Chiweenie

The first Chiweenie was bred only about 30 years ago, although the Mexican Chihuahua and German Dachshund go back hundreds of years as breeds. Chiweenies were bred as small companion dogs, bringing out the best of both breeds’ personalities without any of the issues that Dachshunds have with their long backs. Dachshund means “badger dog” in German; they are terriers, not hound dogs. They are fearless little ones originally bred to sniff out badgers. The Chihuahua is a Mexican breed known for its small stature. While the exact history of the Chihuahua is unknown and could date back to the Aztecs, they became popular with Americans who first saw them in Mexico in the 19th century.

The Chiweenie is intensely loyal to its owner and does not like to be away from them for long periods of time. They can get along with family members and other animals but tend to do best with families with older or no children.

The Chiweenie can get by with a few romps around the yard a day on a leash.

This tiny Chihuahua Dachshund mix will spend most of its day near its owner and does well in small spaces so long as they have access to the outdoors for a few walks a day.

Dachshunds and Chihuahuas come in several different coats, such as Longhaired, Smooth-coated, and Wirehaired for Dachshunds and Long-coated and Smooth-coated for Chihuahuas. This can make grooming unpredictable. Find a local groomer who knows how to groom your Chiweenie or who can show you how to do it yourself.

Tiny yet mighty, Chiweenies need to learn basic obedience like walking on a leash or coming when called, as the instinct to wander off might be too great for them. Socialize them early and you’ll be rewarded with a confident, people-loving attitude. They might feel overwhelmed easily, so be gentle when training.

The Chiweenie is better as a one-person dog as they tend to bond intensely with one person, but can be good family dogs for those with older or no children who can respect the dog’s boundaries.

The cost of a Chiweenie from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.