Cairn TerrierChihuahua Mix is a hybrid dog crossed between the cute-faced Chihuahua and active Cairn Terrier. Also called Toxrin, they are confident, loyal, friendly, and protective family companions. However, they are perky, confident, and aggressive when guarding their territory. They come under designer dog tags and are not recognized by the AKC. The origin and history of Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are unknown, but they result from the worldwide trend of the 1980s to create designer dogs. The Chihuahua parent breed is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua in the 1850s and is the world’s smallest dog. Chihuahuas are also the national dogs of Mexico.
Although a toy breed, Chihuahuas are feisty and alert dogs. They are also called “purse dogs.” The other parent breed, Cairn Terriers, are brave, energetic, loyal, and loving little puppies. They are known as the dog Toto from “Wizard Of Oz,” but their history tells more. They are working breed dogs that originated in Scotland on the Isle of Skye more than 200 years ago. Farmers primarily used them to get rid of Vermins from their properties. These compact little dogs are sensible, protective, loving family companions and are delightful mixes of all desired qualities of their parent breeds. These cute little companions are sassy little hearts wrapped in fur.
Table of Contents
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Suitable for apartments
Aggressive
Less training required
Individualistic
Low maintenance
Not good with kids
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Basic Information
Name: Cairn Terrier Chihuahua
Height: 8 – 9 inches
Weight: 6 – 18 pounds
Size: Small
Coat: Double-coated, short to medium-sized fur, soft and smooth
Color: Black, gray, white, brindle
Group: Mixed breed dogs
Activities: Agility, dog toys, canine games, walk, flyball
Other Names: CairnHuaHua, Toxrin, Cairnchi, Cairn-Chi
Breed Recognition: ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club, DBR = Designer Breed Registry, DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club, DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc., IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry.
Chihuahua Vs. Cairn Terrier: A Comparison
Features
Chihuahua
Cairn Terrier
Image
Origin
Mexico
Scotland
Height
6 – 9 inches
9-13 inches
Weight
3 – 6 pounds
10-16 pounds
Size
Small
Small
Group
Companion dogs
Terrier dogs
Children Compatibility
High
High
Family Compatibility
High
High
Pets Compatibility
Low
High
Barking Level
Low to medium
High
Shedding Level
Low
Medium
Hypoallergenic
No
Yes
Grooming Needs
High
High
Overall Health
Low
High
Energy
Medium
High
Exercise Needs
Low
High
Trainability
Easy
Low
Activities
Watchdogs, Companion dogs
Agility, Obedience, Earthdog trials
Complication in breeding
No
No
Litter Size
1-3 puppies
2-10 puppies
Lifespan
10-18 years
12-15 years
Other Names
NIL
NIL
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Personality
Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are small-sized dogs with solid and sturdy bodies. They grow around 8-9 inches and weigh about 6-18 pounds. Typically, they are double-coated with short and stiff fur. They are not hypoallergenic and shed at low to medium levels. The topcoat is rough with a fuzzy undercoat.
The coat is wiry, bristle with medium-length hair. The body is strong, firm, and muscular, with the hair sticking all around the body, adding to the cute look. The coat color includes tan, grey, white, and black.
Eyes are dark and bright with a button-shaped black nose. The ears are tiny, upturned, and pricked in shape. However, the overall appearance depends on which parent breeds they inherit.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium
Dog-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
High
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good for new owners
High
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low to medium
Cold tolerance
Low to medium
Heat tolerance
Low to medium
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Temperament
Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are loving, small, robust pooches that are loyal and fun loving. They have high energy levels and are territorial. They are watch dogs with smaller kids. These small-sized puppies make great family pets and love to cuddle with their humans. They do well with older kids and other dogs with early socialization and training. They are also fearless while being stubborn and protective of their owners. Cairn Terrier Chihuahua pups are affectionate, gentle with loving nature, and are perfect lap dogs. Their temperament includes
Loving
Playful
Energetic
Smart
Devoted
Protective
Loyal
Sometimes aggressive
Brave
Affectionate
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Training
Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are easy to train yet need perseverance and consistency in training. Training is essential to Cairn Terrier Chihuahua puppies as they are territorial and aggressive towards strangers. Some puppies may be stubborn. Like any other dog breed, they require early socialization and proper training. However, they are obedient, and Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas become the perfect pup to live with positive reinforcement in training. They love being around people. Treats and cuddles do wonders while training. They are very active and look forward to the training sessions, playing fetch, and running, which helps in training regarding behavioral corrections. They enjoy playtime and tricks, and this mental stimulation keeps these dogs happy.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
Medium to high
Intelligence
High
Prey to drive
Medium to high
Mouthiness tendencies
Medium
Barking and Howling tendencies
High
Wanderlust tendencies
Medium
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Exercise Needs
Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are active dogs with high energy levels. They love to play with toys, walk, run, and learn new tricks. They are also good at agility, obedience, playing fetch, flyball, and canine games. These Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas enjoy a walk with their humans and visit dog parks. A daily exercise of 30 minutes and 2-3 walks and some running inside the house is ideal and keeps them happy and healthy. In addition, they enjoy spending time with their owners, and hence just some indoor games and toys will make them joyous.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
Low – medium
Intensity
High
Playfulness
High
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Grooming
Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are low-maintenance dogs and shed at low to medium levels. They are easy to groom, and the coat needs to be brushed 2-3 times per week. However, daily brushing helps to keep the fur from knots and tangles. The fur can be either long-haired or short-haired, so brushing should be done accordingly. In addition, Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are prone to collect ear wax quickly. Hence,Ears should be cleaned and regularly checked as they are prone to ear problems. Bathing your dog using shampoos that is Ph. balanced for dogs, pet wipes will keep your dog’s coat fresh, clean, and shiny. They can be bathed once a week. Frequent bathing causes dry skin and itches.
Brushing teeth daily to prevent plaque and other dental problems is also part of grooming. 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
High to medium
Drooling tendencies
Low
Amount of shedding
Low to medium
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Health
Cairn Terrier 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
Medium
Size
Small
Entropion: Entropion is when the eyelids are positioned inwards, disturbing the eye and causing eye irritation. Treatment involves correcting the eyelids surgically.
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 injury to the hip bones and joints and worsens without treatment.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is when a dog’s metabolism is slowed due to the lack of thyroid hormone production. Among the signs and symptoms are:
Lethargy
Gaining weight
Reluctance to work out
Hair Loss
Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus results in dogs that cannot metabolize blood sugar. Symptoms include increased thirst, hunger, urination, and weight loss. It can be treated using insulin injections and other medications.
Perianal Fistula: Perianal Fistula is common in German Shepherd and German Shepherd Mixes. Dogs with this condition will have an infection in the perianal region. The infection might lead to foul-smelling discharges. In addition, dogs will exhibit symptoms like straining to defecate, blood in the stool, loss of appetite, excessive licking near the rectal region, and behavioral changes. Promptly consult a vet if you notice any of these symptoms.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: This hereditary condition affects the blood’s capacity to clot. The primary symptom is excessive bleeding after surgery. Von Willebrand’s Disease can be identified through sure signs like nosebleed, bleeding gums, and intestinal or bowel bleeding. As there is no other solution, blood transfusion from normal dogs is the only remedy available now. Research is underway to find new therapies and medications.
Corneal Dystrophy: Corneal Dystrophy affects the eye’s cornea layer. This genetic disorder will not be painful. Corneal Dystrophy can be identified by symptoms such as the formation of an opaque layer.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy: While a puppy is growing, this condition affects the skull bones, causing them to become irregularly enlarged. Symptoms usually occur between the ages of four and eight months. The exact cause is unclear, although it is thought to be genetic. The puppy’s jaw and glands would sometimes enlarge, leaving him unable to open his mouth. He’ll drool, have a varying fever that comes and goes every couple of weeks, and his chewing muscles may atrophy in some cases. There is no cure, but anti-inflammatories and pain relievers will help the dog cope with the discomfort. Nutritional support is essential; a feeding tube could be required in extreme situations. When the puppy is a year old, the erratic bone development stops and usually ceases. While the lesions will regress, a few dogs develop chronic jaw issues and have difficulties chewing. Some conditions are severe enough to necessitate jaw surgery.
Patellar Luxation: This problem, also known as slipped stifles, is common in small dogs. The kneecap is known as the patella. The term “luxation” refers to an anatomical part’s dislocation (as a bone at a joint). Patellar luxation happens as the knee joint (usually in the back leg) shifts in and out of place, causing discomfort. While many dogs with this disease enjoy relatively everyday lives, it can be debilitating.
Cardiac Problems: Dogs often suffer from cardiac problems. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the signs or symptoms that could lead to cardiac problems in dogs.
The most common cardiac issue is left ventricular hypertrophy, an enlargement of the heart’s left ventricle. This enlargement can be caused by many factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, and old age. Owners need to know how to recognize these symptoms and take their dogs to the vet for treatment.
Dogs with a history of heart disease may show signs like coughing or breathing problems, fatigue, lethargy, and vomiting. These signs are often accompanied by decreased appetite and weight loss.
Eye Defects
Deformed Eyes (Small Microphthalmia): Animals suffering from this deformation develop smaller eyes as the nictitating membranes cover their sockets. For this reason, they may be confined to an eye or both.
Missing Eye or Eyes (Anophthalmia): This congenital disability occurs when one or both eyes are missing. At times, the eyes may have been formed but exist very deep inside the eye socket that the nictitating membrane covers them.
Wandering Eye: This condition is characterized by eye degeneration which causes the lens to be liquefied.
Cataracts: The condition causes cloudiness on the eye lens, leading to blindness.
Starburst Pupil (Coloboma): This deformation may be associated with deafness and blindness. It is similar to an eye cleft. This condition may also lead to cataracts in dogs.
Jagged Pupils: Dogs suffering from this defect are sensitive to light as their pupils have irregular edges.
Blindness: Lack of eyesight in one or both eyes
Corectopia: This condition doesn’t affect the dogs but may be associated with other issues. In this condition, the pupils of the eye droop below their normal position.
Cherry Eye: When the glands under your canine’s eyelid protrude, it appears like cherry and has to be removed surgically.
Dry Eye: This painful condition dries the affected eye or creates a blue haze due to the insufficient production of tears. It can be treated with proper medication or teardrops.
Liver issues: As dogs grow older, they are more likely to develop liver problems. It’s sometimes a matter of genetics. However, illness or damage to the area can also cause it. In addition, certain disorders and drugs might harm your dog’s liver.
Hydrocephalus: This is a comparatively rare disease experienced by smaller canines. Dogs with this disease have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside their heads that cannot drain. This puts a lot of pressure on the brain, leading to lousy vision or blindness, seizures, restlessness, trouble learning commands, and coma.
Obesity: Chihuahuas and their mixed breeds are prone to obesity, exacerbating hip and elbow dysplasia. This disorder negatively hits a dog’s health and durability. Obese canines exhibit an increased risk of heart disease, digestive disorders, diabetes, joint problems, and hypertension.
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 decrease the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
Recommended test for Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Eye Examination
Blood and Urine Tests
Wellness Check
Full Physical Examination regarding joint movement around the hip and kneecap
DNA for VWD
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Diet and Nutrition
Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas are hybrid dogs. Therefore, they 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. Cairn Terrier Chihuahua pups can be given dry food, wet food, or a mix 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.
Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Living Condition
Cairn Terrier Chihuahuas love to be around their humans. They are adaptable and can live in apartments or homes with bigger yards. They love outdoor activities like walking, running, playing, and visiting dog parks. They are also content and happy with indoor games, toys, and play sessions with their owners. They love the attention of their owners and suffer separation anxiety when left alone. They do not suit homes with smaller kids and do not do well with other animals. They are territorial and aggressive towards strangers and should be kept on a leash safely.
Adding a Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix to Your Family
Things to remember before adding a Cairn Terrier Chihuahua to your family
It is best to get a Cairn Terrier Chihuahua puppy from a reputable breeder to prevent unavoidable circumstances like health disorders and provide you with vaccination certificates. In addition, 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 round the year.
You can choose from a variety of litter that is always available.
One will be promised any puppy they want.
Cost of a Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Puppy
The cost of a Cairn Terrier Chihuahua puppy ranges from $400 to $800.
