Chiweenie

The Chiweenie is a hybrid breed derived from the Chihuahua and the Dachshund. They are widely available for sale from breeders and adoption sites, and are quite loving and playful. They can also be fairly stubborn, which can make training very difficult. It is important to take care of their teeth well to avoid further dental costs. Despite their many personality traits, this dog primarily just wants to be loved.

Owning A Chiweenie: 3 Pros And Cons

History Of The Chiweenie

This is a designer breed that originated in the late 1990s in North America. The goal was to help eliminate the back problems of a purebred Dachshund while still having its look and temperament. Even though intentional breeding began during this time, it is believed that they were accidentally crossed earlier, in the early to mid-1950s.

The Chiweenie is also known as the German Taco dog, the Mexican hot dog, and the choxie. While the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize this hybrid, these playful and cute dogs are becoming very popular.

Size And Weight

Just like the Dachshund and the Chihuahua, the crossbreed is quite small. There aren’t many size standards with the newness of the species, but they can weigh anywhere from 5 to 12 lbs. They also range from 6 to 10 inches tall, though there doesn’t seem to be consistency between females and males to determine which is bigger.

These limits can easily be exceeded, but most of these hybrid dogs can have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years.

Common Health Issues

As with most crossbreed dogs, the Chiweenie can come with certain health concerns that every owner should prepare for. Luckily, the right breeding can minimize health concerns, and consistent vet visits can help to prevent or screen for these problems to keep their lifespan long.

Hypoglycemia is a big concern among these hybrid dogs, which is better known as low blood sugar. The dog has a rather small stomach, which is inherited from the Chihuahua. Diabetes is another concern since it can develop with hypoglycemia.

Degenerative disc disease can lead to spine issues and even paralysis. Dachshunds often deal with this issue as well, but that is part of the reason you should be careful with climbing and jumping. These dogs can also suffer from issues with their teeth, metabolism, knees, and joints.

Temperament And Behavior

The personality of the Chiweenie is rather easy to love. This spunky pup is the perfect size to stay on your lap, though their high energy won’t keep them there for very long. In fact, if you’re looking for a way to entertain them, a game of fetch is much more fun.

Their natural prey drive can lead them to hunt when they side with their Chihuahua breeding. However, they often get their traits from the Dachshund parents. They will alert anyone to anything that brings their attention with immense barking, which some owners don’t appreciate. However, if you want to know anytime someone reaches the door, this small pup is prepared to tell you.

Overall, any behavior that you want to eliminate should be taught out of this dog when it is still a puppy. They have a certain stubbornness to their personality, which can cause difficulty during housetraining. However, they have the desire to please their owners, which can offer a distinct advantage.

How To Take Care Of Chiweenies

The care for a Chiweenie requires many considerations, like any other pet. Adopting a puppy or an adult dog will keep their lifespan long and their personality just as exciting as the day you met them. Check out the tips below to learn about what this hybrid dog needs.

The Best Dog Food

Ideally, the diet of a Chiweenie requires a balance of protein and high-quality dry food. They are prone to gaining too much weight without the right attention to how much they consume, so a consistent feeding schedule is best. Don’t leave their food bowl out during the day to allow them to graze. Also, to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), make sure your Chiweenie eats a square meal ninety minutes before exercising.

Since each dog has substantial variations (based on their build and other factors), speak with a veterinarian for more specific instructions.

Maintenance And Grooming

The coat of this hybrid dog will vary, considering that there are two different breeds to consider. The coat is often a blend of the Dachshund and the Chihuahua, which means they can be naturally short or long. If you suffer from allergies, the best choice will probably be a shorter coat, but grooming is easy for both.

Brushing weekly is the best way to keep it detangled and to prevent too much shedding. During wintertime, most Chiweenies will have to wear some type of sweater or coat to keep them warm. The Chiweenie also needs some layer of protection on its ears and nose, like sunscreen, when it is out in the summer and spring sunlight.

Training

As fun as it might be to own a Chiweenie, it is not easy to train. This pup comes from two fairly stubborn breeds, and they are quite independent. Taking the time to train a Chiweenie when it is still young gives you a better chance of getting some of this training done.

If the owner is just as energetic and enthusiastic, they may be a good match.

Exercise

The Chiweenie is small and rather energetic, but they don’t need much exercise. Don’t put this dog in situations that can be hard on its spine, like jumping or climbing. Still, they are playful, so playing fetch or catch with the right-sized toy can be quite fun. Plus, the extra activity with your new puppy will offer a great time to bond.

Their small size makes the dog a great companion in apartments, but they will need to go on walks often to prevent weight issues.

Puppies

The puppies are extremely small and delicate, even when they are fully grown. This crossbreed must be fed the proper diet to thrive, though they will only need a fraction of what they have as an adult.

Since this animal is so tiny when it is still a puppy, it is important to protect them from high ledges and stairs that it may fall from.

Chiweenie And Children

Though there are plenty of dogs that do well with children, this pup may not be the best option. These types of dogs need to be trained well, and they don’t love to be overhandled when they are not accustomed to children. They have something of a “small dog” complex, and they don’t want to be cornered or picked up without feeling comfortable.

Typically, because they are so small, they become rather aggressive in their own defense to prevent children from picking them up. If you choose to bring this breed into the home, make sure to always monitor your children around them to prevent any unfortunate accidents.

Dogs Similar To Chiweenies

If this hybrid dog isn’t the right dog for you, there are a few alternatives that could work out perfectly for you. Consider the dachshund, chihuahua, or Brussels griffon.

• Dachshund: Dachshund is one of the two breeds that make up the dog. It loves to hunt and is a great show dog.
• Chihuahua: The Chihuahua is the second breed that the dog comes from, offering a playful attitude and a big personality.
• Brussels Griffon: The Brussels Griffon offers a similarly small build to the dog, and it is closely related to the pug.

Famous Chiweenies

While the hybrid has yet to become more famous in movies and television, one particular pup has made quite an appearance on social media — Tuna. Tuna already has millions of followers, and he was born in 2010.

The breed is still fairly new, so there aren’t any recorded versions in history or as celebrity pets, but that may change as their popularity rises.