The Chihuahua Dachshund mix is more commonly known as the Chiweenie in breeding circles. Other lesser-known names for it include the Mexican hotdog, Chiweeni, and the Chiwi.
The Chiweenie is a small breed dog and is also known as a designer dog. This dog breed is loyal as well as friendly. Sometimes this breed can get an attitude that can come from the Chihuahua parent.
Since this is a small dog breed, it will not take up a lot of space, making it perfect for apartment living. Just remember to give this dog breed lots of love, and you will have a perfect addition to your family.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix History
The Chiweenie is actually a rather new designer breed that combines a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. This breed started getting bred together and gain popularity in the 1990s.
While we do not know very much about who first started producing this crossbreed, we can look at the history of this designer breed’s parents.
Chihuahua History
The Chihuahua breed dates back over 3,000 years ago during the Aztec time in Mexico. This dog breed is widely popular in Mexico and still is one of the most common dogs seen there.
They believed this dog breed would help guide them in the afterlife, so the breed would be sacrificed and buried with owners.
This dog breed is part of the toy group category due to its small nature and size. Since the Chihuahua is so small it is perfect for apartment living. This breed can be feisty, so keep that in mind.
The American Kennel Club accepted the Chihuahua in 1904.
Dachshund History
This fact may surprise you, but the Dachshund dog breed is actually a member of the hound group. This breed originated in Germany and was used to hunt smaller game animals such as rabbits and badgers.
While this dog is small, it is fast and makes an excellent hunter. Nowadays, this dog breed is a loyal companion and a valued member of any family.
This breed is also small enough to fit inside small-spaced homes such as apartments. This breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1935.
Chiweenie Appearance
Each Chihuahua Dachshund Mix that you see may look a little different depending on which traits it takes on from which parent.
This is a small dog of a stocky stature with shorter legs and a slightly elongated body. Their distinct ears are large and bat-like that either stand erect or flop downwards.
A Cheenie’s eyes are generally large, and their foreheads are wrinkled, giving it a frowning appearance.
They can come in a variety of different colors that you can see below.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Temperament
This is a friendly dog and is much calmer than the full-bred Chihuahua. It loves people and being in the company of humans, and they form attachments very quickly.
When separated for too long from its owners, this dog has the tendency to suffer from separation anxiety.
While it is keen to please its owners, this dog is more difficult to housebreak than others.
They do not respond well to a firm hand, and better results can be seen through positive reinforcement with regards to training.
Although the Chihuahua is known to not be well-suited to children, the Chiweenie seems to be the opposite and loves to be in the company of children and all the attention they give it.
Sometimes the Chiweenie can become a little too complacent, and once attention is given, they expect all the time.
This is a high-spirited dog, and despite its size, it appears fearless, especially around other dogs, even those that are much bigger than it.
It also has a strong protective instinct, and it has been known to go above and beyond when protecting its owners. It is a barker, and it can get a little bit yappy at times if left alone for too long. Because of its protective nature, this dog makes a good watchdog.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Coat
The coat of the Chiweenie can differ dramatically from dog to dog and it can go from short and bristly to long and silky.
Both Chihuahuas and Dachshunds can either have long or short coats of different textures, so it depends on the parentage as to what kind of coat the Chiweenie puppy will have.
Chiweenies, just like their parentage, can come in a number of different colors; however, the most common colors are tan, brown, or black.
What Colors do They Come in?
There are not a lot of colors that this breed can inherit but there are a few which are:
- Black
- Brown
- White
- Tan
- Tri-Color
There are typically two color options when it comes to the nose of the dog. Your dog may have either a black or brown nose.
The eyes of this dog breed can either be hazel or brown.
Chiweenie Size
This small dog measures a mere 8-9 inches (20-22cm) in height and weighs only 5-15lbs (2-6kg)
Chiweenie Health Problems
These small dogs only suffer from a few known minor health problems, with the most common being allergies to pollen and dust. Just like when a human suffers from hay fever, the dog’s eyes will water constantly.
The Chihuahua Dachshund mix does not really suffer from inherited health problems, but it cannot be completely ruled out.
Some possible inherited Chiweenie health problems could be Hypothyroidism, which causes weight gain, heart disease, and skin problems.
Another illness that could be inherited if the dog is overweight is diabetes, and some of the classic symptoms in a dog could be excessive thirst, constant urination, its coat being in poor condition, and even vision loss.
A typical Chihuahua illness is hypoglycemia, which could result in the dog being suddenly weak, shivering, lack of coordination, and even seizures.
Most inherited health problems are due to over breeding, so to avoid any potential inherited health risks, be sure to go with a reputable breeder and check the parentage of the puppies.
Life Expectancy of a Chihuahua Dachshund Mix
If looked after carefully, the average life expectancy for the Chiweenie falls between 12-15 years.
This is quite a long time so remember that mixed breeds have a longer life span than purebred breeds. When two breeds are crossed together, it breeds out certain diseases.
Living Conditions
These are small dogs, and it is an ideal dog for those people who live in an apartment. However, they do have a lot of energy and will need a couple of daily walks to unleash their energy.
Chiweenie Exercise
Since this mixed breed has high energy, it needs to be walked on a regular basis, ideally twice a day. It is a good idea to make them run and burn off calories as they are prone to weight gain.
Twenty or thirty minutes of exercise a day should be plenty for this small dog breed. The good thing is this is a small dog breed, so it doesn’t need very much space to roam around to get exercise, so a small yard or deck would do.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Feeding
Again this a small cross breed, so it won’t need very much food throughout the day to sustain itself. One cup of high-quality dog food divided into smaller meals.
Depending on the brand and quality of dog food purchased, you can expect to pay between $0.75 to $1.00 per day.
Try to pick out a food that is specially formulated for small breed dogs. When your dog is a puppy, you should purchase a small breed puppy formula. The same thing goes for senior dog food; it should be specially formulated for small dogs.
Chiweenie Grooming
This dog has a low-shedding coat, and it is easy to keep clean and maintain. If it has a shorter coat, a brush once a week with a soft bristle brush is sufficient, and if it has a longer coat, then it is advised to brush it every 2-3 days to stop it from getting tangled and keep it shiny.
It is necessary to feed the Chiweenie high-quality health food as they are prone to runny eyes and weight gain.
Because of their stocky build, they should not be overfed as they have the tendency to put on too much weight if given a lot of food.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Training
Training a dog like this may take some time. As the Chiweenie can have some attitude problems. Even though this dog breed is part Dachshund, it will take some time to properly train.
Start with easy things like socialization and potty training. Eventually, your dog will pick up on these things, and you can start training your dog on other things like tricks.
Remember to always train your dog through positive reinforcement with treats and positive affirmations.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Puppies
The price of this designer mixed breed will truly vary depending on how the breeder’s standards, show dogs, and what comes with the puppy.
You can expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 per puppy. Find a breeder that you can truly trust and see if the breeder, if they are local, will allow you to come to see their facility.
This is a really affordable mixed breed. Some designer breeds can range to astronomical prizes.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Litter Size
This mixed breed can have between two and six puppies in a single litter. Remember each puppy make take certain traits from each parent.
Remember when you get your puppy home that you start socialization right away from a young age. This will help make your dog friendlier.
Suitability
The Chiweenie make a perfect family pet and they get on well with children. They do however require a lot of attention while growing up and owners need to spend a lot of time trying to socialize and train them.
Close relatives of the Chihuahua Dachshund Mix
Here are some examples of breeds that are similar to the Chiweenie:
- Chihuahua
- Dachshund
- Dorgi
- Cheagle
