Chiweenie (Chihuahua Dachshund mix)
What is a Chiweenie? Chiweenie (also called Mexican Hot Dog) is a mix between Chihuahua and Dachshund dog breeds. Chiweenies make wonderful companion dogs for families and for single people alike. Some Chiweenie dogs may favor one family member which is a personality trait that Chihuahuas are known for. Chihuahua Dachshund cross dogs are small in size and have active and bold personalities. Dachshund and Chihuahua mix dogs have traits from both parent breeds and may combine fearless temperament of Dachshunds with loyal and affectionate Chihuahua personality which is a great combination that results in a dog full of character and fun to have around. Are Chiweenies good with other pets? Some Chiweenies may have a high prey drive and owners need to carefully introduce a Chiweenie to smaller family pets such as hamsters.
Are Chiweenie dogs difficult to groom? Chiweenies may come in a variety of coat types and sizes and grooming level depends a lot on which type of Chihuahua and Dachshund was bred into the mix. Long haired Chiweenies may require owners to spend extra time on taking care of the dog's coat. Chiweenie dogs that originated from the mix of shorthaired Chihuahuas and shorthaired Dachshunds are the easiest to groom in terms of coat maintenance. Do Chiweenies shed? Chiweenie dogs produce an average amount of shedding that can be managed by frequent brushing.
How long do Chiweenie dogs live? Chihuahua Dachshund cross dogs tend to live longer and healthier lives than purebred Dachshunds. One of the reasons for that is that Chihuahuas are known for their longevity with some representatives of the breed living up to twenty years of age and even longer. Chihuahua breed only has a few known genetic health problems which can carry over to the Chiweenie mix. Dachshunds frequently have health problems associated with their spines and mixing a Dachshund with a Chihuahua breed helps to reduce the risk of developing back problems. Chiweenies with proper care can have a lifespan of fifteen years and older.
Chiweenie pros and cons
Owning a Chiweenie has pros and cons. Chiweenie pros include the dog's playful temperament. Chihuahua and Dachshund mix dogs love attention and are great as companion pets for seniors who have plenty of time to care for a small pet, single adults who want to share their lives with a companion pet and for families with older kids. Chiweenies are loyal to their owners and like to be involved in all family activities. Other advantages to owning a Chiweenie is that this is a long lived breed and with good care the dog can live up to 15 years or even longer.
People interested in getting a small dog with low coat maintenance can consider a Chiweenie. Chiweenies are relatively easy to groom and care for which is another advantage to owning a Chihuahua Dachshund mix dog. Do Chiweenie dogs shed a lot? Chiweenies feature a moderate amount of shedding and need to be brushed a few times per week to keep the coat in best condition and to help minimize the amount of dog hair around the home. The small dog's shedding is almost not noticeable due to the small size of the pet. Chiweenies are loyal and affectionate towards their owners and are happiest when spending time with their human family. Chiweenies are easily transported because of the small size. Chiweenies love long walks and as long as they get enough daily exercise they can be happy living in a large country home or in a city apartment. Chiweenie dog can be a great pet for people who work from home or who are retired and can spend most of the time with the family dog.
Do Chiweenie dogs bark a lot? Cons to owning a Chiweenie include the dog's barking level - most Chiweenies enjoy to bark. Barking is usually not a problem for Chiweenies who live in a country, but for Chiweenie owners who have a loud dog in an apartment the excessive barking may cause inconveniences as the neighbors may not always be delighted to hear the big bark that small Chiweenies can produce. Training a Chiweenie to stop barking on command is one of the solutions for excessive barking. Sometimes dogs bark because they are left alone often. Chiweenies are not an exception and really dislike being left alone with nothing to do. Invest in some chewable dog toys, treat dispenser toys and squeaky toys that will keep your Chiweenie entertained while you are gone. Tire a Chiweenie out by giving him or her a long walk before you leave for work. After a long walk most dogs tend to rest and relax rather than engage in destructive behavior or in excessive barking. Chiweenies are active small dogs and need to be walked several times during the day to get their exercise and some mental stimulation which comes with being outdoors.
Some Chiweenies may be very protective over their owners and will bark at approaching strangers when walking. This is one of the reasons why Chiweenie owners need to take their time while the Chiweenie is a young puppy and socialize the dog. A well socialized Chiweenie dog is less likely to bark at strangers as the properly socialized dog knows that most people pose no threat to their beloved owner.
Disadvantages associated with Chiweenie's health include the dog's fragile back. Chiweenies who inherited the long back from their Dachshund parent may be susceptible to back problems. Always be careful when lifting a Chiweenie and do not let Chiweenie jump on high furniture or in the car to avoid any back injuries. Half Dachshund half Chihuahua dog owners can help to protect the dog's sensitive back by providing the dog a ramp that allows Chiweenie to easily climb instead of jumping on a couch or bed. When playing with or exercising a Chiweenie choose light impact activities that do not involve jumping as high impact exercises may cause back issues in Chiweenies.
One of the challenges to owning a Chiweenie dog is that this hybrid dog may be difficult to train due to stubborn streak in the dog's character which comes mostly from the Dachshund breed. Dachshunds are strong minded dogs and that characteristic may also be present in a Chihuahua Dachshund cross. Although Chiweenie may be obstinate, it is still possible to succeed with basic commands but it is important to remember that positive motivation and training during play are most effective when working on training a Chiweenie dog.
Chiweenies have become popular in the recent years as Dachshund Chihuahua mix produces small dogs that have the bold and sociable temperament and unique appearance that so many Chihuahua and Dachshund owners cherish in their pets. Chiweenies are essentially companion dogs that enjoy being around their family. Since Chiweenies have Dachshunds and Chihuahuas in their bloodlines, these charming small dogs have traits of both of these breeds and resemble their parents in looks and personalities. Chiweenie is a designer breed that is created when purebred Chihuahua dogs are crossed with purebred Dachshunds.
How active are Chiweenies? Chiweenie is a naturally active dog that has enough endurance for longer walks. Potential owners need to be able to provide the Chiweenie with several walks during the day as well as some playtime to keep the dog physically and mentally stimulated. Bored Chweenies may engage in unwanted behaviors and easily get in trouble. Problem behaviors in Chiweenies include excessive barking, digging or chasing small animals. Some Chiweenies have stronger hunting instinct than others and should be supervised around unfamiliar smaller pets. It is much easier to socialize a Chihuahua and Dachshund mix dog to other small pets at home while the puppy is still young. Older Chiweenies may take longer to get used to other pets such as hamsters and owners need to be present during these interactions as there's a chance the Chiweenie may be interested in the hamster as a prey rather than a new friend.
Do Chiweenies bark a lot? Chiweenie dogs tend to enjoy barking and may bark for various reasons. One of the reasons why Chiweenies like to bark is because both, Chihuahuas and Dachshunds are known for their barking abilities and it is not surprising that a Chiweenie dog would inherit this natural inclination to barking from the parent breeds. There are other reasons why Chiweenies may bark. A strange noise outside or something that a dog considers out of ordinary may cause Chihuahua and Dachshund mix dog to bark. Chihuahua mix is simply surprised or is trying to alert the owners of something unusual happening by barking. This tendency to bark makes Chiweenie a good watchdog that would not miss an opportunity to bark at an approaching stranger.
Chiweenie size
How big does a Chiweenie get? In size Chiweenies can reach up to 25 pounds and in height Chiweenies are up to 14 inches tall. Since Dachshunds come in two sizes, Miniature Dachshund and Standard Dachshund with Mini Dachshunds being a much smaller size when full grown. Chihuahuas mixed with Mini Dachshunds produce smaller Chiweenies, often referred to as Mini Chiweenies. Mini Chiweenie weighs from 3 to 11 pounds while Chiweenies produced from a Chihuahua and Standard Dachshund mix weigh up to 25 pounds.
Chiweenie temperament
Dachshund Chihuahua mix, or Chiweenie has the temperament that comes from both of the parents. Dachshunds are bold, stubborn, alert and courageous while Chihuahuas are affectionate towards the owners, playful and sociable. A cross between a Dachshund and Chihuahua, otherwise known as Chiweenie inherit these temperament traits and are often courageous, sociable and loving towards their owners. Despite the small size, Chiweenies are active and have plenty of energy for long walks. Chiweenies tend to enjoy barking and if the voice comes from Dachshund's genetic pool, then expect a deep sounding bark from a Chihuahua Dachshund cross. Chiweenies are delightful companion pets that can be happy living with active seniors or in a family with older kids. Chihuahua Dachshund mix dogs get along good with other pets in the home, as long as Chiweenie was socialized to other pets from an early age. Dachshunds have a strong hunting drive and Chiweenie owners need to be careful when introducing smaller pets to Chiweenie. Some Chiweenies can be aggressive towards other unfamiliar dogs and this aggression is frequently a result of inadequate socialization during puppyhood.
Chiweenie prices
Potential Chiweenie owners can expect to pay from $250 to $550 per Chiweenie puppy. The cost of each individual Chiweenie dog can vary based on the dog's appearance, age, training and many other factors. New Chiweenie owners will have initial expenses that will include all the puppy or adult dog supplies such as dog food for small breeds, food and water bowls, a harness and a leash, dog shampoo, dog bed and an indoor potty as Chiweenie potty training should begin the moment the Dachshund Chihuahua mix puppy is brought home.
Chiweenie potty training
Chiweenie owners can start preparing for potty training their new pup even before the dog arrives home. Decide whether you want to set up an indoor dog potty. Indoor dog potty for a Chiweenie has many advantages as the dog has the freedom to use the potty any time nature calls rather than wait for the owner to take him or her out for a walk. Chiweenies who live in apartments especially benefit from being able to use an indoor potty. Fortunate Chiweenies who have a nice yard that they can use as a potty may not necessarily need an indoor potty, but during the bad weather or snow storm some dogs prefer not to come outside which makes having an indoor dog potty very convenient.
How to potty train a Chiweenie? When the Chiweenie arrives, pay attention to the dog's body language and if you notice that the dog looks restless, walks in circles or sniffs the floor, take the dog to the designated dog potty area and let him do the business there. Have some treats available and give Chiweenie a treat as soon as half Dachshund half Chihuahua used the dog potty. While potty training Chiweenies be patient and never punish the dog for an accident. Instead, thoroughly clean up the mess so that there's no smell of the dog's urine or poop left on the floor to prevent the dog from using this area as his toilet in the future. Be patient with Chiweenies and always take the dog to the dog potty after the dog wakes up, after a meal or as soon as you see potty readiness signs described above. Some Chiweenies can be successfully potty trained within a few days, others may take a few weeks. With consistency and patience a Chiweenie owner can count on success in potty training the new furry family member.
|
