Do you want to know what a Chiweenie is? Maybe you want to find out what a Chiweenie is like? Here’s everything you could possibly ever need to know about Chiweenies!
This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
What Is A Chiweenie?
A Chiweenie is a mixed breed dog produced when a purebred Miniature Dachshund is bred with a purebred Chihuahua. Chiweenies are highly energetic, stubborn, independent, protective, intelligent, affectionate, playful and loving dogs that are fiercely loyal to their family.
Are Chiweenies A Recognized Dog Breed?
No, Chiweenies are not an officially recognised dog breed by the American Kennel Club or UK Kennel Club. A Chiweenie is a mixed breed dog produced when a purebred Miniature Dachshund is bred with a purebred Chihuahua.
However, Chiweenies are recognised by many clubs and breeders as a designer hybrid breed.
How Big Are Chiweenies?
As a cross between a Miniature Dachshund and a Chihuahua, Chiweenies are very small dogs! Most Chiweenies grow to reach between 6 to 10 inches or 15cm to 25cm in height to the top of their shoulder blades. Their small size is due to the Chihuahua being the smallest dog in the world!
When Is A Chiweenie Fully Grown?
Chiweenies are fully grown when they reach around 9-12 months of age. However, Chiweenies may keep filling out for a few months after that. Like Dachshunds, Chiweenies can be prone to obesity, so you do need to keep an eye on their weight during this time.
How Much Does A Chiweenie Weigh?
As Chiweenies are not an official dog breed, there’s no specific breed standard for how much they weigh. However, most Chiweenies weigh between 5lbs to 12lbs or 2kg to 5.5kg. They can be prone to obesity so you must give the right amount of food and exercise each day.
Of course, the weight of your Chiweenie will depend heavily on the weight of their Miniature Dachshund or Chihuahua parents. If either of their parents is larger in size, it’s highly likely the Chiweenie will be larger too.
What Type Of Coat Does A Chiweenie Have?
Chiweenies can be short-haired, long-haired or wire-haired and they can even be a combination of all these coat types. It all comes down to what their parents coats were like! Some Chiweenies have long fluffy fur, and other Chiweenies will have short fur.
What Colours Can Chiweenies be?
Chiweenies can have any coat colour that either purebred Dachshunds or Chihuahuas have. This could include black, brown, red, cream or white. They can have one solid colour coat or patterned coats, depending on what the parents coats were like.
What Do Chiweenies Eat?
Chiweenies eat wet, dry, raw or home cooked food. Each of these options is fine, as long as you opt for the ‘complete’ versions. It’s important to buy the best and most nutritious dog food you can afford. Adult Chiweenies have 2 meals a day and puppies start on 4 meals a day.
Are Male Or Female Chiweenies Better?
Male Chiweenies are more likely to be loving, affectionate, easy going, even-tempered and fun. Whereas Female Chiweenies can sometimes be a bit more reserved, independent, confident, temperamental and moody. Both are territorial and stubborn!
Are Chiweenies Loyal To Their Owners?
Yes, just like Dachshunds, Chiweenies are often loyal to their owners. They will attach themselves to one person and follow them wherever they go. However, this behaviour does need to be managed or it can lead to separation anxiety when you do need to go out.
Do Chiweenies Get Separation Anxiety?
Yes, Chiweenies can be prone to getting separation anxiety. Chiweenies are people dogs that don’t like being left alone too long. If you work during the day or have other commitments, you’ll need to train your Chiweenie to feel comfortable when home alone.
Are Chiweenies Good With Children?
Yes, most Chiweenies are good with children as long as the children are good with them. Chiweenies are small and fragile dogs that are also prone to back injury. Children will need to be shown how to hold and play with them gently to prevent any injuries or accidents.
Are Chiweenies Good With Other Dogs?
Yes, most Chiweenies are good with other dogs if they’ve been trained to get along together. However, it will always depend on the individual Chiweenie. Some Chiweenies are known to be a bit territorial and others can get jealous when living with other dogs.
Are Chiweenies Good With Cats?
Yes, Chiweenies can be trained to live with cats, but they won’t always get along. It’ll very much depend on the age, personality, history and status of each pet in the home. It’s easier to bring a Chiweenie into a cat’s home than to bring a cat into a Chiweenie’s home.
Are Chiweenies Friendly?
Yes, most Chiweenies are friendly once they get to know you. Chiweenies are loving and gentle dogs as long as they’ve been socialised, well trained and introduced to strangers in the right way. However, some Chiweenies can be a bit overly-protective of their owners.
Are Chiweenies Aggressive Dogs?
If a Chiweenie feels protective or threatened, their aggressive streak may come out and they could bark or growl in an attempt to keep themselves safe. Extra caution needs to be taken around children, especially if they’re too young to know how to play gently and sensibly.
Do Chiweenies Bite?
Yes, like all dogs, Chiweenies can bite. However, it often comes down to the Chiweenie’s training and socialisation. Both Dachshunds and Chihuahuas have been known to bite so it follows that Chiweenies could bite too, especially if they feel threatened or protective.
Do Chiweenies Bark A Lot?
Yes, Chiweenies do bark a lot! Chiweenies may bark loudly at strangers or other dogs because they’re feeling territorial. Chiweenies may also bark if they haven’t had enough exercise, they’re bored, suffering with separation anxiety, are over-excited or attention seeking!
As both Chihuahuas and Miniature Dachshunds are known for barking, it should come as no surprise that Chiweenies also possess this trait. Small dogs such as Chiweenies can feel easily intimidated and often bark to protect themselves.
Do Chiweenies Like To Burrow?
Yes, Chiweenies do like to burrow and are very much at home under blankets or piles of clothes! This was a trait they inherited from their Dachshund parent. Dachshunds were originally bred as hunting dogs that used to tunnel into badger setts to flush them out.
How Much Exercise Does A Chiweenie Need?
Chiweenies need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Exercise should include walks and playtime to keep them healthy and stimulated. Puppies should not be over-exercised in the first year and should stick to the 5 minutes of exercise per month of age rule!
Exercising your Chiweenie is essential as they’re prone to gaining weight easily. They’re also more likely to bark or act out if they’re full of pent up energy!
Can Chiweenies Swim?
Yes, Chiweenies can swim and they can be taught to swim, but they aren’t natural born swimmers. Like all dogs, Chiweenies will naturally paddle their little legs if held in water, but it’ll be very overwhelming and tiring for them to swim for any length of time.
Can Chiweenies Run?
Yes, Chiweenies are energetic little dogs that love running, but they won’t be able to run for too long. Chiweenies are more likely to run for short distances than long, because they definitely weren’t built for sprinting! They can run surprisingly fast for such little dogs!
Do Chiweenies Need A Collar Or Harness?
If your Chiweenie walks well on a leash, you can use a collar. If you have an energetic Chiweenie that pulls on a leash, a harness will be a better solution to protect their back. However, harnesses can rub and restrict movement under the legs and around the shoulder area.
Are Chiweenies Good Apartment Dogs?
Yes, because Chiweenies are such small dogs, it makes them perfect for apartment living. However, they can be prone to barking which could annoy the neighbours! If you don’t have access to a yard, you need to take your Chiweenie out for potty breaks during the day.
Are Chiweenies Hard To Train?
Yes, due to their stubborn nature and independent spirit, Chiweenies can be hard to train. However, Chiweenies are also smart dogs who are willing to learn, so just have to be consistent with your dog training and put in the work it takes!
Can You Potty Train A Chiweenie?
Yes, Chiweenies can be potty trained but they’re stubborn so it can take time. Watch your Chiweenie and react quickly when they need to potty. Take your Chiweenie out regularly during the day and crate them (for short times) when you’re not in the room and overnight.
How Long Does It Take To Potty Train A Chiweenie?
On average, it takes between 2 weeks and 3 months to potty train a Chiweenie. It depends how fast your Chiweenie learns and how consistent your potty training is. Chiweenies are stubborn, so you need to be patient and willing to put in the effort it takes.
How Do You Discipline A Chiweenie?
The best way to discipline a Chweenie is with positive reinforcement training. You need to ignore or correct your Chiweenie with they do something wrong, and give treats and rewards when they do something right. Force-free training builds bonding and trust.
Do Chiweenies Shed?
Yes, Chwieenies do shed but they don’t shed much compared with other dog breeds. Chwieenies only shed seasonally and this can be minimised with regular grooming and brushing to get rid of any dead fur and stimulate the natural oils in their coat to keep it healthy and shiny.
Are Chiweenies Hypoallergenic
No, Chiweenies are not hypoallergenic. However, they don’t shed much, which means some people with allergies can tolerate them. It’s not actually the fur that causes the allergic reaction, it’s the dander attached to the hair and saliva that makes allergies flare up.
Do You Need To Groom A Chiweenie?
Yes, you do need to groom a Chiweenie, but the amount of grooming will depend on the length and texture of their coat. Short-haired Chiweenies will need a brush and bath to keep their coat shiny and tangle free, whereas long-haired Chiweenies may need a dog groomer.
Do Chiweenies Need Coats?
Yes, Chiweenies do need to wear a coat or fleece on cold, snowy or wintery days. Chiweenies are small dogs that don’t retain body heat for long and can get cold really easily. A coat will add another layer or protection from the elements, and help to keep your Chiweenie warm.
Can My Chiweenie Sleep In My bed?
Yes, your Chiweenie can sleep in your bed but extra care needs to be taken because they’re small and fragile dogs. It’s a good idea to get a dog ramp for them to get up and down. But, if your Chiweenie suffers with any behavioural issues, it’s best for them to sleep in a dog bed.
How Long Do Chiweenies Sleep?
Most adult Chiweenies sleep for around 12–14 hours a day. Some Chiweeniese sleep even more than this and some sleep less. It very much depends on your Chiweenie, how old they are, how much exercise they do, and whether they have any health problems.
What Are The Chiweenie Traits?
Chiweenies have inherited a number of personality traits from their parent breeds, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas. Chiweenies are generally loyal, loud, energetic, confident, stubborn, independent, intelligent, greedy, territorial, affectionate, playful and loving!
Do Chiweenies Love To Cuddle?
Yes, Chiweenies love to cuddle and enjoy curling up on their owner’s lap. They’re affectionate little lap dogs that love nothing more than spending time with their family. Chiweenies will give you so much love and more cuddles than you could ever wish for!
What Health Problems Are Chiweenies Prone To?
Chiweenies can be prone to many health conditions including diabetes, hypothyroidism, ear infections, knee problems, seizures and dental issues. Like Dachshunds, Chiweenies are also prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease, which is a painful and debilitating back condition.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Chiweenie?
The average life expectancy of a Chiweenie is around 12-16 years, with female Chiweenies living slightly longer than males. Chiweenies are small mixed-breed dogs that generally live a much longer life than larger dogs and other dog breeds.
How Much Does A Chiweenie Cost?
The cost of a Chiweenie will vary significantly. If the Chiweenie is bred from a purebred Miniature Dachshund and a purebred Chihuahua you can expect to pay anything from around $400 to $2000. However, it’s always best to rescue a Chiweenie from a shelter if you can.
What Is The History Of The Chiweenie?
Miniature Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany in the 17th century and Chihuahuas originated in Mexico in the mid-19th century. The cross-breeding of Miniature Dachshunds and Chihuahuas began in the late 1990s to create what is commonly known as the Chiweenie.
Are Chiweenies Similar To Dachshunds?
Yes, Chiweenies look, act and behave in a very similar way to Dachshunds. They also have similar traits! So, when it comes to training a Chiweenie, you can follow the same advice as you would for a Dachshund.
- For potty training tips, click here!
- For crate training tips, click here!
- For puppy biting tips, click here!
- For barking tips, click here!
- For separation anxiety tips, click here!
- For exercise tips, click here!
- For grooming tips, click here!
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about Chiweenies, the popular mixed breed that has a Dachshund and a Chihuahua as parents! Chiweenies are affectionate and adorable little dogs with a lot of love to give!
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