6 Facts about Chiweenie (A.K.A. Chihuahua & Dachshund Mix or Chihuahua Doxie Mix)

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Chihuahua Dachshund Mix also known as Chiweenie or Dachshund Chihuahua MixChihuahua Dachshund Mix is a cross of a purebred Chihuahua and a purebred Dachshund, also known as Chiweenie or Dachshund Chihuahua Mix. Its a small dog at about 6 to 10 inches tall, weighing between 5 to 12 pounds. The average lifespan of a mixed breed is around 12 to 20 years.

They’re small, adorable, and, most importantly, they love to play. This makes them the perfect pet for people of all ages, from fifth graders to grandparents.

As long as you understand their personalities and learn to evaluate their abilities correctly, I think, these dogs have great potential both as family dogs and as companions for single people.

I’ve put together some interesting facts about the Chiweenie to help you have a better idea about these cute little fellows, and what you can do to make them happy.

Quick Chiweenie Characteristics

Life Span

As mentioned above a Chiweenie can live between 12 and 20  years.

Intelligence and trainability

These dogs are very intelligent, but their independent personality and stubbornness make them hard to train, especially when the owner has little or no training experience.

Chiweenie Temperament

They’re sociable dogs and love spending time with their families. Sometimes they can develop a stronger bond with one member of the family, to whom they’ll become very loyal.

Caring

  • Grooming: short-haired coats require brushing once or twice a week, while a long coat should be brushed 3-5 times a week. Nails need trimming once or twice a month, and teeth should be washed almost daily;
  • Exercise: they need at least a 30-minute walk every day;
  • Feeding: they don’t eat too much, but sometimes they’re picky and can get bored by their regular food;

Children and Chiweenies

These dogs are good companions for families with older kids. On the other hand, they’re known to be “selfish” and don’t always get on well with other pets.

Activity level

Chihuahua dachshund mix dogs are medium-active dogs and love to play with their owners, so they need to stay busy for about two hours a day, besides their daily walk.

Size

These lap dogs are among the smallest breeds like I mentioned at the beginning , they are around 6 to 10 inches tall and their average weight is between 5 and 12 lbs. (2.2-5.5 kg).

Photo Gallery

A cute young Dachshund and Chihuahua cross-breed puppy dog with motion blur from a wagging tail. Isolated on white.Chihuahua Dachshund Mixed Breed dog sitting up and beggingCute chihuahua doxie dog enjoying a well deserved rest on couchA cute Doxie and Chihuahua breed dog wearing a Christmas santa hat looking to the sideCute mixed Chihuahua and Dachshund crossbreed dog sitting to side over whitecute Chiweenie mix on white backgroundblack chihuahua and dachshund mix dog tongue out

1. A Chihuahua Dachshund Mix might not look like a watchdog, but she definitely acts like one

Both the Chihuahua and Dachshund are excellent watchdogs, despite their different temperament, and the Chiweenie hybrid has inherited these abilities.

They’re protective, and pay attention to everything that’s happening around them and in their homes, and are always ready to warn you about potential dangers.

So even if your Chiweenie seems friendly, you shouldn’t be surprised if she barks whenever someone or something new invades her territory.

These dogs tend to be a little aggressive and make noise, and they bark every time they feel threatened – and this can happen often when you’re that small. However cases of excessive barking are rare among dogs from this crossbreed, and they usually occur if the dog spends too much time alone.

2. Dogs from this mixed breed rarely look alike

chihuahua doxie dog wearing a pink and brown outfit. Isolated on white.As both parent breeds have different appearances, there’s a high possibility your Chiweenie doesn’t look like any other dog from her breed.

These dogs can have various colors, such as white, black, tan, blond, brown, or a mixture of any of them.

Furthermore, their coats can be silky or rough, and will generally be either short or medium length; or, in some cases, quite long.

I don’t know if it’s because of their different appearances, but these dogs have received many names since they’ve been created.

Besides Chiweenie and Chihuahua Dachshund Mix, other names you may hear are Chih-weenie, Chiwee and Doxihuahua, and the unofficial one (my favorite), the “Mexican Hotdog.”

FYI
Chiweenie is recognized by International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Designer Breed Registry (DBR), which makes them an official mixed breed. This means we can say the Chiweenie is a “classy” dog, despite the fact that she’s not purebred. 

 

3. You might need a professional trainer to teach your dog some manners

dachshund or sausage dog, sitting on a toilet seat with digestion problems or constipation reading the gossip magazine or newspaperTraining a Chiweenie isn’t an easy job, especially if you don’t have that much experience in the field.

So if you want to teach her to eliminate in a specific spot outside or inside your home you should be ready to ask for professional help.

The main reason why they’re not particularly responsive to training is their stubbornness, inherited from the Chihuahua parent.

Don’t get me wrong, though, they’re very smart dogs, and most of them manage to “educate” themselves pretty well when it comes to general behavior.

Despite their independence, with a lot of patience and using positive reinforcement many Chiweenie owners have arrived at great results when it comes to potty training.

So I wouldn’t give up on the idea of teaching your dog to eliminate outside without at least giving it a try.

Chiweenies are desperate for attention and enjoy spending time with their owners, which gives you the chance to watch your dog closely and take advantage of any training opportunity.

It will require a lot of your time, but as long as your dog is having fun during training sessions, there’s a good chance she’ll cooperate.

4. A small apartment is a castle these dogs

If the only reason why you don’t have a dog is that your home is too small, then this crossbreed is exactly what you’ve been looking for, as they’re small and require relatively little space.

While a dachshund chihuahua mix needs to exercise, thanks to her dimensions this doesn’t mean she should be running in the yard for half a day. A nice safe playpen inside your living room is enough space for your small friend to burn off her extra energy.

To complete her daily routine you should take her out for a 20-minute walk, twice a day, to make sure she stays healthy and fit, and she’ll be the happiest dog in the world.

Just be sure to keep her safe from rain and protect her during winter, as these dogs don’t do well in cold weather.

5. Caring for your Chiweenie is not a full-time job

Day of The Dead girls in costume and make up blowing kisses to Chiweenie dogTaking good care of this mutt is not going to take over your life, as they don’t require too much time when it comes to feeding or grooming.

As a general guideline, your dog needs to eat between 1/2 and 1 cup of food every day, split into two meals.

Luckily Chiweenies tend to regulate their food intake to cover their daily needs, so if you pay attention to leftovers, you’ll know pretty easily how much food she needs and when to feed her.

Give your her high-quality food only, to prevent allergies and obesity, which are two common health issues among this crossbreed.

Grooming doesn’t take much work, either. Her nails need to be trimmed monthly, and her coat is low maintenance. This means bathing once a month and brushing once a week for short-haired dogs, or a few times a week for long-haired ones.

Chiweenies don’t shed a lot, too, so you don’t have to worry much about pet hair.

Brush her teeth once every one or two days to prevent dental diseases, which are unfortunately common among the Chihuahua, one of her parent breeds.

Outside of these small tasks, all you have to do is love your dog and enjoy her company, as Chiweenies are wonderful lap dogs that prefer to take a nap next to you while you’re relaxing on your couch.

If you are as lazy busy as I am, then this is the perfect breed for you 🙂

chiweeniechiweeniechihuahua dachshund mixchihuahua dachshund mixchihuahua dachshund mixchiweeniechihuahua dachshund mixdachshund chihuahua mixchihuahua dachshund mix

6. Chiweenie and families with small children don’t mix

This is probably the main disadvantage of having such a small dog. Chiweenie is great with older kids, but many accidents can happen when small children are allowed to play with her.

The most common reasons why it’s not safe to keep your small dog next to little kids are:

  • she has a sensitive back as part of her Dachshund blood, and she could be hurt easily as children don’t always pay attention when interacting with dogs;
  • a small child could also injure her paws, which are more delicate than a Chihuahua’s;
  • a Chiweenie loves to be the center of attention, so she might become aggressive around small children as a result of jealousy.

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s plenty of reasons why the Chiweenie is such a popular breed. These dogs are smart, healthy, loyal and they bond very well with their owners. Sometimes they might prefer one owner to the rest of the family, which makes them suitable also for single persons.

However, the thing I like most about the Chiweenie is that you have plenty of time for yourself, as these dogs won’t make too much of a mess around the house and don’t need to be outside for most of the day, either.

Tell us what you think about Chiweenie in a comment below. Is this the right dog for you, and more importantly, are you prepared to have one?

24 replies on “6 Facts about Chiweenie (A.K.A. Chihuahua & Dachshund Mix or Chihuahua Doxie Mix)”

  • Dustin says:

    I’ve had my Chiweenie for about 6 months now and this post presents her perfectly. I wish I would have read it before I got her, but we figured each other out pretty quickly. This is by far the most loving pet I have ever owned. PERFECT FOR APARTMENTS

  • Tamara Velasco says:

    I must say Alexandra you are pretty spot on regarding the Chiweenie! I’m the proud owner of a Mexican Hotdog/German Taco! I have a female Chiweenie named Annabelle. She will be four years old this Cinco De Mayo…May 5, 2022. My family finds it quite fitting that our Chiweenie was born on this well celebrated Mexican holiday. I must say our Annabelle has been the best dog. She is fiercely loyal and is unaware of her size. She takes the stance of a Pitbul when defending her territory or our home. Annabelle is so sweet. She is a tad shy around people she doesn’t know but quickly adjusts once she feels she is safe. Our veterinarian says Annabelle has one of the best temperaments he has ever seen. She is definitely a lap dog and likes going bye bye every chance she gets. She enjoys investigating in our yard and exchanging Eskimo kisses with our neighbors cats! She is very vocal in the most adorable half bark way when she wants to tell us something out of the blue. Annabelle potty trained right away with no problems whatsoever. When she is ready to potty she just goes to the front door and waits till we get there to accommodate her. She travels well and has been on many road trips from Georgia (home) out to California and back as well as Iowa and many other states. She loves wearing dresses and burrowing under the covers. However, Annabelle is mostly happy when she is with her family wherever we may be. She is so affectionate and has been the best dog ever. We can’t imagine life without her! We love our Belle Belle. I highly recommend getting a Chiweenie to anyone who is looking for the perfect fur child!

  • Gemma kitzmann says:

    I am looking to adopt or purchase a chiweenie. I want it as small as it can get. Please let me where and when I can get one and I would like to see them first.

  • Lynne Yager says:

    We recently adopted a chiweenie from a rescue group, after fostering him for two months. He’s about 5 years old. We were amazed at how easily he potty trained. I feel as though he had another owner at some point in his life who invested time with him. He does suffer from terrible separation anxiety though which makes me sad when we have to leave him sometimes.

  • Justin Credible says:

    Spot on, smart, territorial, playfull, and pound for pound the toughest dog at the park. Will never give up in competition with pitbulls for a frisbee. Incredibly agile and ferocious when he needs to be.

  • Judy Dykstra Brown says:

    I went to a remote oceanside restaurant in Mexico for a meal and came home with a dog tiny enough to fit in my hand that I just today recognized as a Chiweenie. She is so adorable and my qualms about introducing this tiny newcomer into a household with two big cats and two bigger dogs were unfounded. Accustomed to hunting down possums, rats, mice and squirrels on my relatively large property, I was afraid both the cats and dogs would see her as prey and was very careful to always be near when they came in contact with each other, but my fears were unfounded. My large Lab-mix immediately became her bodyguard and trainer and has ultimate patience. My Scottie took longer to warm to her but now they have tremendous games of fetch and tug-rope–sometimes a trio affair. The huge male cat grooms her and puts up with her aggressive play, sometimes putting an arm out to hold her down or swat at her but no teeth and claws. It is truly a miracle. The three dogs spend most of their time together, but I isolate Zoe, the Chiweenie, in a protected outside area that has a small enclosure in it for her when I’m away from home as I fear leaving her alone in the area where the pool is. So far she has never tried to enter it and when I’m here I’m close enough to hear a splash. I’m introducing her slowly to the pool for very short swims and won’t feel comfortable with leaving her unattended until I see she can swim the length of the pool and find the steps. That may be never, but in that case I’ll have to think of another solution. This is the dearest dog I’ve ever lived with and also the most rascally one. Anything dropped on the floor or reachable from the floor is her property, to be dragged off to her cushy bed–including my housekeeper’s mop, my cousin’s shoes, my underwear and anything made of paper. You can see her on my blog at judydykstrabrown.com

  • Nuncita Cherry says:

    Chiweenies are the best dogs ever. I have an eight and a half year old girl and she is the best. She loves everyone including most other breeds of dogs and cats. She loves kids and thinks everyone wants to be her friend. She has the best personality and is very trainable. Not too picky about food and loves to play.

  • Carol says:

    I have two Chiweenie pups from the same litter. They are totally devoted to each other but also are loving with my husband and I. They are a tough train at three months we aren’t doing so well. But we will keep at it. Love my Samson and Delilah.

  • Belinda Peveto says:

    I have one named Festus and it was amazing to read about him. Everything I read was very knowledgeable to me and so like my dog. Mine weighs too much right now. Too much scraps

  • Patricia S Rodriguez says:

    Thank you for all this information. We love our CHIWINNIE!! We are an older couple and he is our best friend ! We’ve had him now for almost 3 years he was 8 weeks when he was given to us . He’s our baby

  • Jonni says:

    Thanks for the article! We just got a Chiweenie. He is all black so my daughter named him Bear.

  • Leslie Weir says:

    I just got my puppy two weeks ago her name is Lola and me and my.boyfriend are in.love with.our lil.girl she is perfect in our apartment.

  • Georgia Hartman says:

    How to help a 7 month old puppy through separation anxiety?

  • Dawn says:

    My baby is very playful and very picky… He loves to play , most of all he goes wherever I go… Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to feed him… He does shed but only certain times of the year.. very very loyal..

  • Jennifer says:

    My chiweenie can not stop eatting and trys to steel her sisters food our food any food. Needless to say shes a little over wait. Thinking shes taken on the dachshund trait for the love of food. We also gave. Chihuahua and she is the opposite and only eats part of her food and likes to come back later.

  • Penny Miller says:

    My baby boy is so cute it’s criminal he is friendly and loves everyone, which would him easy to steal. He hardly barks, only as a warning. I am elderly and he is the perfect companion. But he is very stubborn, I’ve never had a chihuahua, but would say about the same as my old dashound poodle and any blue heeler I’ve had. So it is something I’ve found that being consistent and patient works, Rome wasn’t built in a day and potty training as much as we would like happening doesn’t either. I would say he’s worth the work, he’s 6 pounds (5 month old) of pure love.

  • Gay Porter says:

    My Chiweenie, Rosie is just 3 months. She is supposed to have some miniature poodle in her also but I don’t see it, she is all Chiweenie. She’s still learning a lot, like how to obey when I tell her no. Her little teeth are razor sharp and my hands show it. She loves to play with anything that squeaks or makes noise. She has the long legs of a chihuahua and when she runs outside she looks like an antelope bounding across the lawn. If she doesn’t want to be caught you’re not going to catch her she will run in circles and just as soon as you think you’ve got her she runs the other way! But what a sweet dog she is, when she’s tired of playing she is curled up right against me and just happy. My old cat has become her friend and they play together a lot as long as it’s the cats idea. I got her chipped and you would have thought we had murdered her poor little thing screamed bloody murder! She is a joy for sure and I look forward to many years of fun with her.

  • Gina Marie Costantino says:

    My chiweenie is MY HEART! She is the sweetest, smartest and most expressive dog I have ever owned! She is also the only dog I have ever owned that wasn’t a registered pure bred. She picked me from a rescue and she loves everyone but nobody compares to Mommy. She is so well behaved that she travels and eats in nice restaurants with us and no one minds. Twinkie is not a barker. When she barks, there is someone at the door or she needs to go potty. That’s it! Best pupper ever!

  • Bee says:

    Can’t seem to train him He’s a good guy just doesn’t like to use the PP pad Doesn’t like going outside don’t know what to do

  • John Erik says:

    Hello, I have a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. His name is Christopher Chase. He was rescued from Greater Birmingham Human Society. He is an absolute treasure. He is smart – almost too smart. He is a very picky eater. He likes his dog food. If the store is out of his brand – I have to go to another store otherwise. He will pitch a fit and barely eat. He is VERY sassy and has an attitude all his own. He is the guard dog and he is very protective. I mean very protective of me. He will guard the house. If Someone comes over and he doesn’t like them. He will attack and bite. He was not trained to do this. He does it on his own. I have tried training and reinforcement but he doesn’t retain the training. He has a mate – Chihuahua/Pit Bull mix – Margie Samantha. They get along and play and run all day. He has had a few instances where he has been too aggressive (food is the worst thing he gets aggressive over, and he does get aggressive when Margie cuddles with me when he is asleep and gets woken up) but they are 90% good together!! Just wanted to ask how do I stop his aggressive behaviors when it comes to food, aggression with Margie if he’s been asleep and gets woken up, or aggression when they play sometimes?

  • Misty Hovila & Gizmo says:

    I just love my chaweenie ,his name is Gizmo he’s definitely protective of me, & don’t like men or many people around me, but over the years he’s handled it fine..He brightens my life up daily..he’s so smart,loves to cuddle ,& sleep next to me.im blessed to have him. He amazes me daily & gives me more love than I ever imagined. I truly thank God for him too. I will add a picture of my sweet baby

  • Tessa lee says:

    My mother in law and I got 2 chaweenie male & female brother and sister they are 9 weeks old we love th so much In the training stage now any advice on potty training we bought a all pen for play time outside when weather is nice and we take them out when they wake up after meals and in between?

  • Sondra P. says:

    I adopted my sweet baby as a rescue 2/14/15! I fell in love with her after she kept following me all over while looking for a Yorkie to adopt…I picked her up she kissed my chin…THE REST IS HISTORY!
    HER name was Jeannie..I said “NO it’s not…it’s Mz. Valentyne since we became family on Valentine’s Day! She is such a Diva Doggie. So sweet and the above article describes her 100000%
    She loves to squeeze in between me and the couch cushion right in the curve of my back. She SERIOUSLY is a snuggler…and burrower. Found her once in the center of a rolled up comforter on the floor! She loves road trips sitting in her booster seat to see out the window…and loves shopping!!!

  • Dawn says:

    I don’t know about most chiweenies… but mine SHEDS like CRAZY!!! Mine actually shed more than my 3 cats together!

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