Are you the kind of person or family that always want their canine friend by your side whether at home or on the move? The Dachshund mix with Chihuahua is an ideal hybrid for you.
This crossbreed between a Miniature Dachshund and Chihuahua inherits some of the finest qualities from both parents. It is a perfect choice for people that want a small dog but find it difficult to decide between a Chihuahua and Doxie. These furballs are friendly, playful, loving, loyal, and active. These characteristics make it ideal for most dog owners including singles, families, and seniors.
A Dachshund Chihuahua cross is a mix of two world’s most recognizable dog breeds due to their small size. However, these dogs have very big personalities that melt the hearts of many and the same goes for their mix. That, plus affordability compared to other hybrids, is what makes the Chiweenie popular.
Do you think the Dachshund mix with Chihuahua is a good choice for you? Dog ownership, as we all know, goes beyond the cute looks.
Our article today talks about the Chihuahua Dachshund cross comprehensively with a focus on appearance, temperament, training, grooming, price, and more. It includes everything you need to know before taking a Chiweenie home.
Continue reading to learn more about this wonderful mixed breed.
Table of Contents
What is a Chihuahua Dachshund mix called?
Dog breeders need to come up with a unique name that identifies a designer or hybrid dog. Often, they mix both parent names so you can easily tell what type of hybrid the cross is.
Most dog breeds mixed with Chihuahuas have “Chi” or “huahua” added to their name either in the beginning or the end. When it is a Dachshund mix, you will see “Dox” or “weenie” (stands for Weiner).
For instance, a Chihuahua Dachshund mix is commonly known as a Chiweenie. Other names for this mixed breed are Chih-weenie, Chiwee, Doxihuahua, Choxie, Weeniehuahua, Chiweeni, German Taco, and Mexican Hotdog.
Chiweenies are designer dogs not purebreds like their parents. For this reason, major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and Kennel Club UK (UKC) do not recognize them as a breed.
The Chiweenie is accepted by registries such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Designer Breed Registry (DBR), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Why mix with Chihuahua?
Breeders will choose to mix other dog breeds with a Chihuahua because of its amazing traits. Overall, these dogs are playful, smart, loyal, and active throughout their lives. The Chihuahua is cute and has a good nature that makes it a great companion. This dog has a big personality hidden within the small body and is vocal and brave which makes it an outstanding guard dog.
People also admire the alluring appearance plus the comical nature that will keep you amused. Oh, and did we mention that Chihuahuas are affordable and low maintenance? This dog breed will also be good with kids and other animals if socialized well and early.
Dachshund Chihuahua Mix Puppy
Dachshund Chihuahua mix puppies are gorgeous small fur babies that come in solid colors, brindle, or bi-colored. These adorable pups can come in a range of coat types depending on the parents. Chihuahuas come in long and short hair while Miniature Dachshunds come as smooth-, long-, or wire-haired.
Chiweenie pups are playful, curious, and devoted to their owners but tend to be stubborn and can inherit the independent streak of the Miniature Dachshund parent. Chiweenies might be small in size, but they boast great personalities. Even better, they adapt quickly to any kind of environment which is good for people or families on the move.
Unlike most mixed breed puppies, however, Chiweenie puppies are not kid-friendly, and this is especially due to their quick-tempered, spirited, and snappy nature. In addition, these pups are prone to the small dog syndrome that makes them think they can face everything, including large dogs. This is dangerous for them.
Early training and socialization are recommended for the Dachshund x Chihuahua to ensure you raise a well-mannered doggie. Expect to spend between $800 and $3,500 for a well-bred Chiweenie when buying from a reputable breeder.
Full Grown Dachshund Chihuahua mix
A fully-grown Dachshund cross Chihuahua is small in size, standing between 12 and 15 inches tall at the withers. As for the weight, they are 15 to 30 lbs. This size and weight make them small enough even for apartment living and traveling.
From when they are young, Chiweenies tend to be loud and yappy, especially when trying to get their owner’s attention. This, particularly, makes them excellent watchdogs. And although there are many color possibilities, black, brown, and white are common, as well as bi-colored.
This mixed breed is very healthy and easy to groom, although maintenance needs will depend on the type of coat it inherits.
A summary table for the Dachshund Chihuahua mix
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Breed | Crossbreed |
| Size | 6 to 9 inches |
| Weight | 5 to 32 lbs. |
| Grooming | Low-maintenance |
| Best Suited for: | All dog owners |
| Lifespan | 12 to 20 years |
| Temperament | Loving, loyal, cheerful, and stubborn |
| Coat | Short, medium, or long; fluffy or smooth |
| Coat Colors | Black, blonde, brown, tan, brindle, and bi-color |
| Energy Levels | High |
| Exercise Requirements | At least 30 to 60 minutes per day |
| Health | Average |
| Price | $400 to $1,000 |
We shall learn more about this below.
Dachshund Chihuahua Mix Black
A black Dachshund Chihuahua mix is bred from a black Chihuahua and a black Miniature Dachshund.
The black color is common in both Doxies and Chihuahuas which makes it one of the most frequent colors in Chiweenies. Apart from the coat color difference, black Chiweenies will have all the characteristics of this crossbreed. And since the black color is not rare, they fall within the same price tag as others.
Check out these pictures below of a black Chihuahua Dachshund mix:
Dachshund Chihuahua Mix Long Hair
A long-haired Dachshund Chihuahua mix results from breeding a long-haired Chihuahua and a long-haired Miniature Dachshund. It can also be a mixed breed between any type of Chihuahua and a long-haired Miniature Dachshund.
In terms of appearance, Dachshund Chihuahua mixed long hair pups will take after any parent or favor one most. For this reason, it is very hard to predict whether they will look like the Doxie or the Chihuahua parent.
The only thing we are sure of is that they will have long hair. In addition, expect long-haired Doxie Chihuahua mixes to have similar coat colors, temperament, and exercise needs as the others.
Caring for a long-haired Chiweenie is not easy as it requires special attention with daily brushing being recommended. This will help spread natural oils across the skin and hairs making the coat shiny and good-looking. At the same time, daily brushing reduces the amount of hair loss during the Chiweenie’s seasonal shedding season.
Chiweenie Pictures
Check out these pictures of adorable Chiweenies below:
History of the Breed
The actual origin of the Chihuahua mix with Dachshund is mysterious. According to VCA Hospitals, most mixed breeds have unidentified parentage. What this means is that there are no valid records about their ancestors or how many different breeds are used to create them. That is why we assume that most of them first existed as a result of accidental breeding.
Designer breeds, like the Chiweenie, on the other hand, are intentionally bred by combining the best characteristics of both worlds. The advantage of creating a designer dog like the Chiweenie is that it helps avoid undesirable recessive traits. With careful and responsible breeding, breeders are also able to create a dog that is healthier than its parents.
For these crossbreeds to be listed in the kennel club to be “a breed”, the Chiweenie must have been bred from F2 generation crosses resulting in a multi-generational cross or F3 Gen. This is the kind of practice that is only possible with unscrupulous dog breeders. Unfortunately, the creator of designer dogs says it is a tragedy since most breeders are irresponsible.
That being said, designer dogs have been around for the last 20 to 30 years and the practice is thought to have started somewhere in North America.
To know more about the Chihuahua Dachshund cross, let us take a look at their parents.
Parents
The Dachshund – Also known as the Sausage Dog, Weiner, Doxie, among other names, the Dachshund dog breed came from Germany. While its origin traces back to the 15th century, the Doxie’s development started in Germany in the 17th century. This dog breed was created as a hunting dog breed and comes in three varieties, including long-coated, smooth-coated, and wire-coated. The Dachshund was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1885.
Dachshunds have a great history! These dogs were used during World War II by soldiers in many strategies, including hunting for food that humans could not reach. They served bravely and died in large numbers, but some still survived. The adventurous spirit is what makes Doxies special doggies as well as an affable personality.
Dachshunds make excellent family dogs and companions for most families. In fact, they ranked as the 10th most popular dog breed here in the US according to the AKC in 2021. In terms of dog IQ, Dachshunds are considered average-intelligent dogs at 92nd position in the AKC listing. Doxies come in colors such as black, black & tan, chocolate & tan, chocolate & cream, blue & tan, cream, tan, and red.
This dog breed has a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years but is susceptible to certain health issues that may affect this lifespan. Some common health problems in Dachshunds include patella luxation, intervertebral disc disease, eye problems, obesity, and hip dysplasia.
The Chihuahua – First recorded in the mid-19th century, the Chihuahua ranks as the smallest recognized dog breed. These dogs are thought to have been developed from a small, mute dog called the Techichi that was kept in the 9th century AD by the Mexican Toltec people. The Chihuahua was created solely for companionship and still holds this crown high. The American Kennel Club recognized Chihuahuas as a breed in 1904. Chihuahuas are great dogs and come in two varieties, including the short-haired and long-haired.
Although the Chihuahua is known for being fiercely loyal, lively, swift, courageous, and alert, these small pooches tend to be aggressive. With good training, however, they can make great guard dogs that offer protection without being aggressive. When it comes to dog IQ, Chihuahuas are smart and quick learners. However, they are fairly intelligent with a strong-willed nature making them hard to train obedience and work. Thanks to their eagerness to please and love for treats, training them can be rather easy.
Small dog breeds live long compared to Bulldogs above and the Chihuahua is not an exemption. These dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 20 years and stand 5.9 to 9.1 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 4 to 6 lbs., with colors such as black, white, fawn, chocolate, cream, and gold.
The Chihuahua is susceptible to common health issues like luxating patella, hypoglycemia, spinal injuries, obesity, hydrocephalus, bladder & kidney stones, tracheal collapse, and teeth problems, among others.
Table comparison of Parents of Dachshund Chihuahua mix: Comparative features of Dachshund and Chihuahua
| Feature | Dachshund | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 8 to 9 inches | 6 to 9 inches |
| Weight | 16 to 32 lbs. | 2 to 6 lbs. |
| Temperament | Playful, devoted, clever, Loyal, independent, and active | Devoted, lively, quick, aggressive, alert, and courageous |
| Energy | High | Moderate to High |
| Health | Average | Average |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 20 years |
| Puppy Prices | $300 to $3,500 | About $800 |
Appearance
Predicting what any mixed breed will look like is one of the sliest things when it comes to designer dogs, and the Chiweenie is not an exemption.
Luckily, both the Chihuahua parent and Miniature Dachshund parent, are small dogs which means that their offspring will be a small dogs.
So, how big is a Chihuahua and Dachshund mix?
Since this mixed breed is relatively new, there are a few standards when it comes to the size, but they will be on the smaller side of the spectrum.
That being said, Chiweenies will mostly stand between 6 and 10 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 5 to 12 lbs. This small size is what makes them good choices for people and families that are looking for the perfect lap dog.
Coat & other features
Expect this crossbreed to have a head that is somewhat elongated like that of the Miniature Dachshund parent or a bit round and apple-shaped like the Chihuahua’s. The ears of this cross are either droopy or upright.
The Chiweenie has protruding eyes that come in a range of colors, including black, green, brown, or blue. The nose is black, tan, blue, or chocolate in color.
As for the coat type, Chiweenies can have short, medium, or long hair that is either fluffy or smooth. Possible coat colors include tan, brown, black, blonde, or brindle, and they can also be bi-colored.
Temperament and Characteristics
Just like with the appearance, it is hard to know what to expect from mixed dog breeds such as the Chiweenie. Both parents tend to be aggressive, and while one is independent, the other one is stubborn. A mix of these two can take after any parent or both.
While a Dachshund mixed with Chihuahua has a small stature, these furballs make up for their size in personality. On the one hand, Dachshunds were bred for hunting, so they have a brave demeanor. Chihuahuas, on the other hand, were bred solely for companionship and they are very confident and loyal. This mixed breed has a lot of confidence that does not match up with its size.
As mentioned earlier, Chiweenies are good at adapting to any kind of environment very fast. As such, they are an excellent choice for any family that is always on the move or planning to move into a new location. These hybrids are alert and will always notify you when unfamiliar persons are approaching. And given that both parents have an aggressive streak, it is likely that your Chiweenie will be unfriendly to strangers.
Some of these mixed breeds can take after the Doxie parent’s prey drive. Such Chiweenies should be trained with a leash to prevent bolting after distractions.
Sadly, Chiweenies tend to be short-tempered, so they are not good around kids, especially small ones that will keep pulling their ears. And did we mention the tendency to be yappy and loud? Yes, they will do this when trying to get their owner’s attention.
Due to the Chihuahua parent’s strong affection towards humans, you can expect these pups to suffer separation anxiety when left for extended periods.
Ease of Training
On the one hand, the Chihuahua is known for being incredibly stubborn when it comes to following commands. This makes training them a big challenge. Dachshunds, on the other hand, are famous for their independent streak and can be stubborn as well hence not easy to train.
Thankfully, both parents are not dumb dogs which means they can be easy to train, especially when you start early. One of the most challenging things for this mixed breed is housetraining. Thanks to the Chiweenie’s eagerness to please and loyalty, training them may turn out not to be as challenging.
Like with most purebreds and hybrids that are known to have a stubborn and independent streak, positive reinforcement is recommended for Chiweenies. Dogs with these traits also tend to get bored easily so, keep the training sessions short and exciting. Make sure you begin training from puppyhood.
In addition to training, start taking your Dachshund Chihuahua mix for walks to your local dog park as puppies so they can begin socialization early. If your doggie has a high prey drive of the Doxie parent, walking them on a leash is highly recommended.
Exercise Requirements
Do not let the small size of the Dachshund Chihuahua cross fool you. Chiweenies are active and energetic dogs.
Thanks to their small size, it does not take a lot of exercises to expel the excess energy that they might otherwise use for destructive behaviors. That being said, Chihuahua Dachshund mixes will do fine with at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day.
Since they are playful, Chiweenies can burn off energy playing. Walking them is also good but it is not mandatory for most small dogs.
Nutritional Requirements
An ideal Chihuahua mix with a Dachshund diet should meet dog’s nutritional needs. That means that it must comprise the 6 basic nutrients including water, proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. All these vital nutrients must make up your dog’s regular diet for proper growth and optimal health.
The dietary needs of your Dachshund Chihuahua mix will change slowly as they grow from puppyhood to adulthood and even seniors.
So, how much food should you feed your Dachshund Chihuahua mix per day?
PetMD records that feeding your dog too little food leads to nutritional deficiencies. Too much food, on the other hand, leads to weight gain which is a problem for Dachshunds and Chihuahuas alike. Chiweenies, therefore, are predisposed to obesity especially when overfed.
Adult Dachshund Chihuahua crosses should be fed about ½ cup of high-quality kibble every day split into small portions of two meals.
Are you unsure about the amount of food to pour into your Chiweenie’s feeding bowl? Talk to your vet and come up with the most appropriate feeding schedule tailored to your dog’s nutritional needs.
Health Issues
Mixed breeds are generally considered healthier than their parents which is why dog breeders create designer dogs. Chiweenies are very healthy hybrids! However, they are still prone to some, not all, of the health problems that their parents suffer from.
Common health issues in Dachshund Chihuahua mixes include teeth or dental problems, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, color dilution alopecia, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Diabetes, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, and allergies are also possible health problems for this mixed breed.
To ensure that your Chihuahua Dachshund cross lives a healthier and happier life, do not skip any planned vet visits.
Chiweenie Lifespan
Since both Dachshunds and Chihuahuas are small dog breeds, they tend to have a longer lifespan than large dog breeds. For this reason, their offspring also has a longer lifespan.
On average, expect a Dachshund mixed with Chihuahua to have a life expectancy of between 12 and 20 years.
Regular vet checkups, feeding a proper diet, and providing adequate exercises can help your Chiweenie live a longer life.
Grooming
Like all crossbreeds, the grooming needs of a Dachshund mixed with a Chihuahua depend on the type of coat the hybrid inherits. Averagely, Chiweenies are seasonal shedders which means their care is not as demanding. If they, however, are long-haired, more brushing is needed than Chiweenies with short coats (which are the most common).
That being said, brushing your Chiweenie’s coat once or twice a week is enough to keep these small, cute fur babies at their best. Check their ears often, at least weekly, for debris, dirt, and wax build-up to prevent any likelihood of getting ear infections.
Chiweenies should have their nails clipped once or twice a month, so they do not get too long. Lastly, make sure you brush their teeth daily or at least three times a week to prevent tooth decay that causes dental problems.
How much is a Chiweenie Dog Worth?
Typically, both Dachshunds and Chihuahuas are popular dog breeds that are easy to find even though Chihuahuas can be costlier than Doxies.
That said, a healthy and well-bred Chiweenie from a responsible and dependable breeder will cost you between $800 and $3,500.
The prices will differ significantly depending on several factors such as the breeder’s location, reputation, and the parents.
Dachshund Chihuahua mix for Sale
You can find Dachshund Chihuahua mixes for sale in your local area whether you live here in the US or in any other region globally.
And while there are many platforms that puppies are advertised, we advise against buying any pups, including Chiweenies, online. It is possible some of these sellers are good, but it is hard to know an honest breeder.
For this reason, visit a dog breeder, ask to see the health records of the parents, look at the workplace, and see the parents that were used to create the hybrid.
Where to Adopt
Adopting a Chihuahua mix with Dachshund is always better and cheaper than shopping, especially when you do not know where to find a responsible breeder. As such, start by asking workers from your local shelter whether this mixed breed is available.
You can also check Chiweenie’s availability in rescue organizations of the parent breeds such as the Chihuahua Rescue & Transport and this list of Dachshund Rescues.
FAQs
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