Chiweenie Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

2-5 kg

Height

15-25 cm

Lifespan

12-16 years

Jump To

About the Chiweenie

Reviewed by:

Dr. Dilber Hussain

Veterinarian

One of the newest dog breeds around, Chiweenies, is a hybrid dog that is also considered to be a designer dog breed. And their popularity continues to soar. These dogs are the product of mixing a purebred first-generation Chihuahua with a first-generation Dachshund.

The breed is actually so new that there aren’t any recognised standards as of yet, in regards to size or appearance. Though they are a small dog breed. Easily, the biggest part of a Chiweenie is their personality. These are not dogs for a lazy owner, as Chiweenies tend to want a lot of exercise, attention, and socialising.

The Chiweenie is a relatively new mixed breed of dog and has only been in existence since the 1990s. It is a hybrid breed of two other small breeds. The Chiweenie is the offspring of Chihuahua and Dachshund parents. However, they are generally considered to be a Dachshund mix or miniature Dachshunds.

While both parents are purebred dog breeds, as Chihuahua Dachshund mixes, they are not purebreds themselves but are considered a hybrid and a mixed breed of dog. The most interesting part of their story is the fact that they were bred to be a badger dogs to hunt badgers.

As mixed breed dogs, the Chiweenie is not recognised by any international clubs, such as the American Kennel Club.

The Chiweenie is considered to be a designer breed of dog. The concept of designer breeds is to breed out the negatives that the parent breeds have and combine their positive traits of them into one.

Though it is possible that the Chiweenie could have existed as a natural breed at some point in time, they were intentionally bred in the hopes to address the chronic back problems that affect Dachshunds.

Due to its size and parent breeds, the Chiweenie has been given several names, including the Choxie and the Weeniehuahua. Due to having a Chihuahua parent, it is sometimes called a Mexican Hot Dog. Due to having a Dachshund parent, it has also been named a German Taco.

As mixed breeds, they kept many of the best traits of the two breeds they come from. These are high energy dogs, and while they are small dogs, they are not the best lap dogs, as they want to constantly be active and play. However, they do like to cuddle from time to time.

As they were originally bred from both the Chihuahua and the Dachshund, the Chiweenie is black, white, and brown, sometimes as a solid colour and sometimes with a pattern. They also tend to have floppy ears.

Ironically, these small dogs tend to also make a rather good guard dog as well.

The Chiweenie is a very loyal, playful, and talkative small dog. They tend to be the right dog for single people, young couples, or family dogs, especially for families with small children. They are relatively easy to house train and do well with other dogs and other pets. However, you do need to take the introductions slow and gradual.

As with small dog breeds, they are very good apartment dogs and even take well to potty training. With that said, they do require space and exercise. So, probably not a good choice for a studio apartment.

As mixed-breed dogs, they have a lot of variety in them. Their coats are made of straight hair, which can be either short or long hair. The shorter-haired Chiweenie is probably a better choice for allergy sufferers, as the ones with long coats tend to shed much more.

They do shed but would typically be considered low shedders. As far as the amount of grooming they need, weekly brushing is typically sufficient. However, they do require regular bathing.

These are very talkative dogs. In fact, they make a lot more noise than some other dogs. While previously stated, these dogs do make great apartment dwellers; this is a factor that needs to be weighed when making that decision.

Chiweenie puppies love to make their presence known, and like many other dog breeds, as puppers, they are spunky pups and demand a lot of attention.

These are small dogs, but due to being a mixed breed, there is a bit of variation in their sizes and weights. Thus, there are very few standards for breeders, but most breeders try to stay closer to the Chihuahua size. Both male and female Chiweenie tend to be the same sizes:

Weight – 2 to 5 kg
Height – 15 to 25 cm

It is considered easy to train a Chiweenie. The Chiweenie puppy will train much easier and faster than an adult. In fact, you want to begin training them as puppers, as they tend to become more independent and stubborn as they get older.

These are definitely small dogs with big personalities. Spunky is one of the best words to describe them. Though originally bred to be hunting dogs, they have lost most of the prey drive that is common in the Dachshund. Many people feel that the Chiweenie nowadays take more after their Latin bloodline than their German one.

While one of the main reasons for creating this breed in the first place was to address the health issues that Dachshunds have, the Chiweenie also have their own health concerns, including:

Degenerative Disc Disease: This condition affects the spinal discs and can lead to pain and mobility issues, similar to what Dachshunds experience.
Hypoglycemia: Small breeds like Chiweenies can be prone to low blood sugar, which can cause weakness and lethargy if not managed.
Diabetes: Like many dogs, Chiweenies can develop diabetes, which requires careful management of diet and insulin if necessary.
Hypothyroidism: This condition occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, leading to symptoms such as weight gain and lethargy.
Dental Problems: Small breeds often face dental issues, including gum disease and tooth loss, so regular dental care is essential.
Knee Problems: Chiweenies can experience knee issues, including patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of place.
Joint Problems: Due to their mixed breed nature, they may also face various joint concerns, which can lead to discomfort and mobility issues.
Allergies: Chiweenies may suffer from allergies, particularly seasonal and skin allergies, which can cause itching and irritation.

This is a dog breed with a longer-than-average life expectancy. Typically, a Chiweenie will live 12 to 16 human years or the ripe old dog age of 84 to 112 years old.

The Chiweenie is not a picky eater. The dog’s diet should be based on its energy level, and the amount it eats needs to be monitored. These little guys will get around very quickly. The breed does have a tendency to become obese.

In addition, the Dachshund has known food allergies, including:

Beef
Egg
Lamb
Chicken
Dairy
Wheat
Soy
Rabbit
Fish

It is entirely possible for a Chiweenie to have any of these issues as well.

The cost of a Chiweenie puppy can vary significantly. As a mixed-breed dog, the breeder will ultimately determine the price, and factors such as male or female as well as parentage and vaccinations will influence that determination. You can expect to pay between $71 for rescue and up to around $2,800 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.

Is a Chiweenie ideal for a first-time dog owner?

It depends upon the situation and personality of the first-time owner. This breed is not a standard breed of dog. They do want a good degree of the owner’s time and attention. For an elderly person or elderly couple, then probably not. However, this is a good first dog for young professionals or a family with young children.

Do Chiweenies suffer from separation anxiety?

Yes, this is one of those dog breeds that live to be in your life and not simply a peripheral aspect of it. These dogs do not like to be left alone for very long at all. They want your attention and contact as much as possible. This even includes going to work or away for too long.

Are Chiweenies hypoallergenic dogs?

No, even though the Chiweenie is a designer breed of dog, they were not designed to be hypoallergenic. They are a breed that does shed, and shedding is the primary trigger for an allergic reaction to an animal. As previously stated, if you have allergies, then shorter hair dogs are a better option.

Will a Chiweenie need professional grooming?

No, they do not require professional grooming, and you may actually want to avoid it. Remember, this is essentially a breed that was engineered to have all the good traits of its parent breeds. Their coat does not grow beyond a certain length, and trimming can result in health issues. Their required grooming can be easily done at home.