Appearance of the Chatterdale
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The Chatterdale, a combination of Chihuahua and Patterdale Terrier, is a small but robust animal that is both compact and flexible. They generally have the strong head and neck for which the Patterdale is famous, with round brown eyes that are fairly widely set, although the skull shape can be rounded or wedge-shaped. Both the Patterdale and the Chihuahua have triangular ears that are set high on the head, although the Chihuahua's ears stand upright and the Patterdale's hang forward, and the Chatterdale could inherit either type of ear. Most Chatterdale dogs will have a double coat, as the Patterdale Terrier always has a double coat and the Chihuahua often does, but some Chihuahuas only have a single coat and this trait can be passed on to their offspring. The outer coat of these dogs can range from the silky, feathery coat of the longhaired variety of Chihuahua to the rather coarse, weather-resistant type of outer coat that the Patterdale sports. Because of the Chihuahua heritage, this hybrid can come in almost any color and can have several different types of markings, also in several different colors. |
Temperament of the Chatterdale
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This cross between the Chihuahua and the Patterdale Terrier is an energetic, tenacious animal with eyes that clearly express their alert, inquisitive nature. Chatterdales are generally ready for action, with much more confidence than the Chihuahua generally displays, in fact, they tend to behave too aggressively before showing shyness and may not get on particularly well with other dogs or animals, and because of their Terrier nature, they are likely to chase any small one that moves quickly and if they follow their natural instinct, they may kill it once they've caught it. They have no particular fondness for children, who can move quickly and, in some cases, quite surprisingly for these little dogs. While older children should be able to maintain control and prevent injury, young children may not be a suitable companion for this breed. They are also intelligent little dogs, but can sometimes be difficult to train, due to their independent and sometimes stubborn nature. |
Needs and activities of the Chatterdale
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These small dogs are quite active for their size, but they don't need much daily activity to stay healthy. 40 to 60 minutes of vigorous activity a day is usually enough to keep this dog in shape, although it may be preferable to divide this into several shorter sessions. The Chatterdale is also small enough to do some activity indoors without causing too much mess or fuss. These dogs are intelligent and it's important to offer them some form of mental stimulation too. Because of the Terrier's influence, these dogs may have more appreciation than most foraging toys. In most cases, the Chatterdale will do just as well in an apartment as in a larger home, but some of these dogs can tend to be a little noisier than neighbors usually appreciate. |
Maintenance of the Chatterdale
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Grooming is a fairly simple project with the Chatterdale. They only need a bath once a month or less to stay healthy and happy, but they do require regular brushing and combing to control shedding and properly distribute the animal's natural oils throughout its coat, about four to six times a week should suffice, barring seasonal changes. Both parent breeds lose more weight during the change of season and may need to be brushed even more frequently during these periods, generally reverting to daily brushing in autumn and spring. |