Chihuahua Dachshund Mix is a hybrid of Chihuahua and Dachshund. They are alternatively known as Chiweenie, Choxie, Weeniehuahua, German Taco, and Mexican Hot Dog. They are intelligent, lovable, friendly, and suitable for apartments. In addition, they pair greatly with a master in the household.
It is considered that this breed has existed naturally for eons; however, breeders intentionally started mixing Chihuahua and Dachshund in the late 1990s. Due to their size differences, a male Chihuahua is always crossed with a female Dachshund to get a Choxie puppy.
Activities: Guard dogs, watchdogs, companion dogs, family dogs, agility
Litter size: 3 – 6 puppies
Life span: 12 – 20 years
Other names: Chaweenie, Chiwinnie, Chiweene, Chawinie, Chiweenie, Choxie, the Mexican Hot Dog, the German Taco, Weeniehuahua, Dachuahua, Doxihuahua, Chiwee, Chihuahua Doxie, Doxiwawa.
Breed recognition: ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club, DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club, DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc., IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®, DBR = Designer Breed Registry.
Chihuahua vs. Dachshund: A Comparison
Features
Chihuahua
Dachshund
Image
Origin
Mexico
Germany
Height
6 – 9 inches
8 – 9 inches
Weight
3 – 6 pounds
16 – 32 pounds
Size
Small
Small
Group
Companion dogs
Hound dogs
Family-friendly
High
Medium to high
Kid-friendly
High
High
Pet-friendly
Low to medium
Medium
Barking level
Medium
High
Shedding level
Low to medium
Medium
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming needs
High
Medium
Overall health
Low to medium
Low to medium
Energy
Medium
Medium
Exercise needs
Low
Medium
Trainability
Medium
Medium to high
Complication in breeding
No
No
Activities
Watchdogs, companion dogs
Hunting dogs, family dogs, show dogs
Litter size
1 – 3 puppies
1 to 6 puppies
Life span
10-18 years
12 to 15 years
Other names
Armpit Piranha, Purse dogs
Weiner Dog, Badger Dog, Sausage Dog
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Personality
Dachshund Chihuahua Mix is usually small in size. However, they have two kinds of size variations:
Mini Chihuahua Dachshund Mixes are the hybrid of standard Chihuahua and Miniature Dachshund. They weigh around 3 to 11 pounds.
Teacup Chihuahua Dachshund mixes are the hybrid of a standard Dachshund and a teacup Chihuahua. They weigh approximately 8 to 32 pounds.
Their coat colors are:
Black
Brown
Tan
Bi-colored
Brindle
Blonde
Their types of coats:
Fluffy/smooth
Short
Medium/long
Chiweenie’s face is apple-shaped like the Chihuahuas or round like the Dachshunds. They can either have erect ears or floppy ears and have varied eye colors like brown, black, blue, or green.
Friendliness Overview
Affectionate
Medium
Family-friendly
Medium to high
Kid-friendly
Low to medium
Pet-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Low to medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartments
High
Good for new owners
Medium
Sensitivity level
Medium to high
Tolerates being alone
Low to medium
Cold tolerance
Low
Hot tolerance
Medium to high
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Temperament
Chihuahua and Dachshund mixes have a small stature with a great personality. The Chihuahua and Dachshund mix is highly confident. They might have a hunting trait if they inherit Dachshund’s temperament.
Choxies adapt well to apartments and are close to families. They make excellent guard dogs as they are not good with strangers. These dogs do not get along with kids as they are aggressive and quick-tempered. Therefore, it is best to let them get in touch with kids under supervision. Chiweenies also have barking tendencies. Therefore, early training is mandatory for this breed.
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Training
Dachshund and Chihuahua mixes are intelligent breeds but might get distracted, making training difficult. Therefore, training a Chiweenie puppy from an early age is mandatory. They can only be trained with positive reinforcement. Any punitive measures can make them destructive and lead to undesired behavior. Early socialization is essential as they are almost intolerant to strangers and other pets or animals. You can take your Chiweenie puppy to dog care centers, or you may hire a professional trainer to train them.
Choxies inherit chewing and nipping traits from Chihuahua parents. Hence, provide them with chew toys and keep them mentally stimulated with puzzles and activities.
Chihuahua mixed with Dachshunds need 30 minutes of daily exercise to shed their energy and sweat off. Though they are small breeds, they are packed with energy. If they are not provided with a daily exercise routine, they might gain weight and suffer from obesity. They can also be destructive.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
Medium to high
Intensity
Low to medium
Exercise needs
Medium to high
Playfulness
High
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Grooming
Dachshunds mixed with Chihuahuas are low-maintenance dogs. You will require a brush to let go of their loose hair twice a week. Dachshunds and Chihuahuas suffer from dental issues. Therefore, it is necessary to brush their teeth often to keep away tartars and gum disease. It is mandatory to use dog-friendly toothbrushes and toothpaste. If your dog has floppy ears, it is necessary to look for ear waxes and clean them. Also, remember to clip their nails regularly.
Chiweenie breeds are susceptible to the health conditions that their purebred parents suffer from. Most of the hybrids are usually healthy. However, there are instances where we can witness that they are prone to significant health concerns.
Epilepsy: This is the most prevalent neurological disease in canines, concerning about 0.75 percent of the population. Epilepsy is a broad name for disorders characterized by repeated, uncontrollable seizures caused by a brain defect.
Bloat: Also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, is a condition in which a dog’s stomach twists when it fills with gas, food, or liquids. GDV appears out of nowhere and can progress swiftly. There is always a situation that requires immediate attention.
Obesity: Obesity is a common health disease in the Chiweenie mix. Excess weight can result in back pain, digestive disorders, joint problems, and heart diseases. The ideal way to control this disorder is by maintaining a healthy diet and routine exercise.
Deafness: Dogs, like people, can develop hearing loss as they age. Because this is usually a slow process, it might be challenging to observe. The eardrums become less flexible, and sounds are less efficiently transferred. Chronic ear infections cause some dogs to lose their hearing.
Ear Infections: This is most common in Chihuahua Dachshunds with floppy ears. Fungi and bacteria can cause ear infections to thrive in the warmth and darkness provided.
Diabetes: Diabetes in dogs is common. It is more common in Dachshunds. Diabetes cannot be cured but be regulated by injecting insulin in dogs.
Hypoglycemia: Anorexia, excessive tiredness, poor coordination, shaking, muscular twitching, fatigue, convulsions, and skin and gum discoloration are all symptoms of hypoglycemia. When dogs are in low sugar shock, they will usually refuse to eat or drink.
Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease causes the external section of the disc to deteriorate rapidly, terminating in disc rupture or protrusion. Although the fracture typically occurs after some form of traumatic experiences, such as a fall or a tiny leap.
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.
Dental Issues: Dental issues like bleeding gums, gum inflammation, tartar buildup, bad breath, and cavities are common in Chihuahuas. Regularly brushing their teeth can prevent oral infections, gum diseases, and other dental problems.
Allergies: Chiweenies can be allergic to various substances, ranging from food to pollen. If your dog licks his paws or rubs his face a great deal, get him checked by your veterinarian.
Knee and joint issues: Dogs can suffer from knee and joint problems, such as arthritis, joint dysplasia, dislocated joint bones or kneecaps, etc. It is essential to check up with the vet.
IVDD: Dachshunds are prone to IVDD. One or more jelly-like discs between a dog’s vertebrae rupture or slip. IVDD is caused because the lengthy body sometimes fails to support the spine.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a disorder that affects dogs during their growing phase. It causes the hip joint to relax, resulting in discomfort and dysfunction. In addition, the cartilage and bones in the dog’s hip start to wear away as he develops. This leads to arthritis, muscular atrophy, and decreased mobility over time.
Patellar Luxation: When the dog patella (kneecap), which typically lies in the cleft of the femur (thighbone), slips out of position, it is known as luxating patella. Your dog may feel periodic hind limb “skipping,” lameness, or locking up the leg at an abnormal angle.
Color Dilution Alopecia is a condition in which your dog might develop hair thinning slowly on their skin, resulting in hair loss forever. This disorder is developed in some but not all canines that have been bred for unique coat colors.
Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a hereditary disorder characterized by a lack of blood clotting activity. Hemophiliac dogs are prone to bleeding from a variety of sources.
Spina Bifida: Dogs with Spina Bifida have a congenital spine abnormality. The segments of the vertebral canal surround and protect the spinal cord in a healthy dog. However, a defect in the uterus prevents the vertebrae from entirely closing, causing space and exposing the spinal cord in Spina Bifida patients.
Neuroaxonal Dystrophy(NAD) is an inherited hereditary illness that causes the involution of peripheral and central nervous system nerve cells in dogs. As a result, spheroids grow and pile up on the nerve cells as the nerve cells are gradually damaged.
Health Overview
Overall health
Medium
Weight gaining tendencies
Medium to high
Size
Low
Chihuahua Dachshund Mix Diet and Nutrition
A Chiweenie dog needs food formulated for small dogs by the vet. They must consist of high protein and low-fat food as they are prone to obesity and weight gain. In addition, their diet should not remain the same throughout their lifetime. They must have alterations from puppyhood to adulthood. Get the diet formulated by the vet for your Chiweenie puppy.
Chiweenies are cold-intolerant. Therefore, if you plan to travel to a cold place, be prepared to cover your dog with dog jackets, and boots to save them from feeling and falling sick. In addition, they will require an owner who can provide enough time for the puppy to avoid separation anxiety. Spending time with puppies also helps build bonds, which in turn makes it easier to train a stubborn breed.
Things to remember before adding a Chihuahua Dachshund Mix puppy to your family
Find a reputable breeder before adding a Chihuahua Dachshund Mix puppy to your family. A reputable breeder can provide you with gene testing certificates, vaccination certificates, and medical histories and updates. They will also ensure that you meet the parent breeds to know the dog’s authenticity and lineage.
Cost of a Chihuahua Dachshund Mix puppy
A Dachshund Chihuahua mix puppy can cost around $500- $3500. They may also cost more according to places and breeders.
