roles, from guard dogs to caretakers and observers, much like other breeds such as Ecuadorian bulldogs, Creepy borzois Dogs, Calupoh dog breeds, and Black Samoyed dogs.
They also work as military dogs and in racing.
Health, Grooming, and diet
As a new dog breed, its care guide has yet to be well known, but some basics can be discussed here
Grooming.
These pups have longer coats, so they should be brushed and groomed often, and bathing daily is good for their hygiene.
Diet
Their diet includes wholesome, healthy food with nutritious ingredients. It is recommended that they have meals without wheat and corn, and giving them two meals a day is fine for their digestive system. Their diet should consist of 70% high-grade protein like fish and low-fat meats, 20% fats for energy and coat health, and 10% carbohydrates like vegetables and whole grains.
But as they have fur, they can be prone to allergies, and as they do not have an undercoat, they shed hair twice a year, not much.
Health
They are generally sturdy and solid, but health issues need to be monitored.
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Allergies
They will suffer from moderate to severe allergies and need to consult with a vet, as I already discussed. Their meal should be free from wheat and corn, as some dogs are sensitive to them.
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Ear infection
Ear infections and allergies are also expected in this Breed. Therefore, to reduce the risk of infection, ear cleaning is recommended once a week or when earwax is visible.
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Eye problems
Eye infection is also a problem for this pup, but it can be treated with ointment and cleaning. In severe cases, like cherry eye disease, surgery is the only option.
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Teeth
They have strong, sharp teeth and can strengthen them further if a proper, healthy diet is maintained, but bad breath is their common problem.
You should consult your Vet for regular checkups to maintain a healthy, happy pup.
Life span
The life span of these canines is around 10 to 15 years.
Exercise
They need mild to moderate exercise in their daily routine, but they are prone to overheating very often, so it is recommended to keep them in a mild climate. They are not for hot and humid temperatures, so about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise is enough for them to keep them healthy.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned, they are a mixed breed of Cocker spaniel and Chinese Shar-pei, so they have characteristics of both breeds. They are considered to be good pets for families as they also feel happy around people and don’t want to live alone. They are considered to be friendly and also protect their owners. So, taking good care of them can increase their lifespan, so ensure their regular checkups with the Vet and focus on their diet plans.
