Chiweenie: Dog Breed Characteristics and Care

History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners

By
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, LVT
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Published on 08/03/23
Fawn and white chiweenie sitting outside.

Jaclyn Vernace / Getty Images

Chiweenies are a cross of theChihuahuaand达克斯猎犬dog breeds. Also known as choxies, this small dog breed has grown in popularity over the years and can have a variety of colors and coats making each one especially unique. Find out what kind of care Chiweenies need and if they're the right pet for you.

Breed Overview

Group:Designer

Height:6-10 inches

Weight:5-12 lbs

Coat:Short, long, or wire-haired

Coat Colors:Fawn, chocolate, black, white, blue, dapple, and combinations of these colors

Life Span:12到16年

Temperament:Active, alert, brave, vocal

Hypoallergenic:No

Origin Country:USA

Characteristics of the Chiweenie

Chiweenies have a lot of personality in their little bodies. Both Chihuahuas and dachshunds are small and mighty breeds that are also great alarm dogs, and these qualities have been passed on to the Chiweenie. Chiweenies are very energetic but require sometrainingandsocializationto ensure they are polite members of the family. These dogs are brave, loyal, and make great family companions.

Affection Level Medium
Friendliness Medium
Kid-Friendly Medium
Pet-Friendly Medium
Exercise Needs Medium
Playfulness High
Energy Level High
Trainability Medium
Intelligence High
Tendency to Bark High
Amount of Shedding Medium

History of the Chiweenie

There isn't much known about the history of the Chiweenie, but it's speculated that the initial intent was to help prevent some of theback issuesthat are commonly experienced by dachshunds. Because this breed is such a young breed, it does not yet have a breed standard so the traits, temperament, and looks of this breed can vary widely. Because this is a hybrid dog breed, Chiweenies are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Chiweenie Care

Chiweenies are pretty low-maintenance pets but like all dogs, they require exercise, basic grooming, and a good amount of training.

Exercise

Their short legs mean they aren't built for marathons, but Chiweenies still needexercise. A walk around the block, some playtime in the yard, or playing fetch with some toys inside for about 30 minutes a day is all this breed typically needs. Chiweenies also need mental stimulation, sopuzzle toys, training sessions, and teaching newtrickscan help prevent boredom.

Grooming

Depending on the type of coats the parents have, Chiweenies can have short, long, or wire-haired coats, but short coats are the most commonly seen. Regular brushing, baths, nail trims, and ear cleanings, and teeth brushingis important to keep your Chiweenie happy and healthy.

Training

The Chiweenie can be a stubborn breed, attach themselves to one person in particular, and have jealous tendencies, so proper training and socialization is important.The earlier you start training, the better. In addition to obedience training and socialization, it's recommended tocrate trainyour Chiweenie.

Common Health Problems

Mixed breeds are usually healthier than pure breeds, but Chiweenies are still prone to some health problems that Chihuahuas and dachshunds are predisposed to, including:

Yearly check-ups with your veterinarian can help keep your Chiweenie healthy and catch any underlying issues before they become a major problem. Once your dog is over the age of seven or eight, twice-yearly check-ups should commence since dogs age more quickly than humans.

Diet and Nutrition

Like all dogs, Chiweenies should eat a nutritionally complete diet formulated for dogs by veterinary nutritionists. Measure out the appropriate amount of food for your Chiweenie's size and specific needs to help preventobesityand other health problems. If you aren't sure what your dog should be eating, ask your veterinarian for recommendations as some dogs will require specific diets if they have certain types of health concerns.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Chiweenie

There are breeders that focus on Chiweenies in particular, but you should be cautious when purchasing a Chiweenie from just anyone. Be careful of breeders that onlybreed for profit, house their dogs in unsanitary conditions, or won't show you the parents.有责任心的繁育者应该有选择地培育寡糖r dogs to help prevent poor health qualities from being passed on to the offspring. Rescuing or adopting a Chiweenie may also be an option and in addition to all-breed rescues, some Chihuahua or dachshund-specific rescues may even have Chiweenies available, too.

Chiweenie Overview

Pros

  • Chiweenies are an affectionate breed

  • Chiweenies form a strong bond with their owners

  • Chiweenies do not require hair cuts

Cons

  • Chiweenies can be very vocal dogs

  • Chiweenies can be a stubborn breed

  • Some Chiweenies can be prone to back, dental, and/or knee issues

10 Best Small Dog Breeds for Limited Space

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If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

FAQ
  • What’s the difference between a Chihuahua and a Chiweenie?

    A Chihuahua is a purebred toy dog that originated in Mexico. A Chiweenie is a mixed-breed dog that was created in the United States by breeding the Chihuahua and dachshund together.

  • Are Chiweenies good family dogs?

    With proper training and socialization, Chiweenies can be good family dogs, but they also tend to bond strongly with one person. The temperaments of their parents have a lot to do with how well they'll fit into a family environment.

  • Are Chiweenies good apartment dogs?

    Chiweenies do not require a lot of space, so they can make good apartment dogs. They are known to be pretty vocal though so if your apartment easily allows you to hear your neighbors, your dog may cause a little noise pollution.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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  2. 豪厄尔,此举,塔米王,普兰本纳特。“Puppy Parties and beyond: The Role of Early Age Socialization Practices on Adult Dog Behavior.”Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, April 2015, 143. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S62081.

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