Among the many cute mix breeds of dogs stands the tiny, absolutely adorable, and immensely lovable Dachshund-Chihuahua hybrid. Known by many nicknames, this dog is a thorough delight to have around. DogAppy lists some personality traits, accompanied with other facts and pictures of the Chiweenie.
So Many Names!
For such a small dog, the Dachshund-Chihuahua mix breed sure has many names. Some of them are Chiweenie, Chihiweenie, Chawinnie, Doxiwawa, and Dachuahua.
If raised well and socialized from a young age, chiweenie’s make wonderful pets. They can be real cuddly snuggle bugs. They love to receive all the attention you can give. Playful and fun, they will lick your face and keep you company through everything, good times and bad. And not only that, it is small in size and does not require a lot of space, so you can take it with you on your travels!
This mix is good for everyone―families, old folks, and people who live alone. Ciweenies can be one of the most loyal companions you could ask for. Read on to know some more facts about this rather interesting mixed dog breed.
Adult Chihuahua
Adult Dachshund
Chiweenie Puppy
Personality Traits
Temperament
As with all breeds of dogs, their temperament is dependent on how well socialized they are. If socialized and trained well, this dog can be quite even tempered. You want to help make them confident and well adjusted. If you do this, the Chiweenie will love people and other dogs. They can be quite social and like mingling with everyone.
With Children
Being quite friendly by nature, it is an excellent playmate for children, if positively exposed form a young age. However, keep in mind that being a small dog, it may be prone to physical injuries, so make sure you teach your children how to play and interact with them in an appropriate way. Children should always know to treat the dogs with gentle care.
Family Love!
Chiweenies can be great family pets. The Dachshund-Chihuhua mix is a dog with a lot of spirit and energy and can be loads of fun. It may tend to bark more than you may want, but you can work on this by teaching it a “quiet” cue. Often these pups thing they are bigger than they are and have wonderful, funny dispositions. They make great apartment dogs!
Appearance
Size
This dog, like its parent breeds, is small in size. However, the size varies depending on whether the parents are standard-sized or miniature dogs. The miniature Chiweenie weighs between 8 to 10 pounds (3 to 3.5 kg), whereas the standard-sized one weighs between 11 to 20 pounds (4 to 9 kg), sometimes more. It is not more than 10 inches tall in height.
Physical Traits
This dog’s head can either be flat like a Dachshund, or rounded like a Chihuahua. The ears mostly point outward and look like bat wings. They are floppy, and stand upright when the dog is alert. The nose may be pointed or short, depending on which genes are stronger, and black or brown in color. The eyes are almond-shaped and can be black, brown, or even green in color. The tail is long and curved. The legs are short, and the paws are small.
Coat
The coat type also varies with a particular puppy’s parentage. It can be short and rough, or long and silky. The colors also vary. Most commonly found coat colors are black, tan, and brown. But white, red, blonde, or multicolored coats are also seen.
Diet
As with any dog, you want to make sure you are feeding him a well balanced and nutritional diet. Since it is small, there is no need to feed it large amounts. You never want to overfeed your dog or he will become obese and may suffer health issues. As every dog is unique, it is recommended that you talk to your local high quality pet store regarding the kind of food you can feed your pet, and the frequency of the same.
Grooming
The amount of grooming he needs depends on his coat. If it has a short coat, then brushing a couple of times a week is sufficient to remove the loose hair. However, if the coat is long and silky, then brushing every 2 to 3 days is a advised. This is because longer fur tends to mat and tangle, which is what we need to avoid. A soft-bristled brush does the job well enough. Bathing is also not required on a regular basis. It can either be monthly, or if your dog has rolled in mud or jumped in the trash can. Otherwise, frequent bathing will strip the dog’s skin of the natural oils that it produces to remain healthy.
Health
The average life expectancy of the Chiweenie is 12 to 14 years, though they can live up to 16 years, or even more. The Chiweenie is inclined to share many of the same conditions that the Chihuahua and Dachshund may have. While most are generally healthy, some may be subject to some health issues, which, of course, you always want t make sure you are maintaining good care and regular veterinary checkups. Some of the common health problems that this breed can inherit from its parents are as follows.
- Hypothyroidism
- Pollen allergies
- Hypoglycemia
- Disc problems
- Teeth crowding
- Diabetes
- Tooth decay
- Patellar luxation
Exercise
This is a lively little canine. Do not be fooled by its size; it is not the kind to laze around the house all day long. A longish walk or a short run, twice a day, is important. If you have a big backyard or a dog park nearby, that’s great! You won’t want to leave him out there alone. Dogs generally won’t play by themselves in the yard so would love for you to play with them. Playing is essential, and so is mental stimulation. This dog is prone to boredom, and may bark or become destructive if he doesn’t get enough stimulation. Hence, make sure that you keep your pet engaged in something interesting to avoid it from finding destructive outlets for all that pent-up energy.
Living Conditions
The Chiweenie is basically a lap dog. Their size makes them perfect candidates for an apartment and does not require too much space. Just make sure that its exercise requirements are met, and you will have a delight of a dog as a pet. Another plus of being so small and cute is that you can easily take it with you while traveling. Why not enjoy the sights, sounds, and new people of foreign lands with your loving pooch?
Training
This dog is is intelligent and easily trained. Positive reinforcement and lots of encouragement work wonders. Use treats to train the behaviors that you do want. Exercise his mind by training fun tricks. Take him to a local agility or flyball class. You will both have a blast.
The Dachshund-Chihuahua mix is a small dog filled with giant surprises. From its appearance to its nature and personality, this pooch is a gem. Get a Chiweenie home, and be prepared to receive a lot of love from a very small package. They love to cuddles which makes them a great lap dog. He may possibly bond more closely to one person, therefore becoming that person’s shadowe.