CHIWEENIE

Are you considering adopting a new dog? And you came across a Chiweenie in your research? Or it was just word of mouth that you heard. In this section, we will do deep dive into the world of this adorable crossbreed including its temperament, health, nutrition, exercise, and puppy prices.

If you are a small dog fan and you are thinking of adding one to your family household, you may be considering adopting a dachshund or a chihuahua. But what about a crossbreed ? one that has the characteristics of these two famous pure dogs? Chiweenie is the name of a dachshund chihuahua mix.

Chiweenies are suitable dogs for the elder, singles, and families. Being the parent of a Chiweenie means getting a loving, playful, and loyal mini bodyguard.
In this article, we will bring some ideas about Chiweenies. This is a complete guide that contains everything about this dog.
Our goal here is to help you whether this dog is a good option for you or not. Also, we will first learn about Chiweenie’s parents and what you have to expect when you bring this feisty little dog into your home.

Chiweenie’s parents

Mixed breeds are the result of mating two purebred dogs. The puppies will certainly inherit a share of their characteristics and shape from both parents. However, there is always a dominant gene, which means that the influence of one parent will surpass the other. In other words, when it comes to Chiweenie, you will probably finish up getting one that takes the look of his/her dachshund mom and the temperament of his/her chihuahua dad.

Keep in mind that Chiweenies may also inherit some health issues from their parents. For this reason, it is advisable to know more about chihuahuas and dachshunds. This way you will get an idea of what to expect if you decide to adopt a Chiweenie.

Dachshund

This dog breed belongs to the hound group, The Dachshund shape is small but their personality is big. Dachshund fans call them “sausage dog,”, “Mexican hot dogs” or “German tacos“. What separates them from other dog breeds is their long, low silhouette, they are the only dogs in the world to have that shape. When it comes to their coat types, there are three types: smooth, long-haired, and wire-haired.

There are some activities that these dogs can’t do easily or can’t do at all including, jumping great heights, running for long distances, or swimming in agitated waters. However, Dachshund dogs have a big amount of energy which makes them tireless and can have fun all day. In addition, this dog breed has an independent personality and is brave. Their sense of alertness makes them very good vigilant watchdogs.

Dachshunds are known to have stubborn characters, this is why it is hard to make them obedient dogs. But, being persistent and patient during training can help them listen and pay attention. In fact, they can learn basic obedience. You should also keep in mind that a dachshund is a hound by nature. So, don’t be surprised when he suddenly becomes deaf and chases prey or something that looks like prey when he is off the leash.

As mentioned before these dogs have a big personality, For this reason, you have to set yourself as the pack’s leader, otherwise, your dog will try to be the boss. 

Chihuahua

Chihuahuas belong to the toy group. Similarly to Dachshund dogs, the chihuahuas also have a big character. They are the national symbol of Mexico, as they appeared there for the first time a long time ago. These tiny dogs are cute, this is why they have been adopted by many celebrities as “purse dogs”. But, even with their catchy appearance, chihuahuas can be very aggressive, especially when they sense that their parent is not safe. They are brave, this is why they are known as the “armpit piranha,”

When it comes to their origin and history, there are various debates about them. However, the majority assume that they date back to the ancient pre-Columbian kingdoms, and today these doggies are famous in the world and a lot of families adopt them as family pets.

Chihuahuas are the perfect option for families without kids who are leaving in apartments. They can’t get along with kids as they are very fragile and can’ bear harch playing. Be ready to let your dog happily spend much of his time in your lap, especially during the cold season.

Please note that chihuahuas tend to bark a lot, especially during the night if not well trained. This fact can represent a big problem for people living in Appartement. For this reason, you should teach your chihuahua puppy not to bark at an early age. Aggressiveness is also a chihuahua’s bad side if not properly trained when he was a puppy.

A healthy chihuahua can live between 12 and 20 years. But, there is a whole array of health concerns that a chihuahua may suffer from including heart disease, back problems, vision issues, gum issues, dental issues; and breathing difficulties.

With that being said, you should keep in mind that a Chiweenie may also get one of the health conditions that often affect his chihuahua parent. Due to their personality and appearance, there is a lot of demand for their crossbreeds such as Chipit who is a mix between a chihuahua and a Pitbull.

To know more about chihuahuas: Behavior and Temperament of chihuahua

Curious to know more about Chiweenie? stay tuned.

Chiweenies

After discussing some insights about their parent let’s know discuss some facts about the Dachshund-chihuahua mix. Similar to other mixed-breed dogs, Chiweenie may look like his parent and may inherit the character of one of his parents. To know that this crossbreed will certainly be loyal and fearless.

Chiweenie first appeared in the early 1990s, and from that date, it is becoming so popular around the world, especially in the US. 

Temperament

The Dachshund chihuahua mix is loyal, brave, and protective. This tiny dog won’t show any fear when it comes to protecting his family and home. Again, this adorable dog loves to be petted on his parent’s lap. 

One of the disadvantages of owning a Dachshund chihuahua mix is his tendency to bark a lot. Because, as we know Dachshunds and chihuahuas are serial barkers. So your Chiweenie will certainly get this trait. Even if Chiweenies may be excellent little bodyguards and watchdogs, you may end up having trouble with your neighbors, as your dog can be very enthusiastic about protecting his area.

Just like his chihuahua parent; a Dachshund chihuahua mix will often be loyal toward one person. He will be highly affectionate toward that person. Generally, the one that takes care of him and gives him food.

It is advisable not to adopt this crossbreed if you have small children. Because these dogs are fragile and may get hurt easily by kids. And in order to protect himself, a Chiweenie may bite, and please never underestimate these dogs, as they can cause big damage to their victims, especially kids.

Testimony

“Chiweenies will work in almost any family situation,” claims Catherine Gorton, founder of Texas Chihuahua Rescue. “They are happy-go-lucky dogs that offer the best of both breeds and make much better family dogs than Chihuahuas.”

Size and Appearance of Chiweenie

The Dachshund chihuahua mix is an adorable crossbred that will certainly inherit the short legs of his chihuahua parent and the long body that looks like the sausage shape of the dachshund. 

General, your canine companion will weigh 10-20 pounds when fully grown. Concerning the height, this crossbreed will often exceed 12-15 inches tall.

When it comes to the shape of their skull, it can be both rounder and more apple-shaped like a chihuahua or slightly elongated like the dachshund. Next, a Dachshund chihuahua mix can have floppy or perky ears, and it is difficult to know which, when the dog is still a puppy.

A Chiweenie can have a short, or medium coat and it is often delightfully silky. The dachshund chihuahua mix’s coat colors are various, it can be tan and brown, or black or blonde. You can also get a brindle Chiweenie or a merle one. Too, the colors of Chiweenie eyes are brown, green, blue, or black.

Chiweenie’s Coat & Colors

Chiweenies with long hair are not popular. However, when both parents are long-haired there is a chance of getting a long-haired mix. The coat’s length of Chiweenies depend always on their parents. In general most of the Chewniees have short coats.

When it comes to the texture of a Chiweenie’s coat it all depends on the parents. If both parents have softer coats, the Chiweenie will almost certainly have soft coats. Concerning the coat’s colors, a Chiweenie may end up getting some shades of black, brown, or a tri-color which is the most common in these dogs. However, it is possible to come across a brindle-colored Chiweenie.

Chiweenie’s Exercise

Even with his small size, a Dachshund chihuahua mix still requires daily exercise to stay healthy and in proper shape. Exercises will keep your dog’s mental health good and will prevent weight issues. So, it is necessary to exercise your Chiweenie for 20 to 30 minutes on a daily basis. You can do it inside or outside, in your backyard.

The parents of Chiweenie are known not to bear the cold, for this reason, a Chiweenie will not resist leaving outside the house especially if you are leaving in a cold zone. In addition, this crossbreed tends to suffer from separation anxiety, this is why when he is not surrounded by his family will display unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking, and chewing items.

Like any other dog, Chiweenies will need exercise to realize their pent-up energy and to avoid getting bored and unhappy. also, exercise is good for their joints and heart.

Training

Chiweenies are smart dogs, but they tend to have a short attention span as they can be easily distracted. This is why it is a big challenge to train them. However, starting the training from an early age can help. It is advisable to use plenty of positive reinforcement and be patient and persistent.

Chiweenie can show some aggressiveness toward other pets and people. You can prevent the bad scenes from happening by following a strict training program and socializing your dog when he is still a puppy. You can do so by introducing your dog to other pets and people at an early age. This way your dog will get familiar with other animals and strangers. Also, you can take your puppy to puppy classes, your local dog park, and to doggy daycare.

Walking your dachshund and chihuahua mix puppy is also a good way to help your dog experience his senses and get familiar with other sights, sounds such as track sound, and strangers. 

Chiweenie’s Health

Normally these crossbreds are considered healthy dogs compared to other mixed dogs. However, a Chiweenie can get a health issue that affects one or both of his parents.

Here is a list of some health issues that can affect a Chiweenie:

• Allergies that are common in this crossbred 
• Coughing
• Hair loss
• Sneezing
• Skiing irritation
• Luxating patellar
• Hypoglycemia
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Knee and joint issues

Following strict regular veterinary checkups will help you to uncover any health issues early. This way you will have enough time to attack the problem. Furthermore, your veterinarian will help you to develop a good care routine for your dog to keep him in good condition.

Nutrition

To keep your Dachshund chihuahua mix puppy healthy and in good condition, your breeder should give you what to feed him during the next six months. When your Chiweenie is 6 months you will have to start providing him half cup of dry kibble on a daily basis, they should be good quality. Then you should divide it into small meals. This way you will keep your dog full all day and prevent weight issues and the problem associated with them. 

Dry kibble will also prevent gum disease and canine periodontal disease. This is why it is very important to buy high-quality dry kibble.

Grooming

The dachshund chihuahua mix is considered a low-maintenance dog because they don’t require complicated grooming needs. To keep your dog in a good appearance all you need to do is moderate brushing a few times on a weekly basis. This way you will remove dead hair and debris.

Like any other dog, you have to brush your dog’s teeth every day using a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. This routine is crucial for Chiweenies as they may inherit dental issues from one of their parents. If you notice that your Chiweenie doesn’t tolerate brushing, you can use dental treats as an alternative.

Chiweenie Puppy Costs and breeders

The price is related to various factors such as where you buy your puppy from, show records of both the puppy’s parents, the reputation of the breeder, and your location. However, the price of the Dachshund chihuahua mix is reasonable compared to other designer breeds. Because the price of the Chiweenie puppy will never exceed $500.

We advise you to buy your dog from a certified reputable breeder who is able to give you a documentary health screening certification for both Chiweenie’s parents. Because buying your puppy from a pet shop or a backyard breeder is tempting and not guaranteed at the same time. Your puppy will suffer from unexpected health issues.

Raising a puppy requires a lot of effort and energy, especially if your day is full of work and activities. But, being the parent of a Chiweenie equals happiness. For this reason, you can adopt an adult Chiweenie from a shelter for a low price. There are a lot of them across the country.

The pros and cons of being the parent of a Chiweenie

The cons

• They don’t do best in places where there are children and other pets
• They tend to be loyal to only one person in the household
• A Chiweenie can inherit health issues from his parents
• These small dogs are serial barkers.
• Chiweenies can show aggressiveness

The pros

• Dachshund and chihuahua mix has a great amount of energy 
• They are very loyal and brave
• A Chiweenie is considered a low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming
• Even if these dogs shed, the hair loss is humble
• All they need is just half an hour of training every day
• They are very active

Quick Breed Summary Table

Weight	10-20 pounds
Height	12-15 inches tall
Size	Small
Coat Type	Short Coated or long
Coat Color	Various colors. It could also be a combination of the breed parents’ markings, fawn, brown / chocolate/liver, black, and white. Patterns: Brindle, bicolor, sable, and Merle
Amount of Shedding	low
Nose	Dark
Ears	Erect or Floppy
Temperament	Sassy, playful, energetic, and don’t get along with strangers and kids.
Life Expectancy	13-16 years
Hypoallergenic	Yes
Intelligence	Not very intelligent, they need time to be trained
Kid-Friendly	No
New Owner Friendly	Yes, and No
Activity level	Very active
Breed Recognition	No

Last word

A chihuahua dachshund mix is a perfect dog for you if you are looking for a brave, loyal pocket-sized pup. These dogs are ready to do all that it takes if they are obliged to protect their owners.

Chiweenies don’t require a big house, a small backyard is good for a tiny Chiweenie pup. In addition, they are low-maintenance dogs, which means that they won’t need a lot of grooming. Also, training is a must but not for long hours for these dogs.

Now that you are more familiar with these little dogs, let us know your experience with these super-cute dogs. If there is anything that you want to add please tell us in the comment section.

Here is an adorable video of a cute Chiweenie puppy. Enjoy!

You can also follow a super funny Chiweenie named Tuna on Instagram who is followed by 2m.

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