11 Facts About the Chiweenie (Chihuahua Dachshund Mix)
Some people just need a travel buddy. Well, the Chihuahua and Dachshund mix is exactly that. Formally known as a Chiweenie, this lovely dog can fit anywhere and would look good doing it.
This crossbreed has been around since the 90s, and its popularity is increasing every day.
The Chihuahua is considered the smallest dog in the world, but we all have seen him chase away thieves. The Wiener dog is also small, but he is just as good as any retriever in fetching stuff.
The mix of these lovable pooches is a small dog as well. Except, the Chiweenie could be any combination of his two purebred parents.
If you have a thing for small dogs, but you are undecided for which one to pick, this crossbreed may be what you’re looking for.
We’ll talk more about the Chiweenie below.
Who Are the Chiweenie’s Parents?
Like any and all crossbreeds, everything we can say about them is a guess based on the temperament of both parents. That is why we always advise you to learn more about the purebreds that make your mix before getting one.
The Chihuahua
That smile is the best I have ever seen on a dog!
I have it on good authority that Chihuahuas don’t know how small they are, or at the very least, they don’t care. Their personality is 10 times larger than their size, and it shows.
While the little guy can join you anywhere you take him, he can also cause you some problems. Chihuahuas love their owners and can grow to be overly protective. Add to it their wariness of strangers, and you got yourself a 6-inch tall scary puppy with sharp teeth, .
Considering his size, he may not do harm. But that first aggressive impression will scare the life out of you. He is agile and ready to please his owner. He loves to stay close to you and won’t leave your side for a second.
All in all, the Chihuahua could have been the king of dogs if he wasn’t the smallest one ever. He is cute, smart, agile, loving, and will defend you to death.
Learn more about Chihuahuas.
Take a look at our review of Dog Food For Chihuahuas for more info.
The Dachshund
Those are some strong paws right there!
For many years, the Dachshund has been a fun dog to draw, animate into cartoons, and have fun with. This representation has made it seem as if this dog is just a joke. However, he is way tougher than he looks.
How tough?
Tough enough to take down a badger. In fact, that was why he was bred in the first place. He’s got strong paws to dig, find tunnels, catch badgers and pin them down.
This long little dog has more to offer than what he appears to. And that is exactly why appearances are deceiving.
The Dachshund first instinct may be to hunt, but in today’s time, he is considered a companion dog. In other words, he chases your sadness away. All he does is make you happy as you walk with him in the street.
There are some reports that he hates being called the Wiener dog. We cannot confirm nor deny such allegations, but it’s kinda funny.
More about the Dachshund here.
Related Post: Dog Food for Dachshunds
Who Is the Chiweenie?
We have been talking about the purebred parents, and you now know a little about them. Of course, that’s not enough. You definitely need to spend more time learning about the Chiweenie’s parents.
But it is also important to learn about the dog himself. Come on, just look at this picture below!
This is the infamous Chihuahua and Dachshund mix. A cute lovely dog that can easily win your heart. He is ready to protect and serve you alone. He will establish a strong bond with you sooner than later.
He is an adorable fella, designed to keep you company and make you happy. He loves to sleep in your lap and won’t resist fighting over that right.
It is time to dive a bit deeper into our knowledge about the Chiweenie. We have a lot to tell you about this peanut-sized dog. So, keep reading.
List of Facts About the Chiweenie
By principle, we are required to inform that everything you will ever read about the Chihuahua Dachshund mix is purely based on educated guesses. The list of facts below has been collected through research on the general temperament as described by owners of this crossbreed.
We don’t hold these to be absolute truths. Every Chiweenie is possibly different than the next one. However, there are many similarities between dogs in this crossbreed.
1 – The Chiweenie Is (so) Tiny
Maybe the only breed of dogs smaller than the Chiweenie is his parent, the Chihuahua. This crossbreed is barely 9 inches tall, and that depends on how large his Dachshund purebred parent is.
If you keep your dog well-fed and exercised, he will grow to be a whopping 10 pounds. That’s basically as big as they can get, which is still very small compared to other dog breeds.
This small size makes it easier to travel around the world with your pocket-size best friend. I’m not even sure you need papers for that. You can pass him off as a very small teddy bear.
2 – They Make a Great Apartment Dog
Again, all thanks to his small size, the Chiweenie is an awesome apartment dog. He barely takes a square foot of space. The problem is that he doesn’t stick to it.
This dog is tiny enough to get under almost everything. If it has a small hole in it, he will try to fit in and hide there.
Actually, if you have anything missing from your home, a sock, a shoe, or anything, just look for those small spaces.
Most of the time, the Chiweenie plays an unwarranted game of hide and seek. This means they are either hiding or hiding your stuff.
3 – Training the Chiweenie May Prove Difficult
Smaller dogs have bigger personalities. When you start training them, they feel the need to defy your commands, even you have treats in your hands. They are stubborn that way.
Training a Chiweenie is just as difficult. The stubborn dog won’t easily follow your commands. If you think being harsh on him might bend him to your will, think again. You’re just feeding his need to prove himself as a dominant alpha-male.
The best way to deal with the Chihuahua Dachshund mix is to use positive reinforcement, treats, games, and make the training sessions as fun as possible.
You may need to call for professional help. If you see yourself unable to control your dog, or you find yourself spoiling him too much (he’s cuteness does that to you), you should ask a professional dog trainer to help you out.
4 – Chiweenies Are Great Watchdogs
The crossbreed parents are very alert dogs. Nothing moves without them letting you know about it. The same thing goes for the Chiweenie; if it moves, they will let you know right then and there.
You may not use him as guard dogs or expect him to protect you against grizzly bears. But he won’t back down from a fight either. What’s important is that he stands ground and alerts you as anything gets close to your home.
He will bark at the door, the window, or even the yard. That means when your friends to come visit you, he will be the first to greet them. And it won’t always do so with a smile.
That is what brings us to the next point.
5 – Socialization Is Crucial to Your Dog
A Chiweenie has a tendency to be overly protective of his owner and his home. Barking at the door or at strangers is maybe the least of your problems when it comes to an adult Chiweenie who has not interacted with the outside world.
It is important for your dog to see as many people as he can from an early age. He needs to feel comfortable when others visit and come close to you. With enough interaction with strangers and friends alike, he should learn that not everyone is a threat to his kingdom.
This does not mean that you should throw a party when your puppy makes it to his second week in your house. He should get comfortable around individual people first, and then larger groups.
You can also take your dog to a nearby park and keep an eye on how he reacts. Once the experience becomes overwhelming, pull him back up, reward his courage, and take him back home. Increase the time spent outside and among people in small doses.
In case you need more details on how to socialize your small dog, this article has exactly that.
6 – Chiweenies Aren’t Best for Homes With Children
And it is not because of the dog, but it is a problem of the children. The Chihuahua Dachshund mix loves to play a lot, but the kids may not realize how fragile he is. Most accidents happen because kids play a little too rough with the dog.
That means that the dog may also add a bit more teeth into the game. Much like his parents, he’s got pretty sharp ones, and he is not afraid to use them to defend himself.
If you have kids and are bent on having a Chiweenie, you need to train your children to be careful around the dog. He can play gently as long as your kids respect his space.
Here is a video that proves my point:
It almost goes without saying that all these interactions must be under your supervision. No one wants any unfortunate accidents to happen. None of us wants to read a news story about either of your babies getting hurt while playing with your pet. So, please assume your responsibility as a pa(w)rent.
7 – Chiweenies Don’t Usually Look Alike
Except those born in the same litter, Chihuahua and Dachshund mix rarely look like one another. Both Chihuahuas and Dachshunds have many possible appearances. It is hard to predict how their litter would look like.
Genetics play a huge role in the appearance of your new puppy. You cannot pick and choose when it comes to the appearance of a newborn crossbreed dog. The Chiweenie follows the same principle.
There is really no way to know what type of coat, what color it would be or his ears, tail, or anything between. This makes your puppy a unique dog that does not look like any other one. And that’s indeed the best description of a Chiweenie: a special, unique dog.
8 – They Lives Long, But Health Is a Concern
The Chiweenie is one of the few dogs that have a long lifespan. He averages between 15 and 18 years old, and some owners say their dogs lived up to be 20. Small dogs are known to live longer than larger ones. However, that is just the upside.
The downside of having a small dog is preparing for all the health concerns that inevitably catch up with your little pooch. There are a few problems that small dogs develop as they grow older. Some of these issues include weak legs and back problems.
A crossbreed dog may be less likely to get diseases, but he can inherit some from his parents. In fact, the health issues mentioned above are likely to be inherited from his Dachshund parent.
It is important to keep an eye on your dog as he grows up. Regular check-ups and visits to the vet should keep him safe in case a problem start to show.
9 – The Chiweenie Is A Playful Dog
Small dogs love to play inside the house, and the Chiweenie is no different. Besides looking for places to play hide and seek, you will find him running around the house as fast as he can. He may have a small body, but he’s got a ton of energy to burn.
Your Chiweenie would love to run after you, fetch a little ball for you, and do more advanced tricks. He is pretty agile for a dog his size, but he will surprise you.
While he may not need a ton of exercise to release his energy, he is still sure to have some left at the end of the day. But as he makes his way up and down the sofas and runs around the kitchen table, he won’t have as much left in the tank and would come running into your lap for some cuddling.
His playful nature requires that he always have something to do and someone to do it with. Separation anxiety is common among companion dogs, and the Chiweenie is on that list. If you want one, you need to stay close to him as much as possible.
Run, Chiweenie, run!
10 – He is a Low Maintenance Dog
Among the reasons why many people love the Chiweenie is his low-maintenance. Depending on his coat length, he will require brushing only once or twice weekly. You don’t need to take him to the bath for more than once a month. His nails need to be trimmed regularly as they can get pretty sharp.
When it comes to food, Chiweenie can regulate their daily intake. All you have to do is provide the best quality dog food you can afford and serve him twice a day. Food allergies are common among Chiweenie’s parents, and his food sensitivity may be inherited. That means you should give him only high-quality dog food that is specifically made for dogs his size.
Related Post: High Protein Dog Food
11 – Getting Your Chiweenie
Now, if you still think the Chiweenie is the right dog for you, you should get yourself one as soon as you can.
We often recommend adoption as many dogs are looking to have another chance at being good boys and girls. This is also the case here.
Many owners drop off their Chiweenie because they are too active or they have had accidents playing with their kids. Most of the time, it was not the dog’s fault. It would mean the world to him to get a savior. Contact your local shelter for information.
However, if you want a new puppy, you should find a reputable dog breeder. Always ask the right questions, demand to see the parents and their medical papers, and make sure they are not selling you puppies from mills.
Conclusion
The Chihuahua Dachshund mix is a companion dog that fits right in your luggage, so you can take it along with you on a trip. If you live in an apartment, that’s a kingdom for him. However, he won’t be the best dog to have around young children.
Owning a Chiweenie increases the chances of having more happy hours in your day. Although there is no science behind that statement, we all know it’s true.
Let me know in the comments down below what you think about Chiweenies.
Source:
- The Chiweenie – Chihuahua Dachshund Mix – Animal Corner
