If you’re looking for a four-legged friend that will entertain you at home and is easy to care for, a Chiweenie might be the best choice. It’s a crossbred between the fierce Chihuahua and the willful Dachshund. This playful little devil will show you what it’s like to look on the bright side of life.
Although many see it as a yappy and naughty little pooch, the Chihuahua Dachshund mix still has a charming and devoted side that shows only to its human.
Let’s learn more about this energetic and loyal little dog:
- Meet the Chiweenie
- There Are No Limits to Their Appearance
- Chiweenie Temperament — A Feisty Dog That Craves Attention
- Common Health Issues
- Nutrition — A Diet for Small Active Breeds
- Their Coats Are Super-Easy to Groom
- Buying or Adopting a Choxie
Meet the Chiweenie — A Cross Between Chihuahua and Dachshund
Chiweenies were initially bred as a solution to the Dachshunds’ back problems. But their adorable appearance, playful character, and devotion gained their popularity worldwide.
This relatively new breed was introduced to the world in the late 1990s in North America. There are still very few around the globe, so the world is yet to learn about them. You might also hear one of their many nicknames, including Choxie, Chiwee, Weeniehuahua, and Doxihuahua, and the unofficial ones — the “Mexican Hotdog” and “German Taco.”
But what is a Chiweenie? It’s a toy-sized dog, one of the smallest breeds so far, with a very enthusiastic spirit. Although many consider them lapdogs, these dogs prefer a game of fetch to sitting calmly on your lap.
Another positive trait is that they’re easy to care for. Plus, they’re low-shedding dogs. That’s great news for people with allergies or those who don’t have much time to groom their pets.
On the downside, Chiweenies are famous for their stubbornness. Like their Dachshund parent, they have minds of their own and need early training.
If you’re looking for a purebred dog, this isn’t the one. The AKC and other respectable dog clubs don’t recognize the Dachshund Chiweenie dogs. Still, kennel clubs that recognize crossbred dogs usually enlist this mix, too.
There Are No Limits to Their Appearance — Except for Being Small
What does a Chiweenie look like? They’re tiny and adorable. Everything else is pure coincidence, and you won’t find two Chiweenies alike. They can have short or long bodies and legs and erect or floppy ears. It’s an awesome mix in any case, but its appearance depends on the parents’ dominant genes.
So far, we know that most of these dogs have a Dachshund body. It might not be that long, but it’s still longer than the Chihuahua’s. The typical Chiweenie weight is approximately 5–12 pounds, and they’re usually between 6–10 inches in height.
A smooth coat is the one trait all Chiweenies share. It can be short or long, but in any case, it’s very easy to groom. When it comes to the color, the most common shades include brown, white, black, or a mix.
Chiweenie Temperament — A Feisty Dog That Craves Attention
They might be feisty little devils, but they’re the sweetest dogs. Their playfulness never wears out, no matter how old they get. With that enthusiasm and affection, rest assured you’ll never be bored.
The Chiweenie dog breed isn’t too keen on exercise. Due to their size, a gentle walk outside for half an hour is quite enough. And they might even prefer playing with toys at home. But keep in mind that you should do at least a two-hour play session to deal with their boredom and prevent destructive behavior. Since they’re very playful, good toys for apartment dogs always come in handy.
Don’t be surprised if they bring you toys and ask to play with them. They’re famous attention seekers and love to be the center of your world. So they’re not the best pets for people who work long hours away from home. Chiweenies can develop separation anxiety, causing them to seek trouble, become aggressive, or bark excessively.
If you can’t be with them at all times, consider getting a smaller dog to keep your Chihuahua Weiner company. They get along very well with other dogs of similar size, but only if you introduce them in puppyhood.
They’ll Will Bark at Anything That Comes Your Way
Chiweenies are cautious around strangers and can be aggressive. Also, they’re barkers and will alert you if they see or sense anything strange. It’s a trait of an excellent watchdog.
With all that in mind, they need socialization and training as early as possible. Due to the Dachshund-inherited stubbornness, positive reinforcement is the best method you can use for taming the Chiweenie personality. And even though they’re somewhat single-minded, they still want to please their owner. So persistence and learning through playtime can do wonders.
Remember that it’s a one-person dog. Chiweenies team up with the person who spends the most time with them. Hence they’re best suited to singles or families with older children.
Chiweenies Suffer the Same Health Problems as Their Parents
Generally, they’re healthy dogs. Thanks to trusted and licensed breeders, Choxies might even be healthier than their parents.
They’re still prone to some health issues typical for the Chihuahua and Dachshund. Here’s what you should know before deciding on a Chihuahua and Dotson mix:
- Hypoglycemia: If you notice a loss of appetite, extreme lethargy, trembling, and discoloration of skin and gums, take your dog to the vet.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Symptoms include limping, inability to lift the head fully, weak or clumsy movement in all four limbs, and loss of bladder control.
- Diabetes: The most common signs are excessive thirst, increased urination, weight loss, or increased appetite. You might also notice a lack of energy, a depressed attitude, and in severe cases, vomiting.
- Knee & Joint Issues: If your Chiweenie mix dog struggles to get up from the couch, or go up the stairs, take it to the vet to check for any knee or joint issues. Other symptoms include holding the limb funny or becoming lame.
- Dental Issues: A foul odor coming from your dog’s mouth is the very first sign of dental issues. Other symptoms are swollen gums, loose or moving teeth, and blood on the chewing toys. To ensure good hygiene, consider getting small dental chews for dogs.
- Allergies: Depending on the dog allergy, you might notice itchiness, hives, swelling, red or inflamed skin, diarrhea, sneezing, runny eyes, and vomiting. To handle this condition, find out more about seasonal allergies in dogs.
- Hypothyroidism: Signs of this include thinning fur, dull coat, fur shedding, weight gain, and reduced tolerance to cold or warm weather.
Regular vet check-ups and establishing a well-balanced diet is the best way to keep your pooch healthy and in shape. That way, the Chiweenie lifespan can go up to 15 years.
Nutrition — A Diet for Small Active Breeds
Depending on the size and weight, your Chihuahua Dachshund mix will need between a half and one cup of food per day, split into two meals. You can follow the instructions on the package or discuss the meal plan with your vet. Always opt for high-quality and balanced food to ensure your pet stays healthy. Since Chiweenies are prone to diabetes, look for low glycemic dog food.
The breed is tiny, so it can easily gain weight. That’s why it’s best not to leave food for it at all times. Due to its playfulness, energy, and Chiweenie size, it’s better to split the daily dosage into several meals per day.
Their Coats Are Super Easy to Groom
These odorless pooches are very easy to groom. Depending on their coat, they need a bath every month or two and regular brushing. Usually, a weekly brush is sufficient. We recommend brushing it three times a week if the coat is longer.
Though grooming is easy, keep in mind that their coat is insufficient to keep them warm in cold weather. But how to know if your dog feels cold? Vets say that if you’re cold, your dog is, too. Always put a sweater on your pet when taking it outside during those times.
Buying or Adopting a Choxie
Although relatively new, you might find the Chihuahua Doxin mix in shelters. So before signing up for a baby dog with a breeder, check the shelters nearby.
If you prefer to buy your puppy, always choose a reputable breeder. Also, be aware of puppy mills. Many crossbreed a Dachshund and Chihuahua without caring for the parents or the puppies.
Since Chiweenies are still very rare, it’s very common to be on the waiting list with reliable Chiweenie breeders. Also, you can expect to pay $500–$1,500.
Final Thoughts
Before you decide whether to welcome a Chiweenie into your household, here’s a brief list of the essential facts about the mix:
- Feels great in an apartment but still needs daily walks
- Adorable, energetic, and very devoted to its owner
- Best suited for singles, couples, or families with older children
- Their playfulness never wears out
- Stubborn and somewhat challenging to train
- Will bark and alert you of anything suspicious
- Needs as much attention as possible
If you’re ready to embrace all these positive and challenging traits, your Chiweenie will reward you with love and devotion.