Description:
The Chiweenie is a popular designer breed and is one of the cutest breeds around. This small size dog is a cross mix of Chihuahua and Dachshund. Friendly and loving nature of this adorable breed makes him a perfect lap dog. The other names of this breed include Mexican hotdog and German Taco. This Dachshund chihuahua mix is perfect for singles and travelers because they are not very huge in size and ideal for the cuddle. You will always find them playing around in the house or sleeping on your couch. Besides its loving nature, Chiweenie is also a watchdog and he tends to bark in suspicious situations. According to the designers, this breed is the healthiest mix and owners of this dog will agree with this. The breed is well recognized by multiple clubs that includes American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club and Dog Registry of America.
Height: 7-11 inches Weight: 8-12 pounds Lifespan: 12-15 years
Characteristics:
Chiweenie dogs have a long body and short legs. This is why they are considered to be small size dogs. The body of the dog is inherited form Dachshund and legs are inherited from Chihuahua. The dog has a small head with floppy ears. Although some pups have pointed ears but mostly they have floppy ears. Small feet and long tail add beauty to the overall posture. There are variety of colors in this breed and the most common colors are black, brown and tan. Although you can find multicolor pups as well.
Character:
We know that dogs are the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. Chiweenie is also a loyal and friendly dog breed and he is friendlier to the people he saw very often. They are very smart as well. Commonly small dogs are more energetic in nature. Such is the case with this breed because they like to play games and you have to utilize this energy in a positive by training them. These dogs can be a good companion for older age people and children. But we always advise providing supervision to avoid any unpleasant situation. You may find them a bit stubborn but you can overcome this problem by training your dog to obey. They also alert their owners by barking in case someone is approaching your house.
Weight / Height:
Generally, a small size breed doesn’t possess much weight. They weigh 8 to 10 pounds only therefore they are listed as lightest dog breeds. Because they have short legs therefore they are not tall as well. They only grow 7 to 11 inches. The weight and height of the dog have a very positive effect on the health and lifespan of the Chiweenie dog. The Dachshund Chihuahua Mix has a life span of 12 to 15 years.
Health problems:
Basically, designers cross such breeds that can result in a healthier breed. That is why designer breeds are not associated with much health problems. But just like other dogs, Chiweenie dogs might get allergic to dust and pollen. You can easily sense their allergic condition by their eyes. Their eyes will constantly water if they got allergic and it is preferred to ask the help of a vet. Although the parents of this Chiweenie dog are subjected to some health problems. Such as common health issues to Chihuahua includes hypoglycemia and other dental problems while Dachshund faces diabetic issues sometimes. It is good to be aware of your pet health condition because it is easy to deal with illness in the early stages.
Coat / Care:
The coat of this breed is not long and very short on the same time. So, you don’t have to be worried about the shedding and its maintenance. But there are exceptions in this breed coat. You may find a long fluffy Chiweenie pup and there are short hair Chiweenie pups as well. But in case you have long hair Chiweenie dog make sure to brush his hairs regularly otherwise you have to face hairs all over your couch, bed and car seats. And we have already mentioned about the color of the coat. There is a wide range of color available. You can choose from a combination of hues depending on your preference.
These dogs should be groomed on regular bases. Bath them at least once in a month because they don’t carry much odor. Trim their nails and brush their teeth. Because they are associated with some dental issues brushing teeth on daily basis is recommended.
Chiweenie Feeding:
The active and healthy dog requires health diet as well. As they are not associated with particular health issues you can feed them with a variety of stuff. But in case they have inherited dental issues you can feed them with dry kibble. Dry kibble is very good for teeth and can help dog’s teeth to remain strong. You can also feed them with wet food diet if the condition of their dental health is severe. It depends on the physical activity they perform whole day. You should feed them with a proper diet to get enough energy for these activities.
Chiweenie Training:
They are a bit stubborn in nature so should train them accordingly. You can keep training sessions small and interested. Provide them with treats when training them. It is the effective way to engage your dog in learning activities. Avoid being harsh in training session otherwise, they will not respond positively during the session. Chiweenie dogs love to play so you can start training them from the early age. You can use rewards system to train the Chiweenie pups as well.
Chiweenie Activity:
They are stubborn at times might they also like to play all the time. Their activity level generally ranges from low to moderate. Keep them in engaged in playful activities. They will not get bored if kept busy in activities. Keep toys around him to play and take them to the walk daily. If you are living in an apartment it is necessary to provide your dog with outdoor activities. There are many dog yards and parks where you can walk your dog on a leash. Dogs are very curious about their surroundings and environment. This will be helpful for their curious nature and they can socialize with other dogs as well.
Chiweenie Puppies:
As this breed is popular and recognized by clubs it is easy to find Chiweenie puppies. As Chiweenie puppies are very small you have to look after to them specially when around children. You can contact a various supplier that can provide you with Chiweenie puppies. Average new puppy price is 200 to 550 dollars. Make sure to check the documents of their parents. Always remember that money can only buy you a fine dog but only love can make him wag his tail. A dog can teach you unconditional love and if you can have that in your life, things will surely won’t be too bad.
Photo Credit: Megumi/Flickr
