Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Breed – Complete Guide 2023

The Chihuahua Dachshund mix is an increasingly popular designer breed best known for its small size and larger-than-life personality. Vocal, lively, loyal, and affectionate, this mix is an ideal apartment dweller and combines the best traits of a Chihuahua and a Dachshund.

Is a Chiweenie a good dog? The Chihuahua Dachshund mix, also known as a Chiweenie, is a great companion dog to people of all ages. When socialized from a young age, this mix also gets along with children and is a good family pet. Loyal and loving, the Chiweenie tends to pick a special person to favor over all others.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Chihuahua Dachshund mix and help you decide if this spunky little dog is the right choice for you. Let’s find out, shall we?

What is a Chihuahua Dachshund Mix? 

The Chihuahua Dachshund mix is a designer breed developed by crossing a purebred Chihuahua with a purebred Dachshund. Although hailing from purebred parents, the Chiweenie is a mixed breed and as such not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Often called Chiweenie, the Chihuahua Dachshund mix is also known as Choxie, Weeniehuahua, the Mexican Hot Dog, and the German Taco.

Brief History

It’s highly likely that Chiweenies existed naturally for many years, but it wasn’t until the late 1990s that breeders started intentionally crossing Chihuahuas and Dachshunds. The idea behind these efforts was to create a dog breed that wouldn’t inherit back problems that are often seen in Dachshunds.

Chihuahua

Hailing from Mexico, Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed and a member of the toy group (source). Bred to be ultimate companion dogs, Chihuahuas are fiercely loyal and devoted to their owners.

Highly adaptable and healthy, Chihuahuas are great apartment dwellers and best suited for families with older kids, seniors, or single people.

Dachshund

Created in Germany to scent, chase, and flush badgers, rabbits, and other burrowing critters, the Dachshund is a member of the hound group. Nicknamed the wiener dog and sausage dog, the Dachshund has a long body, short legs, and can have short, long, or wire-haired coat.

Known for being independent and stubborn, Dachshunds can be hard to train, but are very loyal and devoted to their owners.

Both – Mixed Breed – Chihuahua Dachshund Mix

When you mix a Chihuahua with a Dachshund you get a Chiweenie – a small but fearless pooch who won’t be afraid to stand for those he loves. As an offspring of two highly vocal dog breeds, the Chiweenie likes to bark and can be described as yappy.

Loyal and devoted to a fault, the Chihuahua Dachshund mix tends to pick a favorite person, but it will also get along with other family members. Attention seeking and demanding, Chiweenies are best suited for smaller families or single people.

Characteristics of Chihuahua Dachshund Mix

Characteristics of Chihuahua Dachshund Mix

Since there is no way of predicting the exact appearance of any mixed-breed dog, you should expect the unexpected! Generally speaking, Chiweenies usually inherit a sausage-shaped body from a Dachshund and the legs from a Chihuahua.

When it comes to facial features, your Chiweenie puppy can have a slightly elongated head like a Dachshund or an apple-shaped head of a Chihuahua. The ears can be floppy or erect, and eyes can come in brown, black, green, or blue color.

Chiweenie Highlights:

SizeSmall size
Weight5-12 pounds
Height6-10 inches
Coat TypeShort or medium-long coat
SheddingLow shedding
Energy LevelModerate
Overall HealthGood
Lifespan12-16 years

Size

Considering that both Chihuahuas and Dachshunds are small dogs, their mix can’t be anything else but small in size. Since the Chihuahua Dachshund mix is a new designer breed there are no set standards when it comes to size, so not Chiweenies will be equally small.

Height

When it comes to height, most Chiweenies are usually between six to 10 inches tall at the shoulder. However, many can be shorter or taller depending on the exact height of both parent breeds.

Weight

The tiny Chihuahua Dachshund mix usually weighs between five to 12 pounds. Many can weigh less or more, depending on the weight and size of both parents.

Coat Color

Chiweenies can sport any solid coat color that is seen in Chihuahuas and Dachshunds or have brindle or multicolored coats. In most cases, their coats are a mix of coat colors seen in both parent breeds.

The most commonly seen colors are:

  • Brown
  • Black
  • White
  • Blonde
  • Tan

Shedding

Chiweenies most often have a short coat that doesn’t shed a lot which makes this mixed-breed a great choice for allergy sufferers. On the other hand, Chiweenies with a long coat do shed to some extent, and might not be a good option if you suffer from allergies.

Temperament

It’s hard to predict the individual temperament of any Chihuahua Dachshund mix. As all other mixed-breed dogs, your Chiweenie can take more after one parent, or inherit personality traits from both its parents.

To get a better idea of how your pooch is going to behave you should meet and spend some time interacting with both parent dogs.  

While much is uncertain, the Chiweenie’s temperament is best described as being feisty. Although small in size, the Chihuahua Dachshund mix is an incredibly loyal and devoted dog that’s highly protective of its family.

True to its parents, this mix loves to bark and has a potential to talk your ear off if given a chance. While their yappy nature can be hard to bear if you are used to peace and quiet, it does make Chiweenies excellent at watchdog duties.

While too small to cause any damage to an intruder, there is no way that your Chiweenie won’t alert you when someone is at the front door or lurking in the backyard. The only downside of having a great watchdog is that your neighbors probably won’t appreciate frenzied barking at all hours of the day and night.

Due to their tiny size, you might think that Chiweenies are perfect lap dogs, but that’s not really the case. While they love physical affection, Chiweenies have a playful spirit and will probably pick a toy over a cuddle session.

Highly affectionate and loving, this Chihuahua mix forms strong bonds with its owners and tends to get attached to one particular person in the family. If you end up being that special person, your Chiweenie might demand your time and attention.

Due to these traits, Chiweenies might be best suited for smaller families or single people who will be able to give them love and attention they so much crave.

Pet Friendly

Most Chiweenies can get along with other pets only if they are introduced at an early age and slowly. You should know that Chiweenies aren’t naturally fond of other animals and generally prefer being the only pet.

However, with early socialization and patience, it’s possible to help your mix become more friendly and accepting of other animals (source).

Child Friendly

The Chihuahua Dachshund mix likes adults and older children who know how to interact and play with a dog gently. Still, they can also get along nicely with small children who know how to play with such a small dog without injuring it.

Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Care

Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Care

As with all other dogs, you should come up with a regular care routine as soon as you bring a Chiweenie puppy home. Taking proper care of your pooch and knowing his unique needs will help him to lead a happy and healthy life.

Health Risks

Being mixed-breed, Chiweenies are generally healthier than their parents. However, this mix is predisposed to some of the same health problems that affect Chihuahuas and Dachshunds.

The most common health problems are:

  • Hypoglycemia
  • Diabetes
  • Degenerative disk disease
  • Dental problems
  • Allergies
  • Hypothyroidism

While this may seem like a lot, Chiweenies have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years and can even longer when properly cared for.

Grooming

The Chihuahua Dachshund mix has minimal grooming requirements and is a low-maintenance breed. If your Chiweenie has a short and smooth coat, you’ll have to brush him only two to three times a week.

However, if your pooch inherits the Dachshund’s long or wire-haired coat you’ll have to brush him five times a week to remove loose hair and prevent mats and tangles from forming.

Regardless of your dog’s coat type and length, bath him once a month at the most. Frequent bathing can dry up your dog’s skin and damage his coat so do it only when necessary (source).

Furthermore, you’ll need to trim your dog’s nails once per month and check his ears weekly and clean when necessary. Still, you’ll have to pay special attention to your Chiweenie’s dental hygiene and brush his teeth daily, since they have small jaws and can easily develop serious dental problems (source).

Food or Diet

An ideal diet for the Chihuahua Dachshund mix should be formulated for small breeds with high energy. Considering how small they are, you won’t spend a ton of money on dog food every month, so opt to feed your mix with high-quality kibble.

Note, Chiweenies can easily gain weight if they are overfed, so avoid free-feeding your dog and stick to a regular feeding schedule. To prevent digestive issues and keep your mix energized through the day feed him two or three equally spaced smaller meals.

Training and Exercise

While small in size, the Chiweenie needs regular exercise to stay healthy and in good shape. Being a moderately active breed, your mix will need up to 30 minutes of mild exercise, like walking.

Besides walks to the park, you should also spend some time every day playing with your Chiweenie. Fun-loving and spirited your pooch will enjoy playing games and having a variety of toys to keep him busy.

Although Chiweenies are intelligent and able to learn things, they are stubborn and easily distracted which makes them hard to train. Arm yourself with a ton of patience and start training your mix from a young age using positive reinforcement and rewards.

Just like a Chihuahua, your mix can be territorial and feisty towards other dogs and strangers, so early socialization is a must! (source) Start training and socializing your mix from puppyhood by taking him to dog parks and exposing him to different people and situations.

Note, don’t hesitate to seek professional help if training your Chiweenie is more than you can handle. Enrolling your pooch into puppy obedience classes and working with a professional trainer will help your Chiweenie to grow into a well-behaved and obedient dog.

Housing

Due to their tiny size and thin coat, Chiweenies should be kept indoors exclusively. They don’t tolerate extreme temperatures well and can develop serious behavioral problems if locked outside in a kennel all day.

The great thing about this mix is that it doesn’t need a lot of space and will adapt to a tiny apartment or a huge house as long as you are there to keep him company.

Where to Get Chihuahua Dachshund Mix?

The Chihuahua Dachshund mix is an increasingly popular designer hybrid and a lot easier to find compared to some designer breeds. As always you can either adopt or shop.

Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Breeders

If you are set on getting your Chiweenie from a breeder, research local breeders, and schedule appointments to inspect the facilities and meet both parents and puppies. When talking to a breeder, ask him to show you health certificates for puppies and both parents.

Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Price

Compared to other designer dogs, the Chihuahua Dachshund mix is affordable, costing from $200 to $550. Keep in mind that the price can be higher depending on the breeder and lineage of both parent breeds.

Adoption

Adoption is a great way to welcome a Chiweenie into your home, especially if you don’t have time for training and would prefer a housebroken dog. Check your local shelters and rescue organizations to see if they have any Chiweenies available for adoption.

You can also check with Chihuahua and Dachshund breed-specific rescue groups since these organizations also keep mixes as well.

Conclusion

Fiercely devoted and courageous Chihuahua Dachshund mix is a small dog with a larger-than-life personality. Loving and affectionate this mix will be an ideal companion and ensure that you never have a dull moment!

Although Chiweenies don’t have any special needs, their stubborn and demanding nature might be tough to handle, especially for novice owners. But, when properly trained, socialized, and worshiped every single day, Chiweenies are devoted and loving companions.

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