reliable to their line of descent , chiweenies , just like dachsie and Chihuahuas , have stiff personalities and develop mysterious bonds with their owners . Their main mission in life ? To be the inwardness of attention at all sentence .
You might call them chiweenies or choxies , but we call them lovely . In central for regular pass , pipe bowl full of kibble , and set of sexual love , thedachshundandChihuahuamix known as chiweenies will act as the role of loyal and tender lap click . Little is eff about how the breed originated — and chiweenies are still weigh " designer dogs " and not a dependable breed — but one thing is clear : These pooches are democratic .
Appearance
No two chiweenies look likewise . look on the traits they inherit from their parent , chiweenies can have short legs , long body , erect ears , and bulge oculus , or long leg , short body , floppy ears , and overbites — or one of a dizzying number of compounding of these traits . Whether they resemble their mom or pappa more , all chiweenies are lilliputian , stand just 6–10 inch tall and weighing between 5–12 pounds .
Both dachshunds and Chihuahuas have two coat types : still and long - haired , and dachsie also have a conducting wire - hirsute coating . Chiweenie pelt can be in any of the three . Those with smooth coatstypically shed lessthan those with wire or foresightful - hirsute coat but are by no way weigh " hypoallergenic . " No matter the length or grain , coat coloring can include lily-white , tan , brown , and black ; you may even get Turdus merula and brindle chiweenies . Smooth , tan - colored chiweenies are the most coarse , says Jennifer Gregory , vice president ofDoxie by Proxy Rescue .
Temperament
Just as chiweenies dissent in appearance ground on their derivation , their temperaments disagree , too . badger dog are known for being rather strong - willed , while Chihuahuas are intimately draw as touchy ( or " saucy " ) . Chiweenies can inherit any traits from their pup parent .
" Chiweenies will work in almost any crime syndicate situation , " says Catherine Gorton , founder ofTexas Chihuahua Rescue . " They are happy - go - favourable heel that offer up the best of both breeds and make much better family dogs than Chihuahuas . "
Gregory describes chiweenies as " humble click with big andiron personalities " who are steadfastly loyal and rise tight bond with their owners . While the stock can be playful , affectionate , and cuddly lick dogs , chiweenies often reserve the sweeter side of their personalities for their owners . They be given to be suspicious of stranger and may worry that theirfavorite toy , comfortable beds , or yummy bite will be nobble by these unfamiliar homo , Gregory says . Make certain tosocialize your chiweenieearly in life so he can learn to be comfortable around unexampled people and in new situations .
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Consistentpositive reenforcement trainingandusing rewards such as treatscan facilitate curtail any undesirable conduct your sure-footed chiweenie might break . Thanks to their dachshund heritage , chiweenies can be spunky and potent - willed , and might resist being told what to do ; keep training Roger Huntington Sessions short and fun to hold their attending .
Living Needs
For such asmall dog breed , a chiweenie has big ideas about his exist place — and is n’t afraid to let you know precisely what he wants . At the top of his list are devoted owners who are attached to cater affection and take a shit sure he ’s the center of attention .
Despite their lowly size of it , not all chiweenies arewell - suited to flat life history . Gregory depict them as " professional barkers " who will alert you to delivery trucks , passing neighbor , wienerwurst barking in the space , and strong winds ( really ) . But remember : Each dog-iron is an individual , andwith right grooming , you’re able to plow your chiweenie into a quiet gentleman who thrives as an flat dweller and keeps peace with the neighbors .
Children might hump the little chiweenie , but the affection is n’t always reciprocal . Due to their small size , the strain can easily be accidentally injured , and sharing does n’t hail of course to these tiny pooches . But most chiweenies will do well in a home with honest-to-goodness children . If you ’re considering adopting a chiweenie , inter-group communication foster - based deliverance to obtain a dog that will thrive in a engaged home with small kiddos . As with any heel , always oversee playtime with kids , andteach your tike how to properly interact with pets .
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Chiweenies can also be particular about their four - legged supporter . While some will happilyshare their home with catsand other Canis familiaris , Gregory says others prefer to be the only pet at home . Typically , as with many breed , chiweenies will do beneficial with furred sibling when they ’re introduce in puppyhood .
And keep in mind : Dachshunds were originallybred as huntsman , burrow into underground tunnels in pursuance of Badger . Because of this , chiweenies might be prostrate to go after small-scale beast — so they might not get along well in a home with bunnies , hamster , or other trivial pets . Thisprey drivecan mean squirrels are also a temptation just too great to resist , so ensure your chiweenie ison a leashor save within afenced - in yardwhen you take him outside .
Care
Gorton describes chiweenies as a " low sustenance and down in the mouth shedding " stock . Smooth - coated chiweenies have " moisten and go " coats that require minimal grooming ; anoccasional bathandbrushingare all it takes to keep him looking his best . In colder climate , smooth - coated chiweenies — just like their two parent breeds — may need astylish perspirer or coatto keep them quick .
Wire - haired or recollective - haired chiweenies also need casual baths , but their coat will ask more frequent brushing to prevent matting . Gregory advises brushing them a few multiplication per week . Regardless of their coat eccentric , all chiweenies call for regularnail trimsto keep them from detent - clacking across the floor . And routineteeth brushingis essential , as these small guy rope can be prostrate to dental disease .
Despite being lowly enough to curl up in your lap , chiweenies wo n’t want to stay on there all the time . Both dachshunds and Chihuahuas like tagging along after their owners , often follow them from room to way ( and accidentally spark you from meter to clip ) . Chiweenies have the same penury to be part of the legal action .
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You wo n’t need to provide the same amount of utilisation that alive breed likeborder colliesorLabrador retrieversrequire , but your chiweenie willrequire daily walkiesand even playtime . Even a plot of fetch or tug of warfare from your living room will keep him happy . " All dogs demand line of work to do , " Gorton says . " Walking challenges them mentally and , even if it ’s a short walk , sniffing and exploring fatigue them out . "
Tired chiweenies will mirthfully take lap dog status and curl up for a long nap beside their favorite hoi polloi .
Health
These modest dogshave retentive lifespans , know 12–16 years . While mixed - breed frankfurter are loosely believed to have few health issues than purebred dogs , chiweenies are prone to some of the same wellness problems as their ancestors .
Chiweenies , like dachsie , are at danger for back issues like a degenerative spinal condition calledintervertebral record disease . A curing of the intervertebral disc , a stuff that help cushion the spaces between the discs , causes IVDD . The disease causes severe pain , impairs movement , and can lead to fond paralysis . In severe case , operating room is the only intervention for IVDD .
" We see IVDD more often in chiweenies that have long backs like dachshunds , " Gregory say .
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The disease might not be an issue in chiweenies with Chihuahua - comparable bodies . Just like with dachshunds , keeping chiweenies ' free weight in checkand not allowing them to jump on or off the furniture can minimize the peril of back injuries and IVDD .
Luxating patellais another wellness issue that ’s common in little breed like the chiweenie . It ’s diagnosed when the kneepan moves out of its normal location , making it hard for the cad to put weight on the touched branch .
Although a luxating kneecap often cause no pain — and some Canis familiaris larn how to kick out their leg so the kneecap moves back into blank space — more stern drive can stimulate inveterate breakdown and increase the peril of other injury such as torn cruciate ligament . operating theatre can help right more terrible or chronic cases .
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Like all modest dog breeds , chiweenies are also at high-pitched risk for dental disease . Bad breather , tartar buildup , and swollen , red gums are former sign of dental disease which , left untreated , increase the risk of contagion . In addition to regularprofessional cleanings , Gregory says an at - dwelling house dental care programme that includesdental chewsand an at - household tooth brushing routine can help keep your whelp ’s tooth looking ( and smelling ) fresh .
History
The chiweenie is a Chihuahua - dachshund hybrid and is n’t recognize by the American Kennel Club as an official stock . Therefore , there is n’t much documentation about their history .
Gregory suspects that a dachshund and Chihuahua produced a litter of puppy that were so adorable that demand for the " breed " skyrocket . These pups are the new detent on the block , and their popularity has been growing over the last pair of decades .
Beware of " too unspoilt to be true " chiweenies , because many designer crossbreeds are the product ofpuppy factory schemes . This means they might not be born into a sizeable surroundings that centre on their well - being . Here are some warning sign of apotential puppy scam :
Fun Facts
Study reveals familial diseases of mixed - breed , purebred dogs . AVMA .