Often known as the Chiweenie, Chiwi, and the Mexican Hotdog, the Chihuahua Dachshund mix is a hybrid bred from a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. Since these dogs are loving, friendly, and small, they make excellent lap dogs, yet they love playing. Of course, hybrids can come with a lot of variations, so it’s important to learn more about the hybrid and the parent breeds before you decide this is the right dog for you. Take a closer look at the mix’s history, temperament, grooming needs, health, and other information as you make your decision.
Origin and History
The Chihuahua Dachshund mix is a fairly new designer dog that got its start in North America. While the exact beginning of the hybrid is unknown, it’s thought that they were first started back in the 1990s. The Chiweenie has continued to gain popularity, particularly within the past decade. While we don’t know a whole lot about the origin of this hybrid, we can learn a lot by looking at the history of the two parent breeds.
The Chihuahua is thought to date all the way back to the 9th century, although it’s exact origins are unknown. These dogs came from Mexico, and it wasn’t until around 1850 when they first showed up in the United States. Later, in 1904, the Chihuahua was first recognized by the American Kennel Club. Later in 1952 the long coat and short coat varieties would be recognized separately by the AKC, and the breed quickly became one of the most popular within the United States.
It’s thought that the Dachshund was first developed in the 1600s in Germany. The attitude and streamlined shape of the breed was specifically developed to help these dogs fight and hunt mammals that lived in underground dens. Packs of these dogs were used to hut ermine, rabbits, weasel, foxes, wild boar, and deer. In 1879, the German breed standard was first set, and later the AKC would include recognize the Dachshund. Within the United States, these dogs are rarely used to hunt, but they do well in earth dog tests and field trials.
Appearance
The most common characteristics of the Chihuahua Dachshund mix include a small head, floppy ears, and a long body. They get the build and long body from the Dachshund, and while they generally have the floppy ears, it’s possible for them to have the upright ears of a Chihuahua. Usually the Chiweenie hybrid only grow to be about eight inches high, and most weigh in at 10 pounds or less. These are very small dogs and they may have black, brown, or green eyes.
Their coat can range between quite short and long, so they can have a short and smooth coat or a fluffy, long coat. The coat of your Chihuahua Dachshund mix can come in various colors, including black, solid white, brown, red, and a combination of these colors.
The Chiweenie Temperament
You can expect the Chihuahua Dachshund mix to be very friendly, and they are a lot calmer than full-bred Chihuahuas. The Chiweenie love being around people, and they quickly become attached to their human family. If they are separated from their family for too long, they may deal with separation anxiety.
Although these dogs love pleasing their owners, they can be tough to housebreak. When training them, they do well with positive reinforcement and won’t respond well to firm or harsh training. While Chihuahuas are often unsuitable pets for children, the Chihuahua Dachshund mix actually does quite well with children.
These dogs are very high spirited and playful, and they can appear to be fearless, even when they are around other, larger dogs. The Chiweenie have a strong protective instinct and will try to protect their owners. Since they have a loud bark and they are protective, they can be great watchdogs. You’ll definitely know when someone is coming with one of these dogs in your home.
Since the Chiweenie hybrid does have a lot of energy, they need plenty of exercise. They should have a couple nice walks each day. Plenty of running and playtime is recommended too, since they are prone to gaining weight. They don’t need a whole lot of room for running, but they do need time to run and play.
Grooming
Usually the Chihuahua Dachshund mix has a coat that does not shed much, so it’s generally fairly easy to maintain and clean. Dogs with shorter coats can just be brushed once a week. However, if your Chiweenie has a longer coat, then it’s a good idea to brush them every other day to keep the coat shiny and free from any tangles. Like other smaller dogs, they are prone to dental problems, so it’s important to brush their teeth regularly. Nails probably won’t be worn down on their own, so the nails will need to be clipped or filed as needed, which can be done by a professional groomer.
Working Roles
The Chihuahua Dachshund mix is rarely used in any working roles. They are lapdogs and companions that make wonderful family pets or pets for elderly individuals.
Health
The Chihuahua generally lives to be 15 years old or older, while the Dachshund usually has a life span of between 12 and 15 years. You can expect the Chihuahua Dachshund mix to live to be at least 12 years old, and in many cases, they will live much longer. Although the Chiweenie hybrid is usually healthier than the parents, they may end up with health conditions that they have inherited from the parent breeds. Some of the health concerns that may affect this hybrid include:
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Cryptorchidism
- Seizures
- Congenital elbow luxation
- Collapsing tracheas
- Mitral valve disease
- Testicular neoplasia
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Hypoglycemia
- Eye problems
- Medial patellar luxation
- Melanoma
- Endocardiosis
- Foramen magnum dysplasia
- Hydrocephalus
- Pattern baldness
- Congenital deafness
- Atlantoaxial subluxation
- Cutaneous asthenia
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
- Ocular disorders
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Liposarcoma
- Lipomas