German ShepherdChihuahua mix, also known as Shepchi or Shepherdhua, is a German Shepherd and Chihuahua hybrid, markedly different in personality and appearance. However, it appears to work wonderfully, completely matching the parents’ traits. The German Shepherd Chihuahua mix is one unique and surprising breed. These low-maintenance pups are lively and energetic, making them an excellent choice for an active family seeking a friendly, entertaining companion.
Shepchi’s appearance significantly varies and is not suitable for new pet owners since they have a stubborn streak. On the other hand, they could be very independent. However, if you are not a dominant owner, they will assume the alpha part.
Shepchis are affectionate, playful, loyal, and protective. So, they need rigorous obedience training. But unfortunately, they can also be destructive. So, German Shepherd Chihuahua mixes are not recommended for families with kids.
Table of Contents
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Affectionate and empathetic
High prey drive
Rare mix with a unique look
Unpredictable temperament
Low Maintenance
Tendency to be aggressive
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Basic Information
Name: German Shepherd Chihuahua mix
Height: 8–45 inches
Weight: 16–60 pounds
Size: Small or Medium
Color: Black, black and tan, sable, brown, red and black, black and silver, red hues
Other names: Chiweenie, Shephardchihuahua, Shepchi, Shepherdhua, Chi-German Shepherd
Lifespan: 12–20 years
German Shepherd vs. Chihuahua: A Comparison
Features
German Shepherd
Chihuahua
Image
Origin
Germany
Mexico
Height
24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
6 – 9 inches
Weight
65-90 pounds (male), 50-70 pounds (female)
3 – 6 inches
Size
Large
Small
Group
Herding
Companion dogs
Breed Type
Pure breed
Pure breed
Children Compatibility
High
High
Family Compatibility
High
Low to medium
Pets Compatibility
With supervision
Low to medium
Barking Level
Low to medium
Medium
Shedding Level
High
Low to medium
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
Average
High
Overall Health
High
Low to medium
Complication in Breeding
No
No
Energy
High
Medium
Exercise Needs
High
Low
Trainability
High
Medium
Activities
Agility training, obedience training, and swimming
Watchdogs, companion dogs
Litter Size
6-10 puppies
1 – 3 puppies
Life Span
12-14 years
10 – 18 years
Other Names
Alsatian Wolf Dog, Berger Allemand and Deutscher Schäferhund
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German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Personality
A German Shepherd and Chihuahua mix’s size and appearance will differ depending on which parent gene the dog inherits. Shepchis typically have short, comprehensive, and strong bodies proportional to their height. In addition, many Shepchis inherit the Chihuahua’s long ears, short feet, and thin nose.
The German Shepherd’s characteristic dome-shaped head is sometimes mistaken for the Chihuahua’s apple-shaped head. They have small almond-shaped eyes, floppy ears, short snouts, and strong jaws.
In most cases, coat length is dependent on the Chihuahua parent, indicating that they could have a long or a short coat. The coat coloring tends to come from the German Shepherd lineage. So, the Shepchi can be any combination of:
Black
Black and tan
Sable
Brown
Red and black
Black and silver
Red hues
German Shepherd Chihuahua mixes have unpredictable behavior, and thus, it is advised to keep them away from kids.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-Compatibility
Medium
Kid-Compatibility
Under Supervision
Pet-Compatibility
Under Supervision
Strangers-Compatibility
Reserved
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
No
Good for Apartment Living
Low
Tolerates being alone
Low
Heat Tolerance
Medium
Cold Tolerance
Low to Medium
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Temperament
A German Shepherd Chihuahua mix’s overall character and temperament are unpredictable, like their appearance. If they have inherited the temperament from their Chihuahua parent, they would have larger-than-life dispositions. They exhibit a bit of aggression towards strangers or can be reserved. They would also be harmful when bored, so you need to consistently engage them in different activities. The main characteristic is that they unite with a single person. Chihuahuas dedicate their lives to their owners. So, expect your German Shepherd Chihuahua to manifest this quality.
Suppose your German Shepherd Chihuahua exhibits German Shepherd traits. In that case, they will make great family pets as long as owners can regularly spend time for consistent obedience training and an hour or more vigorous exercise to channel their herding skills. German Shepherds are playful dogs who prefer spending plenty of quality time with their owners. They rarely let their owners out of sight. So, they shouldn’t be left alone since their separation anxiety can become destructive if left alone for a longer time.
Shepchis make excellent family companions, but only for qualified owners with adult children. They can find children too playful and exuberant, making them snap and bite. Additionally, small dogs are more sensitive. If you want to get this charming dog, you should know to deal with aggressive, headstrong breeds indicating destructive inclinations. Starting early training and proper socialization with your Shepchi is strongly recommended to help avoid multiple personalities and behavioral problems.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Training
Regardless of which parent trait your Shepchi inherits, you should start the training sessions as soon as you get them home. The German Shepherd Chihuahua mix is a brilliant dog that needs adequate socialization and training to avoid becoming extremely dominant at home. You can start training your Shepchi as early as 7-11 months of age. Positive reinforcement is the best way to teach them. However, when combined with the German Shepherd’s power and enthusiasm and Chihuahua’s stubbornness, they may be a challenging mix to train. As a result, the German Shepherd Chihuahua mix is not suitable for first-time dog owners. They are exceptional guard dogs and bark aloud when they speculate a stranger’s threat or presence. Make sure to discourage any overprotective inclinations they may manifest towards you.
Here are some training activities for your German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix:
German Shepherd Chihuahua mix will require 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day, depending on their size, age, and energy levels. However, they are typically not as athletic or energetic as full-bred German Shepherds; so vigorous exercise is not recommended. In addition, owners need to be cautious and keep a close eye on them while training since they are predisposed to hip and knee issues. Exercising your Shepchi will limit health risks and lessen behavioral struggles through fun activities. However, they need regular and proper exercise to improve their physical, mental, and emotional health. They can become destructive and harmful if their exercise needs are not fulfilled.
You can meet your Shepchi’s exercise requirements by:
Walking
Jogging
Fetching
Chasing
Playing hide-and-seek
Agility training
Hiking in a moderate climate
Teaching new tricks
Playing with puzzle toys
Shepchi’s are intelligent, wise, and clever. Therefore, they will highly value your time with them training or playing. Just be careful not to over-exercise them.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
Medium to high
Exercise Needs
Medium
Playfulness
Medium to high
Intensity
Medium
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Grooming
The German Shepherd Chihuahua mix’s coat is usually shiny and short, and it doesn’t need much maintenance. Brush them twice a week to eliminate excess and loose hair with a stiff-bristled brush. However, despite their short hair, Shepchi is a moderate shedder. Hence, they are not suitable for allergy patients. Bathe them twice a month to maintain their coat soft and silk. This limits the removal of essential natural oil from their coat caused by regular baths. Other grooming essentials include brushing the teeth, regular clipping of nails, and cleaning ears and eyes.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding
Low
Easy to Groom
Medium to high
Tendency to Drool
Low
Tendency to Snore
Low
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Health
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is a healthy dog as they are crossbreeds. Usually, designer breeds are more nutritious than their purebred parents. Still, Shepchis have risks of having similar health situations like their parent breeds.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium to high
Weight Gain Possibilities
High
Size
Medium
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia: This genetic condition is caused by an improper development of the elbow and hip joints, which drives to grinding of the cartilage and bones, eventually resulting in arthritis and mobility concerns. When dogs have hip or elbow dysplasia, their body tries to correct this disorder by stabilizing the joint. Unfortunately, this condition often leads to osteoarthritis, where the joint freezes and becomes painful.
Degenerative Myelopathy: This is a debilitating condition that hits the spinal cord. This disorder makes the white matter in dogs’ spinal cords degenerate, resulting in limb weakness and paralysis.
Patellar Luxation: Chihuahuas are predisposed to patellar luxation. This conditionhappens when the kneecap is dislocated.
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.
Bloat: This condition happens when dog’s gut fills with gas and then twists, preventing blood from flowing through their abdomens to their other organs.
Obesity: Chihuahuas 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.
Congenital Heart Defect: Thisis a severe genetic condition that pups are born with. Chihuahuas can experience Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). This is a disease that manifests after the puppy is born. It hits a blood artery in the heart and obstructs it from closing rightly. The challenge occurs when weaker heart valves let blood flow backward, putting the heart under a lot of stress.
Epilepsy: This is the most prevalent neurological disease in canines, concerning about 0.75 percent of the population. Epilepsy is characterized by repeated, uncontrollable seizures caused by a brain defect.
Strokes: This condition is caused by a blood clot limiting blood flow to the brain. Symptoms of a stroke develop suddenly but differ extensively, including excess pain, dragging legs, loss of housetraining, a head tilt, and so on.
Health Overview
Major Health Concerns
Minor Health Concerns
Health Tests
Hip Dysplasia
Degenerative Myelopathy
Bloat
Elbow Dysplasia
Patellar Luxation
Cancer
Epilepsy
Cataracts
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Tooth Decay
Physical Examination
Eye Examination
Radiographs
Blood Tests
Dental Examination
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Diet and Nutrition
German Shepherd Chihuahua mixes are predisposed to obesity, mainly if they inherit the Chihuahua’s short stature. Hence, the most reliable way to maintain your dog’s wellness is to feed them the best nutrients by serving high-quality kibble, including proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and minerals.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Living Conditions
German Shepherd Chihuahua mixes are active and energetic breeds. Hence, they require many activities to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Therefore, they need a house with a fenced backyard to play and roam.
Adding German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix to Your Family
Things to remember before adding German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix to your family
When two pure breeds, German Shepherd and Chihuahua are crossed, the offspring might be facing terrifying outcomes. Moreover, crossbreeding can pass on the parents’ health problems to the pups. To avoid getting a weak Shepchi when crossing a German Shepherd with a Chihuahua, verify their parent’s lineage and health documents from a reliable breeder.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Puppy Cost
As German Shepherd Chihuahuas are a relatively new and unusual mixed breed, it is unclear how precisely the puppy costs. Still, it is anticipated that they will cost between $200 and $3000.
