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When you cross a Chihuahua with a Dachshund, often known as a sausage dog, you get a Chiweenie.
These are spirited, active canines that are sure to leave an impression. They can be trickier to teach than most other dog breeds due to their independence and intelligence.
Read on for all the information you need to decide if you should bring one of these adorable lap pets into your household if you’re considering about doing so.
Warning: contains spoilers! Chiweenies can thrive in smaller homes, but they require a good amount of discipline and fare better with single people or couples than families, especially those with young children.
Vital Records
Dachshund and Chihuahua cross
6-10 inches tall and 5-12 lbs.
12 to 16 years of age
high vigour
intelligent but unyielding and difficult to mould
Easily maintained and low shedding
Appropriate for apartments
perhaps yappy
Not good with children
Evolution Of The Breed
The Chiweenie is a hybrid breed dog created by breeding a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. Other names for the Chiweenie include the Choxie, Weeniehuahua, German taco, and Mexican hot dog.
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Chihuahuas are a diminutive Mexican breed that typically stands between 6 and 10 inches long and weighs 4-6 pounds. Some evidence suggests that the Aztecs bred and traded the first Chihuahuas for food.
These forebears are only tangentially connected to the contemporary canines that became registered with the American Canine Club in 1904. They have since become well-known lap dogs that were developed primarily for companionship.
Weiner dogs, commonly referred to as dachshunds, were developed in Germany to hunt tiny creatures like rabbits as well as badgers and other animals that live in burrows.
They range in height from 10 to 20 inches and are available in conventional, miniature, and rabbit sizes. All of them, however, have a long body and small legs, giving them the appearance of a sausage.
As designer mix breed dogs became increasingly popular in the 1990s, these two breeds began to be deliberately crossed in North America.
It was hoped that the Chihuahua genetics will assist reduce the back issues that Dachshunds frequently experience due to their long backs.
Looking for well-known Chiweenies?
Check out the two million+ follower Chihuahua-Dachshund mix Tuna’s Instagram account.
Size
As a very recent mixed breed, Chiweenies don’t have any established size requirements. The wisest course of action is to follow the example of their parents.
While Dachshunds can grow up to 20 inches long, Chihuahuas typically stand between six and ten inches tall.
Since the larger dog is typically selected as the mother to reduce any potential issues at birth owing to the size of the pups, you should always anticipate seeing the Dachshund as the mother.
The average Chiweenie is between six and ten inches tall and weighs between five and twelve pounds.
Appearance
Your Chiweenie’s appearance will depend on how the traits of its parents interact. They might have the long body and short legs of their Chihuahua parent or the long body and long legs of their Dachshund father.
The way they look can also change in appearance at any time. Chihuahuas have tall, pointed ears and huge, round eyes on apple-shaped skulls.
Dachshunds, on the other hand, have long, floppy ears that hang down over their faces. A Chiweenie’s face could resemble either.
Regardless of whether they have long or short hair, dachshunds typically shed very little. The coats of chihuahuas are short.
In general, chiweenies have brief, low-shedding coats that can be any colour combination of their parents’ colours. However, brown, black, white, or any combination of these are the most typical hues. They often have a single colour coat with markings.
Since their coats are short, they struggle in frigid temperatures and typically favour warmer climates.Temperament
The personalities of chiweenies are sometimes characterised as lively or feisty. They are intelligent, despite their little size, independent, and stubborn, which may make training them quite challenging. They also have an abundance of energy.
Although they tolerate domestic cats, these dogs have a strong hunting instinct and will chase the majority of objects that cross their way.
They have a tendency to be a little possessive and have been known to bite other household dogs if they feel left out. They can behave similarly with young children, but they are less likely to bite.
However, they are frank! Most everything they meet will cause them to bark. Additionally, there appears to be a certain time of night when they will scream for around 30 seconds. You really can’t do anything about this.
These canines frequently become attached to one family member and show their allegiance to them over all others.
living circumstances
As long as they get their regular exercise, Chiweenies can survive in relatively confined spaces thanks to their diminutive stature.
You won’t feel like they have spread themselves all over their home because they are low shedders and don’t have issues with things like drooling.
If they have a small nest they can claim as their own, they will enjoy pottering and will be very content. However, their favourite spot will always be on your lap!If you reside in an area with thin walls, your dog’s screaming and howling may bother your neighbours, but it is quite challenging to train them to stop. Additionally, compared to many other dog breeds, Chiweenies are more difficult to house train.
Starting reasonably thorough instruction from a young age gives you the best opportunity of managing these pups and instilling the desired behaviour in them.
These dogs enjoy attention and can manage on their own for a few days at a time, but they can’t be at home by themselves for too long.
They may experience anxiousness and turn violent. Expect to find these perceptive dogs hidden somewhere when you arrive home if they destroy something while you are away.
Exercise & Energy
High-energy canines include both dachshunds and the Chiweenie offspring of dachshunds.
While kids may amuse themselves when necessary, if they don’t get at least 30 to 60 minutes of quality exercise every day, anticipate them to build up pent-up energy. The most effective exercises are frequently brief walks and energetic play sessions with retrieving games.
Despite their diminutive size, they are enthusiastic and daring enough to accompany you on the majority of your own excursions, like swimming, running, and hiking.
Chiweenies typically feel at ease in the water. Yet if you do have a member of the rare people who prefers not to get wet, be ready for them to fight you rather than into the water.
