If you have a soft spot for a terrier breed and a Chihuahua, the Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua is an excellent choice.
This designer dog is developed by crossing the spirited Chihuahua and the bearded Wire Haired Terrier. Both parents of this mixed breed are small pooches which result in a small or toy-sized dog. The Wire Haired Terrier and Chihuahua mix combine a hunting dog breed with a dog solely bred for companionship. It is one of the best wire haired terrier mixes that you will find out there.
This amazing blend creates a companion dog or family pet with big personalities and beautiful looks that most dog enthusiasts can’t resist. The crossbreed is active, smart, alert, charming, and very confident for a dog of its size. The Wire Chiwoxy has a coat that is dense and can either be smooth or wiry, short or long with low to average shedding.
Are you wondering whether the Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua is a great mixed breed for you? We, dog enthusiasts, understand that there is more to dog ownership than the cute appearance and charming personalities, right?
That is why we have included everything you need to know about this designer dog between a Wire Haired Terrier and a Chihuahua.
If you want to know the temperament and appearance of the Wire Chiwoxy as well as how to care for them, puppies, price, and adoption, you have come to the right place.
Continue reading our article today. We have tried to answer any questions you may have and more.
Table of Contents
What is a Chihuahua and Wire Haired Terrier Mix called?
Designer dogs have some of the most adorable names. Dog breeders will mostly blend the names of both parents and come up with a unique name that matches a mixed breed.
For instance, many dog breeds mixed with a Chihuahua have a “Chi” added to their name, and that is why a Chihuahua and Wire Haired Terrier mix is commonly called a Wire Chiwoxy.
Other names for the Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua include Wire Fox Chi, Wire Chisoxy, and Wire Chitoxy.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) and other major kennel clubs such as the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and the Kennel Club UK (UKC) only recognize purebred dogs.
Being a designer dog breed, the Wire Chiwoxy is only recognized by registries such as the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) 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.
Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua Mix Puppies
Chihuahua Wire Haired Terrier mix puppies are small in size when born which makes them very fragile and tricky to handle. Like their parents, they might be small but possess big personalities. Expect these cute little furballs to have smooth or wiry hair and it can either be short or long. Either way, the coats are dense and do not shed much.
Wire Chiwoxy puppies are active and fun-loving dogs that thrive on human companions. These small doggies are smart and alert as well as friendly with everyone. That being said, expect them to form a special bond with one particular member of the family that gives them attention.
If they take after the Wired Fox Terrier parent, they will have a very high pet drive. With early training and socialization, however, this is manageable.
Here in the US, you can find Wire Haired Chihuahua puppies for sale from a reputable and responsible breeder. Expect to spend between $800 and $1500 for a well-bred Wire Chiwoxy.
Fully Grown Chihuahua Wire Haired Terrier Mix
Typically, most Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua mixes are fun-loving and active when fully grown as they were in their puppyhood. These feisty dogs can be bossy which means they need training from a young age when they are controllable.
The Wire Chiwoxy is a small dog that stands approx. 9 to 12 inches at the shoulders and about 10 lbs. in weight. Due to their small size, supervision is required when they are interacting with kids even though they are children-friendly pooches.
We shall talk more about this below.
A summary table for the Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua mix
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Breed | Hybrid |
| Size | 9 to 12 inches |
| Weight | about 10 lbs. |
| Grooming | High-maintenance |
| Best Suited for: | All families but those with small kids |
| Lifespan | 10 to 13 years |
| Temperament | Loving, curious, intelligent, loyal, and feisty |
| Coat | A double coat – a soft undercoat and a coarse wiry topcoat |
| Coat Colors | Black, fawn, white, red, and brown or bi-colors & tri-colors |
| Energy Levels | High |
| Exercise Requirements | At least 45 to 60 minutes per day |
| Health | Average |
| Price | $800 to $1,500 |
History of the Breed
The specific origin of the Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua is unknown. According to VCA Hospitals, most mixed breeds have an indefinite ancestry. In other words, there are no valid records about their lineages or how many different breeds are bred to create them. In most cases, we assume that mixed breeds first existed as a result of accidental breeding.
Designer breeds, like the Wire Chiwoxy, on the other hand, are intentionally bred by combining the best characteristics of both worlds. The advantage of creating a designer dog like the Wire Chiwoxy 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 any crossbreed to be registered with the kennel club as “a breed”, it must have been bred from F2 generation crosses resulting in a multi-generational cross or F3 Gen. Has the Wire Chiwoxy attained this yet? We are not certain. This is only achievable if dog breeders do it honestly. Sadly, the creator of designer dogs says laments the dangers of unscrupulous dog breeding.
That being said, designer dogs have been around for the last 2 to 3 decades and the practice is said to have originated somewhere in North America.
To know more about the Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua cross, let us take a look at their parents.
Parents
The Wire Fox Terrier – The Wire Fox Terrier has its origin in England. This dog breed is said to have been developed by breeding the white English terrier with the beagle or bull terrier. The Wire Fox Terrier is defined by small body size and a beard and was bred by hunting fans to hunt fox and small game from their dens. It should not be confused with the other smooth-haired variety. The Wire Fox Terrier was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885.
When it comes to dog IQ, the Wire Haired Terrier is considered a highly intelligent dog. This dog breed is friendly and the AKC says it is good with kids and other dogs as well. That is what makes them great family dogs and companions. Due to their hunting ancestry, Wire Haired Terriers are athletic and will enjoy running and chasing. For this reason, they are best suited for people and families that will meet their high exercise needs.
The Wire Haired Fox Terrier comes in a solid colors such as white, bi-colors like white & tan, black & white, as well as tri-colors. On average, these pooches stand 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of between 13 and 20 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 13 to 14 years. However, Wire Haired Terriers are prone to serious health conditions like deafness and patellar luxation that may affect this lifespan. Other health issues include cataracts, distichiasis, lens luxation, and Legg-Perthes disease.
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 Wire Haired Chihuahua cross mix: Comparative features of Chihuahua and Wire Haired Terrier
| Feature | Wire Haired Terrier | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 13 to 15 inches tall | 6 to 9 inches |
| Weight | 18 lbs. (males) 16 lbs. (females) | 3 to 6 lbs. |
| Temperament | Friendly, bold, keen, alert, fearless, and quick | Devoted, lively, alert, aggressive, quick, and courageous |
| Energy | High | Moderate to high |
| Health | Average | Average |
| Lifespan | 13 to 14 years | 12 to 20 years |
| Puppy Prices | $1,500 to $3,000 | About $800 |
Appearance
Predicting what any mixed breed will look like is one of the trickiest things when it comes to designer dogs, and the Wire Chiwoxy is not an exemption. Thankfully, both parents of the mix are small dogs which means that their offspring will be a small or toy dog.
So, how big does a Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua get?
Typically, a Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua cross stands between 9 and 10 inches tall at the withers and will be about 10 lbs. in weight.
These furballs have a large head that is round-shaped, huge ears, short legs, and a short snout with a black nose. The Wire Chiwoxy has big and dark eyes (amber or brown in color) with an exciting expression as well as a long tail.
This mixed breed has a double coat – a soft undercoat and a coarse wiry topcoat, hence the name. Their coats are usually short, but it is possible to find some with medium-length coats. There are many coat color possibilities for the Wire Haired Terrier mix with Chihuahua with some being solid, bi-colored, or tri-colored.
From solid colors such as black, fawn, white, red, and brown to bi-colors like white & tan or white & black, and tri-colors, there are numerous possibilities.
Temperament and Characteristics
Just like with the appearance, it is hard to know what to expect from mixed dog breeds such as the Wire Chiwoxy. 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.
Most terrier breeds, like the Wire Fox Terrier, have similar traits and characteristics. Typically, these dogs are active and smart but are known for an independent streak. When we mix this with the vigor from the Chihuahua parent, we get really attractive and amusing pooches!
These pooches are eager to please and very loyal to their owners. The Wired Chiwoxy will love to curl up on the couch with you or sit on your laps. However, it does need daily exercise to burn off extra energy.
The Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua cross is a fun-loving pooch that craves human companionship and attention. This mixed breed will follow you around the house and form a closer bond with one member of the family. And while they are friendly with everyone, the Wire Chiwoxy are known for their short temper which is not good for families with small kids.
These crossbreeds are smart but can be hard to housetrain. Most owners of the Wire Chiwoxy advise the use of mat-training to housebreak their canine buddies. In addition, this mixed breed needs early socialization to deal with the possible snappy trait.
If the terrier ancestry dominates in your Wire Chiwoxy, expect them to have a very high prey drive. This can make them chase other dogs and pets in the household.
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. Wire Haired Terriers, on the other hand, are famous for their independent streak and hence not as easy to train.
Thanks to their loyalty, intelligence, and eagerness to please, Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua mixes can be easy to train. Regrettably, it can be willful at times if it inherits the independent and stubborn streak of the parents.
Owners of the Wire Chiwoxy recommend showing your doggie that you are the alpha since the mix can be bossy. For the best results, using positive reinforcement such as verbal praise and healthy treats yields better results. In addition, be consistent in training, patient, and keep sessions short and enjoyable.
During training, make sure that your Wire Chiwoxy socializes with the people around you so they can familiarize themselves with them. Take them to the dog park as well so they can learn how to get along with other dogs and pets.
When walking your Wire Chiwoxy, make sure they are on a leash since the prey drive of the terrier parent can make them chase other pets and dogs.
Exercise Requirements
Do not let the small size of the Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua cross fool you! These small, cute fur babies are very energetic and lively.
A Wire Chiwoxy needs at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise daily to burn off excess energy from their little bodies. From a brisk walk to the park to a hike, these pooches love being on the move. This mix would also enjoy playing a game of fetch to keep them mentally stimulated.
This mixed breed tends to get bored easily and fast. If this happens, they can become extremely destructive, or the small dog syndrome can manifest and make them unruly. Adequate exercises are crucial to this crossbreed.
Nutritional Requirements
An ideal diet for the Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua should meet all the nutritional needs of dogs. In short, it must have the 6 basic nutrients that include water, proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. All these essential nutrients must make up your dog’s regular diet for good growth and optimal health.
The dietary needs of your Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua mix will change gradually from when they are puppies, adults, and seniors.
So, how much food should you feed your Wire Haired Terrier Chihuahua mix per day?
An article on PetMD enlightens dog owners on the most appropriate feeding guidelines. If you feed your canine buddy too little food, this leads to nutritional deficiencies. Too much food, on the other hand, leads to weight gain which is a major problem for dogs here in the US.
Typically, the Wire Chiwoxy is a small dog that does not eat a lot. Hence, 1 cup of high-quality kibble split into two small meals is enough for a Chihuahua Wire Haired Terrier cross. Ensure that this dog food contains ingredients such as chicken, beef, lamb, or fish so that your Wire Chiwoxy gets sufficient protein.
Make sure that your mix has access to fresh, clean drinking water throughout the day. If you are uncertain about the amount of food to serve your Wire Chiwoxy, consulting your vet is good.
Health Issues
Mixed breeds are generally considered healthier than their parents which is why dog breeders create designer dogs. However, these hybrids are still predisposed to some, not all, health problems that their parents suffer from.
Serious health issues in Wire Chiwoxy dogs include hydrocephalus, heart disease, and luxating patella. Tracheal collapse, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, tetralogy of Fallot, and eye problems are also possible health concerns.
To ensure that your Chihuahua Wire Haired Terrier mix remains healthy, vets recommend that you take them for occasional tests for hips, knees, heart, and physical examinations. You will have a happier pooch with a good lifespan.
Life Expectancy
A well-bred and healthy Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years on average.
Regular vet checkups, feeding a proper diet, and providing adequate exercises can help your Wire Chiwoxy live a longer life.
Grooming
The Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua falls on the higher end of the maintenance spectrum. This mix sports a wiry coat that is not the easiest to maintain. If possible, this dense coat should be brushed daily. However, brushing it at least three times a week helps keep your dog neat.
Hand-stripping is recommended for a Wire Chiwoxy every six weeks as it helps keep their hair shiny and cute, preventing too much shedding. Check their big ears once a week to prevent wax build-up, debris, and dirt. Make sure you clean the ears gently to prevent infections.
The Wire Chiwoxy’s nails should be clipped regularly to prevent overgrowth. Make sure that you brush their teeth every day or three days a week to prevent tooth decay.
How much is a Chihuahua Terrier mix worth?
Expect to spend between $800 and $1500 for a well-bred Wire Chiwoxy.
These prices vary considerably from one breeder to another based on their reputation and location among other factors.
We recommend against buying puppies online because you do not know which one comes from a scrupulous breeder or a dishonest one. If possible, visit the breeder’s location and ask to see the parents of the Wire Chiwoxy before taking the puppy home.
Where to Adopt
Adopting a Wire Haired Terrier x Chihuahua is always better and costs you cheaper than shopping, especially when you do not know where to find a dependable breeder. As such, start by asking workers from your local shelter whether this mixed breed is available.
You can also try your luck from rescue organizations of the Wire Chiwoxy parents.
The Chihuahua Rescue & Transport and Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Midwest are good places to start if you live here in the United States.
These are just a few examples. You can check others near you on your browser.
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