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The Chihuahua Dachshund Mix (Chiweenie) is a crossbreed dog between the Chihuahua and the Dachshund, these adorable pups are energetic, devoted, compact, and loyal. They inherited the best traits from both parents.
They are great for apartment and single-person houses as they adapt to both lives effortlessly. The Chihuahua Dachshund mix goes by several names including Choxie, German Taco, Chih-weenie, Chiwee, Doxihuahua, Weeniehuahua, and the Mexican Hot Dog. Being the size of lapdogs, Chiweenies have a lot of energy and love playing. The Chiweenie is recognized by:
DBR- Designer Breed Registry – they call this breed Chiweeni
DRA- Dog Registry of America
IDCR- International Designer Canine Registry – they call this breed Chiweenie
DDKC- Designer Dogs Kennel Club – they call this breed Chiweenie
ACHC- American Canine Hybrid Club – they call this breed Chiweenie
Facts about Chiweenies
Dogs from this mix rarely look alike
Caring for Chiweenies is not a full-time job
They might not look like guard dogs but they definitely are
You might need professional trainers for this mix
A small apartment is perfect for these little dogs
History of the Chihuahua Dachshund Mix
Chiweenies are not “purebreds” like their Chi or Dachshund parents, they are a mixed breed dog. The most famous Chiweenie is a dog named Tuna who has more than 2 million followers on the Instagram account “tunameltsmyheart”.
Designer breeders started creating this breed in the late 1990s in North America although the Chiweenie many have existed naturally over the years. The aim of mixing the two parent breeds was to minimize the back problem that Dachshunds are prone to with their long bodies, but as the demand for the Chiweenie increased, they continued to create the Chiweenie.
Appearance and size
Chiweenies being a relatively new mixed breed meets a few standards in terms of size, being a mix between the Dachshund and the Chihuahua they are guaranteed to be small dogs. Most Chiweenies weigh 5 to 12 pounds and are 6 to 10 inches tall, they may be smaller or larger than this also.
Chiweenies have short coats and are good for people who suffer from allergies although some Chiweenies have long coats, the usual colors of Chiweenies coats are black, white, tan, bling, and brown but their coats can also be a mix of colors.
They have short coats and are a good fit with people who suffer from dog allergies, the longer- coated Chiweenies may not be as allergy-friendly as the short coats. Their coats could be silky or rough or medium length. It’s very likely that your Chiweenie may not look like other dogs from her breeds
Grooming
The Chiweenies are easy to groom, keeping up with their veterinary checkups to detect health concerns at an early stage is very important, your vet can help you formulate a care routine that would help ensure your pup is healthy. One thing to pay rapt attention to is their dental care, maintaining good dental care with Chiweenies is very important as small breeds are prone to dental issues.
Brush their teeth daily and ask your vet for directions on the best dental hygiene. Check their ears for dirt and pests daily, trim your nails once or twice a month, their nails shouldn’t be clicking against the floor.
The long coat and short coats that Chiweenies possess are easy to groom, they can be brushed once a week, in the case where your Chiweenie has a long coat, you would need to brush their hair 3-4 times a week. This would be effective in removing dead hair, eliminate tangles and mats. You can bath this mix once a month, Chiweenies do not shed too much so you don’t have to worry about too much hair being all around the house.
Temperament
Being a mixed breed dog, Chiweenies have a mixture of personalities which they inherited from their parent breeds, they can be stubborn and may be difficult to house train. Many Chiweenies are described as “spunky”, they have high energy levels and they sometimes prefer playing a game of catch to a cuddle session.
They may have a prey drive which they inherited from their Dachshund parent, although this trait is not dominant in all Chiweenies, They tend to be yappy but this quality is also what makes them amazing watchdogs, they will alert you as soon as anyone approaches your door. Chiweenies fare best in one-person households or small families and in homes with older children who can handle them delicately.
They tend to attach themselves to one family member above all others but they still get along well with all members of the family, they require a lot of attention. Chiweenies prefer to be around adults and older kids who know how to play and handle them gently, the can very easily be injured by small, excited children, however, for children who can learn how to approach and play with small dogs properly, the Chiweenie can be a wonderful, active, playful companion.
Chiweenies also get along well with other dogs and pets if introduced to them slowly and calmly, but they also prefer being the solo pets of the house.
The best way to determine the personality of your moved breed is to look up all the breeds in that cross and realize you can get any combination of characteristics found in either breed.
Chiweenie’s are very protective and are alert to everything that’s happening around them, their family, and the home. They are also friendly but do not shock to see them barking at someone or something foreign to them especially if their territory is being invaded. They can be a bit aggressive and bark whenever they feel threatened.
Health
As with all mixed breeds, the Chiweenies fall victims to the same conditions that affect the Chihuahua and the Dachshund, most times they are generally healthy but some are prone to a few medical issues. The best way to ensure a healthy Chiweenie is by maintaining a balanced diet, good care and regular veterinary checkups. Some of the health problems Chiweenies suffer from include:
Degenerative Disc Disease: This is a serious condition as it causes issues with the spine which can eventually lead to serious injuries or paralysis, this issue is associated with Dachshunds, it is essential to limit strenuous activities that may affect the spine like jumping or climbing.
Hypoglycemia: This is also known as low blood sugar due to the Chiweenie’s small stomach. This is a problem they inherited from their Chihuahua parent.
Diabetes: This is usually the next condition Chiweenies face after hypoglycemia, dogs with diabetes need lifelong treatment and care.
Dental Issues: Dental issues is a very common health problem with small dogs, maintaining good dental hygiene and an appropriate diet along with frequent professional teeth cleaning helps to prevent this issue.
Allergies: Allergies can result in skin discomfort with your dog, if you see signs like excessive sneezing, coughing, chewing of the skin, rashes, licking of the skin, difficult breathing, and other signs of reactions, involve your veterinarian immediately.
Knee and Joint pain: Due to their small and fragile framework, small dogs are at risk of knee and joint pain. Small dogs should refrain from rigorous and strenuous exercise, sometimes jumping off the couch can lead to some serious issues for your toy dog.
Hypothyroidism: This is basically an under-active thyroid, your vet is in the best position to determine if your dog suffers from this and prescribe medication.
A Chiweenie’s diet should be that which is formulated for small breeds with high energy, stick to a well laid out feeding schedule as they can gain weight very easily also do not leave food out and limit their amount of treats daily, they need between ½ and 1 cup of food everyday which can be split into breakfast and dinner.
A Chiweenie’s diet requirement will change over time as they go from puppyhood to adulthood and even will their senior years. There are many variations to be taken into consideration with different dogs such as Health, weight, and energy, ask your veterinarian to help make a specific recommendation
Due to the fact that many Chiweenies have shorter coats, they are not suited for extreme weather.
They would require a coat in the winter and in the hot summer months, you will need to apply sunscreen to their nose, ears, and sensitive areas, also they will need sunscreen on areas where they have less fur coverage.
Chiweenies can live for 12 to 16 years.
Training and exercise
The best bet with your Chiweenie is early training which should behind when they are pups, they are stubborn, sometimes they can be difficult to house train and they require a lot of patience. They are intelligent dogs and some of them manage to educate themselves at a young age when it comes to general behavior.
They are loyal to an energetic, consistent owner and the desire to please the owner will go a long way in ensuring that their training goes smoothly. Like all small dogs, Chiweenies can very easily gain weight, with their high energy levels, be sure they get at least a 30 minutes to 1-hour walk per day mixed in with shorter walks and active play sessions. If you live in a small apartment, a nice safe playpen in your living room is spacious enough for your furry friend to burn off energy.
When it comes to socialization, the Chiweenies can get along great with strangers, other dogs, and pets if introduced to them calmly and slowly. Early socialization makes it easy for the socialization process to go calmly without hiccups. Chiweenies can be quite stubborn which they inherited from their Chihuahua parent, they are very independent which can be tasking if you’re a novice to dog training, you may need professional trainers to assist you.
Why you should get a Chiweenie
The Chiweenie is a great companion, they adapt easily to all living conditions. If you want an energy ball that will constantly keep you on your toes and alert you to dangers while also loving you unconditionally, the Chiweenie is your best bet.
They are the perfect fit for novice dog owners as they are very affectionate and easy to groom. They are small, lovable and they love to play, they are perfect companions for people of all ages from 5th graders to seniors. This mix is a wonderful lapdog who prefers taking a nap next to you, cuddling up beside you, or laying on your lap while you’re relaxing on a couch or on a rocking chair.
Where to get a Chiweenie and price
Despite their status as designer breeds, this mixed breed dog can be found in shelters and in rescue groups that cater to small dogs, Dachshund mixes or Chi mixes. They cost between $200 to $800