Fun Chiweenie Facts For Kids

Chiweenies are a crossbreed between two small breeds, which are dachshund and chihuahuas. They are a designer breed that was introduced in the 1990s. The chihuahua is one of the smallest breeds of dogs known across the world.

The origins of this breed are pretty murky. Some say these hybrid dogs originated in Mexico. Some say its origin was a breed called Techichi, which was found in Central and South America.

There are some arguments that chihuahuas were bred in China first, too. The breed became popular in North America only after 1904.

Dachshunds have a very traceable history. They were bred in Germany in the 15th century for hunting. Their name says it all, 'dach' means badger and 'hund' means dog.

Their small legs made it easy to dig tunnels which helped in the hunting of den animals. A pack of dachshunds were used to trail wild boars during the olden days. The name chiweenie doesn't actually describe the breed of dogs that it comes from, unlike labradoodles.

These hybrid dogs are also known by the names cavapoo and yorkie poo. These designer dogs may be the perfect lap-sized dog, but they are actually super active dogs who love to play and bark.

They come in black, brown and white colored coats or a mixed color coat too. There are various common health problems and health issues that this dog breed can suffer from including back problems.

Let’s have a look at some of the interesting chiweenie breed facts and tips. After reading these chiweenie dog facts, do check out our other articles on mini bernedoodle and Native American Indian dog as well.

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Chiweenie Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a chiweenie?

Chiweenies are a type of mixed breed dog which were created by crossbreeding the chihuahua and dachshund. They are most popular in the United States and other western countries. However, these mixed breed dogs are yet to receive recognition from any of the American Kennel Clubs.

What class of animal does a chiweenie belong to?

Chiweenies belong to the mammal class as they give birth to offspring like other mammals. They are small-sized cross-breed dogs whose parents are chihuahua and dachshunds. They were bred as companion dogs for single-person households or a small family with mature children.

How many chiweenies are there in the world?

The exact number for the chihuahua dachshund mixed breed would be difficult to come by as the breed is not recognized by many kennel clubs. However, there has always been an interest in small dog breeds as a companion for many people.

So, it is safe to assume that there are hundreds of of the chihuahua dachshund mixed breed dogs living with chiweenie owners across the world.

Where does a chiweenie live?

An urban set up like an apartment that is small or medium is best suitable for chihuahua dachshund mix breed. This dog is a breed that was made by cross-breeding a chihuahua and a dachshund, which also do well in small apartments or a studio with multiple family members.

The dog can be comfortable on a farm with a small fenced yard too much like the parent breeds.

What is a chiweenie's habitat?

The habitat of a chiweenie can be an urban setting like an apartment or a small house. Or, like its parent breed, dachshund, who were bred as hunting dogs, it can also be a rural setup.

But the chiweenie was bred as a companion dog in an urban setup, so the dog is more suited for that. They are also an active breed and enjoy going for regular walks. Since it doesn't have thick fur, it can adjust well in temperate zones or humid climates too.

Who do chiweenies live with?

Like both parent breeds, chinweenies are comfortable staying with single people or a small family with older children. The dogs interact well with other animals, too, especially smaller animals, because of their size. When the dogs are interacting with younger children, chiweenie owners must pay attention that the chiweenies are not hurt by the excitement of the young child.

How long does a chiweenie live?

The chihuahua dachshund hybrid can live between 12 to 16 years. A daily exercise regime, healthy diet and regular interactive play sessions with the dog are all important things that will improve the overall wellbeing of the dog, and therefore increase their lifespan.

How do they reproduce?

Chiweenie is a mixed breed dog whose parents are chihuahuas and dachshunds. When the male and female dog is of age, the male dog should be of the ideal height to be able to mount the female dog.

The female dog should be in its heat cycle as this is when the reproduction cycle starts. After a firm connection, the dogs will stay in this position for five to 30 minutes.

The female chiweenie has a gestation period of 60 to 64 days. Reproduction activity must be conducted once a year only.

Otherwise, it is detrimental to the health of female dogs. The female dog’s pregnancy period would be 58 to 68 days, and she will give birth to between four and eight chiweenie puppies.

What is their conservation status?

The chihuahua dachshund mix dog doesn’t have any serious conservation status. They are a fairly new breed, and therefore not much conservation is required.

In fact, the professional breeders would make sure that the breed does well, so that it is accepted by the kennel clubs. They are a new designer breed that is slowly gaining popularity, so their official conservation status is Least Concern.

Chiweenie Fun Facts

What do chiweenies look like?

Chiweenies look like both their parents, which are chihuahua and dachshund. Chiweenies are a mixed breed of these two pure breeds and have characteristics that match both of them.

They are smart, intelligent, affectionate, and spunky dogs who enjoy being more than a lap dog, much like their parent dachshunds who were bred as a hunting animal. The dog can look like both its parents or one parent more than the other.

That is something no breeder will guess beforehand. Due to their small size, they have a very cute look anyways, but their personality and floppy ears add that extra adoreableness.

How cute are they?

Chiweenies are cute as a button, especially because of their compact size. The dog is an active breed and won't let you laze around, especially since they like to have a lot of exercise.

The dog has been affectionately nicknamed 'the Mexican hotdog' or 'the German taco'. This breed is ideal for single people who don't want a dog with too many grooming needs, but want a companion who is comfortable staying by itself in a small apartment.

How do they communicate?

Chiweenies are a noisy breed. They enjoy barking and howling. Contrary to their small size, they do have a large voice. Each bark and each howl has a different meaning and emotion.

They may bark for protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, or just for fun. If you stay in a quiet neighborhood, it could be problematic. If you don't enjoy the company of a noisy dog, this breed is not ideal for you.

How big is a chiweenie?

Chiweenie is a small compact dog like its parents, chihuahua and dachshunds. They are small dogs with a big spunky personality. These dogs are barely 6-9 in (15-22 cm). They are ideal for an urban set up like an apartment where the chiweenie is comfortable due to its small size.

How fast can a chiweenie run?

There has been no official estimation on the speed of chiweenies, but they are active, playful breeds that love to play fetch and run around. They love to run in circles, behind you or around the furniture too.

They are energetic beings who love to learn new tricks quickly. Therefore training this dog will be a fun activity for the parents too.

How much does a chiweenie weigh?

The Chiweenie weighs 5-12 lb (2.2-5.4 kg) The average weight is around 7.5 lb (3.4 kg). You must be careful while feeding these small compact dogs as they gain weight easily. A daily exercise regime with regular playtime is the most important thing for keeping weight in check.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Chiweenie males would be called dogs, and cheeweenie females are called bitches.

What would you call a baby chiweenie?

All baby chiweenie dogs are simply referred to as a puppy. Their cuteness is not to be ignored. A chiweenie puppy looks adorable and would make a lovely companion amongst small families with older children.

What do they eat?

Chiweenies should be fed only specially formulated food for a small dog with a high energy level. They have the tendency to gain weight easily, therefore, you must feed only half to one cup of dry kibble daily.

Its diet must include healthy animal-based protein, carbs, and fats. It is also suggested that the dog must be fed only twice a day along with constant water.

Since it's an active breed, taking them for a short walk or spending some quality playtime with them would give them the exercise they need. Therefore having a balanced diet and exercise routine is the most important thing to keep this breed healthy.

Are they slobbery?

Chiweenie is almost a no slob dog. This doesn't mean that it may not drool. It may drool but at a very specific time or for a specific reason.

Like when you are eating meat in front of them, or when they have any health concerns which need immediate attention. They may also drool if they are thirsty or the weather is hot and humid. These are some of the reasons why these dogs might drool out of character.

Would they make a good pet?

Chiweenies are excellent pets for small families with mature children or single people living in an urban setting like small apartments. The only disadvantage is their noise level.

Chiweenies love to bark and howl. They also are very active, playful, and intelligent dogs, who love to play fetch and run around with their pet parents.

If you are okay with the constant barks and howls, and live in a neighborhood where noise levels are low, then this is an ideal small compact pet for you. Like a dachshund, a chiweenie dog can suffer from back problems and would therefore require regular attention for a variety of health problems and health issues.

Did you know...

The biggest advantage of chiweenies is almost no grooming requirement, as the dog doesn't shed as much. Chiweenies are apartment-friendly dogs, suitable for singles as well who want some company.

Chiweenies are not the best lap dogs, but an active, intelligent dog who loves to play around the house and play with you too. Chiweenies have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.

Chiweenies are not hypoallergenic, and they can cause an allergic reaction to people who suffer from allergies. Chiweenies are not suitable as a therapy dog, elderly companion dog, or parents with small children.

Chiweenies may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for an extended period of time by their parents. They are not like the typical smelly dog breeds.

They can be stubborn if left to their own devices, and therefore it is advisable to train them from their early days with positive reinforcements. The dogs take to training well as they are highly intelligent social animals.

These dogs are known for their yappy nature, although it makes them great watchdogs. You must pay special attention to their oral health and dental care.

They are tiny dogs, and therefore must be fed according to their size. They are not prone to roam around the neighborhood on their own.

Chiweenies love routine, quiet households, and not many interactions with strangers. They are receptive to their parents’ emotions and want to be part of the family.

It is important to train your chiweenies into socialization from a young age so that they don't get disturbed by strangers. They don't look alike.

As their parents are chihuahua and dachshund, they can take up any of the physical or personality traits of one or both of them. The smaller breed of dogs live longer than the larger breeds.

But this comes with a set of health concerns in their old age. A healthy, well-balanced life with good portion-controlled food and regular exercise will help the dog in the long run, along with regular checkups with the vet.

Chiweenie is a low-maintenance dog. It doesn't require too much grooming making it an ideal partner for a single person with a low budget.

These designer dogs do well in a multi-pet household, too, as long as they get playtime and good quality food along with love and attention from the parents. They adjust well with other small dogs, small cats, and other pets.

Chiweenie health facts

Chiweenies are a healthy dog, but they may be predisposed to certain health conditions that its parents, chihuahua and dachshund, pass down genetically. To maintain good health, the dog should have regular visits with the vet to check for any possible health issues.

Some of the common health concerns for chiweenies include: Hypoglycemia - this happens when the sugar levels go down. It mainly occurs due to their small size and smaller stomach.

This problem is also observed in chihuahuas, who is one of the parents of this breed. Diabetes - normally, a dog suffering from hypoglycemia may suffer from diabetes too.

It is advisable to have a discussion with the vet to understand this better, as it is a lifelong condition that will require regular medications.

Degenerative disc disease - this disease causes severe issues to the spine and can lead to serious injuries and paralysis. This problem is seen commonly with dachshunds too, who are one of the parents of the chiweenies.

Strenuous activities for a small dog like jumping and climbing must be restricted. Or any activity which may put a strain on the spine must be avoided too.

Hypothyroidism - in this health concern, the thyroid gland becomes underactive.

Having a consultation with the vet and following the treatment provided by them will help your dog. Knee and joint issues - this is a common issue in many dogs especially a compact dog like chiweenie, especially as they age.

Allergies - seasonal and skin allergies are a major cause for concern among pet parents. If your dog is sneezing excessively, or chewing and licking its skin, rashes, coughing, difficulty in breathing, or any other signs of an allergic reaction are observed, please contact the vet immediately.

A dog requires a healthy well balanced diet along regular exercise and playtime to maintain a good quality of life. Make sure you provide your dog with these things for their betterment.

Getting your own chiweenie

You can get a chiweenie for  200 - 600 USD from a certified breeder or vet. Make sure you do not buy from a puppy mill, where the mother chiweenie is kept in inhumane conditions and made to go through reproduction more than once a year.

Chiweenies are a great addition to small families with older children or singles living in small apartments. Due to their compact size, the dog does well in smaller dwellings.

If you have younger children, keep an eye on their interaction with chiweenies as in their overexcitement they may hurt the small dog. It is an ideal dog for people who love to have a conversation with their pets.

They have the personality of a spunky, intelligent big dog in a small and compact size. They will be ideal for an active family who loves to play with their pets.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including pitbull chihuahua mix, or black german shepherd.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our cute puppy coloring pages.