The Chiweenie is a playful, active, and loyal mixed-breed dog with a comical personality that can add spice to any home. This little yet mighty lapdog resulted from crossing the Dachshund and the Chihuahua dog in the early 1990s. Chiweenies inherit the golden traits of parent breeds. So they end up full of energy, loyalty, affection, and bubbly personality.
Unlike many other lap dogs, Chiweenies won’t be lazy couch potato. They love to play endlessly and love their people unconditionally, keeping them on your toes. Another plus point is their small size suits them for all living styles.
Whether it’s a small apartment, a vanity van, or a single household, a Chiweenie will be playful and happy everywhere. If you want to know more about this adorable dog breed or plan to bring one into your house, this article is for you.
Here, you will find all the essential details on the Chiweenies’ history, appearance, health, and other vital things, helping you decide whether it’s the right pet for you.
So let’s get started!
Chiweenie (Dachshund X Chihuahua): History
The Chiweenie was first bred intentionally in the United States in the 1990s. Fascinatingly, the very first Chiweenie is believed to have popped up between 1950 and 1960 due to the unintentional breeding of a dachshund and a chihuahua.
The main reason behind the intentional breeding of Chiweenie was to produce a dog that looked like a dachshund but without back issues. It’s one of the common health problems that dachshunds suffer from because of their elongated bodies.
Nevertheless, the crossing was successful because people got a super adorable, loyal, friendly, and fun-loving dog to adopt as a pet.
Despite its soaring demand, the Chiweenie still needs recognition from the American Kennel Club. But the good thing is that they have been recognized by many other clubs dedicated to designer dogs, including the Designer Breed Registry, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Chiweenie (Dachshund X Chihuahua): Key Characteristics
Inheriting some of the best traits from the parents, the Chiweenie turned out to be a very lovable and playful dog, which makes them great for all families, single or large.
Below are the key traits that characterize the Chiweenies:
| Group: | Hybrid or designer |
| Height: | 6-10 inches |
| Weight: | 5-12 pounds |
| Life expectancy: | 12-16 years |
| Coat colours: | Black, silver, white, brown, blue, fawn, or a mix of these colours |
| Coat type: | Long, wire, or short-haired |
| Temperament: | Loyal, yappy, spunky, loyal, energetic and stubborn |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Exercise Needs: | Medium |
| Energy Level: | High |
| Intelligence: | High |
| Barking Tendency: | High |
| Shedding Rate: | Medium |
| Kid- or pet-friendly: | Medium |
| Suited for: | Single owners, couples, apartment or penthouse dwellers, small to large families with older children |
| Common Names: | Choxie, Dachuahua, The German Taco, Weeniehuahua, Chihiweenie, The Mexican Hot Dog, Chiwee, Doxichi and Doxiwawa. |
1. Appearance
You can distinguish Chiweenie by its short legs and disproportionately long body, which is shorter than that of a purebred Dachshund. They have dark, bulging eyes and apple-shaped heads, resembling chihuahuas. But their nose is more extended than doxies.
In addition, a Chiweenie can inherit short, upright ears like a Chihuahua or long, saggy ears like a Dachshund. They typically resemble the Chihuahua’s small size but are relatively larger. They measure 6 to 10 inches in height and weigh 5 to 12 pounds.
Another characteristic feature of Chiweenies is their short, glossy coats. Some can even have medium-length wire coats, depending on their parents. However, Chiweenies can be of varied coat colours, from black, white, red, and cream to Wheaton, red, black, tan, and chocolate or/and tan.
2. Temperament
One of the significant reasons behind the rising popularity of Chiweenies is their prominent personalities. They are loving, friendly, affectionate, and lively dogs who can be a joy to add to any family. You can rely on your Chiweenie to alert you of strangers or anything unusual.
Being an excellent watchdog, they will bark at almost everything. But you mostly find them showcasing their amusing, eager-to-please nature, always active to play and be around their people.
3. Health
Like other mixed breeds, Chiweenies are usually healthier than their purebred Dachshund and Chihuahua parents. But they are still prone to health problems similar to their parent breeds.
The most notable medical risks include:
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Luxating patellas
- Hip dysplasia
- Hydrocephalus
- Hypoglycemia
- Glaucoma and cataracts
- Cushing’s disease
- Cardiac problems like Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease (DMVD)
- Collapsed trachea
Other moderate health risks include:
- Ear infections
- Allergies
- Skin problems like Bacterial Dermatitis
- Obesity
- Dental issues like periodontitis
Regular or yearly check-ups with your vet will help ensure your canine buddy’s good health. You can catch and treat any health problems before they become severe.
4. Dietary Needs
A nutrition-rich, balanced diet is recommended—at least 25% quality animal protein, sufficient carbs, vitamins, and minerals. The diet should include 1 to 1 ½ cups of dry dog food daily, depending on your Chiweenie’s size.
Keep a check on the amount of food and treats your dog eats because they are at risk of obesity. Always ask your vet for recommendations because the dietary requirements vary according to a dog’s size and health condition.
5. Exercise & Training
Chiweenies aren’t born to be marathons. However, their short legs and long bodies still need exercise but at a moderate level. Otherwise, it can summon back problems.
A short daily walk will meet Chiweenie’s energy and exercise needs. Or 25 to 30 minutes of playtime in the yard or anywhere indoors will also do.
Chiweenies are intelligent but stubborn and tend to be jealous. So, this calls for early socialization and training. Training might be challenging, but praise and treats can help simplify your work.
6. Chiweenies With Kids & Other Pets
Unfortunately, Chiweenies aren’t suitable for homes with small children. Your infant might handle or play with the tiny Chiweenie pup too roughly, considering it a soft toy. The puppy can reciprocate using his sharp teeth and paws. This unsupervised reciprocation can lead to unnecessary accidents.
On the other hand, the little mischievous Chiweenie can chase small pets in the house.
So the Dachshund Chihuahua mixed breed is ideal for:
- Families with adults and no small kids
- People who can give ample time to them
- People living in small spaces, like apartments or penthouses
- Non-allergic houses
- People who can’t provide enough time for exercise
7. Grooming
Chiweenies with short coats are relatively easy to groom. A swift brushing twice a week will meet their grooming needs. On the contrary, the long-haired Chiweenies will usually require regular brushing to keep them tangle-free.
Bathing with a good dog shampoo once every month will suffice. Remember to brush your Chiweenie’s teeth at least 2 to 3 times a week. Trim the nails with dog clippers and clean the ears to prevent infection.
FAQ’s
Are Chiweenies lap dogs?
The tiny Chiweenies love to spend most of their time on laps and enjoy cuddling. Despite being highly active and energetic dogs, their favorite pastime is snuggling with their owner and napping on their lap.
Are Chiweenies suitable for apartments?
A Chiweenie will fit into a small space thanks to its tiny size. So, they make for excellent apartment dogs. You only need to be careful of one thing – your Chiweenie is pretty vocal. It can annoy your neighbor, causing noise pollution.
Can Chiweenies get aggressive?
Chiweenies can get aggressive if they feel threatened or want to defend themselves from getting hurt. This can happen often when this small dog is with small children. So Chiweenies isn’t a good choice for families with small kids.
Conclusion
The Chiweenie comes with a lot of personality in its tiny body. They are loving, loyal, brave, and caring. Although full of energy, a Chiweenie prefers to cuddle on their owner’s lap.
Chiweenies are easy to train and require moderate exercise to maintain their health and mental well-being. They suit nearly all living spaces, including apartments and tiny houses. They will need adult supervision to avoid accidents with small kids or pets.
If you are looking to bring a highly energetic, cuddly, and funky dog into your small space, the Chiweenie is worth considering.