Curious About the Mini Hippo Dog?
If you haven’t heard of the Mini Hippo dog, you’re not alone! This unique designer breed is still new but is quickly gaining popularity among dog lovers.
A mix between the Shar-Pei and the Cocker Spaniel, the Mini Hippo combines the best traits of both parent breeds. From their adorable looks to their lovable personality, there’s so much to learn about these dogs.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the Mini Hippo dog, including their temperament, care needs, and what makes them a great choice for families.
Let’s get started!
What is the Mini Hippo Dog Breed?
The Mini Hippo dog is a unique designer breed, created by crossing a Shar-Pei and a Cocker Spaniel. While its exact origins remain unknown, this adorable dog inherits some distinct traits from both parent breeds.
From the Shar-Pei, the Mini Hippo gets its signature wrinkled head and shoulders, giving it a one-of-a-kind appearance. Meanwhile, the Cocker Spaniel parent contributes to its soft, gentle face, adding to its charm.
Often nicknamed the Cocker-Pei for its cute and kind expression, the Mini Hippo is sure to grab attention wherever it goes. Whether on a walk or at the park, this dog’s lovable looks and friendly personality are guaranteed to turn heads!
How Big Do Mini Hippo Dogs (Cocker-Pei) Grow?
The size of this breed can vary, but they typically stand around 18 to 21 inches tall. On average, they weigh between 40 and 65 pounds.
What Are the Key Temperaments of a Mini Hippo Dog?
The Mini Hippo, a cross between a Chinese Shar-Pei and a Cocker Spaniel, can be difficult to envision when it comes to temperament. However, by understanding the traits of both parent breeds, we can get a better idea of its personality. This breed is known for its friendly and social nature, much like the Lycan Shepherd.
Speaking of the Lycan Shepherd, it’s a breed known for being protective, loyal, playful, and sometimes aggressive. While the Mini Hippo shares some of these traits, it also benefits from the intelligence of its Chinese Shar-Pei parent. This makes it a clever and adaptable companion.
One of the best things about the Mini Hippo is its ability to get along with other pets and children effortlessly. It’s a highly social breed that enjoys companionship. However, it can also be stubborn and occasionally aggressive, especially when its loyalty triggers jealousy. Because of this, it’s not recommended to leave this breed alone for extended periods.
Despite its independent streak, the Mini Hippo makes a great family pet. It’s playful, affectionate, and caring, while still being calm and a bit self-sufficient.
Training the Mini Hippo is relatively easy, though it doesn’t require the strict control you’d need with a Shar-Pei. This breed is generally manageable, making it a good choice for many homeowners.
One of the key reasons why people love the Mini Hippo as a family pet is its quiet nature. It doesn’t bark excessively, making it a great option for those living in apartment complexes.
However, it’s important not to leave the Mini Hippo alone for long periods, as it may display stubborn behaviors when left to its own devices.
What Does the Mini Hippo Dog Look Like?
The general appearance of the Mini Hippo features a head that is smaller compared to the larger Hippos, which is why it’s called a “Mini Hippo.” This breed is known for being friendly and adorable. Its coat is soft, silky, and straight, and there are three types of coats, which we will discuss next.
Brush Coat Type
Dogs with brush coats have a velvety texture, and their coat length is typically under an inch.
Horse Coat Type
Dogs with horse coats have a rough texture, and their coat length is usually around ¼-inch.
Beat Coat Type
Dogs with beat coats are known for their wavy and smooth texture, and their coat length typically exceeds an inch.
What Is the Personality and Behavior of Mini Hippos?
As mentioned earlier, Mini Hippos are known for their friendly and social nature, and they enjoy playing with other pets and children. This breed is sure to bring happiness to the entire family. However, it’s important not to leave them alone for long periods as they prefer to be close to their family.
They inherit bipolar behavior from both their parents, which gives them an independent streak, though they can sometimes become stubborn without any apparent reason. While they don’t bark excessively, they will bark if they feel uncomfortable, signaling to their owners that something is wrong. This breed is also likely to bark at strangers entering the home.
Jealousy is another trait linked to Mini Hippos, as they tend to be very possessive of their owners. This loyalty makes them excellent guard dogs, always ready to protect their home and family.
What Type of Training Does Mini Hippos Require?
Compared to other dog breeds, training this dog is relatively easy. Since one of their parents is the Cocker Spaniel, they tend to enjoy learning new things with their owner.
These dogs are generally calm and cool, a trait inherited from their Shar-Pei parent.
Instead of long training sessions, it’s better to start with shorter ones and use positive reinforcement for better results.
It’s also beneficial to provide leg-stretching exercises to keep this dog active. Taking it to the park for playtime with children is a great way for the dog to stay engaged and active.
What Kind of Diet Should Mini Hippos Follow?
It’s important to be mindful of the diet of this dog breed and ensure that you don’t feed them more than twice a day. Instead of overfeeding, it’s recommended to provide a high-quality diet to help your dog grow in the best possible way. Kibble with fewer by-products and more meat is an ideal diet for this breed.
How Large Do Mini Hippo Dogs Grow?
When fully grown, these dogs typically stand between 13 and 20 inches tall. Their weight can range from less than 20 pounds to over 60 pounds.
Since the American Cocker Spaniel is smaller in size, you can expect this breed to be relatively compact as well.
What Health Problems Do Mini Hippo Dogs Typically Face?
If you’re considering this dog breed as your next family pet, it’s important to be prepared to take good care of it. Mini Hippos are prone to seasonal allergies, particularly to corn and wheat, so it’s best to avoid these foods.
A common health issue for this breed is ear infections, which require regular cleaning to prevent infections. Cherry eye, a condition affecting the eye, is also prevalent. In this condition, the third eyelid bulges from the eye socket, often requiring surgery. Regular eye cleaning can help prevent irritation or infection.
Tooth infections are another concern, so it’s wise to brush your dog’s teeth regularly to maintain their dental health.
What Is the Lifespan of a Mini Hippo Dog?
The average lifespan of this dog breed is between 10 to 15 years.
Do Mini Hippo Dogs Shed?
Like other dog breeds, Mini Hippos do shed their coat. However, they don’t shed as much as some other breeds, and their shedding is typically seasonal. You can expect them to shed for a few days during the spring or fall.
If you’re looking for a family pet with loyalty and a friendly nature, you won’t find a better dog breed than the Mini Hippo. This breed can truly enhance your overall lifestyle.
However, we recommend only bringing a Mini Hippo into your home if you’re able to dedicate enough time to them, as leaving them alone is not an option.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that this detailed guide has helped you understand everything you need to know before choosing a Mini Hippo as your next family pet.
