The Fox Terrier Chihuahua is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Taco Terrier. Several canine clubs recognise this breed as a designer dog. They are the most cutest, playful, and friendly dogs. They are the smallest ones with big personalities. They are the most courageous ones, highly energetic and aggressive sometimes. If you are searching for a calm dog, there will be better choices than this.
Their temperament depends on many factors, including genetics, socialisation, and training. Only when you spend time with them you will understand their personality.
This article will help you understand whether this breed is suitable for you. So let’s dive into the article.
About Taco Terrier
The Taco Terrier is a small-sized, intelligent, and highly energetic breed. This breed has inherited these temperaments through the parent breeds.
They are easy to manage because they are small but have a lot of energy. They are small animals with big personalities.
They have large bat ears, which are unexpectedly large compared to their body structure and size. Their eyes are so adorable that they will win your heart. They are explosions after broken packets with their courageous personality.
Taco Terriers: Origin And Parent Breeds
They have entered this world as a new breed by crossing a Chihuahua and a Toy Fox Terrier. There is no information on when this breed originated. Both the parent dogs have their pros and cons, but the mixed breed is the cutest version of both of them. This breed is one of the smallest breeds and has different temperaments.
Taco Terriers are a mixture of two different breeds, so they must inherit traits from both parents. You must know about the parent breeds to understand more about the Taco Terrier crossbreed. So, let’s know about them.
About Chihuahua
The chihuahua is a Mexican breed that originated around 300 BC. The chihuahua is one of the smallest breeds of all and originated from Chihuahua, Mexico. The chihuahua originated from the breed Techichi which was an ancient Mesoamerican breed.
The chihuahua resulted from a cross between a Techichi and the Chinese crested dog. The Chinese crested dog was the world’s ugliest dog and won a competition for their ugliness; they are hairless dogs. In the early 1900s, the chihuahua became popular in the U.S. They have been members of the American kennel club since 1904, and they are the 30th most liked dogs in America.
Here is some short info about this breed that will help you to understand their physical appearance:
| Physical Appearance | |
|---|---|
| Height | 8-23 cm |
| Weight | 1-3 kg |
| Coat | short-haired and smooth or long-haired |
| Color | any color combination and is always in unicolor |
| Lifespan | 12-20 years |
Another name for this breed is Chihuahueno. They are lively, aggressive, devoted, alert, quick, and courageous.
About Toy Fox Terrier
The Toy Fox Terrier is a tiny dog that originated in the U.S. in the 1900s. They are miniature versions of Smooth Fox Terriers. They originated from Manchester Terriers, Italian Greyhounds, Miniature Pinschers, Smooth Fox Terriers, and chihuahuas to create small dogs.
Here is some short info about this breed that will help you to understand their physical appearance:
| Physical Appearance | |
|---|---|
| Height | 8.5-11.5 inches |
| Weight | 3.5-7 pounds |
| Coat | short length |
| Color | dual-color or tri-color patterns |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
They often perform in circuses, shows, and agility competitions. Since 1936 they have been registered in the USA with UKC as a separate breed. They also include traits such as being easy to train, groom, hiking companion, friendly and loyal.
Key Temperaments of Taco Terriers
If you are thinking about a new family member, knowing about the breed’s temperament is necessary. We will discuss all the key temperaments of the Taco Terriers crossbreed in this section of the article.
Characteristics of The Taco Terriers
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Size | Small |
| Height | 6-9 in |
| Weight | 3-6 pounds |
| Coat colors | Red, Fawn, White, Black, Blue, Brown, brindle, Speckled and chocolate |
| Coat length | short |
| Coat density | Sparse-normal |
| Coat texture | straight or wiry |
| Shedding | Occasional shedding |
| Nose | black and brown |
| Ears | pointy ears |
| Eyes | brown |
| Barking tendency | high |
| Life span | 13-15 years |
| Kids friendly | yes |
| Temperament | Athletic, courageous, friendly and energetic |
1. Personality
The Taco Terriers crossbreed is friendly, outgoing, and playful. However, they can sometimes become aggressive, depending on their moods and the capability of the person handling the pet. That being said, they are mostly aggressive with strangers and when threatened. They are small but courageous and love to chew.
You can work on their aggressive nature by providing them with proper training. They can be good for you as a first pet owner. They are highly intelligent and take commands quickly. They are loving and easily get attached to their family members, making them great family dogs. They are also friendly towards other pets.
They don’t need a lot of space. So a small apartment with a small yard wouldn’t be a worry.
They can be a good guard for your family because of their courageous personality.
2. Appearance
The Taco Terriers crossbreed has a head, a short tail, a small athletic body, jet-black eyes, and pointy ears. They have short to medium-length coats with Sparse-normal coat density and straight or wiry coat texture according to the parent breeds.
They are usually multi-colored; some common colors are Red, Fawn, White, Black, Blue, Brown, brindle, Speckled, and chocolate. Their pointy ears are floppy and hang on their face. They have a black or brown nose with jet-black round eyes, which will win your heart briskly. They weigh less than 8 pounds and are 6-9 inches tall.
3. Barking Tendency
The Taco Terriers crossbreed tends to bark a lot. The reason could be out of fear, or they want to grab your attention. They may also bark for other reasons, like when they see a stranger or when stressed, when separated from their master, or when anxious. This breed has inherited its tendency from its parent breeds, who have a high barking tendency.
They will alert you with a sharp barking if they sense any danger or see any stranger approaching your house. They are a courageous breed who will protect you even if the threat is large or scary.
4. Grooming
Depending on their parentage, the taco terriers require moderate or low maintenance. They are one of the dogs that can be maintained easily because of their small size.
They are not hypoallergenic dogs, but their saliva and urine can cause allergies or infections. Brushing will depend on the size of the hair on the body. If they have long hair, the brushing should be done daily, and if the hair is short, you can brush weekly. Occasional teeth cleaning is required, and nails should not be trimmed regularly. You can give them occasional showers because it may be problematic for them.
Always use the grooming kit for brushing them and branded shampoos for their occasional baths. Occasional teeth brushing is recommended because they have tiny and sharp teeth. Regular teeth brushing may damage the gums. Always use vet-advised toothpaste for your pet.
5. The Activity Needs
They need regular exercise or at least one hour of exercise every day. Take them for a walk every day for two to three times to maintain their health and to prevent them from being bored. Take them to a park near your location and play with numerous props
so that they get their required dose of activities.
They don’t need much space for their exercise and playtime. They are also highly obsessed with chewing something, so you can provide them with toys to divert their attention. Also, they are very energetic and love playing with loved ones.
And because they are so energetic, they require a heavy workout daily. You can also add some extra games for them, such as ball-fetching, running, and stick games. In short, they need a couple of hours of exercise daily to maintain and live a healthy lifestyle.
6. Health Issues of Taco Terriers
The Taco Terriers crossbreed is generally healthy. But, they can have minor or major health issues, such as Arthritis, obesity, Skin disorder or eye issues, cancer, Patella luxation, Trachea collapse, Periodontal disease, or Supernumerary teeth. So, know about their health issues before you have them as a new member.
Here I have discussed a few health issues in detail.
Minor Health Issues
Below are some of the minor health issues this breed may face from time to time.
- Arthritis: As your Taco Terriers crossbreed grows older, you will notice this issue in them. It happens due to their active nature. It can result in them suffering from joint and bone issues. You could recognize it by seeing their difficulty getting up when lying down. You may also see stiffness in their hips or elbows or general weakness.
- Obesity: Be aware of this issue because these breeds get obese easily due to their small size. You can protect them by providing a fixed, proper and healthy diet. The recommended food consumption for this breed is 1 cup per day.
- Skin disorder: This disease occurs in your pet because we often don’t use medicated products for bathing and when brushing the pet. To prevent your pet from this disease, you will have to use medicated and branded products for them.
- Eye issues: It’s a common issue that occurs due to allergic reactions similar to eye issues that humans face. It may include redness, inflammation, and eye discharge. It’s a common infection found in dogs known as pink eyes.
Major Issues
Besides the above-mentioned minor issues, you may notice some major issues in taco terriers. You need to take extra care to prevent such issues.
- Cancer: As your Taco Terriers crossbreed grows older, you will have to conduct regular blood tests on them since the symptoms of this disease aren’t always apparent. Also, there is very little chance of disease being detected early.
It would help if you took proper care of your furry friend as they grow older. Look for symptoms of tiredness or loss of weight. - Patella luxation: It occurs when the dog’s kneecap shifts out of alignment and sits on the groove of the thighbone. In small size dogs, this movement occurs medially or inside the limb. It can occur in one or both backsides of the legs. Surgery may be required to cure this disease if the condition is too severe.
- Tracheal Collapse: It is a disease of the trachea windpipe that is progressive and can cause consistent coughing. This issue commonly occurs because of the fox terrier’s small size. This disease generally occurs in the middle or older age and can be cured with medication.
- Periodontal Disease: This breed requires proper teeth brushing because food can easily get stuck in its mouth. The tartar irritates the gum and causes inflammation, known as gingivitis. If left untreated, it will result in Periodontal disease. In such cases, if the disease becomes severe, it can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.
- Supernumerary teeth: It’s a dental issue caused by numerous teeth in a small mouth. It is generally found in small-size dogs. It is not a huge problem until your pet doesn’t show any discomfort or pain in their teeth.
Suppose you notice any changes in their habits, activities, or body. In that case, you must directly consult your veterinarian to make the right decision regarding the quality of life for your pet.
What Are The Dietary Needs of Taco Terriers?
The Taco Terriers crossbreed is not known for overeating. As they are small in size, they require less but high-quality food. They require one cup of dry food daily. You can provide dry kibble to your pet to keep their teeth clean and healthy and reduce tartar build-up in their gum.
You must provide them with high-quality and healthy food to maintain their energy level and prevent obesity. Providing fatty meat, dairy products, chocolates, or grains isn’t recommended because it may lead to health issues such as allergies.
They require 150-240 calories per day to maintain a healthy weight. After consulting with a veterinarian, you can also provide them with extra supplements and nutrients.
What is The Lifespan of Taco Terriers?
These breeds can live 13 to 15 years but also longer than the provided life span if you care for them properly and provide a healthy diet. You will also have to take care of their activities and regular exercises to extend their life span.
Conclusion
To sum up, these breed dogs are courageous, sense danger quickly, and get into it no matter how big the danger is. They are friendly, outgoing, and playful.
They are a good guard and loyal to their owner. They become aggressive on some occasions, depending on their moods and the capability of the person handling the pet. They’re mostly aggressive with strangers and when threatened.
All said and done. you must take care of their daily requirements to ensure your pet friend stays physically healthy and mentally active.