Australian ShepherdChihuahua mix is a crossbreed between the purebred dogs, the Australian Shepherd, and the Chihuahua. They are playful, loving, and intelligent. Chihuahua Australian Shepherd puppy carries striking looks with its silky fur of Australian Shepherd and the cute face of Chihuahuas. They are a pretty exciting dog breed with their endearing nature and pursuit of knowledge by always searching and sniffing around. Chihuahua Australian Shepherd dogs come with a designer tag and are not recognized by the AKC.
The Parent breed Australian Shepherds are believed to have originated from the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. Australian Shepherd dogs were initially used to herd sheep and cattle in tough terrains. They are loyal and brilliant dogs. They got this name because of their connection with the shepherds who migrated from Australia to the United States.
The Chihuahua Parent breed is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua in the 1850s and is the world’s smallest dog. The Chihuahua is also the national dog of Mexico. Although a toy breed, they are feisty and alert. They are also called “purse dogs.”Chihuahua Australian Shepherd Mix comes with all the desirable traits of its parent breeds. A Chihuahua Australian Shepherd Puppy is a sight to behold when its fur with hues of varied colors springs up in the air, thus perfectly fitting the saying, “ As Pretty as a Speckled Pup.”
Table of Contents
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Playful and intelligent
High shedding
Alert and friendly
High exercise needs
Active and family-friendly
Separation anxiety
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Basic Information
Name: Australian Shepherd Chihuahua
Height: 10-16 inches
Weight:8 to 30 pounds
Size: Small to medium
Coat: Double-coated, soft, dense, short or medium length
Color: Blue, black, white, red – bicolor or tricolor
Other Names: Miniature Aussie Chi, Aussie Chihuahua, Aussie Huahua
Breed Recognition: DBR – Designer Breed Registry
Australian Shepherd and Chihuahua: A Comparison
Features
Chihuahua
Australian Shepherd
Image
Origin
Mexico
United States
Height
6 – 9 inches
18-23 inches
Weight
3 – 6 pounds
40-65 pounds
Size
Small
Medium
Group
Companion dogs
Herding
Children Compatibility
High
High
Family Compatibility
High
High
Pets Compatibility
Low
High
Barking Level
Low to medium
Medium to high
Shedding Level
Low
Medium to high
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
High
Medium to high
Overall Health
Low
Medium to high
Energy
Medium
High
Exercise Needs
Low
High
Trainability
High
High
Activities
Watchdogs, Companion dogs
Companion, Sports, Obedience, Agility
Complication in breeding
No
No
Litter Size
1-3 puppies
6-7 puppies
Lifespan
10-18 years
12-15 years
Other Names
Nil
Spanish Shepherd, Pastor dogs, Bob-Tails, Blue Heelers, New Mexican Shepherds, California Shepherds
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Personality
The Australian Shepherd Chihuahua grows around 10-16 inches tall and weighs about 8 to 30 pounds. A newborn Australian Shepherd puppy weighs about 1-3 pounds, but the weight varies as it grows depending on the dominant parent gene. If the pup is after the Chihuahua parent, the puppy may weigh around 8 pounds and 30 pounds if the dog takes after the Australian Shepherd. Their size varies from small to medium.
Generally, Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas are smaller than the Australian Shepherds and taller than Chihuahuas. They inherit the tiny face of the chihuahuas with big sharp ears. The coat is beautiful and fluffy like that of the Australian Shepherd. The coat color includes red, blue, white, and black, and they can be tri-colored or bi-colored. The tail may be erect and curled up like the chihuahuas or bushy and droopy like an Australian Shepherd. The overall appearance varies from pup to pup, depending on genetics. Despite the gene game, Aussie Chihuahuas have a delightful appearance that brings a smile in amazement.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium
Dog-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good for new owners
Medium
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold tolerance
Low to medium
Heat tolerance
Low to medium
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Temperament
The Australian Shepherd Chihuahua are loving fluffy pooches that prefer to be part of their family and want to be loved. Generally, their temperament is mixed. They are brilliant and quick learners, which makes training easy. However, it can be stubborn if it takes after the Chihuahua parent. One should be ready to spend quality time with these puppies as they crave their human’s attention.
The Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas form strong bonds with their owners and suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. They are interested in learning and finding new things and will always be sniffing around. They are loving, caring, and great with kids and other pets with early socialization. Australian Shepherd Chihuahua is a happy addition to any family and makes an excellent family companion.
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Training
Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas are easy to train and quick learners. They can be a bit tough if they take after the Chihuahua parent. These mixed breeds require early socialization and proper training. They are obedient, and with positive reinforcement, Aussie Chihuahuas become the perfect pooch to live with positive reinforcement. They love being around people and treats, and cuddles do wonders while training. They are high-energy dogs and need hours of exercise and play sessions. They love playtimes and tricks, and this mental stimulation keeps these dogs happy.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
High
Intelligence
High
Prey to drive
Medium to high
Mouthiness tendencies
Medium
Barking and Howling tendencies
Medium
Wanderlust tendencies
Medium
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Exercise Needs
Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas are energetic dogs and require lots of daily exercises. They can be indulged with simple to complex games to keep them engaged. They love to be outdoors and enjoy walking, hiking and running. They are also good at agility, obedience, playing fetch, and canine games. A daily exercise of 40 – 60 minutes and 2 – 3 walks per day is ideal and keeps them happy and healthy.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
Medium to high
Intensity
High
Playfulness
High
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Grooming
Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas are easy to maintain even though they shed round the year. They are easy to groom, and the coat needs to be brushed 2-3 times per week. Brushing helps remove matted hair and pull out the loose fur during shedding. One of the essential parts of grooming is bathing which keeps the dog clean. However, frequent bathing causes dry skin and itches.
Bathing your dog using shampoos with ph. balanced for dogs, and pet wipes will keep your dog’s coat fresh, clean, and shiny. They can also be bathed once a week. However, daily brushing helps to keep the fur from knots and tangles. Ears should be cleaned and regularly checked as they are prone to ear problems.
Brush their teeth daily to prevent plaque and other dental problems. Never brush the teeth with a stiff brush as it will harm the gums and teeth. Also, make sure to use dog-friendly toothpaste. Also, clean their eyes and trim their nails, as a part of everyday grooming needs. Their toenails need to be checked once a week as longer nails may harm and injure the dog. You can trim the toenails with a commercial dog nail trimmer or with the help of a vet or professional groomer.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom
Medium to high
Drooling tendencies
Low
Amount of shedding
High
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Health
Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas are healthy dogs and may not develop any health concerns. But it always helps to know when to take your pup to the vet.
General health
Medium to high
Weight gain tendencies
High
Size
Low to medium
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is outwardly a painful disease that occurs when the bones of the back legs do not fit properly in the joints. While some dogs will exhibit symptoms, the majority of canines will not. Hip dysplasia is primarily genetic, although other causes such as accidents, excessive weight gain, and inappropriate training can also cause it. Even though this disease is fatal, therapies range from medicine to hip replacement surgery. To avoid this problem, avoid breeding dogs with hip dysplasia parentage and get annual examinations.
Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia:
Injuries
Excessive weight gain
Wrong exercises
This condition causes defects or damage to the hip bones and joints and worsens without treatment.
Joint Dysplasia: Joint dysplasia, a disease that affects the growing joints, predisposes dogs to early-onset arthritis and joint problems. Dogs are known to develop several dysplasias, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and OsteoChondritis Dissecans (OCD). To avoid joint dysplasia problems, try purchasing dogs from breeders who certify their dogs as joint dysplasias free through either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or PennHIP.
Allergies: Few dogs suffer from various allergies, differing from contact allergies to food allergies. Allergies in dogs are similar to those in humans. If your dog is scratching, licking at their paws, or rubbing their face a lot, suspect that they have an allergy and take them to the vet.
Dental disease: It affects 80% of pets by the age of two. It causes tartar build-up on the teeth, infection of the gums and roots, and in extreme cases, loss of teeth and damage to the kidneys.
Obesity: It is a significant health condition in certain dogs. Excess weight can cause joint problems, back pain, digestive disorders, and heart disease. The best way to prevent this lifestyle disease is a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Skin Problems: The continual scratching or licking of paws can be annoying, but don’t blame your dog for his bad behavior; the skin issue is to be blamed. Parasites, allergies, and underlying sickness are all possible reasons. The following are the symptoms of skin problems:
Skin Sores
Dry Skin
Rashes
Lumps
Redness
Dandruff
Bumps
Sunburns
Hair Loss
Spay or Neuter: In spay, the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in the neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It is done to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and also decrease the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
Recommended test for Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
X-Rays
CT Scan
Eye Examination
Physical Examination
Blood Work
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Diet and Nutrition
Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas are hybrid dogs and need a large quantity of high-quality food. They should eat 1-2 cups of meal every day. Each puppy is distinctive, and the correct amount and quality of food depend on their age, weight, activity level, health, and more. The meals can also be split into two 2 cups daily. They are prone to obesity, and hence overfeeding must be avoided.
Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas pups can be given dry food, wet food, or a combination of both. They can also be fed with fruits and vegetables that provide carbohydrate energy. Never hesitate to consult a vet to meet your pup’s dietary requirements to keep them happy and healthy.
Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Living Condition
Australian Shepherd Chihuahuas love to be around their humans. They are adaptable and can live in apartments or homes with bigger yards. They wander off to scents and should be on leash for safety. They love outdoor activities like walking, running, playing, and hiking. These breeds love the attention of their owners and suffer separation anxiety when left alone. They are fond of playing with kids and other pets.
Adding an Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix to Your Family
Things to remember before adding an Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix to Your Family
It is best to get a puppy from a reputable breeder to prevent unavoidable circumstances like health disorders and provide you with vaccination certificates. It is best to check with the puppy’s parents to ensure his health and happiness. Always remember the following red flags to avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills.
Puppies are available around the year.
You can choose from a variety of litter that is always available.
One will be promised any puppy they want.
Payment can be made online without looking at the puppy.
The breeder does not invite you to visit the puppy and its parents but promises door delivery.
Cost of an Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Puppy
The cost of an Chihuahua puppy, ranges from $200 to $800.
