Chiweenie Overview
Chiweenie Characteristics
About The Chiweenie
What Is A Dachshund Chihuahua Mix called?
Most people know the offspring between a Dachshund and a Chihuahua to be called a Chiweenie.
However, others might know it as one of its other names, such as the Chihiweenie, Dachuaua, Chiwee, Chaweenie, Doxiwawa, or (our personal favorite) the Mexican Hot Dog.
These small dogs are both sweet and strong, so don’t let their size fool you – they’re feisty and brave!
They make good pets for families and single households alike, but how will they fit into your family? Let’s learn more about this beloved dog breed.
Chiweenie Breed History
Bred in the late 1990s.
Originated from North America.
Benefit from minimized health risks that the parents suffer from.
While the Chiweenie might have been bred naturally over thousands of years, it was first intentionally bred in the late 1990s, in North America.
The 1990s saw an influx of owners wanting their dogs as tiny as possible, and the Chihuahua was the ideal candidate.
However, many Chihuahuas had been overbred by this time and therefore were suffering from plenty of genetic concerns. To counter this, designer breeding became popular in the 90s.
Mixed breeding reduced the likelihood of a dog inheriting the parent breed’s health issues, so designer dogs instantly became popular.
The decision to mix a Chihuahua with a Dachshund was as beneficial to the latter as it was to the former, as Dachshunds have a long history of back problems. They have also been overbred to create many genetic predispositions.
So, the Chiweenie was bred to minimize back issues and health concerns in the designer dog. It doesn’t hurt that they’re adorable, either, which is why demand soared for these dogs as soon as they were introduced to the market.
Chiweenie Personality & Temperament
Tends to bond more with one member of the family.
Doesn’t like to be left alone.
Known for being yappy and loud.
Not the best for families with children.
Earlier we rated the Chiweenie three out of five stars for friendliness. However, this doesn’t mean they’re aggressive or anti-sociable – most people find that Chiweenies are amicable and loving to their owners.
However, they tend to bond more with one person than others in the household, so these dogs are ideal for single households.
They don’t get along well with children as they can see them as a threat, so always keep them supervised around children.
They can be stubborn and ignore you when they want to, which can be rather frustrating to owners.
Chiweenies love to cuddle and spend time with their preferred owner, so they won’t want to be left alone for too long at a time.
They enjoy running errands with their owners, so why not take them with you wherever you go? They’re small enough to carry around!
Chiweenie Health
Prone to health issues that both parent breeds suffer from.
Dental issues and back problems are some of the health risks these dogs suffer from.
Life expectancy from 12 to 16 years.
The Chiweenie is prone to some health issues that the parent breeds also suffer from.
Chihuahuas and Dachshunds have been overbred for many years, so they’re more likely to deal with health concerns later in life.
The most common health issues Chiweenies suffer from include Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Degenerative Disc Disease, Hypothyroidism, Joint Issues, and Allergies.
Chiweenies don’t tend to be as long as their Dachshund parent, so they are less likely to suffer from back issues in later life. However, due to their longer-than-usual bodies, it is still a risk that you need to be aware of.
Small dogs like Chiweenies might also suffer from dental issues due to overcrowding along their small jaws. Routine teeth brushing is essential to prevent broken teeth and infections.
Chiweenie Training
Be prepared to spend a long time teaching a single trick!
Can inherit the Chihuahua’s stubborn streak.
Plenty of positive reinforcement and patience is needed.
If you’ve ever spent time with a Chihuahua, it should be no surprise that they are not the most trainable dogs.
They have a wicked stubborn streak and many turn their noses up at training sessions. The Chiweenie might inherit this same stubbornness, so watch out!
Unfortunately, Chiweenies might need to be taken to a professional trainer if they ignore your attempts to work with them. Make sure that you use plenty of treats and keep training sessions fun to hopefully keep them engaged.
Positive reinforcement is a must when training a Chiweenie. While it might be frustrating for a dog to purposefully ignore you, shouting and consequences will only push them away further.
You need to make sure that you are working together at all times.
Chiweenie Exercise Requirements
The Chiweenie might have small legs, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t need exercise! They need plenty of exercise throughout the day to keep their quick-replenishing energy levels down.
Without regular stimulation and exercise, the Chiweenie has a tendency to turn to destructive behavior.
Offer them between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise a day, but make sure you keep an eye on them and stop when they’re fatigued.
All dogs have different needs, so your Chiweenie might be more or less energetic than others.
These dogs enjoy running, hiking, walking, and more. They love playing at the dog park and enjoy mentally challenging games, such as fetch and treat
Chiweenie Diet & Feeding
Offer high-quality food only to keep their teeth healthy.
Feed them according to their weight.
Look for small dog food with high energy levels.
The best food to feed your Chiweenie will be formulated for small dogs with high amounts of energy.
This will have a moderate amount of protein with lots of fortified vitamins and minerals to keep your dog as healthy as possible.
Chiweenies can gain weight quickly, so it is imperative that you always feed them the correct amount for their weight. Ask your vet about this if you’re unsure of the correct amount to give them each day.
As they can suffer from dental issues, Chiweenies should always be fed premium quality food. Low-quality food might be too crunchy for their teeth to handle, which can lead to unnecessary pain.
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Chiweenie Cost
Costs between $200 and $1,000.
Choose a reputable breeder to buy from.
Ongoing costs include food, toys, vet bills, and more.
The Chiweenie can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000. The large variation depends on their location, parents, and health expectancy.
Some areas will offer Chiweenies for cheap as they’re high in supply, while other areas will have them priced higher due to the popularity of the parent breeds.
