Chiweenie Dog Breed Info – The Perfect Mixture
With a teddy bear-like face, small chubby legs, and a sausage-like body, the Chiweenie dog is the perfect mix of cuteness and spunkiness! Also called the Chixie, this dog like is a walking and barking kid’s toy that everybody wants to pet! But make sure not to treat your fur baby like a toy.
Chiweenie is not a purebred dog but a cross between one of the smallest dogs; Chihuahua and the Sausage dog, Dachshund. Being one of the most adorable small-sized dogs, it is in high demand nowadays.
If you are on this page, you are most likely planning to get a Chiweenie and looking for a guide on the breed. Luckily, you are in the right place because you’ll find everything about Chiweenie including temperament, grooming, traits, and health-related issues.
So, if you like to know more about this fascinating breed, read on for a complete guide on the Chiweenie.
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Table of Contents
History and Introduction to Chiweenie Dog
The Chiweenie is a mixed breed dog, bred using cross-breeding techniques between the Dachshund and the Chihuahua. The breed was discovered entirely by accident at first but proved to be popular amongst dog owners leading to intentional breeding.
In fact, the first Chiweenieor Chixie did not come into existence until the late 90s. What is more, is that the American Kennel Club still does not recognize it as a breed because it is a designer dog. But that has not stopped dog lovers from starting their very own Chiweenie clubs.
Although the origin of the Chiweenie is still a mystery, it is believed that they first appeared in parts of Northern America.
Related: Spaniel Chihuahua Mix
What are the most common features of Chiweenie?
Unlike most dogs, the Chiweenie is found in varying appearances and physical attributes as a result of differences in breeding practices. However, here are a few common features that can help you spot a Chiweenie.
- It is a small dog, so it is no surprise that it does not grow beyond the height of nine inches.
- They are also quite light-weighted, with most dogs weighing as less as 2kg making them the perfect lap dog.
- Their coats can be rough as well as silky, medium-length, or quite long, depending on which of their parent breed they take after more.
- Typically, the Chiweenie has a long sausage-shaped body like the Dachshund with short stubby legs or a stout and sturdy build like the Chihuahua.
- Their heads are dome-shaped with either floppy long ears or small upright ears.
- These teddy bear-like dogs are found in a multitude of colors from black, white, tan, or a combination of two or three shades.
- The Chiweenie has almond-shaped eyes, sometimes blue like the ocean and other times brown like chocolate balls.
- Their tails are small and cute, slightly curled up towards their body.
- Chiweenies have triangular noses, longer than that of a Chihuahua.
- All in all, they are small, delicate dogs that can fit in even your pockets.
Temperament
Don’t let the Chiweenie’s small size fool you. These dogs are feisty, mischievous, and energetic. While they enjoy sitting in laps and prancing around, they can give you a run for your money in a game of fetch.
While they enjoy love and affection, they like to play favorites and are typically more devoted to one owner.
By nature, the Chixie is intelligent and playful but they can also be very yappy and noisy. This makes them good guard dogs but also hard to house train.
Like all dogs, this Chihuahua-Dachshund mix is loyal, loving, and a very comforting housemate. We can say that it is a perfect companion for people that live alone.
Related: Cockapoo Dog Breed Info
Living with the Chiweenies
While the Chiweenies make wonderful house pets, they are simply not suitable for families with small children. These dogs are very fragile and can be fatally injured if manhandled by a child. Therefore, we recommend them to families with older children. Also, if you have large-sized dogs in your home such as a Rottweiler or Great Dane, consider not getting a Chiweenie due to the risk of injury.
The Chiweenie gets along better with cats and smaller dogs and is an indoor pet. So, leaving them outdoors unsupervised could be potentially dangerous for them. Their miniature size is therefore best suited to apartment life where there are fewer chances of getting hurt.
Grooming & Care
The Chiweenie is a very low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. Just brush their coat once a week, bathe them once or twice a month and they are good to go. But, their nails require slightly more attention and need to be clipped as often as possible.
When taking a Chiweenie for a walk, you will have to apply sunblock to their face during summer and dress them in a warm sweater during the winter. This is because their coats alone are not enough to protect them against the sun and cold.
How to train a Chiweenie?
Training Chiweenie consists of taking them out for a brief walk every day and exposing them to early socialization opportunities such as other pets, kids, and different people. This is to ensure that they grow up to be obedient, playful, and healthy.
Some dog owners claim that Chiweenie dogs are difficult to train as they are very stubborn and will intentionally defy orders just like a Chihuahua. However, if owners assert their dominance from the very start, they will listen to them more easily.
Health Concerns
Being a crossbreed puts the Chiweenie at risk of inheriting health complications from both its parent breeds. Their genetic makeup puts them at risk of obesity, diabetes, and many other long-term health complications.
What is perhaps even more alarming are their back problems, owing to a fragile spinal cord and joint pains that can handicap them at an early age.
Even advanced ear infections can result in the cause of surgery in this dog. Therefore, dog owners are expected to take extra good care of their health and take them to the vet for frequent checkups.
To avoid genetic health issues in your dogs, get a puppy from a well-reputed and responsible breeder and not a puppy mill. Always ask for the necessary health certificates of the puppy’s parents and vaccination records of the puppies.
Fun Facts
There is a Chiweenie named, Tuna on Instagram with over 2 million followers. Isn’t that fascinating?
Tuna
View this post on Instagram
Another interesting thing about Chiweenie is that despite their miniature size, they make pretty great guard dogs. This is because they can be incredibly loud and yappy and therefore perfect for driving away strangers.
Wrapping it up
The Chiweenie is a very cute and loveable dog (all the dogs are loveable though). However, they are dogs with special needs and aren’t the best breed for a busy person. They are sweet by nature but suffer severe separation anxiety that may lead to destructive behavior.
So, if you do decide to adopt or buy a Chiweenie, be ready to commit a hundred percent to their care and your Chixie will love you to the moon and back in return.
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